The Komen Dilemma.

Article first published as The Komen Dilemma on Technorati.

After much controversy and plenty of criticism, finally Nancy G. Brinker, Founder and CEO of the Susan G. Komen Foundation capitulated and did the right thing. The problem is, some say it might be a little too late – but then again, it’s better late than never.

In a statement released today at the Foundation’s website, ww5.komen.org, Ms. Brinker said that their decision to cut funding for Planned Parenthood was a regrettable decision but that at not time it was a political one. According to Ms. Brinker, the decision was made solely to “fulfill their duty to their donors by not funding grants under investigation.” This statement puts the blame for this fiasco completely on Representative Clifford Stearns (R-FL) who is responsible for initiating and conducting the so-called investigation on Planned Parenthood, basing his accusations on the presumption that Planned Parenthood is providing abortions using federal funds. Among the allegations, we find an array of accusations that are borderline insane; an array of claims that makes one wonder why were they taken seriously to begin with – from improper billing to slavery, from sexual abuse to human trafficking… it’s as if they just decided to throw all the immoral and unethical acts they could think of and see which one would stick. Rep. Stearns is, as most Republican Congressmen and women are, pro-life and as such he will do anything and everything to annihilate any institution that will even suggest the possibility of abortion, the guidance and psychological help for women considering an abortion or performing an abortion, even thought it is not an illegal practice. It goes against his religious beliefs and that’s all it really matters.

Which brings me back to Komen. It is so unfortunate that Ms. Brinker assumed a position against an institution that has helped so many women, deciding to stop funding Planned Parenthood based on this investigation, specially given Mr. Stearns’s obscure motives, ignoring precisely those that have so faithfully supported, campaigned, promoted and ultimately benefited from the Susan G. Komen Foundation: the American women.

The women in this country made their voices heard, actually it was more like a roar, and it was that roar that forced Ms. Brinker to retract and reverse her decision. Many are saying that it is a little too late and they will never support or sponsor the Komen Foundation again and if that is true, it will be a very sad and vengeful act against a foundation that up to that fateful decision helped countless women in their fight against breast cancer.

I believe in forgiving. I believe in second chances… and the Susan G. Komen Foundation deserves a second chance after an exemplary span of almost 30 years.