Tuesday
Jun282011
Another ignorant bus driver...
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Why does it seem like transportation is the worst industry in the world for breastfeeding mothers?
I'm sure everyone has heard the stories of mothers who have been harassed on airplanes. Now, in Detroit, a bus driver tried to kick Afrykan Moon off of a bus for breastfeeding. She was breastfeeding her baby at the bus stop when the bus pulled up. Ms. Moon went to board the bus, with her baby nursing in a wrap. The bus driver leaned in to see what she had in the wrap, said "is that a titty?" and then told her she couldn't board the bus unless she covered that up. The woman explained that she knows her rights and she boarded the bus anyway. That kicked off a prolonged stand off with the bus driver, who was trying to kick her off, all the while inconveniencing other passengers who were being delayed from getting to their destination.
Learn more about what happened to Ms. Moon in this video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UqFShsxsJu0
She makes the important point that, in addition to infringing on her rights as a breastfeeding mother, the whole situation may discourage the other women who were on that bus from feeding their babies in public in the future because they don't want to be harassed and embarrassed like that.
Keva Williams, another breastfeeding mom, is suggesting some follow-up action for those who want to support her. There are details in the comments below the video on YouTube.
I'm sure everyone has heard the stories of mothers who have been harassed on airplanes. Now, in Detroit, a bus driver tried to kick Afrykan Moon off of a bus for breastfeeding. She was breastfeeding her baby at the bus stop when the bus pulled up. Ms. Moon went to board the bus, with her baby nursing in a wrap. The bus driver leaned in to see what she had in the wrap, said "is that a titty?" and then told her she couldn't board the bus unless she covered that up. The woman explained that she knows her rights and she boarded the bus anyway. That kicked off a prolonged stand off with the bus driver, who was trying to kick her off, all the while inconveniencing other passengers who were being delayed from getting to their destination.
Learn more about what happened to Ms. Moon in this video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UqFShsxsJu0
She makes the important point that, in addition to infringing on her rights as a breastfeeding mother, the whole situation may discourage the other women who were on that bus from feeding their babies in public in the future because they don't want to be harassed and embarrassed like that.
Keva Williams, another breastfeeding mom, is suggesting some follow-up action for those who want to support her. There are details in the comments below the video on YouTube.
Reader Comments (21)
Man! What is wrong with people these days? WTH? And why is the bus driver being all nosy looking into the wrap anyway? This whole breastfeeding being scandalous nonesense is really wearing thin on me.
Any way to flood the transportation company with emails?? I can't attend the nurse-in because I'm here in California, but I'd love to send a letter to support Ms. Moon and other fellow mamas everywhere!!!
Good for her for standing up for her rights. When I breastfed my first child 4yrs ago, I was so timid and scared that someone was going to say something that I only ever nursed in bathrooms or the backseat of my car (when parked). Since then I've come to realize that babies have the right to eat anywhere anytime just like everyone else.
Well that's just messed up! I've seen lots of women out in public nursing their kids no one says anything! I've done it myself a few times.... I seen a girl once walking around wal-mart with her shirt up and the baby on her boob no blankets covering her or anything....but no one called the cops or tried kick her out! Geesh! Not like you can stop everyone from doing it and it's not a bad thing...some people need to get over it!
I was horrified when I heard about this. If I had a nursing baby, I would drive all the way to Michigan for this nurse-in. It would be worth it.
I was shocked Ill say because Im local to the area and have NEVER been harassed for NIP. I have nursed 2 babies in public and never got even a dirty look so this is not the norm. I am however excited to participate in this nurse in.
Wow. Firstly, thank you Ms. Moon for standing up for yourself AND your child.
I was told to go nurse my baby in the bathroom from the child care provider at the YMCA in South Pasadena, CA. Two babies, three years, this was the first time I had dealt with this. I calmly locked eyes with her and asked her "oh, is that where you eat lunch?"
At first, I was mad. The truth was is that even though she was a WOMAN, and in CHILD CARE, she was ignorant. She was telling me that the other children would get jealous or ask questions. I asked if they allowed children bottles of milk, which they did. So of course, the logical people can see the problem here. My anger turned into desire to educate.
