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

[Anonymous]

I've posted a ton of times in support of the protest.

BTW, I was and am in full support of the nurse-in. But unfortunately, it is starting to become about a person named "The Wife / Jennifer." Annoying plug for her blog, perhaps, or just someone who can't let a single tit go without saying tat (no pun intended). The first few posts were great and informative, if a bit long. But now you're just making it about you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've posted a ton of times in support of the protest.

BTW, I was and am in full support of the nurse-in. But unfortunately, it is starting to become about a person named "The Wife / Jennifer." Annoying plug for her blog, perhaps, or just someone who can't let a single tit go without saying tat (no pun intended). The first few posts were great and informative, if a bit long. But now you're just making it about you.

Not so much. TheWife has tried to be polite, respectful and informative in all of her posts and the fact that she challenged some of the haters, for lack of a better word, doesn't mean she's making it all about herself. The anti-BFing-IP contingent are really the ones that have made it all about them. They feel that because THEY have some type of negative emotional response to BFing in public, the mothers who need to feed their babies should change their behavior as opposed to living and letting live. If that isn't the height of selfishness, than I don't know what is. Apparently looking away is not an option for them. Again, while this a bone TheWife isn't letting go of, I don't think it's all about her. She has tried to explain ad nauseum what the nurse-in is all about, why it is important despite the individual institutions apology and has replied to those who have approached her in a respectable way respectfully. Everytime I read someone posting about why BFing moms can't be more discreet in order to assuage some dysfunctional stranger's sensibilities, it makes me realize why this event is so very important.

[Anonymous]

I don't think anyone is against breast feeding in public, just cover up. This is so simple but after reading many posts, with the exception of Jennifer's rants, too many want a confrontation and this is not helping your cause. Martin Luther King and Ghandi succeeded because they were "peaceful."

Ladies, as has been pointed out several times, you are hurting your cause if you proceed with this proposed demonstration.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't think anyone is against breast feeding in public, just cover up. This is so simple but after reading many posts, with the exception of Jennifer's rants, too many want a confrontation and this is not helping your cause. Martin Luther King and Ghandi succeeded because they were "peaceful."

Ladies, as has been pointed out several times, you are hurting your cause if you proceed with this proposed demonstration.

Cover up? Why? How? For what reason? What if baby does not like cover up? Are you really suggesting that BFing women should stay home or be discreet simply to appease your sensibilities? We don't want to live in a cave and we are inviting you to come out of yours.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't think anyone is against breast feeding in public, just cover up. This is so simple but after reading many posts, with the exception of Jennifer's rants, too many want a confrontation and this is not helping your cause. Martin Luther King and Ghandi succeeded because they were "peaceful."

Ladies, as has been pointed out several times, you are hurting your cause if you proceed with this proposed demonstration.

Sorry, I meant that Jennifer's rants are book length and haven't read them word-for-word. She has been vociferous in extolling the virtues of confrontatio.

[Anonymous]

The problem is that there is no happy consensus on what discrete actually is. Many seem to only want moms nursing under nursing covers. Mine won't do that. I don't show skin while nursing but won't/can't use a cover. To some that's acceptable and some it isn't.

To some that VS tanktop half of AU wears is indiscreet. Do I get to tell them not to wear those, either?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Everytime I read someone posting about why BFing moms can't be more discreet in order to assuage some dysfunctional stranger's sensibilities, it makes me realize why this event is so very important.

THIS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't think anyone is against breast feeding in public, just cover up. This is so simple but after reading many posts, with the exception of Jennifer's rants, too many want a confrontation and this is not helping your cause. Martin Luther King and Ghandi succeeded because they were "peaceful."

Ladies, as has been pointed out several times, you are hurting your cause if you proceed with this proposed demonstration.

Cover up? Why? How? For what reason? What if baby does not like cover up? Are you really suggesting that BFing women should stay home or be discreet simply to appease your sensibilities? We don't want to live in a cave and we are inviting you to come out of yours.

This is a specious argument, at best. You are your own worst enemy and if you persist in this absurd "nurse in" you will garner ill will and, in the not too distant future, there will be another law enacted that you do need to cover up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:And again you are dismissive of someone who presents an eloquent, well thought-out opposing view. I had never heard the term nurse-in before this thread and it's quite clearly protest-related. Are you really denying that?

Also, I was personally uncomfortable being around someone breastfeeding before I started doing it myself, and my husband still is. Does this mean we aren't ardent supporters of breastfeeding, or would tell someone to breastfeed elsewhere? No way. But having women descend on the museum as you describe will only serve to make people uncomfortable, and not unreasonably so, as well as making breastfeeding moms looks nuts. You need to balance the reaction people will almost certainly have with the reaction you are hoping they will have, and consider carefully whether your goals are realistic.

