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| By DebMomof3 Licensed under creative commons |
A lot people are touched by breast cancer. 1 in 8 women are diagnosed during their lifetime. So chances are good, consumers know someone who was diagnosed. They've experienced the overwhelming helplessness of watching someone struggle with something that they can do nothing about. They are decent human beings in need of a way to do something, anything to help out. This makes them, read us, easy marks.
Companies, not all, but some put pink ribbons on products for this month, and they benefit from the pink bump. This benefit may not translate as people expect to nonprofits that actually help people facing breast cancer. This practice has a name: "pink washing." The product that company is selling may actually be part of a constellation of things we know cause cancer. "Pink washing" preys on the unsuspecting patron trying to do right. If the product actually does donate money, the unwary consumer maybe surprised to find out that the nonprofit that recieved the donation may not donate much onto the cause. Several of them donate 10-15 cents on the dollar onto research etc. Again, some of these companies and non profits set a benevolent trap that sees them profit instead of the people the consumers think they are helping.
The hatred of pink kind of peaked when Komen tried to stop funding Planned Parenthood in what looked like an all out assault on women's reproductive rights. In 2011, the holiday of pink intruded into February, and I became obsessed with it. I couldn't sleep. Facebook friends posted diatribes against planned parenthood, Komen, and pink, and I got lost in the middle.
When times are tough and I feel Isolation's claws sinking into my chest, I look around me, at the store, on the road, in restaurants, in elevators. Someone is always wearing a ribbon. Someone is always there reminding me that I am not alone. I can't hate pink entirely, because, in that moment, all that pink wraps me up in a giant hug.
That said, breast cancer is not photo shopped models sporting pink products. It's not a good deal on yogurt, wine, soda, etc. It's not free meat. It's not cheap plastic pink pompoms, car magnets, guns, porta-potties, mops, etc. It's ugly internal and external scars. It's crippling side effects. It's painful reminders of lost loved ones, potential, and dreams.So when you see the pink this month, remember pink responsibly. Do your research. Hug a survivor. Check yourself. Consider giving to different organizations instead of the impulse buy section at the supermarket.
Some of my favorites that do great work:
Some of my favorite awareness campaigns. These guys may or may not make money, but they do raise awareness.
If you are interested in more on pink washing.
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