| This week started off with great news for right-wing bullies, and ended in their defeat.
On Tuesday, the world's leading breast cancer charity announced it would no longer be funding breast cancer screenings at Planned Parenthood.
Over the past five ears, Komen has given millions to Planned Parenthood, enabling almost 170,000 clinical breast exams to low-income and uninsured women. The collaboration between the two organizations was an obvious and massively beneficial one in the fight against breast cancer.
In late September, Republican Florida Congressman Cliff Stearns launched an investigation into Planned Parenthood to determine whether tax funds were being used for abortion services. The investigation is a political witch hunt designed to discredit Planned Parenthood and its dedication to women's health. Just three months after, Komen caved in and announced it wouldn't fund an organization under federal investigation.
"We've always had the right to cancel contracts if a group was under investigation," the charity's CEO and found Nancy Brinker told reporters.
Komen has partnered with Planned Parenthood for years; they should know that the investigation is nothing but a political smear. But this last year, the leadership at Komen changed. In April of 2011, Komen named Karen Handel their new vice president.
Handel is an extreme social conservative who ran for Governor of Georgia in 2010 on an anti-choice platform. On her campaign blog, Handel wrote that she "do[es] not support the mission of Planned Parenthood." Sarah Palin endorsed her candidacy.
The backlash was massive. Men and women across the country spoke out against politics endangering women's health. Komen's top public health official resigned and numerous affiliated groups severed their ties with the charity. Over the last three days, Planned Parenthood raised $650,000.
After the initial round of backlash, Komen began defending itself by saying that Planned Parenthood simply doesn't provide enough breast cancer services to justify funding. The excuse-change only caused more protest.
Today, Komen apologized and announced it would continue to fund breast cancer screenings at Planned Parenthood.
"We want to apologize to the American public for recent decisions that cast doubt upon our commitment to our mission of saving women's lives," Brinker said in a statement. "...We will amend the criteria to make clear that disqualifying investigations must be criminal and conclusive in nature and not political. That is what is right and fair."
Coupled with the successful anti-SOPA protests last month, it is clear that this is a decade of effective American protest against injustice.
Handel's influence at Komen is clear. But it also appears that the organization simply gave in to fear of right-wing pressure. Rep. Stearn's investigation is the culmination of constant right-wing bullying of Planned Parenthood.
With Komen continuing to fund Planned Parenthood, hundreds of thousands of women will be able to protect themselves from breast cancer. The response to Komen's defunding makes it clear that the majority of Americans stand with women's health and against right-wing bullies.
While this is a women's health issue, it is important to note that men have a fundamental stake in the health of their mothers, sisters, partners, and female friends. In regards to reproduction, heterosexual men want healthy women with whom they can engage in in healthy sexual and romantic lives. We depend on each other's health for our own happiness and the vitality of our country.
When Americans stand up unified against abuse, we win more and more often. Spread the word. |
