2008 Woodie Awards
Breastfeeding battle begins; mom angry, cops weirded out
Editorial Board
Issue date: 6/25/08 Section: Opinions
Most everyone has seen it at one time or another, looking around innocently then suddenly catching a glance of a mother nursing her child.
Most people just politely turn away, maybe clear their throat uncomfortably, then pretend it never happened.
This was not the case outside of a Rutherford County courtroom in Murfreesboro, where a young mother was nursing her child - allegedly for all the world to see.
A local officer asked the young lady to move to a "more discreet location," according to an Associated Press brief. The officer said that the lady's breasts were exposed and she was causing a ruckus - the likes of which only a person who has to constantly lug around a small child can.
The woman said that she was appropriately covered and her rights as a mother were violated. Tennessee law states that a mother has a right to breast feed a baby that is 12-months-old or younger in any location.
The mother was then threatened with arrest for the alleged "disturbance" she caused and is debating about suing for discrimination.
To sue might be a little extreme, but at the very least, Heather Rankin, the mother in question, is deserved an apology for the incident.
Who knows if her breasts were actually out in the open or if the officers simply overreacted to what can be an embarrassing situation.
The point isn't about breasts. It's what's attached to them. Children need to be fed. Who knew?
The truth of the matter is, it never should have been made a big deal in the first place. Incidents like this probably happen quite frequently, but like most ordeals, such as this one, the situation seems to have been completely blown out of proportion.
The officer should have minded his own business, especially if no one in the vicinity seemed to mind Rankin feeding her child.
Besides, a breast isn't all that forbidden from peoples' eyes . Flip on cable and there's a breast. Look in the mirror and there's a breast. Everyone has them. Some just actually serve a constructive purpose.
Most people just politely turn away, maybe clear their throat uncomfortably, then pretend it never happened.
This was not the case outside of a Rutherford County courtroom in Murfreesboro, where a young mother was nursing her child - allegedly for all the world to see.
A local officer asked the young lady to move to a "more discreet location," according to an Associated Press brief. The officer said that the lady's breasts were exposed and she was causing a ruckus - the likes of which only a person who has to constantly lug around a small child can.
The woman said that she was appropriately covered and her rights as a mother were violated. Tennessee law states that a mother has a right to breast feed a baby that is 12-months-old or younger in any location.
The mother was then threatened with arrest for the alleged "disturbance" she caused and is debating about suing for discrimination.
To sue might be a little extreme, but at the very least, Heather Rankin, the mother in question, is deserved an apology for the incident.
Who knows if her breasts were actually out in the open or if the officers simply overreacted to what can be an embarrassing situation.
The point isn't about breasts. It's what's attached to them. Children need to be fed. Who knew?
The truth of the matter is, it never should have been made a big deal in the first place. Incidents like this probably happen quite frequently, but like most ordeals, such as this one, the situation seems to have been completely blown out of proportion.
The officer should have minded his own business, especially if no one in the vicinity seemed to mind Rankin feeding her child.
Besides, a breast isn't all that forbidden from peoples' eyes . Flip on cable and there's a breast. Look in the mirror and there's a breast. Everyone has them. Some just actually serve a constructive purpose.
Viewing Comments 1 - 9 of 12
news across the neocon empire
posted 6/25/08 @ 3:51 AM CST
You don't think she should sue?
I think she should sue -- sue the crap out of the State, the County, and the Police, and I don't think she and her legal team shouLd hold back one bit on those jerks. (Continued…)
DL
posted 6/25/08 @ 11:11 AM CST
A couple of points are missing from the Editorial Board's piece...
First, the court where the incident took place was criminal court. Next, prisoners are escorted through the hallway in which she was sitting on the floor breastfeeding. (Continued…)
DL
posted 6/25/08 @ 11:19 PM CST
So how was the flight in? Your statement implies that you must have been present in that hallway. Seeing as you state as fact that the "jerks" created the disturbance. (Continued…)
CT
posted 6/26/08 @ 4:48 PM CST
Re: DL - from the article above, the officer "asked the young lady to 'move to a more discreet location'". To me that sounds like an officer of the law *directing* her to do something. (Continued…)
DL
posted 6/27/08 @ 2:42 AM CST
Something you and News seem to be missing. Hell, even I am missing this piece. It is important.
What the hell did that female deputy say?
Even according to the original story, the threat to move or be arrested did not occur until after the alleged disturbance. (Continued…)
DL
posted 6/27/08 @ 5:47 AM CST
Okay cool...
Yes I have had a few run ins with the law. Some of them have been worse than others, but I always try to give those law enforcement officers more respect than they provide me. (Continued…)
DL
posted 6/29/08 @ 1:03 PM CST
Agreed CT. I believe, 'move to a more discreet location' were my words. One should not fault the officers for my failure to grasp the English language. (Continued…)
DL
posted 6/30/08 @ 12:10 AM CST
My only point is motivation.
The mother admits that she has breastfed in the courthouse several times before without issue. That indicates there is no standard actually banning it. (Continued…)
OZZy
posted 7/01/08 @ 11:00 AM CST
DL,
So, welfare and food stamps are bad, but it is ok to resort to crime when one is down on one's luck?
Post a Comment