Breast Cancer Pinskploitation: Think Before You "Think Pink"
I write about this in "Good Manners for Nice People Who Sometimes Say F*ck," in the chapter, FRIENDS WITH SERIOUS ILLNESSES: What to do when a friend is really, really sick and could maybe even die:
A lot of people take for granted that they're supporting a friend with breast cancer by wearing a pink ribbon or buying Yoplait with a pink lid.Sure, companies that "go pink" give some portion of the sale of each pinked-up product to help stop breast cancer.
But a number of breast cancer patients see this as "pinksploitation": using cancer to sell products. They would rather you give a more sizable donation (or even $10 or $25) to a cancer research center instead of thinking you're buying a yogurt and making a difference.
Or as Boing Boing blogger Xeni Jardin, who's tweeted her breast cancer diagnosis and treatments, tweeted during the breast cancer marketing month of "Pinktober":
Just don't give to cure a disease that mainly kills men. 'Cause who needs them?
dee nile at October 7, 2015 7:02 AM
My city (and county, too) is doing the whole "pink" thing this month.
One of the police cruisers is decked out in pink. My thought "how much did that cost?" Remember, this is the city that just raised our millage rate 13% so I guess they can't be bothered to think about that question. "We can't be broke, we still have some taxpayers available to fleece".
I R A Darth Aggie at October 7, 2015 8:12 AM
Just being a friend to anyone with cancer is good - don't avoid them, hang out with them.
Plus, before giving money to any charitable organization, check and see how much of your donation actually goes to anything other than advertising and administrative costs.
BTW, I lost an uncle to breast cancer.
Beth Donovan at October 7, 2015 8:45 AM
"But a number of breast cancer patients see this as "pinksploitation": using cancer to sell products. "
OMG, that is what I said (without the word pinksploitation) a few years back when my company did the whole buy pink, wear pink, donate 10 bucks and get the "right" to wear jeans for a day crap.
I was pilloried for making such as non-PC statement. I was told that I must hate women. I was told that I must wish all women die from cancer, etc.
Off topic; but related, I was also blasted for mentioning that they shouldn't pressure employees into donating blood at the company blood drive as some folks should NOT be donating or cannot donate. My name was mud at that company; no wonder they chose me first when they did lay offs.
charles at October 7, 2015 8:54 AM
I have a friend who has no med. ins. I will pay her charges at both specialist she needs. That is real support.
Fred Mallison at October 7, 2015 11:30 AM
I have a friend who has no med. ins.
Wait. I thought ObamaCare took care of that? You mean...she's disobeying the law?
I R A Darth Aggie at October 7, 2015 3:24 PM
I wrote about the ways to help -- either by donating money directly for cancer research or, if you know someone with cancer, show the hell up. Drive them to chemo, hang with them while they're there; tell them you're going to the store and will pick them up some things. Walk their dog. Pick up from their pot dealer. And don't worry that you don't know what to say. They probably aren't going to want to talk about cancer. Oh, and as Lynda Gorov points out -- ask before you give somebody a hug. If their white count is low, it's the thought (that you want to hug them) that counts -- but the ungiven hug will be more helpful to their health.
Amy Alkon at October 8, 2015 7:39 AM
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