Pinklash - what’s your view?
I was running through google looking for new upcoming events and stories for Breast Cancer Awareness month, and I landed on the Baltimore Sun’s “Pink products make her see red” by Susan Reimer.
She talks about the mass over marketing of the pink ribbon. Asks the question - are companies in it just for the exposure and recognition. So many companies supposedly joining up for the cause. Is it sincere? How does it make the consumer feel… where’s the sincerity in it all?
I completely agree with the over saturation and often lack of genuine involvement - I say this as I sit here writing on a blog that focuses on spotlighting “products for the cure”. It makes me incredibly disappointed and often times angry to see businesses hop on the pink ribbon bandwagon just for a month of falsely earned glory. Am I sick of pink ribbons? No way! To me they symbolize hope for change.
Although the overload of pink ribbons for profit shocks me, I am amazed at the variety in pink ribbon themed products available. Most pitches offering to support the cause with some kind of contribution associated with product purchase. I mean, come on, since when have you considered spending hundreds on pink appliances? Yet, Kitchenaid has a pink ribbon themed mixer and other kitchen gadgets just for that reason. Neat! I own a black one… but had I known…
If you’re gonna make cake, why not support some boobs along the way?
Sure, there are a number of products that just have the visual tie in. They aren’t promoting that they’re donating nor supporting, should we assume they aren’t? I personally don’t know that it’s worth my energy to worry about it either way. If I don’t like a company’s approach, purpose, angle, I don’t buy from them. Period.
I tend to look more for the feeling behind a product. The purpose, the point… in that sense I guess I’m not the realist I claim to be. Yeah, I’m a sappy romantic, shhhh don’t tell!
I am a designer. I draw, illustrate, or as I prefer to call it, doodle. Whatever image comes to mind for whatever reason, I create my view for other’s to enjoy. Yes, I too sell pink ribbon products. This fact has led me to running this entire site, ShopBCA. Lookie, here we are.
I first began offering Breast Cancer related designs 3 years ago as a way to give back. I consider my art talent/skill a gift and with each gift I’ve been given, I should show appreciation. Giving back is my way of saying thank you to the powers that be. BCA is just one of the causes I support, but by designing for the pink ribbon theme, and then dedicating these designs to the cause, I am then able to (hopefully) inspire the purchaser/receiver while donating to the cause. It’s an amazingly great feeling to be able to approach so many angles of an issue - those involved, those caring to help and those able to make a change.
My first design was a panda bear holding a pink heart with a pink ribbon with the comment “Hugs for the Cure”.
I thought it was cute. (I still think it’s cute, am I biased?) I offered it on the t-shirts I was selling and hoped it would inspire someone. I think I inspired 2 people that year.
So then I went on to create other designs for new ideas with varying success. Then last year, as part of a series I had just started, I created the Pink Ribbon penguin.
Penguin have nothing to do with breast cancer, but MY penguin has everything to do with anything - it’s eats lima beans and brussle sprouts too!
This design along with a few others allowed me to donate over $1000.00 this past year. That’s a lot of contributing for a tiny home based business run by a stay at home mom of 3. More than I ever could have done alone. I wouldn’t have been able to help that much if it weren’t for the purchases of the designs dedicated to the cause.
So where does this put me in the scope of Susan Reimer’s views?
I’d be happy to dedicate a doodle of a carrot if she doesn’t like the pink ribbon.
It’ doesn’t matter to me… but then I’m missing the facet of helping my customers show their support too. Maybe the carrot could wear a pink ribbon?
And by the way, my entire family eats the yogurt with the pink ribbon tops. My 11 year old looks forward to them each year. He enjoys knowing his peach yogurt hording is helping something bigger than he is. We eat the same yogurt all year long. So why not take 2 more minutes a day for a few months each year to wash off the goo when it means some big company will throw in a few cents for each one towards a cause that could affect any of us? Every penny counts, unless you don’t care about pennies anymore.
I obviously have mixed feelings on the topic. I agree that a lack of sincerity with company marketing for the cure is a big problem. However, I think every company on the planet could offer a pink ribbon something and I would be tickled pink, maybe purple especially if they each offered it because they care and they’re doing their part to try to make a difference.
Is pinklash really a problem?
Yep, everything is a problem for someone, somewhere. I’m just glad that society can get involved and help how they can. Not everyone can walk a cure walk or donate a hundred dollars. But everyone can find a way to get involved somehow, even if its just telling someone else how they can help. This is my approach and it makes me happy to think I might be able to help one person.
That brings us back to…. here we are at the point of this entire site. So many products, so many women (and men) affected by this disease. Some products are offered by companies supporting the cause financially. Some are not but they’re darn cute products. So if they aren’t offering to do the donating, I am. maybe it’s not nearly as much as the corporate beast offering the item… but I’m just one me doing what I can…
the best I can.
another great view on pinklash
Technorati Tags: pinklash, breast cancer awareness, pink ribbon products
