The Ubiquitous Silicone Wristband

As I was strolling through the exhibit hall at this weekend's Youth Specialties Convention, I was handed two silicone awareness bracelets: a white one from LIVEPURE, a Christian organization that promotes physcial, mental, and spiritual purity, but primarily sexual abstinance; and an orange one from World Vision's 30-Hour Famine.

Silicone wristbands were of course popularized by Lance Armstrong, whose Livestrong Wristbands, which are sold for $1 each, have raised tens of millions of dollars for cancer research. As the Livestrong bracelets have grown in popularity, dozens (and possibly hundreds) of advocacy groups, charities, political organizations, and trinket manufacturers have sold or distributed copycat wristbands. Some hope to raise money and awareness; some are just interested in raising awareness; a few even sell these bracelets for profit.

Personally, I think that we, as a culture, have gone too far with the silicone wristbands. If I see someone wearing a red bracelet, for example, I have no way of knowing what that bracelet represents. Thus, the bracelet-wearer is not actually raising awareness by wearing the bracelet. Everyone recognizes and understands the Livestrong wristbands; and most people know that pink silicone bracelets raise money and awareness for breast cancer. But who can sort out the significance of the myriad blue, red, white, black, green, orange, and multi-colored strips of silicone that show up on so many wrists? How do we know whether a bracelet is connected to a cause or is meaningless and was purchased at a drug store?

Lance had a good idea, and it has proven very successful. But now that silicone bracelets in general (and not just Livestrong wristbands) have become so popular, Lance's vision is becoming a tacky fashion trend. And the majority of the copycat wristbands raise little money and little awareness for the cause they champion. I fear that, as a culture, we are asking poorly paid workers in Chinese factories (where most silicone wristbands are manufactured) to spend their days producing more junk that we just don't need.

On the other hand, these wristbands can be beneficial if wearers regard them as a constant reminder to act: What can I do today to ease the effects of poverty? What steps can I take right now to end hunger in my community? Maybe I should set aside part of my next paycheck and donate it to programs that help victims of HIV/AIDS. If these bracelets inspire and motivate the people who wear them, great. But as a fashion trend or means of raising awareness, I could do without the silicone wristbands.