The Red Cross - more and more like Microsoft?

Who'd ever have thought I'd agree with the premise of an article in Slate that Michael Gilbert touted in his weekly e-newsletter? An article on activism, no less?

BloodSaves.com, of which the American Red Cross is a major player, has launched a series of TV ads which contrast the difficulty and conflicts of social activism with the simplicity and tangible results of giving blood. Are they trying to persuade hip young adults that blood donation is an alternative to social activism?

(You can view the spots at their very hip and low-usability site. You have to click the "Check out our TV Ads" button in the upper right corner.)

Naturally, it's not too likely that Michael and I would agree on what sorts of activism young people shoud pursue, but it gauls us both that the Red Cross thinks it needs to compete with other forms of activism. It seems that the Red Cross shares Microsoft's view of the market. Microsoft only wants its "fair share" of each market that it's in. However, it thinks its "fair share" is 100%. I think the Red Cross wants 100% of the philanthropy market in the US. They're not too far from it, and, coupled with the laziness of corporate America (see my earlier blog) they're making strides every day.

(Did I just slam corporate America? Look out Michael, I'm headed left-wing for sure!)

Contrast the incredible arrogance of the Red Cross with the decision of Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors without Borders) to stop fundraising for tsunami relief funds a few weeks after the tragedy. They had raised all the money they could spend and they encouraged people to give elsewhere. At the time I critised it as a dumb fundraising move. It's still a dumb fundraising move, but now I realize it might have been a smart, sensitive and humble strategic decision. (Not that I'm an expert in sensitive or humble!)

I'm a life-long blood donor. I've given a few gallons since I helped organize blood drives on my college campus. In fact, my worst injury in 25 years as a volunteer fireman was when a nurse moved a needle in my arm during the firehouse blood drive, and I couldn't use my arm for three days. I won't stop giving blood because of this stupid new campaign. But I won't sacrifice my other activism, either, including more rants about the Red Cross' fundraising strategies.

Now if only I could get Michael to agree with me about Tax Cuts for the Rich...