Last week, as most of you no doubt heard, the Susan B. Komen for the Cure breast cancer awareness group announced it would no longer fund breast cancer screenings at Planned Parenthood, saying it had a policy against funding organizations that were under investigation (Planned Parenthood is currently under what many see as a politically-motivated investigation about whether it used any federal funds to pay for abortions). The decision drew a lot of attention and criticism of Komen — not just of the decision about Planned Parenthood, but of its role in the breast cancer awareness/research community more generally.
The Komen Foundation is known to many primarily because it’s often listed as a recipient of the funds companies promise to donate when we buy products branded with a pink ribbon. But many critics express concern with this type of marketing-as-awareness, and discussions of the “pinkification” of breast cancer and criticism of the policies supported by groups such as Komen surfaced as part of the debate about the organization over the weekend (which is ongoing, with the VP for Public Policy at Komen announcing her resignation today).
Given this, Dmitriy T.M. thought readers might be interested in the trailer for the documentary Pink Ribbons, which looks at the rise of pink ribbon branding and its impact on breast cancer prevention efforts. I post it with the caveat that I haven’t been able to see the whole film, but would love to hear from those of you who have, or who can speak to the issues it raises:
Comments 6
Angela — February 7, 2012
Thank you for posting the trailer--I haven't seen the film yet, either, but share many of the same concerns about how breast cancer is marketed and represented. I think the discussion of pink ribbons also brings up many of the issues highlighted in this post: http://thesocietypages.org/socimages/2011/04/27/secretarys-day-and-social-control/. It is increasingly difficult to "opt out" of the pinkification of breast cancer. These symbols have becomes so ubiquitous and culturally meaningful that when college campuses, workplaces, etc. ask employees to wear pink or distribute ribbons, NOT doing so can have serious implications.
Melbowman — February 7, 2012
I saw it the first night in came out (in Canada). I thought it was really great. It raised numerous questions such as why are companies such as Revlon and Avon (supporters of the Pink campaign) also producing products with known cancer causing products in them. I also thought they did a great job in not disparaging people who support these campaigns but simply encourages us to look closely at some of these issues.
Cleo — February 9, 2012
It would be great if you could credit the film-maker of this documentary, especially as she risks taking quite a lot of flak for making this film. PINK RIBBONS, INC. is directed by filmmaker Léa Pool, and produced and executive produced by Ravida Din
for the National Film Board of Canada.
Jeffrey Nordstrom — October 1, 2014
It's not a bad film. I imagine it could have been done better. It's a little heavy-handed on carcinogen conspiracy theory/cancer industry motif, but its reading of Breast Cancer Awareness campaigns, marketing, "survivors," and the complexity of "awareness" is admirable and accessible. I recommend it.