Dave Gilmore
Sports Editor
I hate making snap judgments about people. We
all do, at least I think so. The problem is that I do it all the
time, and I'm sure I'm not alone.
When I came back to campus in August, I was assaulted with a visual
flurry of yellow flashes all around me.
Was this a dream? Had I eaten a bad cheeseburger? Was yellow the
new platinum?
No, it turns out everyone was just living so strong it nearly
killed me.
Yes, I'm referring to the yellow "Live Strong" bracelets
that have been donned by celebrities and college students alike
since early June.
Before you go ripping that rubber band off your wrist and cursing
me, let me say first off that yes, I myself did own and wear one
for quite some time.
Back in June I was with my friends from home in Bethany Beach,
Delaware.
While there's not much to do in Delaware other than go to the
beach, we did manage to hit up the one thing the Delaware shore
has going for it: outlet shopping.
At NikeTown, I picked up a cheap pair of kicks and while checking
out, the girl said "do you want a bracelet to benefit the
Lance Armstrong Foundation? It's only a dollar."
Now, I don't know where you come from, but I've learned that when
someone tells you something is only a dollar, you nod politely
and fork over the Washington, no matter what it may be.
So for the next couple weeks I wore the goofy bracelet that sticks
out like a sore thumb.
I was the first of my friends to get one so I figured, "What
better way to show my superiority than wear a yellow rubber bracelet."
Once the Tour de Lance was over, I ditched the
wrist adornment and gave it to my 13-year old sister, who most
likely turned it into a boondoggle key chain or something.
The point of this whole story, if there is any, is that I was
pretty quick to snicker at people wearing the "Live Strong"
bracelets.
I guess it kind of comes with the territory of doing anything
that is en vogue.
I guess I'm also one of those people with the "I did it first
and now its not cool anymore" mentality. That's just how
I roll.
Seriously though, I've realized now that those goofy bracelets
becoming the summer’s must-have item is probably a good
thing after all.
You see, amidst the fashion and culture craze of the whole yellow
bracelet phenomenon is actually a good cause.
The proceeds from the bracelets go directly to the Lance Armstrong
Foundation, which provides funding for cancer research and treatment.
Armstrong's perseverance and triumph over life-threatening
testicular cancer is truly one of the greatest sports stories
of our time.
Armstrong not only overcame cancer and lived (which doctors told
him was less than probable) he went on to win six consecutive
Tour de France cycling races.
If you're a "Live Strong" hater, say what you will,
but there's no way you can be "pro-cancer."
If yellow is not your color, if you have weak wrists, or you are
allergic to rubber, I can understand hating on the bracelets.
But if you're like I was and you're just an idiot, leave the yellow
bracelets be.
