Notebook: The Beach's polite discussion about what's actually on those shirts
How do we talk about language and images that ain't fit to print?
VIRGINIA BEACH — This edition of Notebook totally drops the F-bomb.
This past week, I was among the folks who wrote about what might have seemed like the most pressing story in Virginia Beach — City Council’s decision to ask retailers to cool it on the raunchy T-shirts and storefront displays.
It got a lot of digital ink, from local media to some national outlets and blogs.
I hope folks got a sense of the conflict at the heart of the issue with coverage that explained what the ask from the council actually is. But I struggled a bit with communicating what exactly gives offense without repeating it.
It’s hard to have a conversation when some of the words at issue, while likely outside the legal definition of obscenity, are still off limits. To be clear, there’s a reason for that. We can communicate offense without seeking to offend. There’s something to be said about making the point in a way that doesn’t shut down a conversation.
But, again, a bad word is coming up.
David Brewer wrote a good, basic overview called “Offense and Journalism” for Media Helping Media, an online resource about a wide range of issues. In part, it says:
Judgements about the use of offensive language must be taken regarding the tone and context of the output. Different words cause different degrees of offence [sic] in different parts of the world.
Further language constraints exist for broadcasters, who cannot use certain words and indecent or profane speech, as described a decade ago by journalist and educator Al Tompkins at this link.
Most reporters have to make an effort to communicate offense without causing damage or shutting down understanding of what offends.
But let me mention another audience before I go and publish a curse word.
I talked about this with only two of my three kids.
Our eldest could not care less about this in any shape or form.
My youngest likes going to the beach, but she doesn’t like some shops you walk past to do much of anything at the resort.
“They’re weird and kind of gross,” she said.
My high schooler told me she and her classmates tried to keep French exchange students away from the shops while visiting the resort about two years ago. The students joked about it, but they also recognized these were inappropriate items that send a message to guests.
“We didn’t want that to be the impression they had,” she said.
Seriously, please stop reading if you don’t want to see an awfully unfortunate word.
There was lots of coverage of the T-shirt issue at the Oceanfront, but none of it replicated the most graphic materials.
I walked it up for WHRO. So did Brett Hall for WAVY-TV, among others.
Virginia Beach wants to ask Oceanfront stores to move offensive displays [Aug. 12]
Virginia Beach asks businesses to remove vulgar T-shirts [Aug. 12]
Virginia Beach wants Oceanfront shops to remove vulgar clothing [Aug. 12]
Amusingly, here’s a hot take by a writer who, at one point, effectively re-aggregates another outlet’s aggregation of Stacy Parker’s actual journalism for The Virginian-Pilot. Click at your own risk, but this is what’s out there.
It’s the Moby Dick of cheap apparel, I guess. No pun intended.
I saw the F-word appeared on two shirts facing passersby at the same business. Other adult language was shown elsewhere. It’s stuff most outlets won’t or can’t repeat.
But I promised some potty-mouth stuff above, and a vow is a vow.
Plenty of other examples.
This was just the only one I saw that’s eye-level to a little kid.
The Virginia Beach Council of Civic Organizations will host a forum this week about the Blue and Green lines and the Transition Area, big topics this year as the city updates its comprehensive plan.
The event is scheduled to start at 7 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 21, at Princess Anne Recreation Center, 1400 Nimmo Pkwy. It’s billed as a citizens workshop for people to “roll up their sleeves, share concerns and brainstorm the questions that need answers about development in these vital areas of our city.”
City officials are not expected to attend, but questions will be forwarded to them, according to the group. Attendees are asked to register online at this link.
Roundup:
Vinyl spins? Backlash by Freddie Hubbard and Moondance by Van Morrison. A friend of my high-schooler mentioned the inclusion of Olivia Rodrigo in last week’s Notebook. One of the kids’ records, but I counted it. The song “Brutal” just makes me want to listen to Elvis Costello. Look it up!
Pickup truck listening? Ask Me About My New God by Maria Bamford and lots of news.
Newsroom playlist? I Can Destroy by Paul Gilbert, who is excellent, and Bump Ahead and Lean Into It by Mr. Big, a guilty pleasure with great playing. Lots of Robert Cray, but mostly Take Your Shoes Off.
Books? Same book. Little progress. Not good when writers don’t read.
New vinyl? Jeff Beck with the Jan Hammer Group Live by Jeff Beck, etc. Used.
Local produce? Exactly one cucumber from our garden and several cherry tomatoes. Our plum tomatoes are coming in, but they’re not ready for prime time. Our basil is going to seed, but I keep eating leaves off the plant like a rabbit.
Meetings? City Council, School Board and YouTube watches, including the development authority.
Coolest moment? Cortney and I saw Superman. So much of the dog.
Skink still in the newsroom? Yeah. We’ve got a very tiny one near the house that lost its tail, too. And this guy.
Snake or garden hose? Nothing near the house. Saw a fat cottonmouth (99 percent sure) cross Mill Landing Road from the safety of a Chevy Silverado.
This song is clean version of a tune called “Dirty.” I’ve been around long enough to know “she was just a friend from school” will never, ever work. Feel free to send me your relationship questions. Jessie Murph and Teddy Swims play us out.
© 2025 John-Henry Doucette