Nurse-in at Hirshhorn on 2/12 from 10-12

[Anonymous]

oficial facebook page of the event:


http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=187870741235066

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hi -

I'm LJ Pelham, and I'm the organizer of the nurse-in at the Hirshhorn. I'm so thrilled that this issue has garnered so much attention and discussion. Raising awareness is one of the main reasons I organized the nurse-in!

I'd like to offer some additional information and clarify a few things:

First, there's a great list of state/territory breastfeeding laws on the National Conference of State Legislatures website: http://www.ncsl.org/default.aspx?tabid=14389. So, if you want to know what the law is where you live, check it out.

Second, there is a federal law that permits women to breastfeed on federal property and in federal buildings so long as the woman has the right to be there. Code of Federal Regulations, Title 41, Sec. 102-74.426

Third, I've been asked whether the nurse-in is still on since the Hirshhorn has apologized.

The nurse-in was not organized to elicit an apology from the Hirshhorn or the Smithsonian. The fact that they have apologized is wonderful. The Hirshhorn and Smithsonian have really stepped up and made right a bad situation, and the mom who this happened to is satisfied with their response. Situation resolved.

The nurse-in was not organized as a protest either. We already have the law that protects our right to nurse in public (and private) in DC, and the Smithsonian has a policy that supports that right. The Smithsonian has taken steps to address and correct the situation. So, really, what’s left to protest?

Besides, this situation did not happen because we lack protective laws or because the Smithsonian doesn't have a policy about this. Instead, this situation happened because of a lack of awareness, a lack of education.

Now, I suppose we could protest the lack of education . . . But wouldn’t it be better just to educate?

So, I feel we (the community that supports breastfeeding) have work to do -- in educating about the right to breastfeed, in raising awareness about the policies and laws that are in effect, in sparking discussions on the benefits of breastfeeding (which is why we have those laws in the first place) and in showing support for those who choose to do so. Who better to do that than those who benefit from and are protected by these policies and laws? And, what better opportunity than this?

This is a sensitive (and emotional) subject for many. And, there's a lot of momentum as a result of this situation. My hope (and vision in organizing the nurse-in) is to focus on how we might fill the gap, fix the problem, and educate. We found the need, now let’s meet it. Can we find positive ways to use the momentum of this event to raise awareness in our own communities? Because if this can happen at the Hirshhorn, this can happen anywhere.

So, that’s the purpose of the nurse-in --- to raise awareness, to educate about the policies and laws that are in effect, to spark discussion, to show support for nursing in public, and to bring closure to this situation in a positive, peaceful and healing way.

So, yes, the nurse-in is still on. And, we welcome you to join us.

LJ Pelham

Seriously? HH retracted, and agreed with you and the law. Who needs "healing"? I'm sorry, but pick up a paper, watch the news. This is much ado about nothing.

[Anonymous]

every time someone rolls their eyes as i start BF my child in public i think our society as a whole needs healing.

people are so self centered and they think the little that my nipples show when my child unlatches and i rush to close the flap is enough to ruin their day.

sorry i cannot cover, my child won't lay still under that thing. if the need to have a law made re this matter rose up it means society needs education.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hi -

I'm LJ Pelham, and I'm the organizer of the nurse-in at the Hirshhorn. I'm so thrilled that this issue has garnered so much attention and discussion. Raising awareness is one of the main reasons I organized the nurse-in!

I'd like to offer some additional information and clarify a few things:

First, there's a great list of state/territory breastfeeding laws on the National Conference of State Legislatures website: http://www.ncsl.org/default.aspx?tabid=14389. So, if you want to know what the law is where you live, check it out.

Second, there is a federal law that permits women to breastfeed on federal property and in federal buildings so long as the woman has the right to be there. Code of Federal Regulations, Title 41, Sec. 102-74.426

Third, I've been asked whether the nurse-in is still on since the Hirshhorn has apologized.

