Shine OnPoet performs moving defence of breastfeeding in public
British spoken word poet Hollie McNish is getting recognition for a YouTube video showing in which she exposes an issue so many are passionate about -- the right to breast feed in public.
Her emotionally-charged three-and-a-half-minute clip packs such a punch that you can almost feel her tears. After being posted on July 7, the video entitled "Embarrassed" has gone viral, currently with more than 288,000 views.
"I wrote this poem in a public toilet after my six month old baby fell asleep," McNish says in the video's description on YouTube.
She explains that three years ago she used to breastfeed her infant daughter in public toilets, yet came to regret the practice.
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"I hate that I did that, but I was nervous, tired and felt awkward."
Her powerful lyrics are reflected in her final conclusion, namely that she will not hid her breastfeeding practices anymore.
So no more will I sit on these cold toilet lids
No matter how embarrassed I feel as she sips
Cos in this country of billboards covered in tits
I think we should try to get used to this.
When asked by Huffington Post why she took so long to release her moving spoken word performance, she says, "My partner has been telling me I should share the poem for a long time and, well, I've been too embarrassed."
The release of McNish's video falls on the heels of National Breastfeeding Week in the U.K. -- as well as the news that England has seen a decline in breastfeeding mothers for the first time since 2004.
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Coincidentally, the same day that her video was released an Australian mother and horse race jockey made headlines when she was told not to breastfeed in the women's change room at a race track in California. Kayla Stra, 28, was told she needed to choose between being a mother or jockey.
Being ashamed of breastfeeding in public is a source of conflict for many mothers who intuitively know that it is a natural process, yet fear that because breasts have become sexualized the mere sight of one could entice men.
It's a powerful dichotomy in Western culture and one discussed at great length by parenting experts, media websites, politicians and special interest groups. The web is littered with personal account stories of mothers and their often conflicted feelings around breastfeeding in public.
What are your thoughts on the topic? When and where should women be allowed to breastfeed in public? Sound off in the comments.
