The Nurse-In at Applebee's: I went because #IGiveAShit

Another mother was harassed in another place -- this time at Applebee's Restaurant, but sadly I'm not surprised. I am a bit shocked, though, at the level the manager took it to -- and that's the clincher in this harassment story, when the cops were called on the woman. I only learned about the Applebee's Nurse-In at the last minute, just a few days before the event, probably, and after I heard of the story wanted to make sure I didn't miss out. To deny a baby the right to eat in an establishment where other people were enjoying themselves, filling their bellies, is sickening.

Though the overwhelming amount of mothers supported the nurse-in, I also got to again see other opinions on this cause. I understand people have different perspectives on this event, and some from the nurse-in invitation page expressed they didn't feel going to the restaurant was necessary because in their opinion it just "makes a bigger spectacle out of public breastfeeding which is what we should be working against." Another said she wouldn't go because she didn't care who approved or disapproved of her feeding her child in public, and that she only cared about environmental issues -- something that affects everyone. I'd be quick to argue that she actually does 'give a shit' about who approves or disapproves of her nursing her child in public, but her apathy, I'm sure, comes as a result of her never facing public discrimination while she was feeding this baby. And I'm  certainly hoping she'll revisit her research to begin to see the relationship between it and breastfeeding -- and learn of its interconnectedness! She said she didn't give a shit, which she has the right to do, of course. But public nursing discrimination is reflective of areas that are often overlooked, and this type of prejudice and intolerance will be experienced heaviest among more vulnerable communities, as it always does, so #IGiveAShit.

I arrived and saw a few people already there but mostly scattered about until I met another woman in the lobby, who had with her her 8 month old nursling. Not so long later there were a number of others who arrived, including a LLL leader and some others who attended that particular group, and I was so happy when I noticed I wasn't the only Black woman there this time. All of us sat around and talked, and the staff was very nice, which is what I expected especially given the circumstances. It didn't last that long, and I left at about the one hour and fifteen minute mark, but like the last Nurse-In I attended at Target, I really enjoyed myself as well as enjoyed the new people I met and the conversations we had. I also really liked meeting participants like the one below, who I think was too excited about the things and people that surrounded her, more than nursing at the moment.

The Nurse-in @ TARGET

I went to the Seattle, WA at Northgate Target yesterday to attend my very first nurse-in!    

The event was due to the harassment of a mother, who was confronted with both a rude sales associate, and a representative when she called in to complain about the anti-breastfeeding she encountered on-site. The nurse-in was organized as a  nation-wide protest to challenge the entity's policies or no policies on breastfeeding awareness.

I was the only Black woman in attendance, and of the small circle of about 15 the only one without kids. That didn't surprise me of course, but I also didn't see many women Of Color, and it got me wondering where they were. I know I must take things into account, such as location, but of course I was wondering. I saw random women with babies, and did not hesitate to approach them and ask if they wanted to join in. That I noticed, none of the Target associates had any problems with breastfeeding, and I even asked for some chairs for those involved, and a female associate asked what was going on. When I told her this is a nurse-in, and gave her the reasons why, her jaw dropped in disbelief right before stating she "supports us 1,000 percent!" Target apparently responded to this incident, but of course they were a day late and a dollar short.
 
I don't want to say "I can't wait for the next one," since that would mean another mother facing humiliation while trying to feed her baby. But I somehow get the feeling even with a protest at the national level we'll be back in some other store, government office or other institution. Yes it is unfortunate, but if I'm able to attend, I sure will.

   

       

Is That A.T.T.I.C.?: Michigan Nurse-In Tomorrow!

This is not the joke where you look down your shirt and spell attic!

Yes, that was a titty! And it was feeding a baby!

A member of the Black Mother's Breastfeeding Association was harassed by a bus driver while boarding a bus and feeding her newborn son, and had her other young daughter with her. You can read see the entire story  here, and read the news report here.

The female bus driver blatantly asked, 'Is that a titty?' before erupting into disrespect and judgemental mode. I am at a loss for words.

You can take part in supporting our sister and help spread the word that breastfeeding is public is not a crime!  

Here is information from the Peaceful Parenting website on ways to help!

You can

Fill out a SMART Complaint Form

call the

SMART Bus Company

866-962-5515

write to

Mr. John C. Hertel, General Manager

535 Griswold Street., Ste. 600

Detroit, MI 48226

Phone: 313-223-2100

or, go to the Nurse-In

Oakland County SMART Bus Terminal Nurse-In

2021 Barrett, Troy, MI 48084 
Date: Friday July 1, 2011
Time: 9:00 am-12:00pm

Location: Oakland County SMART Bus Terminal

I submitted a small letter via the complaint form and requested a reply.

Feeding an infant is not a crime! 

If you can, go! Take yourself, your titties, and if you have one, take your baby, too!

Help support summer art programs for kids in rural Mississippi. Click here to find out how! 

UPDATE: July 1, 2011

The screenshot below is a reply from the SMART Marketing and Communications manager. 

Sign the petition to ask SMART Bus to add "Breastfeeding Welcome Here" to all buses.