|
 |
|
Pink Ribbons, Inc. Breast Cancer and the Politics of Philanthropy Samantha King Table of Contents PRESS: |
|
$18.95 paper $24.95 cloth/jacket |
Challenges the corporatization of the search for a breast cancer cure. In 2005, more than one million people participated in the Susan G. Komen Foundation’s Race for the Cure, the largest network of 5K runs in the world. Consumers thoughtfully choose products ranging from yogurt to cars, responding to the promise that these purchases will contribute to a cure for the disease. And hundreds of companies and organizations support Breast Cancer Awareness Month, founded by a pharmaceutical company in 1985 and now recognized annually by the president of the United States. What could be wrong with that? In Pink Ribbons, Inc., Samantha King traces how breast cancer has been transformed from a stigmatized disease and individual tragedy to a market-driven industry of survivorship. In an unprecedented outpouring of philanthropy, corporations turn their formidable promotion machines on the curing of the disease while dwarfing public health prevention efforts and stifling the calls for investigation into why and how breast cancer affects such a vast number of people. Here, for the first time, King questions the effectiveness and legitimacy of privately funded efforts to stop the epidemic among American women. Pink Ribbons, Inc. grapples with issues of gender and race in breast cancer campaigns of businesses such as the National Football League; recounts the legislative history behind the breast cancer awareness postage stamp—the first stamp in American history to raise funds for use outside the U.S. Postal Service; and reveals the cultural impact of activity-based fund-raising, such as the Race for the Cure. Throughout, King probes the profound implications of consumer-oriented philanthropy on how patients experience breast cancer, the research of the biomedical community, and the political and medical institutions that the breast cancer movement seeks to change. Highly revelatory—at times shocking—Pink Ribbons, Inc. challenges the commercialization of the breast cancer movement, its place in U.S. culture, and its influence on ideas of good citizenship, responsible consumption, and generosity. “This well written and engaging book offers an important critique of 'pink ribbon politics'. Pink Ribbons, Inc. is wide-reaching and informative at the same time that it raises important questions and opens up possibilities for new research.” —Mobilization “Makes ambitious connections between breast cancer philanthropy and global capitalism, between 'survivorship' and the legacy of decades of anti-feminist backlash.” —LiP Magazine “Pink Ribbons adds insights on the roles played by neo-liberalism.” —Herizons “Samatha King’s relatively short but densely packed book clarifies how beyond being an all-too-frequent and still-too-lethal disease for many women, breast cancer is a corporate dream come true.” —Globe and Mail “As King explains in Pink Ribbons, Inc., women need publicly funded research into prevention, and investigation into environmental causes of breast cancer, a lot more than we need another pink ribbon to pin to our chests.” —Ms. Magazine “King’s criticisms of breast-cancer philanthropy provide a new means of looking at one of our culture’s most celebrated causes. For anyone who has ever squirreled away yogurt lids for the cause, Pink Ribbons, Inc. is food for thought.” —Bitch “Pink Ribbons, Inc. is a fascinating read for anyone whose life has been touched by breast cancer.” —Curve “This well-written critique of the “pink washing” of America is full of insight and sure to make you think twice the next time you whip out your checkbook for a limited-edition pink waffle iron.” —BUST Magazine “Highly revelatory — at times shocking — Pink Ribbons, Inc. challenges the commercialization of the breast cancer movement, its place in U.S. culture, and its influence on ideas of good citizenship, responsible consumption, and generosity.” —Booklist “Breast cancer advocacy is being transformed from meaningful civic participation into purchasing products. To understand the personal, social and political costs, read this book.” —Barbara Brenner, Executive Director of Breast Cancer Action Samantha King is associate professor of physical and health education and women’s studies at Queen’s University, in Kingston, Ontario. 208 pages | 17 halftones | 5 7⁄8 x 9 | 2008 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. A Dream Cause: Breast Cancer, Corporate Philanthropy, and the Market for Generosity Conclusion: Beyond Pink Ribbons |
||
