Awareness.

Having been writing all day for school, I will take a break from my assignment to do something else: blogging. I usually try to stay away from controversial subjects on my blog, like politics, religion, anything serious, etc. However, I began thinking about an issue this morning and planning out this blog, and as the situation has escalated, I want to write my say before too much more goes down via the Book of Face.

A few months ago, something happened on Facebook. People started changing their statuses to highly uncomfortable things, like "So-and-So likes it on a wooden peg near the door," or,"Whats-her-face likes it on a dresser next to the bed." Highly uncomfortable. When people commented saying, "Bro, why are you so awkward?" they respond with, "Oh, it's for breast cancer awareness! It's where I put my purse!" When I asked how this raises said awareness, one of my friends responded, "When people ask you why your status says that, you say it's for breast cancer awareness."

As of three days ago, I began seeing alot of animated profile pictures. Specifically, of cartoon characters from my past. They were interesting! I had absolutely no idea why this was going on, or who was part of the trend, but it seemed cute and I also wished I could make some part of my childhood cartoon days my profile picture! If only I knew why this was happening!

Well, eventually due to some roundabout status posting, I discovered it was to raise awareness! Child abuse awareness.

My issues with this scenario are numerous. Firstly, since most profile picture changes are not accompanied by any sort of child abuse information, anyone who is not part of the trend thinks it's just a cool fad, and has no idea about the awareness, as I did for three days. Secondly, I think everyone is aware of child abuse, and does not like it. When my good friend Leah questioned in a status how it helped, she got many negative responses, and about how it caused them to be more aware. I also commented, about how I was aware of child abuse for thirty minutes that morning and pondered the terrible truths, but that in no way affected any abused child for better or worse. To this, one response was that prayer helps, and another was that maybe .5% of the people would be inspired to help! To the first response: while I believe in the power of prayer, I'd maybe like to see a specific campaign about praying for child abuse, if prayer is your method of battle. To the next: instead of campaigning to thousands of people to be aware, why not campaign for change? Instead of telling everyone to be aware that child abuse happens, why not tell everyone to make a change for child abuse! To get the right to change your picture, donate to a cause. Something like that.

I don't wear breast cancer awareness ribbons or any sort of awareness shirts or anything of the like, because being aware of the problem does nothing. I know breast cancer exists, and it is unfortunate, but until I am donating money towards finding a cure, or until I actively am involved in helping the situation for the better, why should I get the right to wear something and act like I'm a hero for being aware that it exists? I was aware it existed before I wore the ribbon, the only difference is that now I can feel like I'm making a change. I'd much rather wear awareness shirts for issues like, "Things about Global Warming that you didn't' know," or, "Specific reasons why you should recycle cardboard," because those are things of which I'm not aware, and also prompt a change... although if I wore the recycling shirt and still didn't recycle cardboard, what would the point be?