The nurse-in was not organized to elicit an apology from the Hirshhorn or the Smithsonian. The fact that they have apologized is wonderful. The Hirshhorn and Smithsonian have really stepped up and made right a bad situation, and the mom who this happened to is satisfied with their response. Situation resolved.

The nurse-in was not organized as a protest either. We already have the law that protects our right to nurse in public (and private) in DC, and the Smithsonian has a policy that supports that right. The Smithsonian has taken steps to address and correct the situation. So, really, what’s left to protest?

Besides, this situation did not happen because we lack protective laws or because the Smithsonian doesn't have a policy about this. Instead, this situation happened because of a lack of awareness, a lack of education.

Now, I suppose we could protest the lack of education . . . But wouldn’t it be better just to educate?

So, I feel we (the community that supports breastfeeding) have work to do -- in educating about the right to breastfeed, in raising awareness about the policies and laws that are in effect, in sparking discussions on the benefits of breastfeeding (which is why we have those laws in the first place) and in showing support for those who choose to do so. Who better to do that than those who benefit from and are protected by these policies and laws? And, what better opportunity than this?

This is a sensitive (and emotional) subject for many. And, there's a lot of momentum as a result of this situation. My hope (and vision in organizing the nurse-in) is to focus on how we might fill the gap, fix the problem, and educate. We found the need, now let’s meet it. Can we find positive ways to use the momentum of this event to raise awareness in our own communities? Because if this can happen at the Hirshhorn, this can happen anywhere.

So, that’s the purpose of the nurse-in --- to raise awareness, to educate about the policies and laws that are in effect, to spark discussion, to show support for nursing in public, and to bring closure to this situation in a positive, peaceful and healing way.

So, yes, the nurse-in is still on. And, we welcome you to join us.

LJ Pelham

I'm still breastfeeding my 18-month-old and am a huge proponent of breastfeeding (and have breastfed in public many times) but this is just ridiculous. Why do you need healing from the situation? How will having dozens of women descend on the Smithsonian to breastfeed accomplish any of the goals you have laid out? What problem exactly do you need to fix? Two security guards behaved stupidly and were out of line; the museum apologized. I'm not sure what more you're looking for.

I hope no one shows up. Your reaction really bothers me and frankly will serve only to further stereotypes about breastfeeding women.

[Anonymous]

Considering that this situation has resolved itself, I am deeply bothered by this nurse in. I think you are doing more to hurt nursing mothers than help them.

[TheWife]

I'm a first time poster, although I have registered, so I hope that this will show up with my proper user name et al.

A few things about me:

I have 2 children, an 8 year old girl and a 6 year old boy. I stopped breastfeeding over 3 years ago. I am actively involved in assisting LJ in the organization of this event. In the 5 years that I breastfed, there were several incidents in which I was asked to move or leave while NIP. Oddly enough, while it was easy to tell what I was doing, there was absolutely no exposure of my nipple or areola (at most simply the skin at the top of my breast -- no more than seen when wearing a relatively conservative top). However, I never made an effort to hide what I was doing, even when no exposure was made. And so, in my experience, what made people uncomfortable wasn't any actual or possible nudity in the act, but the act itself. While I'm sure many will argue that they don't feel that way, I can only share my own, albeit anecdotal, experiences.

I have participated in at least a half dozen nurse-ins. I have been interviewed several times and have appeared in articles and radio shows regarding my support of breastfeeding rights. It is something that I feel passionately about. As someone else mentioned, there are many topics that are important (LGBTQ rights and child-abuse prevention to name just two that I am also actively involved in). That does not, however, negate the importance of protecting a woman's right to breastfeed, and raising awareness of those rights.

What exactly do I hope to accomplish on the 12th? Well, personally I will be distributing hundreds of laminated business cards that feature the federal and (local) state breastfeeding laws. The purpose of these cards is purely educational. A woman can carry this card with her and, should she find herself in the same position that Nori was in, she can produce the card to easily explain and illustrate her rights. My intent is to assist women who are not comfortable in confrontations, or women who are hesitant to speak up to someone in "authority." I can easily imagine that if the security guard had been presented with the laws at the time (not just having them recited to him), he would have backed down immediately.

