In breastfeeding, feeding is the operative word
[Edited below]
I’d been thinking about reactivating my Facebook profile.
Yeah, I know. I railed against them – many times and in many places – for removing pictures of breastfeeding mothers while continuing to allow pro-ana groups. But it had been a while, and I heard my high school graduating class had a group on there, and I’m a sucker for using social media to be, um…social.
But then I read Erin’s post.
While they’ve settled the lawsuit brought by ConnectU, their troubles with Beacon are far from over. While he may be lauded as a visionary, I still haven’t seen much to indicate that Mark Zuckerberg has much vision for his company. And while their executive team now seems to include people with actual resumes and college degrees, they’re still making stupid decisions.
I couldn’t make it to the nurse-in at Facebook’s headquarters in Palo Alto, but it’s high time that more of us joined in the collective online inquiry and asked, “WTF?” Because Facebook has done this before. Unless more of us make more noise about the inconsistent and illogical way they apply their policies, they’re going to keep doing it. And in doing so, they’ll continue to perpetuate the notion that breastfeeding is somehow anything more than feeding a child.
And because I still think it’s kind of twisted to protest Facebook ON FACEBOOK – hello, even Dooce thanks her trolls for the traffic they send to her site – I’m not going to reactivate my Facebook profile.
Instead, I’m going to continue to nurse my baby in public. As discreetly as possible, but unapologetically.
Because the bottom line here is that the kid’s eating.
Oh, and that this guy is awesome. Thank you to @greeblemonkey for the link!
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Ironically enough, earlier today I received an email from a high school friend – one whom I’ve missed a lot! – who found me via another friend who had just joined Facebook today. So while I still think Zuckerberg is a twerp and Facebook has a fairly dubious business plan, I am thankful that my friends are on it.
January 6th, 2009 at 12:10 pm
Seriously, if someone flashed me a little boob on a daily basis, I’d be a much happier person.
Stop complaining people, embrace the breasts. I’d much rather see a boob than an asscrack.
Motherhood Uncensoreds last blog post..I don’t think I could have even staged this if I tried
January 6th, 2009 at 1:51 pm
Of all the things that people have to be offended by, I can’t believe someone would choose breastfeeding.
what’s next? Mothers cuddling their babies? Who wants to see THAT?
Marinkas last blog post..As You Probably Know, I Have Model-Good Looks
January 6th, 2009 at 2:07 pm
Funny, just the other day I was thinking I was ready to not hate Facebook, too. But then I read about the nurse-in and got mad at them all over again….
Goldfishs last blog post..For real
January 6th, 2009 at 2:12 pm
When I was at the MN Zoo on Friday, I noticed several mothers breastfeeding in public (there are a lot of indoor exhibits). I only noticed because I nurse my baby too and it was so nice to see women feeding their babies without hassle.
Heathers last blog post..Does size really matter?
January 6th, 2009 at 4:33 pm
I actually have a lot of love for Zuckerberg and for Facebook, but I am a web developer so it’s like the law. I do think it’s stupid that they don’t allow breastfeeding photos, but also, you know where I am on that as well, so I can’t get myself all that upset about it either. So generally, my feeling on Facebook is this: I get amazed with it for the connection and interpersonal group think quality it has – much like Twitter. And I am breathlessly waiting for him to have a way to turn off the stupid side applications where people throw shit at me.
Aimee Greeblemonkeys last blog post..January Greeblemix Winners!
January 6th, 2009 at 7:03 pm
I reactivated my Facebook account because it’s the only social networking site that he uses and I like seeing what he’s up to, which is to say, stalking him, but I very seriously considered dumping it again this time around. Am STILL considering it. But then the baby yelps for boob and I have to lift my shirt again and I get distracted, so.
Her Bad Mothers last blog post..Clockwatching
January 7th, 2009 at 7:41 am
Yet another reason I’m glad I haven’t reactivated my account since I deactivated last year. Douchebags.
January 7th, 2009 at 8:42 am
Facebook’s nursing photo policy is dumber than dirt, but it’s a free site that provides me with instant access to many of my favorite people, dozens of whom I wouldn’t have reconnected with otherwise. Facebook makes me HAPPY.
I figure they’re doing me a favor and as long as they continue to fail to effectively monetize their service, I might as well take full advantage of all they have to offer.
Marketing Mommys last blog post..Bleeding red and seeing purple
January 7th, 2009 at 9:36 am
MM, that’s the most compelling argument I’ve heard thus far.
January 9th, 2009 at 9:27 pm
I don’t know if Mark Zuckerberg has a problem with breastfeeding – But I’m sure he’s got a problem with pictures of bare boobies on his website.
Let me rephrase that – I think Mark and his corporate attorneys fear that, once nursing women start posting their photos, non-nursing women will start posting semi-topless photos of themselves. All it will take is one profile picture of a topless 13 year old posing with a few fingers covering her nipples to create extremely costly nightmares galore for Facebook.
I think Facebook simply wants to avoid the entire breast issue altogether. And honestly, although I proudly breastfed my babies and fully support the right to breastfeed when and where necessary, I can’t blame Facebook for doing what sadly may be necessary to protect their business.
LemonySarahs last blog post..Mamarazzi Comments Here!
January 9th, 2009 at 9:52 pm
Eh, not buying it. If Facebook were concerned about such liability, they’d ban pro-ana groups. Because women actually die from anorexia.