Race for a "Cure:" The People Have Spoken and Komen's Busy PR Day

So, it seems as though The Susan G. Komen is quickly backpedaling after their infamous decision to cut funding for Planned Parenthood programs throughout the country.

My twitter/facebook/google+ newsfeeds were in an uproar all throughout the day, disgusted to learn of the foundation's decision (ever so thankful to have a reminder that I have socially conscious friends).  Freethinkers and movers all over the world were not impressed (read: peeved, angered, annoyed, irritated, etc) at the hypocrisy that this type of move showed.

I was not surprised to see an "official statement" this morning from the foundation regarding the decision in which founder and CEO, Nancy Brinker, attempted to explain how the decision was "for efficiency, not politics." (paraphrased)

Komen's statement - Feb 3rd, 2012

The thing is: People have now responded all over the internet. It's kind of hard to keep face after such a huge move that would affect so many people. Again, I'm going to stress the importance of New Media and social movements. I'm particularly fond of a comment made by a user on the New York Times website who states:
      Damage has been done. True stripes have been reveled (sic). I like this new "social-media" world    
        where "just  plain folks" can have so much influence.

True to form, those "just plain folks" responded all over the web including great and informative articles, exploring exactly why Komen's decision was a poor one. My favorite came from Colorlines writer, Jorge Rivas, who shared the "deadly consequences from removed funding." 

for more, visit: Colorlines for "Why Komen’s Decision to Pull Funding Is So Deadly [Infographic]"

In my Intro to Composition classes, I heavily stress to my students the great importance and fundamentally democratic idea behind what we like to call the "New Media." in a world where Twitter and other social networking sites (more importantly the people behind them) become a useful aid for organizing/planning/discussing and simply enlightening others on world affairs (Let's say: Moldova, Iran,  Tunisia, Egypt, the US (?), as prime examples). I think this story further pushes the case that, if anything, we the people can in fact create change through our actions. It's the "Be producers of culture, not just consumers" that I share with my students. Don't get me wrong, there is much to be said about degrees and types of "action," but that's for another discussion. [well, not really...but we'll get there if we get there]


As for now, I'm curious to see how the public will continue to react to Susan G. Komen's actions - for now, it seems they have lost a lot of supporters. Ultimately, I think that it is important to be more aware and conscious of the the systems in which we conduct our affairs. In the end, I hope that we can truly be supportive of humanistic goals, despite bumps in the road. 


What are your thoughts on the recent roller coaster of events? Planned Parenthood funding, Breast Cancer, Women's Health, Social Networks, New Media, etc. etc. Please share your thoughts if you have any.