Photo Copyright Photographer Rachel Valley
Much of my work as a breastfeeding advocate/lawyer is about securing a right for mothers to be in public space. That means having a protected legal right to engage in the act of mothering in all the places people get to be. Mothers must own the public space along with all other citizens.
This striking photograph vividly represents the position breastfeeding women are forced into by a definition of public space that excludes mothers as mothers. In order to mother, she must hide in dark corners. Society views her as refuse – necessary but to be kept where no one has to look at it.
See other photos from this extraordinary exhibit on Facebook – at least until the areola police takes it down (see here and here).
So is the photograph shocking or beautiful or does it elicit some other response from you? Anyone ever make you feel like you should breastfeed by the dumpster?
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Twitter: clipthebudget
Forest Park GA is now one of these places mothers are now not welcome.
Monday (May 16th, 2011) they passed a law restricting breastfeeding only to those kids aged 2 or less. A kid aged 2 or over is ILLEGAL there.
GA state law provides that nursing mothers can be wherever both mother and child are legally allowed to be.
Twitter: Jakearyehmarcus
Yes, I have heard.
This needs a lawyer. local governments can not pass laws that run counter to state law. For those interested, Georgia’s state public breastfeeding law is as follows:
TITLE 31. HEALTH
CHAPTER 1. GENERAL PROVISIONS; ACCESS TO EYE CARE
ARTICLE 1. GENERAL PROVISIONS
O.C.G.A. § 31-1-9 (2011)
§ 31-1-9. Breast-feeding of baby
The breast-feeding of a baby is an important and basic act of nurture which should be encouraged in the interests of maternal and child health. A mother may breast-feed her baby in any location where the mother and baby are otherwise authorized to be.