Facebook wants to know your bra color no comments
© Gauldo
You may have noticed a number of Facebook updates with just a color and no explanation. You may be surprised to know that this is not just a joke, it actually has a purpose. It's an awareness campaign. It starts with a message in your inbox (for ladies) that goes something like this:
"We probably all have a personal experience with breast cancer, either you have/have had it, or someone close to you does/has had it. As an example of the proliferation of this disease, post in your status the color of the bra you're wearing – just the color, nothing else, and forward this on to all the WOMEN in your Friends list, none of the men. As you see the colors pop up, let it remind you that the frequency represents how widespread breast cancer is and urge anyone you know who is at risk to get tested, but also have a little giggle, knowing all the men who see it will wonder what's going on! =D"
This playful message, trying to get people to ask and talk about breast cancer, is quickly going viral. There's currently no information on how this trend started, but its sweeping Facebook with a rainbow after-glow.
Do these kinds of silly campaigns actually make a difference? There are two things that concepts like this aim to do: actually create awareness and get people to participate in action. Does this campaign manage to accomplish either of these?
As a woman, I received the message and updated my status accordingly. So far, no one has bothered asking me about it. The bra color idea is mildly shocking and humorous but most people know that cancer affects a large number of women every year, this is nothing new. This color update doesn't seem to offer any new information to people.
As for action, the note I got in my inbox doesn't suggest any follow-up. It doesn't ask for donations, it doesn't give a link to a more-info page and it doesn't request for any kind of volunteerism. The campaign seems to be for awareness purposes only.
My conclusion: the bra color campaign is cute but not necessarily effective. It went viral which makes it interesting but viral without any impact behind it will quickly get dismissed.
What are your thoughts on the bra color Facebook status? Do you think it's making a meaningful impact?