Tour de Force: One woman's stand against the pink ribbon behemoth.
by 
There has been a creative upswell lately among my regular blog reads. It seems that BlogHers everywhere have been expressing themselves through various crafts, design, and visual arts.
But there's one new project that hits me with a double whammy, challenging traditional cancer awareness programs and serving as an outlet for amazing creativity all at once. Rebel1in8, a photography/clothing/jewelry site dedicated to refocusing breast cancer awareness from the shallow "save the boob" campaigns and pedantic pink ribbons, uses the creative vision of Jacqueline Skaggs to draw the focus back to the woman behind the breasts.
Here's more about the project, in Jacqueline's own words:
Rebel1in8 is a rebellion against the social and political side effects and fears of breast cancer. Represented here are the realities of breast cancer that transcend the pink fight and treasure hunt mentality of cure-research while confronting the social thorns that attempt to penetrate and exploit our physicality in the world.
Opposed to traditional solutions such as reconstruction or a prothesis I desire to be in the world on my own terms. I believe it is important for every woman to ask herself "what would I do if faced with a breast cancer diagnoses?" Often, and with the weight of this medical crisis on her shoulders, there is very little time in between diagnoses and an appointment with a surgeon. A woman is forced to explore her mortality and the complex structure of her feminine identity- both how it is defined by her own terms and with clarity- how it is defined by the transparent world we live in. It is here in these fragile spinning moments where so many women are psychologically corralled immediately into a plastic surgeons office by the arrogant assumptions of the institution that the patient's main concern is to LOOK normal despite her personal ideologies that surround her body. It is my hope that every woman in this position is able to make decisions that are based on knowledge and integrity rather than fear, lack of support and insecurities.
I have spoken out against breast cancer awareness campaigns before--I just couldn't get behind the cutesy boob slogans, the sexualized photo campaigns disguised as informative statements, and large corporations using the pink ribbon as a way to market their own product while appearing altruistic to the general public.
But this, this is a cause that I can get behind. It's time to move the public focus on breast cancer away from the boobs and back to the women that they're attached to.
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I'd like to share with
I'd like to share with Black, as well Hispanic women, the name of an organization that empowers women affected by breast to live as long as possible with the best quality of life. Living Beyond Breast Cancer (www.lbbc.org) also has specific literature aimed at the Black and Hispanic communities. Living Beyond Breast Cancer (LBBC), founded in 1991, is a national nonprofit education and support organization serving women and families affected by breast cancer. LBBC's mission is to empower all women affected by breast cancer to live as long as possible with the best quality of life. Programs and services include: conferences; teleconferences; the toll-free Survivors' Helpline (888.753.5222); a website, lbbc.org; free quarterly newsletters; publications for African-American and Latina women; recordings; networking programs; healthcare-provider trainings; and the Paula A. Seidman Library and Resource Center. Support LBBC's mission by purchasing a Women of SWILL 15-month wall calendar at www.swillparty.com. All of the proceeds, yes that's 100%, will be donated to Living Beyond Breast Cancer. This highly popular calendar produced by the women of the SWILL (Several Wine Imbibers Liking Libations) social wine tasting club is sure to sell out soon, so get yours while supplies last. If you're more comfortable, you may also purchaes it at Amazon.com (but they take a fairly large commission which means less for LBBC).
Right on!
This is great. Another fantastic source of real information and support for women is Breast Cancer Action, a nonprofit grassroots advocacy and support group for breast cancer survivors in San Francisco. Every year, they run the wonderful "Think Before You Pink" campaign, and also have very helpful links and info to products that contain no chemicals that may cause cancer.
Back in October, I also wrote about Breast Cancer Awareness month at BlogHer, and it wound up turning into a longer investigative piece on the enormous profits that these companies (particularly Campbell's and Yoplait) make by exploiting women's fears of breast cancer. The longer version is at The Panelist if anyone is interested.
Suzanne, BlogHer Contributing Editor - Feminsim & Gender
Campaign for Unshaved Snatch (CUSS)& Other Rants
Absolutely Right
As a breast cancer survivor of 3+ years, I can speak from my own experience. Fortunately, I was not pushed by my doctors to have reconstructive surgery. It was an option. But in my mind it was not a direction I wanted to go. I just wanted the mastectomy and chemo, not additonal surgery and longer recovery time. I just wanted it over with. I've never looked back.
Also, I've never been one to wear the pink ribbon. I support research and I support the Breast Care Center at Froedtert Hospital in Milwaukee, but I don't support the big campaign in which a goodly percentage must go to advertising, marketing and staff salaries. And I don't buy products that wear pink on their label because I'm in Marketing and I know that they're looking to increase sales. Usually a minimalist percentage is given anyway. It's called "Cause Marketing."
I say, do your own thing. What's right for you -- and put your money where you believe it will help the most. That's just my personal opinion.
tish
Fabulous!
Great timing! I've been ranting about pink ribbons lately, this is a nice change from that.
~Denise
Fast Times @ Homeschool High
pink ribbons
I was lucky enough to have gotten a lumpectomy; now I'm just a little lopsided and odd-shaped. It used to bother me a lot but I'm mellowing with age ;-] The worst part is being in crowds and fearing the elbow-in-the-breast scenario. It's 2 years post radiation and I'm still very sore.
I detest the pink ribbon superficiality....if people knew what that money went towards, and what it neglected, they'd probably shift their attention.
An excellent organization you must check out is the Link TextBreast Cancer Fund, based in San Fran but also in Seattle. As far as I know, this is the ONLY breast cancer organization that dedicates 100% of their funding towards research on environmental links to breast cancer. This is prevention, folks....while it's nice that Big Pharma is coming up with new improved chemo all the time, it's inexpressibly horrible that not more money is being channeled towards environmental toxicity. We need to focus on how we can reverse it's consequences, and the impact it has on ALL of us.