The Hirshhorn has apologized and said they will do better. That's great! So why don't we drop it? Well, think about this: If no publicity had been brought to this, if a "big deal" had NOT been made, would you have known that this had happened to someone? How do we know that this isn't a regular occurrence? Do you think that the Smithsonian would ever advertise that it's happened to others? But if the public is made aware, if we all now know that this has happened, then if it *does* ever happen again, further steps can be taken. Since Nori has come forward, I have heard other mothers discuss their own experiences at the Smithsonian. I can't help but wonder, if they had stepped forward at the time, would Nori have had this experience? If a single nurse-in can prevent other women from facing discrimination, then it is certainly worth it to me. I abhor discrimination in all its forms, and strive to ensure that no one faces it, whether it is due to the color of their skin, the person they love, or their ability to provide sustenance to their child.

Contrary to what is being said, a nurse-in is not a drastic and last-course measure. It is a step to be taken in raising awareness and protecting rights. It is a method of educating the public. It is part of the process of making breastfeeding acceptable, common, and frequent. I have never considered a nurse-in to be a protest. While it can be, its primary objective is to draw attention to the issue at hand and to make the public (and the "offending" companies) aware that discrimination against breastfeeding mothers will not be tolerated. Sit-ins, despite being protests, were not inherently disruptive, and a nurse-in is not either. It is only the response to them that led to violence or negative behavior. And while breastfeeding rights don't have the same immediate impact as racial protections, the long-term benefits of making breastfeeding acceptable and commonplace are very important. Rather than trying to make a one-on-one comparison of the two issues, we should accept the importance of both and be willing to make room for the rights of everyone, even if they don't effect everyone in quite the same way.

Jennifer (aka "The Wife")

If you'd care to see one of the articles I appeared in, you can read it here:
http://www.myrna.info/2009/02/i-rock-too.htm

[Anonymous]

13:33

ridiculous? try to educate the general public regarding our right to breastfeed in public?

people roll eyes ALL THE TIME when they see women feeding their children in public and they should know that what we're doing is OK.

i don't even know why people need to get so outraged or annoyed that we're there sitting on the corner feeding a baby.

the public needs education and this is why i'm joining the crowd tomorrow.

this is so important! if our population didn't need education regarding this matter a law stating the right to breastfeed would not be needed after all.

[Anonymous]

I have already posted this, but there are many other ways to educate the public about the laws regarding a mother's right to nurse in public. You choose not to use them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have already posted this, but there are many other ways to educate the public about the laws regarding a mother's right to nurse in public. You choose not to use them.

do you mind sharing examples?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:13:33

ridiculous? try to educate the general public regarding our right to breastfeed in public?

people roll eyes ALL THE TIME when they see women feeding their children in public and they should know that what we're doing is OK.

i don't even know why people need to get so outraged or annoyed that we're there sitting on the corner feeding a baby.

the public needs education and this is why i'm joining the crowd tomorrow.

this is so important! if our population didn't need education regarding this matter a law stating the right to breastfeed would not be needed after all.

Oh, my God. PLEASE find the "Shift" key and spend less time on hard returns.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have already posted this, but there are many other ways to educate the public about the laws regarding a mother's right to nurse in public. You choose not to use them.

do you mind sharing examples?

Passing out laminated cards, as PP already said; mailing letters, starting letter-writing campaigns; signing petitions; posting experiences here on DCUM. And the guard at the Hirshhorn has already been educated, so something already went right here.

[TheWife]

Anonymous wrote:Passing out laminated cards, as PP already said; mailing letters, starting letter-writing campaigns; signing petitions; posting experiences here on DCUM. And the guard at the Hirshhorn has already been educated, so something already went right here.

