About Rubber Bracelets

Rubber bracelets are a way of showing solidarity with a particular political or social cause and spreading awareness about the existence of an issue. Each kind of bracelet, such as the "Livestrong" bracelet for cancer, represents its own cause. Users wear them around their wrists, and based on popularity the bracelets are often easily identifiable from afar by their color. Rubber bracelets provide an easy way to get involved with and make a donation to an organization at a low level, and they can create a sense of community among wearers.

The phenomenon of rubber bracelets became popularized in 2004 with Lance Armstrong, a professional record-breaking cyclist who was diagnosed with cancer. As a part of his work to raise awareness about cancer and funds for cancer research, his Livestrong organization developed the Livestrong bracelet, a simple, bright yellow wristband engraved with the organization's name. The bracelets sold extremely well and became a fashion statement for many wearers. As a result, many other organizations hopped on the bandwagon and developed their own rubber bracelets, in the hopes that they would become similarly iconic and profitable.

Rubber bracelets are usually made of silicone, which is why they are also referred to as silicone bracelets. A word or very short phrase---such as "Livestrong," "Choice," or "Save Darfur"----is inscribed into the silicone in block letters. The bracelets are smooth and easy to clean, and they usually come in vivid, solid colors. They are slightly rounded on the outside and flat on the inside, and they temporarily stretch enough for wearers to get it on their wrist.

Livestrong bracelets remain the most well known and popular of all rubber bracelets, but many others have also reached high popularity. These bracelets include the pink breast cancer awareness bracelet, and the white "One" bracelet, which raises awareness of extreme poverty. The bracelets have, however, spun off into a more commercialized enterprise, with cheaply made versions bearing generic phrases like "hope" or "love" now available. The popularity of rubber bracelets has subsequently declined since their debut.

Rubber bracelets have faced a wide variety of criticisms, including a concern about how much money they actually generate for most charities, and whether they are an effective use of resources. It is also argued that the bracelets have lost their impact since the market was flooded with many varieties. For example, comedy show host Stephen Colbert has mocked the trend by creating a "Wriststrong" bracelet after he injured his own wrist, which has become more popular than many bracelets created to help fund legitimate causes. Most commonly, though, especially among activists on the left, there is a concern that the rubber bracelets are more of a fashion statement than a genuine expression for change, and that they help make the majority of people complacent about their comparative inaction when it comes to creating true change.