When trying to untangle thorny social problems, people need to work within existing social institutions. As we all know, these institutions are flawed. They work for some and not for others. They produce intended and unintended consequences. Some of those consequences are positive, and others are negative. Inadequacies, inequities, and rewards are built into the system. But even though social institutions shape what individuals can do, individuals also influence the system. The interplay between these forces is the essence of status quo and social change.
Throughout the essays on this blog, I have argued strongly that pink ribbon culture needs to change, to build on the strengths and lessen the weaknesses. To see what needs to change, it is necessary to shine a light on the consequences that cause damage. Commercialization, trivialization, marginalization, isolation, objectification, infantalization, sexualization…all of these “TIONS” exist in what has become the dominant pink culture, but do they have any business being there?
Strong advocacy brought people together to support one another, share information, and empower patients to make informed decisions about their health. It also sought to influence the health system in ways that would promote access, options, equity, and quality care. It was built from a shared intention to make a difference in the lives of the diagnosed and to ultimately eradicate the disease. The “TIONS” have not only diverted our attention from these important goals, they have divided what had been a strong and more inclusive movement.
The “Go pink, or go home” sentiment that has emerged among some in pink culture has not only marginalized many of the diagnosed, it has disallowed adequate critique of the culture’s consequences. Whenever people ask me if I’m against the community events, I always reply, “Run if you want to! Just don’t run away from the complexities of breast cancer and advocacy that need deep and urgent attention.” Critique is not a bad thing. It’s a good thing. We need it. Our institutions need it. The eradication of breast cancer depends upon it.
I’ve been talking to a lot of people about this issue, particularly in this last month. Even from within my own circle there seems to be a sense of that there’s no such thing as bad publicity, it doesn’t matter how money is raised so long as it’s raised and it least having the pink visual gets people thinking or can start a conversation. But the problem is that no one seems to be digging deeper than that and truly questioning what “awareness” really means and where the money is really going. That is the danger of the “TIONS” as you so aptly put it. There has been a complete dumbing down of what a breast cancer diagnosis truly means, and you are so right when you say that our attention has been diverted by all of this pink noise. Society needs a wakeup call in the form of rational debate and critique so we can move forward in the fight, and I believe you may be leading that charge. Kudos to you.