Rintrarian

While I support symbolic gestures as much as the next guy, I don’t understand Movember. Movember is prejudicial, exclusionary, and insulting.

1. Movember suggests that people who already have moustaches as part of their style are basically out-of-style.
   1. The idea is that the moustache is something “kitchy” or undesirable, and something the person would want to get rid of after the month is over.
   2. Why not make Movember the month where everyone shaves their head? Go completely bald? Why not? Because nobody wants to make themselves look that silly or outrageous. The would be too much. Yeah, I guess something simpler, less commitment driven and more tacky is better.
2. Movember excludes people who already have moustaches.
   1. A person who normally has a moustache doesn’t just wear a moustache, the moustache is part of them. It is them. They would have to shave it off in order to participate. Then, when the month is over, they could keep it or shave it off like nothing happened. Basically removing them from the equation and leaving them with little or no voice.
   2. If you saw someone who always has a moustache during the month of Movember, would you think about prostate cancer or would you just be thinking “That’s Uncle Jake?”
3. Movember paints a negative picture of people who grow moustaches
   1. Quick, what do you think of when you think of someone’s prostate? Is it their face? Or is it what they have on their face? Is it what you want people to think when they look at the space between your upper lip and nose?
   2. Now think of someone with a moustache? Is it someone who is out of touch with style? Someone who still lives in the 70′s? Is it someone who may molest children? These are the thoughts and jokes people have and make about people with moustaches. Also, these are the thoughts and jokes made about people participating in Movember.

The idea of Movember is still a good idea, kinda, it just seems to be misplaced. Why not make and sell t-shirts that read, in big bold letters, something that truly speaks to the issue?

1. Can I check your prostate?
2. I am pro-prostate.
3. Now that is prostate you can be proud of.
4. I had someone’s fingers up my ass and all I got was this lousy t-shirt.
5. Check out this ass. My doctor did.

Why not have Movember be the month where everyone gets one earring? Or rips the sleeves off of all the shirts they wear that month? People could paint their nails black? Or everyone wears kilts? Why not make clogs the symbol of prostate-awareness? Or ass-less chaps?

I’m sure these and other ideas were all pitched at the campaign meeting but, for some reason, they decided that the moustache was the answer.

Not sure why.

Permalink | No Comments »