Ten-ho!
First off, I would like to say I have nothing against charities. I know they do great things and help a lot of people. Most are well worth the time and effort, a worthy place for time, energy and of course money. The bone I would like to pick is with those that are simply promoting 'awareness'.
This push for 'awareness' on a given subject seems like such a load of poo. Do you really need an all day rally to make citizens aware that a certain condition/ailment/event/issue exists? Isn't that what a pamphlet or a phone call or the internet is for? In this day in the information age, it seems that promoting 'awareness' of something is the physical equivalent of a run-on sentence. After the first mention, you are then 'aware' of the situation. There needs to be a purpose or goal of your action besides making people aware that you're doing it.
For example, there was recently a local fun run to promote Autism awareness. By the time you sign up, you are aware of the fact that kids have Autism and it is a difficult condition to deal with. I know the goal is getting people together to have fun running, while at the same time making people know that autism sucks, but come on, at least have a secondary goal in mind, such as actually stating whatever the money is going to or having a class or speech or something relevant.
It seems almost unjust to have an event like Bingo or a cake walk or something and just tag a charity onto it, promoting the 'awareness' of said cause. Sure, it's for a good cause, but often is unrelated and irrelevant. I mean that it is great that proceeds go to the cause, but there is no afterthought or meaning to the events.
I'm sure this is exactly why these thing take place. Everyone gets the fun part, it supports a good cause, and no one is inconvenienced by actually having to do any 'work' or 'sacrifice' or any real support of the cause. Donate some money and go on your way.
This is incredibly similar to those 'support our troops' ribbon magnets you see on all the Fords and Toyota Camrys across the nation, along with the multi-colored 'whatever-strong' bracelets that every self-important person loves to sport. You throw your few dollars out, say you love your cause and will do anything to support them, then continue on in your routine life. Nothing changes except for you now think that you're doing your part to help. The fact is with these things, nothing really changes except for the amount of money you have in your wallet. These 'causes' and 'support' are nothing but another purchase, another expense that the financially comfortable can afford to be a part of. There is no meaning behind these tokens of support other than a viewpoint and a few dollars. Ribbons aren't bringing troops home, and a bracelet isn't curing cancer.
Granted, it is hard to argue with someone who likes to think they are helping and is honestly into whatever cause they are 'supporting'. It just sickens me to know that a person's opinion of someone can be influenced by these things when in fact, these items mean nothing and represent nothing other than a person's mild 'awareness' of the cause at hand. If a person is doing research or holding a rally or doing a documentary; then you can engage them as a person of the cause. A guy with a ribbon on his car is merely 'aware' of the situation and should represent nothing more. He can stick to his fun runs and the spreading of more awareness. What would be nice is if people were more aware of the triviality of these symbols and more educated as to what they are really supporting.
