My letter to Christine Flowers & her response - Page 3

[velcromom]

I find it interesting that she says those who disagree with her can't understand the concept of courtesy (since we are so blinded by our position on breastfeeding, lol) yet she fails to understand the application of courtesy on her part when there is a person in her presence whose needs are greater than hers.


And her assertion that breastfeeding is discourteous is of course based on the view of breasts as purely sexual. Too bad that she can't see the irony in the fact that as she sits enjoying the benefits and freedoms that her feminist foremothers fought for on her behalf, she has bought into the breast eroticism constructed by men - hook line and sinker! And what's worse, she is pushing it on other women. Way to keep up the progress women have made, thanks a lot, Flowers.

[Soxfan Mom]

Originally Posted by velcromom

I find it interesting that she says those who disagree with her can't understand the concept of courtesy (since we are so blinded by our position on breastfeeding, lol) yet she fails to understand the application of courtesy on her part when there is a person in her presence whose needs are greater than hers.


And her assertion that breastfeeding is discourteous is of course based on the view of breasts as purely sexual. Too bad that she can't see the irony in the fact that as she sits enjoying the benefits and freedoms that her feminist foremothers fought for on her behalf, she has bought into the breast eroticism constructed by men - hook line and sinker! And what's worse, she is pushing it on other women. Way to keep up the progress women have made, thanks a lot, Flowers.

Have you written your e-mail to her yet? Or better yet, your letter to the newspaper? If no, I think the above is short, sweet and perfect.

[QueeTheBean]

OK----a bit of my original letter did get printed yesterday & I went ahead & sent the whole text to C.F. (if anyone here didn't read it & wants to, it is in the "horrid op-ed piece" thread.)

Anyway, I got a surprisingly civil reply, compared to the OP here. I am still stunned that she doesn't have a formal, pat reply to send everyone--she really is answering each person?!?!?

What do you think?

Dear XXXXX:

Your complete letter was a better version; they should have printed the whole thing.

I don't have time to address all the points ( I have to try and respond to the 312 emails from your passionate sister breastfeeders, as I intend to let them all know I've read their missives) but I want you to know that I respect women, I respect breastfeeders, and I would only demand the same respect from them in return.

You weren't in my office, you didn't see the actions of this woman, I won't go into detail here, but suffice it to say that she exhibited a complete lack of sensitivity for the other people in the office, and completely exposed her other breast while her child was suckling at the 'occupied' one. That is unacceptable to me, and no ordinance with fancy legal jargon (that yes, I do understand) will force me or can force me to accept that sort of behavior.

In closing, thank you for writing with the least amount of vitriol necessary to get your point across...if only your colleagues would have shown the judgement, and had the writing skills, that you do.

Best regards, and sincere good luck with your child

Christine

[BlueStateMama]

if only your colleagues would have shown the judgement, and had the writing skills, that you do.

Hee!!! Now we nursing mamas are "colleagues" by virtue of breastfeeding! :LOL I like that!!

[crittersmom]

So then she didn't word her article correctly.She has a probelm with indiscreete NIP and has lumped it in with all NIP.

[Wabi Sabi]

Originally Posted by QueeTheBean

My letter got printed (in fraction!) in today's Daily News. I also mailed a copy of the letter in full form to Christine.

Link please? I can't find the editorials on their website...

[melissa_honeybee]

Here are the two responses in today's Daily News, for those who don't feel like searching:

(BTW, I am completely appalled by C Flowers. I can't believe she was paid to wirte that trash)

Posted on Fri, Sep. 23, 2005

Letters | Grandpa's response on breast-feeding

I AM A 60-year-old father of two and grandfather of six (soon to be seven).

Comparing the right to breast-feed in public to smoking or urinating in public, as op-ed writer Christine Flowers did, is obscene. Smoking or urinating in public poses a significant health hazard - breast-feeding poses significant health benefits for the infant and, if recent research can be believed, for the mother, too.

Should the mother have asked you if you minded? Probably, but to relegate breast-feeding to public restrooms (which are largely very unsanitary places) or vacant rooms is absurd. Breast-feeding is a natural process, as God intended. He did not give women breasts to be ornaments for prurient interest - that was invented solely by man.

