A controversial viral video featuring an F-word-filled tirade against the Gulf oil spill from the mouths of 4-year-olds to grandmothers is raising both eyebrows and funds this week as it gains momentum in a bold campaign to raise money for Gulf wildlife rescue and environmental charities.
The no-holds-barred video features a cross section of people wearing a black T-shirt that reads “UNF–K THE GULF” and unleashing on BP, the federal government and the whole mess in a way that millions of people wish our leaders would.
Sick of yelling at the TV in frustration over the Gulf spill, environmental activists Luke Montgomery and Nate Guidas produced the video as a way to channel their “f–king righteous anger with all that is going on and not going on in the Gulf into something positive.” They put out a casting call on Craigslist for people upset over the oil spill, cast the best in the video, and created the website www.UnF–kTheGulf.com.
“It’s both therapeutic and funny to see people go off in an F-bomb-laced tirade about the spill,” Montgomery said. “There’s a lot of anger out there and people need to vent about the destruction but we also need to have a laugh at the expense of those responsible.”
The “UnF–kTheGulf” video has received more than 20,000 views in one week and raised more than $5,000 in funds through T-shirt sales, exceeding organizers’ expectations and rapidly circulating on social media. This unconventional charity fundraising campaign allows the public vote on how the funds are spent. For each $13 shirt, $5 is donated directly to four Gulf wildlife rescue and environmental charities.
Montgomery and Guidas report receiving hundreds of positive email responses, several complaints, and dozens of requests for uncensored versions of the T-shirt.
In response to the controversy of using such raw language, Montgomery said it is a calculated tactic to get noticed and thereby raise more funds to assist in the Gulf recovery. The organization did recently tame their Twitter name to a censored version, however, to encourage more people to share.
“This is a heinous crime against the environment, people’s livelihood and the ecosystem’s ability to support life,” Montgomery said. “People realize that the really offensive thing is the oil spill, not the word.”
UnF–kTheGulf will soon launch a week-long Facebook and Twitter “F-Bomb-a-Thon” campaign of status updates geared toward building buzz and raising at least $25,000 for the cause. The F-Bomb-a-Thon will run from July 26-August 1.
The Green Lifestyle Series is supported by Yourdailythread, a modern guide for the eco-curious and social do-gooder.This post was originally featured on YDT’s online magazine which offers a free daily email with entertaining and informative green tips.
It has been over 65 days (at an estimate of 504,000 gallons a day) since the B.P. oil spill occurred in the Gulf of Mexico. While we here at YDT have left the reporting of it to major news sources, we can’t help but think about it and all the devastation that has come.
On an individual level I have wondered, what can I actually do? There are obvious things like drive less, donate human and pet hair trimmings to Matter of Trust, but beyond that I wondered…
I took a look around at everything around me and realized, it’s all from oil. Every possession was brought to me through oil and many of the products I owned include oil-by products.
Mineral Oils: Mineral oils are found in common skin care products like Johnson and Johnson’s baby oil. Bottom line is you don’t need it and it is nowhere near as good for your skin compared to natural and essential oils. Get the 411 on our guide to essentials oils.
Plastic Containers: Why store food in plastic when you can store it in glass? I recently converted my entire food storage system to glassware and used many left over pasta sauce and jam jars in the process. Glass Tupperware type storage is always an option too. As always, avoid plastic water bottles and take out items are a great idea too.
Clothing and Fabrics: Every day fabric staples like polyester and nylon are made from Petrol. Opt for natural based fibers like hemp, organic cotton, and bamboo (or if you have to get these fibers, opt for vintage pieces that are already here anyway.
Cleaning Products: Most mainstream products (including dish soap) often are made with petroleum by-products. Who wants to eat on a plate cleaned with gas? Seek out cleaners made from certifiable natural products, or even better make your own.
Plastic Bags: If you BYOB to the grocery store are you using plastic bags for your home trash bins? With options like biodegradable Bio-Bags (in all sizes including doggy bags) there is no need to throw any more plastic away.
BP reports (via Twitter) that it has started the “kill shot” operation, the desperate attempt to cap the oil well on the sea floor in the Gulf of Mexico. Watch the live feed here.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today released BP’s response to EPA’s directive on dispersants. EPA’s directive to BP required them to evaluate available, pre-approved dispersants for toxicity and effectiveness and report back to EPA within 24 hours. After receiving their response late Thursday night, EPA immediately called a meeting with BP to discuss the issue on Friday, May 21. EPA will continue to work over the next 48 hours to ensure BP is complying with the directive.
BP’s response to EPA’s directive, as well as the directive itself, can be found here.
A controversial viral video featuring an F-word-filled tirade against the Gulf oil spill from the mouths of 4-year-olds to grandmothers is raising both eyebrows and funds this week as it gains momentum in a bold campaign to raise money for Gulf wildlife rescue and environmental charities.
The Gulf oil spill is being called the worst environmental disaster in U.S. history.
