If you didn’t know, today is #NoBraDay, intended to raise “awareness” of breast cancer, much in the same way that pink football jerseys do. The hashtag encourages people to post selfies of their breasts without a bra (though typically contained in a shirt).
The campaign has murky origins, but allegedly began in 2011 by Facebook user “Anastasia Doughnuts,” according to the International Business Times. The date appeared to be July 9, but at some point it changed to October, which Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The original Facebook page hasn’t been updated since last October, but its most recent post calls for raising awareness of the disease.
Though it perhaps has good intentions, the hashtag is rubbing a lot of people the wrong way. Much like the backlash against the Save the Tatas campaign, #NoBraDay has been accused of focusing on the breasts themselves instead of the people behind the breasts. And, much like last year, it has a lot of people talking.
Here are the most common reactions people are having to #NoBraDay:
The “Stop sexualizing breasts, this is a real problem” reaction:
As someone whose mother died of breast cancer, fuuuuuuuuuuck #NoBraDay. By all means, take cute selfies. But don't pretend it's for this.
— Mara Wilson (@MaraWilson) October 13, 2015
How about instead of #NoBraDay we make Oct 13th #DonatetoBreastCancerResearchAndSupportPeopleDealingWithADevastatingIllnessDay?
— Travis McElroy (Self Parody) (@travismcelroy) October 13, 2015
When we talk about testicular cancer we don't suggest that men should post pictures of their balls. (And please never start) #NoBraDay
— The Volatile Mermaid (@OhNoSheTwitnt) October 13, 2015
As a survivor who's srsly fed up w/ pink Breast Cancer Industrial Complex, this #NoBraDay idea is BS. Not wearing a bra does not save lives.
— Liz Courquet-Lesaulnier (@losangelista) October 13, 2015
As you are busy searching for or posting thirst photos… Let's #Retweet this reality behind the #NoBraDay trend http://t.co/WUZCMfAFks
— Illuminate Som (@somnath456) October 13, 2015
The “Oops, I didn’t realize this was about breast cancer” reaction
https://twitter.com/ShujaRabbani/status/653937142037639168
https://twitter.com/musicnews_shade/status/653920847439233024
Is it #NoBraDay yet? I hate clothes
— ..Suurraahh.. (@suurraahful) October 6, 2015
https://twitter.com/AlyaaGad/status/653919930375663616
https://twitter.com/musicnews_facts/status/653902552346394624
The “Lol look at these unacceptable bodies” reaction
Happy #NoBraDay, dahlings… Champagne for everyone! pic.twitter.com/VNvqYehxoX
— BBC Three (@bbcthree) October 13, 2015
https://twitter.com/BigOShow/status/653921582843301888
https://twitter.com/DuncanWhitehead/status/653902513482113025
#NoBraDay pic.twitter.com/HfIPncVgmI
— Ese Sujeto 🤞🇮🇱🍍 (@rtoursg) October 13, 2015
The “Ugh men” reaction
https://twitter.com/YahBoiSelfie/status/653870211024621568
#NoBraDay is actually for breast cancer awareness but these hoes will take full advantage to display their hoeness 😐
— Marco💯 (@Oyakhilome_) October 13, 2015
And, quite possibly the best, the “I couldn’t participate if I tried” reaction
https://twitter.com/amandamichl/status/653941505892204544
So happy #NoBraDay … we think? Hopefully now you’re more aware of breast cancer, and not just continually aware of boobs.
Illustration by Max Fleishman