January 23rd, 2008 @ 8:21 am
I found the whole discussion regarding breast cancer in “Not Just a Pretty Face” book by Stacy Malkan so interesting and disturbing at the same time. One of the most frustrating things that the author points to is what is now called “Pinkwashing”.
“Pinkwashing Definition: a term used to describe the activities of companies and groups that position themsevles as leaders in the struggle to eradicate breast cancer while engaging in practices that may be contributing to rising rates of the disease.”
Think of companies that plaster that pink ribbon on their products to appear supportive, yet their products are filled with the exact ingredients that are being studied for links to breast cancer. Avon. Revlon. Estee Lauder.
According to the book, Jeanne Rizzo of the Breast Cancer Fund said “If they’re concerned about the cause and prevention of the disease – and I don’t know how they could not be – Estee Lauder, Revlon and Avon ought to be in the leadership on this issue, not having to be pushed into it,” Rizzo said. “When new knowledge comes to you that your product contains problematic ingredients, if you were authentic in your support for breast cancer, you would be vigilant in addressing that.” The book goes on to say: “Instead, the pink-ribbon cosmetics companies defend their use of hazardous chemicals (’it’s just a little bit’) and fight to keep their industry unregulated. It points out a lack of sincerity about the issue. They chose breast cancer because it’s women and that’s their market.”
Wow! Fighting words, I’d say! We as women need to pay more attention to what we are supporting is the lesson I have learned. If we want to support breast cancer research, we should donate directly to the organizations that do the research, instead of supporting companies that may be doing more harm than good.
Simply LeMieux
said,
January 28, 2008 at 4:27 pm
How about the time I stumbled across and 8-pack of Chapstick with Susan G. Komen emblazoned across the label?? My thought was “Oh, so you (the SGK Foundation) really didn’t take the time to look at the ingredients did you before slapping your seal of approval on that tube huh?” Pinkwashing indeed!