Breast-feeding should be encouraged for the health of the mother, the infant and society in general. It should not discouraged by making it some shameful thing that needs to be hidden.

Dennis Kesner, Las Vegas, Nev.


Posted on Fri, Sep. 23, 2005

Letters | Bare facts for Christine

SO NOW Christine Flowers has an issue with women breast-feeding in public (Sept. 19)? She has an awful lot to say about what mothers shouldn't do considering that she has no children.

She has a problem with breast-feeding in public? I have a real problem with her holier-than-thou judgmental attitude being expressed in public. Christine, breast-feeding is a very natural thing. Too bad if you don't like it.

Donna Di Giacomo, Philadelphia

[velcromom]

So she saw two boobs. Two, I tell you! Two at one time!!! :LOL


At least that last response was truthful. "I saw a woman's bare breasts while she was nursing, and I felt uncomfortable, so I blamed her and you can't convince me not to."

[cjuniverse]

Self-hating shamer

She has bought into society's insistence that her body is solely sexual, and that her breasts are 'dirty pillows' for boys to do 'dirty things' to, not nature's feeding mechanism for children.

Breasts are for making milk and feeding babies. Any other meaning or image associated with them was created by silly people with nothing better to do than make people hate themselves.

And anyone who thinks they have the right to legislate or force their opinions/pet-peeves is a truly ignorant person indeed.

Miss Flowers, you have eyes and a neck. Avert them if they come across something they find displeasing. Don't make your personal prejudice other people's problem. THAT'S inconsiderate.

[Momtwice]

If she responds to me, I'm going to delete it without reading her bs.

[Momtwice]

Also posted on the ER thread:

All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident.
Arthur Schopenhauer

I guess Ms. F is somewhere between ridiculing and violently opposing.

[BusyBeeMom]

Originally Posted by Momtwice

Also posted on the ER thread:



I guess Ms. F is somewhere between ridiculing and violently opposing.

I like this quote about the stages of truth! Some people do come around, thankfully...for instance my DH! When I was pregnant and when DD was a newborn, he was horrified that I planned to nurse her wherever needed!

He's now a huge advocate of both BFing and NIP, and proudly told everyone when DD and I went to The View nurse-in!

[alexsam]

I might say (and I know there are people who will disagree... but...) forget her. She is a lost cause. Don't waste your time being angry at her. What we should be most concerned about is why the paper is publishing it and how to convince them that her view is unpopular, is not offensive. The letters should go to the paper- as many of you have done (along the lines of... CF's views are narrowminded and out of line with our laws which protect the rights of brestfeeding mothers. Your publication of her ideas casts this entire paper in a negative light and if you choose not to publish an equally weighted counterperspective, full length article- not just letters- on the issue, I feel I can no longer buy your paper and would encouge others not to either....). You have to hit where it hurts- sales of papers. Or better yet, write to the paper's advertizers! The pocketbook is always a big winner. Let them know they are associated with these views. No sense trying to convince this woman otherwise. To make visible change, go for the bigger fish .

[Momtwice]

Originally Posted by alexsam

Or better yet, write to the paper's advertizers! The pocketbook is always a big winner. Let them know they are associated with these views. No sense trying to convince this woman otherwise. To make visible change, go for the bigger fish .

This was a resounding, fantastic success when we did it with the View.

[orangebird]

Originally Posted by crittersmom

So then she didn't word her article correctly.She has a probelm with indiscreete NIP and has lumped it in with all NIP.

I agree. Perhaps the women in her office was rude but that doesn't justify her opinion that all wonen should nurse in the restroom when out in public.

[mommaduck]

1) where is courtesy in this? Courtesy is taking care of my child and not disrupting others.

2) breastfeeding is compared to nudity and exhibitionism?!?! Since when?!?! Modern day? Just remind her of all the other messed up ideas that modern thinking has brought us.

3) there are ALOT of ppl who agree with the pope on those other issues AND are pro-breastfeeding.

[MamaSitesi]

Christine Flowers letter

Wow! good on ya! you wrote a fabulous letter! Several friends also wrote attempting to educate and correct her misinformation and got the same petty, small minded and basically rude responses. I agree. we need to send letters not just to her but to the paper she writes for.