0 Why So Offended? hashtag normalizeit

        
So here's the thing. We, as a society, market to the people using sex. Tell me we don't. Isn't there a saying 'sex sells' ? (That's a rhetorical question because I'm sure we are all very aware of that phrase) from shampoo, to cars, to freaking yogurt. (Hey John Stamos I'm talking to you)  We use sex, sex appeal, the promise of getting sex, to sell these products. And it's not offensive. It's just life. We are so used to seeing tan, skinny, oiled up, models walking across the tv screen in nothing but dental floss and pasties that we hardly notice it any more. Every HBO series is basically a really in depth porno. With dragons. And that's cool. It's a human body. Iv seen them with out clothes. I have one. Iv seen it naked a few times in the past 25 years. It's not that insane. 

But WOAH! Whatttt?!? Excuse me ma'am! Are you FEEDING your child with your BREAST.... In PUBLIC?!? What the actual inappropriate fuck?! 

Why is this a thing? Why are countless social media accounts being deleted for posting pictures of breast feeding? Why are pictures being reported for showing the beauty of a fourth trimester body? Why is my 'popular' page constantly covered in half naked women posing sexy for the camera, but strong, beautiful, confidant, women (whom I CHOSE to follow) are being punished left and right for embracing motherhood? Why?? 

I'm not going to sit here and list all of the reasons why asking a breastfeeding mom to cover up is dumb, there are several great posts out there already covering the subject. 

Im just here to ask why. To those of you who are so offended by something as natural as a woman feeding her child with her body, why? 

This is quite literally what our bodies were made for. To carry and birth babies, and nourish them. 

Why are you offended? Im offended that #normalizeit is a hashtag. Are you honestly telling me something that has been done LITERALLY actually since the beginning of time still isnt considered normal???? How long does it take for something to become normal?

If you have faith in a higher power, then God (or god, or gods, or your god) created you, and every other mammal out there, in a way so that you could feed and care for your child with nothing but your body from the moment they were conceived. (Or something like that, I didn't read the bible) 

Do you think Mary went to CVS and bought formula for baby Jesus? Again, I didn't read the bible, but Im pretty sure she didn't.

If you are more of a science based person then  mammals  evolved to produce milk from their bodies in order to nourish their young until they were old enough to sustain themselves. To keep the world turning. To continue on with life. (Or something like that. I'm not a scientist)

It's the most natural thing a mother can do for her child. 

But why is it necessary to post pictures of it all over the web? one might ask.

Just as some people found Rihanna's see through crystal fashion statement beautiful, some people find nursing beautiful. The eye contact your sweet baby makes with you while he's happily filling his belly is priceless.  And it's a look and a moment you want to remember, as children grow so fast and these precious times will soon be behind you. And believe it or not, other people out there may also find it beautiful. 

But you aren't one of those people you say? That's ok! The best part of social media is that you have full reign over who you chose to follow. I suggest steering clear of the mommy scene if breast feeding offends you. Instead of flagging a picture for being offensive maybe click the Unfollow button instead? 

When these accounts get deleted these people are losing years worth of memories, comments, relationships they have worked so hard to  build. These pictures are just as much for them as they are for their community. Being a mom is hard. So freaking hard. And when you find women brave, and strong, and confidant enough to post about their struggles and triumphs with nursing, and their postpartum bodies,  It's heartbreaking to see them being called offensive or inappropriate. 

So maybe try to remember that the next time you feel like flagging a photo. Just unfollow them and lets all just move on with our day. 

Im trying my best not to attack the other side here, because that doesn't really get you anywhere. But in my closing statement I will say that if you are sexualizing nursing and children in their skivvies, and you find women embracing their bodies after creating tiny human lives inappropriate, then breastfeeding really isn't the issue here. And maybe you need to reevaluate your way of thinking. 

Check yourself before you wreck yourself.

Ashley Out. 

*mic drop*