Last week I presented “Pink Ribbon Blues” to medical sociology students at Southern Connecticut State University. Not only had they read the book in its entirety, they were full of insightful comments and questions following my 60-minute slide presentation. Our discussion revolved around key themes:
- How did the pink ribbon become so profitable?
- Why isn’t the bulk of the money going toward research and helping those in treatment?
- Why don’t people know about this?
- How can we change things?
After contemplating these questions, I directed them to the Pink Ribbon Blues “Tools for Action” page for more resources and ideas. The energy of this group of students was inspiring.
Onwards and upwards!
Congrats on your talk! College students are generally a good audience, as they are often open to new ideas.
I will have to keep up with your schedule! I would have donned a hoodie and snuck in for the discussion….. The pebble has been tossed and the ripples are being felt and now, hopefully some meaningful action will follow.
God bless. Thanks to you the word is getting out and change can’t be too far behind. As part of a research project, I’ve joined a BC group being studied for it effectiveness in giving women the tools to better address BC and its aftermath. I had to fill out 2 questionnaires, on my feelings, and another will follow after completion. I will be in it for 3 months and am allowed to spill out my feelings with no recrimination. We shall see if it is the same old same old. I’ve, already blatantly talked about, you, your “Pink Ribbon Blues” and the “pink washing” of BC and how that negatively affects my already negative feelings about the breast cancer experience.
It’s wonderful to see people thinking about the complexities of the pink ribbon industry and culture. That is the first step toward changing the conversation and the paradigm. Thank you all for sending those ripples in your own communities!
I really treasure your work, Great post.
How fabulous you had this opportunity to educate these young minds. It’s up to them in another few years to change the world. Pink need not control our breast cancer future. X