Welcome to Disconnected.
The Disconnected Workshop presents the disparities and inequities of breast cancer research, diagnosis and treatment, and how popular breast cancer “awareness” campaigns neither improve public health nor address social justice. The goal of this workshop is to meaningfully communicate how mainstream marketing diverts attention and resources from genuine efforts to prevent and treat breast cancer and sidesteps the complex interactions between economics, racism, sexism and power. The materials are presented within a kit in order to allow individuals to unpack the information themselves, then have the opportunity to lead workshops in their workplaces and communities with the given tools.
The information in this kit was provided by Breast Cancer Action, a watchdog organization focusing on systemic interventions in the breast cancer epidemic.
The Disconnected Kit comes with everything you need to start your own workshop.
The Kit
Educate. Share. Act
Breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed among US women and is the second leading cause of cancer death among women. Today, Breast Cancer research is a multibillion dollar industry. The Overall breast cancer death rates since 1989 has decreased rapidly for a total decline of 39% through 2015. However, not all women have benefited equally from these improvements.
The cancer divide between black women and white women in the US is startling. Since 1991, as improvements in screening and treatment came into use, the gap in mortality has widened. Although White women are more likely to be diagnosed with Breast Cancer, Black women are more likely to die from it.
What's Going On?
Every October, we are faced with a sea of pink “awareness” products. But what is being done in the fight for health equity?
First Known Use of The Pink Ribbon
The first known use of the pink ribbon was distributed by Charlotte Haley in 1991, who was a granddaughter, sister, and mother of women who had battled breast cancer. Her ribbons were peach colored with each containing a card asking America to "Wake up our legislators". She distributed them in a grassroots manor, handing them out by the thousands in her community.
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A year later, Self Magazine called Charlotte asking permission to use her ribbon in their upcoming awareness issue. Charlotte immediately refused, stating they were "too commercial" and had no place in this narrative. To avoid legal complication, Self changed the color to pink and used it in that months issue.
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Pink for Profit?
The stage was set for the evolution of the breast cancer ribbon. But unfortunately, spiraled out of control. Nail polish, water bottles, makeup, sneakers, sunglasses and the list can go on. There are no regulations on the use of the pink ribbon and purchasing a product with the pink ribbon label does not guarantee money will be given to breast cancer causes.
An estimated $6 billion is raised every year in the name of breast cancer.
Corporate Interest?
Products that “promote” awareness change nothing. Everyone is already aware of the disease.
Despite the billions of dollars that have been spent on all types of awareness campaigns, research, screening, and testing, women continue to get breast cancer. But do we ever stop to ask ourselves why? Corporations profit hugely by linking their products to a pink ribbon.
What Are We Ignoring?
There are a lot of things that are being left out of the discussion. We need to connect the dots.
Most Patients Will Not Know What Caused Their Breast Cancer
There are lifestyle risks, environmental risks, ethnic and hereditary risks. However, the majority of diagnosis cannot be explained. Less than 2% of breast cancer research goes toward understanding environmental causes of breast cancer. Mass amounts of pollutants and radiation can be seen surrounding many low income areas, posing as an increased risk.
What Can We Do?
We can support legislation that can make systemic change in the breast cancer epidemic, help address the root causes of these health inequalities that are a result of power, economics, racism and sexism, we can be conscious consumers and we can educate, advocate and challenge what we know about breast cancer in order to work towards health justice for all women.
Conscious consumers
Be a conscious consumer. Be selective in buying
pink products.
share information
Educate others. Be a leader and hold your own workshop.
engage legislators
Tell your legislators that you support making systemic change in the breast cancer epidemic.
donate directly
Donate directly to a cause instead of going through corporations.