One of the most beautiful things I've seen all day are the photos (like the one pictured here) from the Breast Cancer Awareness Body Painting Project. In each portrait, a breast cancer survivor poses with a brightly painted chest. The women in the pictures say that the experience has been enlightening and therapeutic, and has reignited their spirits. But unlike me and probably you, Facebook isn't a fan.
Not long after the pics were posted on the social network, they were taken down by the site. Facebook blasted the photos as pornography, citing inappropriate nudity, which is a violation of the terms of use. Gone also were the many supportive, uplifting comments that had been left under the photographs. Wow. Facebook really knows how to be a total buzzkill, huh?
Making the situation even more dismaying is the fact that the artist, Michael Colanero, who is the creator of the project, said he took care in making the images "child-safe." He elaborated:
I want them to be in oncology clinics and children's hospitals. I've gone out of my way to make them nonsexual. People come into the gallery and put their hands on the pictures, crying. They can empathize and just learn and be more aware.
Wow, that doesn't make Facebook look totally inhumane AT ALL, huh? Heh! Really, what's going on here is simply more of the same. Every so often, the site automatically takes down a photo that is completely harmless, because on the surface, it's breasts, nudity, whatever. It's almost like they've got some kind of code that is programmed to detect breasts on the site and then immediately remove the photo. Like it's not actually humans monitoring the site. Eerie!!
I don't think that's necessarily the case, but Zuck & Co. need to start showing us there really are humans behind the social network. As in, real people who can tell the difference between porn/unnecessary nudity and art. It wouldn't be that difficult. All they'd have to do is carefully consider photos like these on a case-by-case basis instead of defaulting to knee-jerk electronic censorship. Facebook is about real people connecting with one another after all, right? So why aren't the people running it showing their humanity?
Here's a video of more of the body painting if you'd like to check it out ... uncensored!
What do you think about the censorship of these photos?
Image via Uncommon Gallery/Splash News
This Hot Dad Wants to Do Your Ironing
This Hot Dad Wants to Cook You Dinner
This Hot Dad Cooks AND Does the Dishes
Kanye West is Gay?! 
Comments 88
First off, facebook has a right to censor as they please, they are a private company.
That said, come on, this may be visually disturbing, but it is not pronographic, and its meant to be (to some dergree) disturbing, it's meant to make you think and stick with you! You find it disturbing? Then don't look. Just as you don't for all the "OMG I can't believe she posted a pic wearing that" photos that are on facebook.
Oh, and in response to an earlier post, if testicular cancer wants to follow suite, then so be it, frankly, artists would have an easy time making art out of guys equipment! And the shock factor sure would be great! LOL!
So, now haw about all those pics of teen and pre teen girls in provocative poses? Shoot, I fb freinded a 4h girl at my stable, and had to be the mean one to talk to her (and then her mom, much to her dismay) about a pic I found of her laying on a freinds couch in a bikini, eating a lollipop in a way that makes lil boys wet dreams. The girl is 13! But she sure didn't look it there. Did facebook flag that? Nope!Thankfully her mom did!
But something which makes a statement in a non pornographic manner is bad. Ok, facebook has a right to censor, but are they censoring the right things? I think not!
If people want breasts to not be looked at as dirty, you need to start with the root of the problem which ultimately is the government.
I think that all businesses have a right to set their own rules. If patrons don't like them then they have the option of not using the service. Period.
That's outrageous! I think the art is beautiful and I see no harm in any of it.
This comment board, as usually happens, is turning into two separate discussions...
The pictures/artwork is beautiful, socially relevant, and should be seen by a lot of people. It's a wonderful way to raise consciousness, especially since the women involved are sharing their trials, struggles and triumphs. How uplifting and comforting to all involved.
But.
Facebook is a private company, and may censor whatever they like. Many have a point that censoring "art" (which is in the eye of the beholder - one person considers this art, another considers it borderline porn) while allowing a 13-year old scantily clad little girl sucking on a lollipop is a double standard, at the very minimum.
But the fact is, once again, FB is private. If people don't like their policies on pictures, they should campaign to change those policies. But they should then be prepared to not post their vacation pics, because when things like this blow up, it often swings too far in the opposite direction. FB may just say, "fine. No pics of anyone wearing less than a turtleneck and blue jeans - fully covered bodies ONLY." And that would be their prerogative, as well.
I understand rules ARE rules and Melissa042807 had a very valid point about exceptions opening a can of worms. But perhaps FB needs to look at things on a case by case basis? Perhaps looking at the INTENT behind the pictures. For example, is the intent sexual? Or is it, in this case to tell a story and raise awareness? But I recongize the amount of time and money such a suggestion entails.
I respect the commenters who states they were offended by the content of the pictures. However, it needs to be pointed out that one could post what one believes to be a completely innocuous photo, and someone is going to find it offensive.
I can't say I'm unbiased here, either. My Mother survived BC, and my Aunt died from it, and I've already had 2 scares. Thus, anything to raise awareness about BC is near and dear to me.
Facebook has the right to ban whatever they feel , I am thankful for there being help for cancer suvivors but I do not think they should be on display everywhere like that.
I think the picture is beautiful! I do not see why facebook wont allow it.