“Welcome to Pessimism”

Barbara Ehrenreich is an award winning columnist, journalist, and activist from Butte, Montana. Her article called “Welcome to Cancerland” was first published in November 2001 in Harpers Magazine. A documentary soon followed this article called Piink Ribbons, Inc. She is a passionate activist for health care, women’s rights, economic justice, and peace.

Barbara Ehrenreich begins by telling us about her personal experience of being diagnosed with breast cancer. After being shocked by the news since she has no family history, she begins to debate what treatment strategy to choose. Entering the world of Breast Cancer she realizes how much support Breast Cancer has behind it, from the biggest industries and companies. Although feeling the full spectrum of emotions that goes along with being diagnosed with cancer she gets a sense of belonging because she feels that feminism has helped brought along the support of women and the disease.Then, she talks about how all the positive support distracts you, and she used the example of choosing a head scarf distracts you from the negativity. But then she begins to question why people don’t embrace death being a possibility instead of looking at the positive and fighting against this disease. After continuously calling the sisterhood of women who have experienced this disease and survived it or not, a cult, and instead of finding in the support and comfort in people who have also experienced what she has, she rejects their sisterhood and positivity.

In my opinion, most people know when you are diagnosed the first think about is dying. And, no matter anyone ever tells you that will stay in the back of your mind, even if your at a low stage and you prognosis is looking great. So, the positivity and happiness behind this disease isn’t denial or sweeping your possible eminent death under the rug, it is to help you fight and too help you see and envision the future you want. It is for women to feel hope to keep fighting and not give up on life because once you give up then the battle is already over before even beginning. I don’t necessarily find her take on this subject as refreshing or new because this is what we always see. We know Breast Cancer “IS NOT OK”, outsiders know this as well as the patients so why would we repeatedly tell them is not ok and they wont make it? The positivity does not belittle the struggle and fight. If anything I see this process not a regression like she says but progression that one can stop and say they want others support and do what they need to do to survive, be it depending on medical science to make us better. ” No this is not my sisterhood. For me at least breast cancer will never be a source of identity or pride.” Although i understand her not wanting to lose her identity I believe like many other experiences in life we don’t have to let them define us or lose our identity like she claims. But, why wouldn’t we find pride in for whatever reasons having another chance to live? We can learn from these experiences and gain something we didn’t have before we went through that experience.