Lots of people don't like Alcoholics Anonymous, and I can understand that. But I will say one thing for it -- AA's tradition is that it keeps its nose out of everything else. Individual members of AA may stick their nose into anything, but the group as group sticks to one thing and one thing only: trying to help alcoholics who want to quit drinking do just that. AA doesn't endorse any political issue, not even prohibition. Huh! Who would have thought? AA is not about changing the political system or the laws. It is about helping one person at a time quit drinking when and if that person wants to do it. It is not the only way you can quit. You may not need to quit. But if you want a way that has worked for some people and want to give it a try, AA members will be happy to offer their experience, strength and hope. If you don't find it helpful, they will wish you well and let you go your way.
I think of this when I see groups like the Komen folk get drawn into political controversy. One of their board members complained that they don't know what to do. If they move this way, they anger That Group. If they move the other way, they anger The Other Group. "What are we supposed to do?" she asked.
I suggest you do what AA does: Find the one thing you want to do -- in this case, work to fund research to cure cancer -- and then just do that. If people complain that the people working on cancer cures are also working on other things they don't like, tell them that is not your concern. You pay the bills associated with the cancer research. If people complain that you aren't saving babies, point out that there seem to be lots of people working on that project. What you are trying to do is save women who have babies, and maybe save some of those babies when they grow up and may get cancer themselves. If people complain that you aren't stopping violence in the Middle East, tell them that other people are working on that and you are paying for cancer research. If people tell you that you are funding crazy liberals or wingnut reactionaries, tell them that you do not fund people. You pay bills for cancer research. That is what you do. You do it well and you do it as equitably and responsibly as you can.
The way you win the race, including the Race for the Cure, is to keep your eyes on the finish line and don't worry about all those other roads people keep pointing to on the side. Those may be great roads with beautiful scenery and great destinations. But that is not your race. Keep running. Women and their families are counting on you.
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