First, Shelli is the one and only person to present any constructive actions, whatsoever, so there's been no prior suggestions to be "dismissive" of. Secondly, her suggestions are all dependent on an event actually taking place -- which is what the "debate" (such as it is) has been about. Thirdly, I was in no way dismissive of her suggestions, only cognizant of the fact that one of her suggestions is not going to be possible at this time. Aside from the fact that, as I said, "nurse-in" is an understood and accepted term, it's a little late to change it. So, yes, I accept that her suggestion to rename the event is impractical, at this time specifically and potentially in the long-term. Just because one doesn't accept each and every suggestion that someone makes, does not make them "dismissive" -- especially when the suggestion is unrealistic. Note: no one, not a one of all of you "Anonymous" posters, has answered my request for an alternative action that would provide the same level of attention and coverage to the cause.

Jennifer (aka "The Wife")

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A consistent trickle works better than a fire hose.

When has that ever been the case?

Jennifer (aka "The Wife")

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think a lot of people feel as you do, and they certainly aren't expected to take part in the nurse-in. Frankly, I'm disappointed by Jennifer's description of what the nurse-in actually is. I, like many people on this thread, thought it would be hundreds of women descending on the museum with breasts bared and babies attached. I was excited by the idea until I learned that the museum apologized and then, like others here, felt there was no longer any need to protest. The actual event, however, is pretty "tame." Most women won't even be breastfeeding and those that do won't even be doing it in protest (it just happens that if you are BFing and you happen to be at the nurse-in, at some point, each mother will have to nurse, but not all at the same time).
...
For me, and I know I'm probably on the extreme end of this, I want the "protest" version of the nurse-in, though not at the HH where they have apologized. I want the full-on, in your face, hundreds of women breastfeeding so no one can get away from it and are forced to deal with the reality of it kind of nurse-in. And there are plenty of places that deserve such a "protest." Extreme? Yes. But I believe that once everyone has been fully exposed to it enough, attitudes will change, for the better. But alas, this is not what Jennifer is organizing, so, as much as I might want such a thing, it is unfair to accuse her of such tactics.

Righteous indignation aside, what would an event like that accomplish? What would be the result, other than to "piss off" more people? As you've seen here, simply the act of gathering together to peacefully hand out literature and encourage discussion is ridiculed and derided. And that is from people who actually claim to support breastfeeding mothers! What you're suggesting might feel good at the time, a little like a "getting your own back" kind of thing, but it would ultimately cause additional upset and bring unwanted attention. As you can imagine, it's a fine balance, so we've tried to take a very reasonable and understandable position. At least to... normal people.

Jennifer (aka "The Wife")

[TheWife]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't think anyone is against breast feeding in public, just cover up. This is so simple but after reading many posts, with the exception of Jennifer's rants, too many want a confrontation and this is not helping your cause. Martin Luther King and Ghandi succeeded because they were "peaceful."

Ladies, as has been pointed out several times, you are hurting your cause if you proceed with this proposed demonstration.

Sorry, I meant that Jennifer's rants are book length and haven't read them word-for-word. She has been vociferous in extolling the virtues of confrontatio.

Ah, so glad you've been able to discern my intent, meaning, and purpose without actually reading my posts. How... omniscient of you.

Jennifer (aka "The Wife")

[TheWife]

Anonymous wrote:I've posted a ton of times in support of the protest.

BTW, I was and am in full support of the nurse-in. But unfortunately, it is starting to become about a person named "The Wife / Jennifer." Annoying plug for her blog, perhaps, or just someone who can't let a single tit go without saying tat (no pun intended). The first few posts were great and informative, if a bit long. But now you're just making it about you.

I mentioned my blogs by way of explanation of my "creepy" user name, yes. I posted a link (twice) that contained a news article, about nurse-ins and breastfeeding rights, from ~6 years ago, which is difficult to find in any other location. And the vast number of my posts have been in specific response to attacking, insulting, and rude posts by anonymous posters who lack the decency to defend their spurious statements.

Jennifer (aka "The Wife")

(Who just made an "all about me" post, since it is responsive to direct comments about me, and not specifically related to the nurse-in. Oh well. Such is life.)

[Anonymous]

TheWife wrote:
Jennifer (aka "The Wife")

(Who just made an "all about me" post, since it is responsive to direct comments about me, and not specifically related to the nurse-in. Oh well. Such is life.)

You do realize this is getting really tedious? And that you are turning off supporters of the nurse-in? What are you trying to accomplish?

[Anonymous]

This is a forum where people post anonymously. If you don't want to spar with anonymous posters then don't post here.