While the vaccine for smallpox was found through hard work and massive amounts of perseverance, today’s high school population seems to think that they can cure cancer by simply wearing purple.
It seems like more and more people are beginning to think that our world’s issues can be solved with little to no effort, and I’m not talking just cancer. Even though none of these attempts at stopping the problems are hurting their respective causes, they certainly aren’t accomplishing anything worth noting.
Supporters of causes point out that these things all “raise awareness.” That’s great, if you’re sending the message to someone who isn’t aware that cancer exists or that an earthquake occurred in Haiti. Go ahead and wear a certain color to raise bullying awareness, but don’t blissfully throw on a green shirt and think you’re helping anyone.
Think about it. What if the administration decided to end Relay for Life and replace it with “Purple Day?” Relay for Life participants collected almost $100,000 last year alone, but “Purple Day” wouldn’t do anything other than raise awareness.
Worse yet, some students have been throwing away their money to stop breast cancer and don’t even know it. You might think this doesn’t apply to you, but have you ever purchased an “I love boobies” bracelet? You’ve fallen for one of the most brilliant scams of the 21st century.
Wearing the band certainly isn’t hurting anyone, but don’t wear it without realizing that you still haven’t done any good. Sure, every cent you spent on it went to Keep a Breast Foundation, but they put it towards the cost of their business, which, according to their website, is to “use art and artistic expression to inform young people about methods of prevention, early detection, coping and support.” Go ahead and “raise awareness” by wearing it, but chances are you won’t find many people who think breast cancer is a myth.
“So what?” If that’s your reason for wearing purple on that day, then I’ve lost hope in high school students and the causes that they stand for.