I encouage the LLL or another breastfeeding advocacy group to organize a staff training for all employees in this transportation department who have contact with the public. I imagine that in the interest of public opinion they would gladly accept the retraining opportunity.
Good luck and good work Ms Moon. Your baby is lucky to have a strong, smart mama.
Always appalling to hear that NIP is questioned as a right one has or does not have. It doesn't matter where, or when, what matters is that it is a natural function of our body to nurse our young with our BREASTS.
I wish I saw more women nursing in public..and if more of those who do did away with cover-ups. It will not be accepted as natural and normal until we nursing women illustrate it as such in our sheer numbers and own personal acceptance of displaying the bits of our body that might become viewable in the act of nursing a child.
I have nursed pretty much every place imaginable, and I have only been spoken to once. I was SHOCKED. and couldn't even speak when I was accosted for nursing my year old child in public. I remember that all I could do was to continue nursing while glaring at the elderly woman in COMPLETE AND UTTER SHOCK. It seemed to do the job as she left me alone without another word.
It's a bit weirder now, nursing a 2.5 yr old, but we still do it wherever necessary. Sometimes that's on the subway during rush hour...standing room only, where a dozen men and women all without fail, seem mesmerized by the nursing toddler, or the privacy of our own home. It doesn't really matter. I have a child, and I am producing nourishment for that child.
Breastfeeding rights should also be balanced with wisdom. Although she was treated unjustly in this particular case moms must take into consideration that your right to breastfeed could do you more harm then good if you are sitting next to a rapist or a pervert. Use good judgement especially on public transportation and when by yourself. You have no idea who you are sharing a seat with.
OMG, he had to lean in to see her baby nursing?! What the hell, dude! Mind your own damn business and you won't have to see any "titties".
Olivia:
The bus driver was a "she".
Nice bit of victim blaming there. It is not the responsibility of women to stop rapists. It's the responsibility of the rapist not to rape.
http://shakespearessister.blogspot.com/2009/10/rape-culture-101.html
Sorry, my bad. I was so riled up I didn't pay attention to that part!
WisdomSpeaks:
I don't find your comments all that wise. That is the same as blaming rape victims for getting raped because of what they were wearing, where they were, or what they were doing. Discrimination, rape, and abuse is NOT the fault of the victim. It is the fault of the perpetrator.
I'm sorry, but Wisdom...I think you're off base. Women who are breastfeeding do not "ask" to be raped any more than someone wearing a dress. I direct you to this ad campaign:
http://tumblinfeminist.tumblr.com/post/5532695085/fool-proof-sexual-assault-prevention-tips
Would you give the same advice to a woman who was bottle feeding?
Ha! Yeah, I've actually nursed my little one in the carrier on the bus several times. You actually can't tell what's going on unless you make a point of looking in, which I would take as an invasion of my (and my baby's) privacy.
Who would throw a mother off the bus for feeding her child? That is absolutely ridiculous. Props to Ms. Moon for standing up for her and her child! If anyone should have been removed from that bus, it should have been the driver.
That was my thought too. You have to look that hard, she's not showing anything inappropriate, as if breastfeeding could be inappropriate anyhow.
OMgoodness, no one is going to rape you or your baby for b-feeding. I hate this kind of "worst-first" thinking.
Listen, as a sexual assault survivior, let me remind you most SA victims are like me -- they knew their attacker before the attack.
And Annie is right -- no one ever asked or deserved to be raped.
Behaviour such as that of the bus driver should be AUTOMATIC grounds for dismissal. This is ILLEGAL, discriminatory behaviour and it is NOT in the public's best interests, either. It violates both the mother's and the baby's Civil Rights. Some SERIOUS retraining is needed on the part of this transportation company, post haste.
I wonder why the police came on & asked her if she was done... what stupidity did the bus driver make up to get them involved? Or is the police in serious need of education regarding the rights of breastfeeding mothers too???