Let me just take this opportunity to encourage some exploration of the pink-ification of breast cancer, the amazing organization Breast Cancer Action and their campaign, "Think Before You Pink", and the speech I heard Barbara Ehrenreich give in 2001 that got me questioning the value of all these pink ribbons, and her latest article on the subject. This is what I consider breast cancer awareness.
Nevertheless, this video is irresistible. Especially when viewed through this lens:
"When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, "Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping."
~Mister Rogers
2 comments:
You know my feelings on the pink-washing of America. And someone recently, with lovely, loving intentions, posted this video on my FB page in response to my report that my mammogram was clear. So I watched it and really, couldn't help smiling. It's only selling happy energy, so I am cool with that. I heard Barbara speak about her book in a TV interview and while I enjoy her work, I also felt she simplified and flattened the deeper issues with some of her approach to breast cancer. I get alot of anger off her, but not alot of compassion. Consumers should be media saavy and aware, for sure. But if all that pink crap is of comfort to a woman with breast cancer, I'm certainly not going to knock them. The culture of forced cheerfulness is pervasive, it's part of the bedrock of our country and the stoic WASPs that founded it. Anger doesn't have a place at the table, it makes people uncomfortable. The pink campaigns make me feel icky and I'll not be racing for the cure (no one understands this, it seems) but for all those who have not had cancer and want to do something, anything, well. I can't take that away from them either.
Kudos for opening this conversation here, darling Laura. During my experience with cancer, you were one of a very, very small number that was willing to talk about these things and approach the subject with curiosity. I am forever grateful for you. You may never know how much every little thing you did and thought helped save me.
Tay, you are one of my heroes. Not the kind that goes on a pedestal, but the kind that I can have a no-bullshit conversation with. I'm glad our paths have crossed.
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