The 411 on breasts, Komen and Planned Parenthood

Have you been seeing a whole bunch of talk on your Facebook, twitter and elsewhere about the Pink Ribbon Problem?  Susan G Komen, an organization that raises hundreds of millions of dollars each year for breast cancer research and prevention, pulled a large grant being used by Planned Parenthood to do prevention screenings for mostly uninsured women.  This quick chat with Shanelle Matthews and Jeanine Shimatsu break down the basics of why this matters--especially to young women of color. 

If you want to learn more about this issue, please check out the following links.

• Great overview piece by Colorlines
• Amazing Tumblr site with personal stories: Planned Parenthood Saved Me 
• There is a Facebook page calling for a boycott of Komen that has facts, images, and conversation
• A good overview of the issue from Our Bodies Ourselves blog. This piece has lots of other links if you want to go deep on the story.
• This piece from Western States Center talks about the impact on women of color.
• Amazing Pinterest wall full of lots of visuals, videos and more.
• Story in The Atlantic includes quotes and reprints of memos from Komen staff, including the resignation of one senior staff member.
• While Komen said they weren't funding any organizations under investigation, this piece in Mother Jones explains that Komen gave $75 million to Penn State. 
• Trailer for the upcoming movie, Pink Ribbon, Inc. The trailer gives a powerful short look into the pink ribbon industry.
• Update: Friday morning Komen Foundation said they were reversing their decision to cut breast-screening grants to Planned Parenthood
• Some say that Komen statement to continue funding  is a PR move not a policy reversal