Rockers Speak Out

Komen Controversy Far & Wide

Celebrity Charities – Although the Susan G. Komen Foundation (SGKF) recently apologized for its decision to pull funding from Planned Parenthood, the backlash from the original announcement is likely to be felt for some time as many have already made decisions to donated directly to Planned Parenthood rather than SGKF.

As the name suggests, Planned Parenthood is the “leading sexual and reproductive health care provider and advocate” in the United States. However, the site also explains that Planned Parenthood provides nearly 750,000 breast exams each year, which are crucial procedures in detecting cancer.

As soon as the news reached members of the musical community (since we’re all human here), many indie stars chose to speak out about the cause.

One of the first to comment on the matter was Bethany Cosentino, singer and frontwoman for the indie pop duo Best Coast who also has a history of supporting Planned Parenthood. Cosentino posted a relatively lengthy message on the band’s Facebook page asking fans to put aside their beliefs on abortion and focus on the overall health care that Planned Parenthood offers, donate, and spread the word. She even went on to explain the importance of mammography, noting that her mother is a breast cancer survivor.

Additionally, the rock sextet The Decemberists have decided to redirect their “Team Jenny” funds from SGKF to Planned Parenthood’s Breast Health Emergency Fund. That “Jenny” is actually the band’s keyboardist who was diagnosed with breast cancer last May. Luckily, Jenny Conlee’s cancer went into remission by last October.

As the band wrote on their website, “The Decemberists are deeply troubled by Komen for the Cure’s recent decision to cut off funding to Planned Parenthood, a vital resource in the battle against breast cancer. Providing cancer screenings to low income women is integral to the prevention and defeat of breast cancer and it is unconscionable that Komen should politicize this very important issue by bowing to the fear campaign being waged against PP by the right.”

Just by voicing concerns about the matter, asking fans to share the news and donate, and redirecting their charitable donations, these bands are using their platforms for good. For as Cosentino stated, As someone with a voice, I use it in a positive way to help with the things I truly believe in. If you don’t agree with my opinion, you don’t have to. I just find it hard to believe that anyone could sit back and watch something like this happen and not feel it in their heart to help out in some way.”

Read more at Pitchfork and here.