Comments on: News You Can’t Use: Another Dumbass Breast Cancer Meme

By: Ranting on a pink soapbox. « Lauren from Texas

Ranting on a pink soapbox. « Lauren from Texas — Thu, 14 Oct 2010 14:35:24 +0000

[...] A bit of a rant: Another Dumbass Breast Cancer Meme [...]

By: Feminizzle

Feminizzle — Mon, 11 Oct 2010 12:42:53 +0000

I posted this on Facebook with a comment about how breast cancer is a painful, devastating disease and not some tagline for giggles. One friend spoke up in agreement right away but I have since been attacked by another friend, whose friends then joined in. Guess this is something that separates the women from the girls! The comment that bothered me the most is “who gives a shit who’s offended!” That’s the ultimate excuse for everything that’s wrong, I think.

By: Jessie

Jessie — Sat, 09 Oct 2010 02:46:50 +0000

SAD :/ they have no compassion for anyone. Breast cancer is NO joke.

By: mischiefmanager

mischiefmanager — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 13:12:22 +0000

In fact, I myself went to fb to express my disgust, and a bunch of friends agreed with me.

The thing is, as Endora says, women who have had breast cancer are as diverse as women in the general population. A number of them are going to dive headfirst into the pink pool. I can’t criticize them for the way they react to the trauma of having a potentially fatal disease. But I can criticize the BCA-industrial complex for commodifying this disease and distracting us from the real point.

By: BeckySharper

BeckySharper — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 22:14:27 +0000

@Tella: I don’t just think this meme is just pointless, I think it’s idiotic and offensive and someone needed to call bullshit on it. As it turns out, calling bullshit on dumbassery–particularly anti-feminist, objectifying dumbassery–is a particular hobby of mine.

So with that in mind, I’m now going to call bullshit on the dumbassery in your comment.

We need to “bother to write about it” when we see harmful, offensive or just plain idiotic messages aimed at women. Being silent about them does not help women or society at all, although it may suit your own lazy, non-activist inclinations.

And I seriously doubt that having read my post, women were heading to FB to participate in this dumbassery. Calling bullshit on something rarely encourages participation in it.

By: Tella

Tella — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 17:59:36 +0000

If you feel it’s a pointless idea, then why bother writing about it? To make more people aware of it so they can participate? Good job.

By: Av0gadro

Av0gadro — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 17:49:24 +0000

I have a family history of colorectal cancer, and my awesome cousin just used the Facebook Causes application to raise money for the Colon Cancer Alliance. Her facebook plea begins, “Getting something stuck up your butt is the last thing you want to talk about, right?”

THAT is how you use Facebook to raise awareness about a stigmatized cancer, people.

By: brightnshiny

brightnshiny — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 16:48:51 +0000

Whew! Thanks for saying this. Seems like I’ve been “overly critical” (meaning, thinking about things that are problematic) lately and it’s good to see folks agreeing. My mother is a breast cancer survivor and we had a big scare this week right when this meme started (everything’s ok, for now) and I was trying to explain to my sister-in-law about why this might be a problem. And I couldn’t do it, maybe because I was so aware of actual breast cancer. And I have a million more things to say, but, jut thanks for posting this.

By: Renai

Renai — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 16:37:06 +0000

I got so pissed off about it last night that I went and made a donation to my favorite breast cancer support group just to spite the people who think that “raising awareness” with sexual tones is somehow beneficial. I guess it DID work.

By: I like it when you pick up your purse and do something.

I like it when you pick up your purse and do something. — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 16:10:03 +0000

[...] I find this whole vague viral awareness campaign genuinely problematic. If you don’t know what I’m talking about go check your Facebook feed. Last year an anonymous Facebook user sent out a message attempting to raise awareness about Breast Cancer by asking women to volunteer the color of their bra on their Facebook status. This year women are encouraged to post where they like to put their hand bag. [...]