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.
The Gulf oil spill is being called the worst environmental disaster in U.S. history.
“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 best video I’ve seen in 3+ months!!! I love people who give a F–K about the Gulf! Got your shirt?
i LOVE it!! posted a link to your article on my blog: http://www.norcalblogs.com/iconoclastic – what an amazing idea
Great article, Amanda. Your picture is awesome!
This is the right f–king response at the right f–king time!
It’s a great way to bring attention to what needs to be done. Let us not overlook, however, that some parts of the response have gone as well as can be expected. Much like Katrina, it’s a f–king mess but not everyone’s a f–king idiot. This is an unprecedented spill — not a f–king excuse but a factor. Lots of folks in the Coast Guard and other agencies, people who aren’t to blame, have been away from their families working 20+ hour days for weeks to try to clean this the f–k up. They deserve some f–king credit and respect just as those who screwed the f–king pooch on this one deserve to be held accountable.
It's a great way to bring attention to what needs to be done. Let us not overlook, however, that some parts of the response have gone as well as can be expected. Much like Katrina, it's a f–king mess but not everyone's a f–king idiot. This is an unprecedented spill — not a f–king excuse but a factor. Lots of folks in the Coast Guard and other agencies, people who aren't to blame, have been away from their families working 20+ hour days for weeks to try to clean this the f–k up. They deserve some f–king credit and respect just as those who screwed the f–king pooch on this one deserve to be held accountable.
BP is a convenient target for all our rage…but for anyone who owns a car, boat, or other f—king fossil fuel burning machine….step right up and take a f–king bow. We use a lot of Petroleum in this country and only part of it is in our tanks….half the stuff in most stores is f–king petro chemical derivative….most plastic, including this f–king keyboard I am f–king typing on…made from f–king oil. Want to blame someone? Well take a looking in the f–king mirror because after all BP was giving you what you f–king asked for OIL.
Amanda–thanks for throwing down on an issue that keeps me up at night. Thank you!