RACISM HINDERS BREASTFEEDING!: Raising Radical Breastfeeding Awareness When 'Breast is Best' Just Doesn't Cut It!

Patriarchy, sexism, class elitism, white privilege, apathy, homophobia, insularity and lack of cultural relativity, and a slew of others, are also culprits.

On Monday I was in a meeting. While I was there for those few hours, the breastfeeding paraphernalia stared me right in my face -- and ironically sitting in that space is when when it clicked that this is all wrong. And I realized the extent of my disdain for 'Breast Is Best'. I  I know everyone's seen this stuff -- the bumper stickers, magnets, buttons, keychains, etc -- that read something along the lines of "Human Milk for Human Babies" "Breast is Best," "Babies were born to breastfeed" and other appropriate and encouraging words. I really liked those and have seen the sayings time and time again, but it was while I was there is when I realized how idealistic it is and just how much it overlooks reasons why people are not nursing. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate all of the encouragement and promotion of mother's milk, and who doesn't like those sayings that evoke warm fuzzies?! But to me it seems breastfeeding advocates don't often mention the issues situated at the backdrop of our society that play role in our breastfeeding outcomes, and inevitably determines who breastfeeds. I understand that as someone who does not have children and who has never breastfed a baby, my outlook is shaped by this and I come from a different place. But I also know this position allows and even requires me to look at human lactation through a different lens, and examine those social issues.

From where I stand, it seems too many breastfeeding advocates focus on the so-called shortcomings of individual and groups, without going below the surface. Race and color contention has been at the backdrop of our society since our country's inception, and racialized oppression and RACISM have been systematic and is responsible for countless levels of inequality and is a fundamental element in breastfeeding disparities. This structural imbalance has caused generations of hardship and contention, and determines breastfeeding outcomes, and is the undercurrent of WHITE PRIVILEGE. WHITE PRIVILEGE allows special advantages to white people based on no other reason than their whiteness. WHITE PRIVILEGE  allows white people access to jobs, education, housing, and a list of others that make it much easier for a group of people to have access to breastmilk, while PATRIARCHY and male-dominated societies, continue to be responsible for horrendous crimes against women as well as the exclusion of women from positions of power. This also interferes with access to education and this denies women a voice.

INSULARITY -- being ignorant and unconcerned with cultures and ideas outside of one's own is too often accepted among us, which is especially evident in Euro-centric communities, that often overlook other cultural practices in a society where whiteness continues to be seen as the most prominent representation in movies and many other facets -- even breastfeeding texts, but this does not mean people of color do not participate in insular behavior. Learning traditions from other cultural and racial groups in order to promote breastfeeding awareness among all is essential to build combined action, and work towards the common goal! LACK OF CULTURAL RELATIVITY -- not looking through the cultural lens of others to see their outlook and traditions, also follow along these lines, along with APATHY -- simply being uninterested of what's going on around us -- one of my personal irritants! Of course CAPITALISM, which is clearly seen in about every aspect -- and accounts for aggressive marketing of infant formula, and telling mothers their milk is sub-standard, our desire to consume what we do not have or need, and an array of other social ills. Other hindrances of "non-conformers" include homophobia, sexism and any other system instituted to marginalize and malign.

All of these are connected, working interdependently in obstructing a woman's ability to provide breastmilk, which is why I have decided to launch this awareness project, providing a holistic in-your-face view of these. I am hoping this will not only start the dialogue, but allow us to see the part we play in supporting the structure, and more importantly --  how we can work together towards change.

When we fail to recognize the role racism, class elitism, and other systems of injustice play in a woman's ability to provide her milk, or are simply uninterested, we fail to give our all at truly advocating a baby's right, and we must hold ourselves accountable for the role we play in that separation. I also remember another slogan in the manager's office that day; "What you permit, you promote!" Help me spread the word!


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National Worksite Breastfeeding Support for Employers of Overtime Eligible Employees: Innovative Strategies for Success: I'm Heading It!

During a conference call among several coalitions and breastfeeding advocates in the state last month, there was a mention of a project by HHS Office on Women's Health, who were offering members an opportunity to assist in a project designed to gather information on companies who have successfully adhered to the federal break time for nursing mother's law and have established an area for lactating mothers, in order to input this into a national database. I was interested!

The focus of this initiative is to gather information and input it in a database to show other companies across the country how they can be successful, even facing barriers. Here is an excerpt from the Orientation Packet:

In 2008, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, (HHS) Health Resources and Services Administration, Maternal and Child Health Bureau, with support from the HHS Office on Women's Health (OWH), launched a major national initiative designed to improve worksite support for beastfeeding women. This initiative included a resource kit, The Business Case for Breastfeeding, which focuses on encouraging employers to establish, maintain, and expand programs to enable their breastfeeding employees to continue breastfeeding their infants after they return to work.... In October 2011 OWH  began a national initiative that focuses on employers of hourly workers, particularly in non-traditional, non-office settings that are often challenging and may require more creative solutions to comply with the law -- A central goal of this initiative is to develop a national online searchable database of many types of varied worksites that comply with the law, to serve as examples or models for other worksites.

We (BCW Manager and I) submitted our proposal for the project and were one of four coalitions in the country selected, which includes a small grant in order to complete the project.

The steps involved require me to contact businesses throughout the state to begin the screening process,  providing some background information on the project, and making sure they qualify -- meaning ensuring they already have an established environment for nursing mothers of course, and at least 30% of staff members are hourly-paid. There are a few more screening questions, but the overall goal will be to visit the company, interview the manager or other Human Resources personnel, as well as someone who is currently using, or who has previously utilized the lactation station, take a few photographs and input this information into a database. I must visit at least ten (10) businesses.