How would one go about handing out those laminated cards without a grouping of people available to receive them? Posting anecdotal accounts is useful, but limited. I had not visited this forum before, and only did so in reaction to this specific incident. I have signed hundreds of petitions. I have written letters and complaints. Signing a petition doesn't spread the word to the public and it is limited to the specific cause. Writing letters and complaints does not bring awareness to the public and certainly it does not force a company or organization to adequately address the problem. While it is nice that the Hirshhorn has provided some response, quite frankly I don't have any reason to trust that they will do anything more than they have always done... which is clearly not enough.

For every woman willing to come forward with her experience, there are dozens, if not hundreds, who keep their mouths shut. Either out of embarrassment, a wish to avoid confrontation, or maybe out of fear that others will react with the same vitriol that has been evidenced in this single thread.

Jennifer (aka "The Wife")

[Anonymous]

Converge on the Hirshhorn and pass out the cards or info. You're willing to do it to have a nurse-in; why not do it to 'educate' the public a normal way?

[TheWife]

Anonymous wrote:Converge on the Hirshhorn and pass out the cards or info. You're willing to do it to have a nurse-in; why not do it to 'educate' the public a normal way?

It is a "normal" way. A "nurse-in" is a term used to describe an organized group in support of breastfeeding. It is not necessary to breastfeed (I certainly am not going to -- I haven't lactated in over 3 years), nor is it necessary to even have children there (mine won't be). The effort is meant to draw attention to the situation, and that involves people. However, when you have a group of breastfeeding women, the odds are great that many of them will, during a 2 hour period, need to feed their children.

I can only assume that people picture a nurse-in to consist of women sitting around with their child(ren) at their breast. However, just as NIP is necessary because children do not always eat at convenient times, you can't *force* a child to breastfeed when they're not hungry. Of the nurse-ins I have attended, I only personally breastfed twice -- because my children didn't need to be fed at the time.

If the concern is only that it will be a situation where everyone will be "forced" to see breastfeeding, rest assured that whatever breastfeeding that takes place would be the same amount that would be taking place during the same time period anywhere else. Although, not being naive, I am certain that there will be many women who will at least try to encourage their children to nurse while the event is in progress, but that doesn't work very well, and any attempts with a reluctant child will soon be abandoned, I assure you.

So, be happy! We're taking your advice. We are going to "converge on the Hirshhorn and pass out the cards or info." Some women will have their children with them, as they normally would on a Sunday morning when visiting the Smithsonian. Some women, such as myself, will not. Some women will breastfeed. Some will not. And hopefully there will be a positive outcome, resulting in further awareness and education of breastfeeding rights. Hopefully the gathering will garner enough attention and support to further the anti-discrimination cause.

Given your own suggestion, it sounds to me as if we're on the same page. What is the problem?

Jennifer (aka "The Wife")

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OK, just read all thirteen pages and still don't understand what you are so angry about. What is it about seeing a woman BF that makes you so uncomfortable that you feel you should be allowed to determine when and where she does it? Please tell me without inserting some type of religious 'morality' into the argument. As an educated person, what exactly is it that bothers you about seeing someone BFing? I'm really just curious here.

I find it hard to believe that you read 13 pages and this is what you came away with. No one is saying breastfeeding in public should be illegal because it makes people uncomfortable. And the poster who said there is no logical explanation for why it makes people uncomfortable, even though they were being snide, was right -- it's not logical, it's emotional. Most people find it weird and it makes them uncomfortable.

A nurse-in is aggressive. It is 'in your face.' The 'education' aspect is an excuse. There are much better ways to 'educate' people that there are laws on the books that allow breastfeeding in public that do not involve alienating people. WHY is that alienating? WHY does it make people uncomfortable? Who knows -- and who cares. It would be a lot easier to take the time and effort for a few people to learn to be discreet than it would take to change the attitudes and feelings of the majority of society.

At first I didn't understand why the nurse-in was still on after the museum apologized-then I read this response. Now I realize how terribly important it is. Someone who feels that BFing is alienating is in dire need of some education.