Komen Controversy: Twitter Responses to the Latest News

When the Komen Foundation cut funding to Planned Parenthood, things got ugly. Protests flared up online, particularly by people who had supported the Komen efforts and felt they were suddenly being politicized.

Komen’s work had always crossed party lines, gender lines, etc. and united people under a pink banner of solidarity for a cause. No matter what party you belong to, you can join a 5K to beat breast cancer. Most folks were irate that suddenly, it seemed that there was a political undercurrent to the decision. The reaction was so swift that the folks at Komen were put back on their heels.

Yo, Komen – when people attack you on social media, do what I do – turn off the country’s Internet. #BOOM #Komen

— KimJongNumberUn (@KimJongNumberUn) February 3, 2012

Then, Komen reinstated funding to Planned Parenthood. And the protestors rejoiced.

Score one for Planned Parenthood. Huge spike in donations, and they get the Komen grants back.

— david knowles (@writerknowles) February 3, 2012

“Abort!” — overheard at Komen headquarters #Komen

— Andy Borowitz (@BorowitzReport) February 3, 2012

No one is ever allowed to say to me that online feminist organizing isn’t “real” #komen

— Jessica Valenti (@JessicaValenti) February 3, 2012

First SOPA, now Komen…making a fuss is making a comeback.

— John Dickerson (@jdickerson) February 3, 2012

Komen just did such a 180 I find it hard to believe Mitt Romney wasn’t somehow involved.

— Andy Borowitz (@BorowitzReport) February 3, 2012

But, some people are reading the fine print, and are not quite celebrating.

We are NOT done.Read this: Komen Statement on Planned Parenthood is a PR Move, Not A Policy Reversal ow.ly/8Rk75

— Aimee Thorne-Thomsen (@aimeett) February 3, 2012

The point Komen may be making is that their new rules require grantees to actually provide mammograms on site–which PP does not do.

— John McCormack (@McCormackJohn) February 3, 2012

Komen’s handling of this debacle is tantamount to surgically grafting additional feet, then shooting those too.

— Ike Pigott (@ikepigott) February 3, 2012

the only thing komen had to apologize for is not being clear in making this an educational opportunity about pp: they don’t do mammograms.

— Kathryn Jean Lopez (@kathrynlopez) February 3, 2012

Day one Komen destroys image with many of its supporters — Day two destroys image with the rest,What was so wrong 3 days ago?

— Joe Trippi (@JoeTrippi) February 3, 2012