I am very excited about this for several reasons. Aside from it being my first "official" project and being able to advocate mother's milk, it allows me to begin exploring and examining those areas I feel need most representation -- those areas that contain people who are often in the shadows, which is nice because this is exactly where this project encourages me to look.

Mother's Milk and Fair Play: Breastfeeding as food justice (Video)

I've been thinking a lot about food lately. Of course this is no surprise to folks who know me since I always think a lot about food. But lately it's  not just what's on the menu for the next meal (yes, I like to eat), but more specifically as access. I've been thinking about food justice! In fact, what really got me thinking about this is SISTAH VEGAN -- a book I read and reviewed on the topic, whose editor, Breeze Harper, made the video below.

Of course I believe it makes sense. Being able to nurse anytime, anywhere, is a fabulous idea that in my opinion, is a human rights issue. But being able to nurse on demand it is also something that is frought with privilege, since countless women are not capable of this luxury. This video also got me to thinking about the recent Blacktating post Pumpin Ain't Easy, and how that also examined our culture's blatant disregard for human lactation, the difficulties of pumping and inevitably the disregard for those holistic health benefits, including the mother-infant connection, maternal and child health, potential environmental issues and a list of others.

These both came at a point when I will be working with the state coalition in a project surveying companies in Washington State who are compliant with the Federal Break Time for Nursing Mother's law -- something I believed to be forward-moving. Of course I don't think it's all bad, since it does provide some opportunity to provide mother's milk. But are we selling ourselves short?

From the way I see it, if nursing on demand were actualized it would necessitate the dissipation of a slew of justice issues -- including the capability to nurse on demand, ridding our society of those many systems that are constructed and strengthened with inequality that hinders our access to provide this priceless benefit to our babies. I will be thinking about this, and I hope you do as well.

So, about that breastfeeding and slavery thing....

I am again reading Harriet Jacobs -- her autobiography Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl. If you're unfamiliar with who she is, do a google search, visit the link above, or read her book where you'll find she was born into slavery, taught to read and write by her mistress, which was a true rarity -- one who died when Harriet was still young, and as a result "willed" her assets -- her home, dishes, jewelry, and human beings, to others. Harriet was willed to a family, where the Master Dr. flint began making sexual advances at her when she was young.

One of the many things things that makes this story remarkable (and I use the word 'remarkable' in a f'd up, and resistive sort of way -- not as glorifying) is how she escaped this -- becoming pregnant by another white man, then living in what the writer of the book's introduction calls a 'large coffin' -- a nine foot long by seven foot wide, by three feet high area attached to her grandmother's porch -- for seven years!

The quote stuck out! And I think of the time I recently talked about slavery and breastfeeding while out to lunch with some (older, white) friends -- wondering if that's the culprit for our numbers and all -- an idea questioned by many others, but generated laughs when I mentioned it that day. I don't know if I have anything conclusive to say about this -- yet, or if there will ever be anything to conclude. Of course I can't say I do not believe there has been some legacy at the bottom of this by being made to feed a slaver's baby, neglecting your own. But at this point I have more questions than answers, and I can't keep from wondering.

the Milk truck: A Mobile Breastfeeding Unit. I Can't Believe She Actually Made The WHOLE Thing (Video)

I first read about the completion of this "Mobile Breastfeeding Device" in an article on women's enews last week, saying it has been on display for now, but its owner, Jill Miller, is attempting to apply for non-profit status to allow for full-time usage. I've heard so many different responses and opinions on this, mostly from nursing mothers who ridicule the artwork, saying it does exactly the opposite of what they challenge; making a spectacle out of breastfeeding in public.

I expressed my thoughts on this before, and though I believe Ms. Miller is a well-intentioned breastfeeding advocate, just can't see how this can progress the cause. I still believe it too easily allows for women and other supporters to acquiesce to challenging the stigma of public nursing, is divisive, and does not allow access for everyone who would be caught in a situation where they could use this. Oh, and there's only one of them -- so if there's two hungry babies across town, watch out!

But regardless of what anyone says, there was obviously enough support, since it took over $10,000 in cold, hard cash to get it up and running -- a project funded via donations through  the Kickstarter program, and who knows how many others threw in a couple of bucks, for the over $15,000 of total money raised.

But, if you're in the Pittsburgh area and happen to see this contraption rolling around with a large PINK breast atop, btw, get a glimpse of its fancy chairs and shag carpet, the next thing that may come to your mind is the saying "All that glitters ain't gold!" Or maybe you'll scratch your head and wonder why they don't just enforce their rights on the law that supports public breastfeeding in Pennsylvania. But that's just my take.

Just in case you need a reminder. .

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Organic Mother's Milk

I went to the store to buy bread, bananas and a few other things and happened down the tea aisle. I thought a nice hot cup sounded so good, of course, and when I picked out a box of Chocolate Yerba Mate saw the Organic Mother's Milk. I supposed just like the Fenugreek, I got a bit over zealous and thought I'd have some handy. You know, just in case.

Well, it doesn't expire until August 2014, and someone's bound to get thirsty and want to increase their milk supply at the same time, too, right?

What other teas out there are specific to lactation?

Nestle Milk Chocolate MORSELS

This one slipped upon me. And when I say slipped, I mean I can't even believe it happened! 

After I've prided myself on being extremely careful to make sure I steer clear from Nestle products, I was looking for vegan chocolate chips for ingredients for the pie I was making for my review of Vegan Soul Kitchen, and saw these were at least 300% cheaper. They were overstocked and priced to sell and that's what caught my eye. I didn't even realize what I was doing. 

I had been munching on these all along and it wasn't until after several days had passed and as I made my way to the bottom of the bag is when it hit me.