R., the woman who was breastfeeding near Barbara Walters on the shuttle from New York to D.C. has made contact with me.
This morning when I checked my in-box, there was an e-mail from R.
sure you can use my letter … i guess
the issue is that i did not use a blanket which we would have gotten
out of the overhead compartments but on the NYC – DC flight, you are
not allowed to stand up at all or else the flight is diverted to
another airport … so that was not a possibility.
R. is a manager at an international financial firm in Africa. I wrote her back immediately:
R, thanks for getting back to me. I’ve breastfed on many a plane so I know exactly what you were going through. And you had just endured an 18 hour flight. Unbelievable. Sounds like your baby is a great flyer I’d love to ask you a few questions. Please answer them if you have a moment.
I think R. will probably respond to my questions. I can’t wait to hear from her. For the exclusive OTBKB interview with R. see June 10, 2005. If you’d like to purchase the "It’s Only Natural" t-shirt, go to http: www.cafepress.com/otbkb
I don’t think that there is anything wrong with asking her if she relates to Rosa Parks at all. Many times in brainstorming sessions for our advocacy site, we’ve spoken of the corralations between the civil rights movement, and the gay movement, in regards to the NIP movement. It’s all about being toleratant of things you’re not ‘used to’ seeing. This bottle feeding culture is rampant and the only way to make change is one little step at a time. Much like this woman did. Much like Rosa Parks. :)
Regards,
Noel Pickett
http://breastfeedingisnormal.org