WTF?

Did I just see that? I thought my eyes were decieving me, but yes, I in fact just saw Breast Cancer M&M"s.

Corporate marketing land has totally and completely hijacked pink in the name of "The Cure". If you step out of your house you will see pink housewares, clothing, hats, jewellry, furniture and now even food. Starbucks sells pink mugs, etc. etc. etc. Are we all just spending idiots? Does anyone ask where this money is going? Does anyone ask how much %10 of that packet of M&M's is going to lead to HELPING someone with breast cancer?

"Show your support with these recipes" involving M&M's. "Email your friends and get them to pledge buying one pkg of Breast Cancer M&M's." I feel physically ill.

Maybe we, as responsible consumers could take a moment and think. Perhaps, just perhaps, this is the most brilliant marketing scheme ever? It hits people low where it hurts and gives them a sense of having done something for humanity. Do your M&M's do that?

I want people to notice that this is our problem and we are leaving it up to the corporate culture to take care of us. We have the assumption (a great word which starts with ass) that these noble efforts by the corporate structure is, in fact helping real people. No “cure” for cancer will ever arise while we are running our asses off, earning money for a billion $$$ industry. That's right, I said industry. No one gives a shit to help us with our expenses, our mental health and our repercussions from treatment. We are dealing with these consequences on our own while the rich keep getting richer.

Breast cancer is all the rage, it even has it's own month. Everyone knows about that. Buy a ribbon. There is enough pink garbage for sale in stores creating “awareness”. Yeah, we’re aware. What now? What about everyone else struggling? When are you handing over our cure?

How about we take a step back from our power purchasing craze and ask some questions. "Where did that $5 I just donated go?" Will it pay for someones medications, treament, or transportation costs. Will it help them buy a hat or a wig or pay their rent? My first hand experience is "No". Going through cancer treatment is isloating, cold and scarey. People have lost everything over this.

I made it through because my friends started an account and began holding fundraisers for me. Thank God for them. There are real ways to help people directly. I could give you horror stories of my firsthand experiences of people I met, trying to get by through this, but I won't.

We need to realize that we need to stick together to make a difference for ourselves. No one is going to do it for us.

And you can fuck me if I buy anything pink.