This week, two nonprofit initiatives harnessed the unexpected combination of childhood innocence and adult language to draw attention to their causes—each, however, achieved vastly different results.
Derek Woods and “Go the F*** to Sleep”
First up was Derek Woods, the beloved star of the nostalgic show, “Reading Rainbow.” He delivered a live reading of the wildly popular, now iconic book, “Go the F*** to Sleep,” during a charity livestream hosted by Extra Life. I knew I had to tune in, and thousands of others felt the same. The man who epitomized our after-school PBS rituals before we even thought about homework? And now he’s reading a hilariously raunchy take on bedtime stories to raise funds for a children’s hospital? What a blast! Would we have been as eager to click, watch, and donate if he chose to read “Danny the Dinosaur”? Doubtful.
F-Bombs for Feminism
In stark contrast, another campaign featured a more NSFW video showcasing adorable girls in tutus loudly proclaiming “F-Bombs for Feminism.” I won’t share a link to the video here due to concerns about the organization behind it. Still, the combination of sparkly outfits and salty language caught my attention. Yet, as a staunch feminist who swears, I found it disconcerting. While I appreciate the power of profanity—after all, it can add punch to writing—there’s a time and place for everything.
As I watched these young girls unleash a barrage of expletives, I felt the message of empowerment drown beneath the weight of each “F” they dropped. Each utterance felt like a nail being driven in, unlike the chuckles I enjoyed with every F-bomb from our cherished host, Mr. Woods. He’s an adult and relatable, using a crude yet cleverly crafted book that resonates with many parents. Now, imagine if he were replaced by someone like Amy Poehler or a young actor from a popular show—I’d still be there, laughing along.
Words Have Power
On the other hand, those tutu-clad girls and their creators could benefit from a lesson I share with my own daughter—who, despite my colorful language outside her hearing range, chooses to refrain from swearing: Words have immense power. Use them wisely, or you’re bound to find yourself in a sticky situation.
Conclusion
In summary, while both campaigns employed the shock value of profanity alongside childhood themes, the effectiveness of their approaches varied significantly. Derek Woods’s playful reading of a well-loved parody struck a chord, while the girls’ over-the-top swearing overshadowed their feminist message.
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Keyphrase: Using profanity for fundraising
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