THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, May 24, 1996 TAG: 9605230198
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 06 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: 60 lines
Salon reproaches woman for breast-feeding
Recently, I was patronizing my hair salon on Virginia Beach Boulevard. While I was waiting to be called for my appointment, I was playing with my children, ages 3 1/2 and 13 months. When my 13-month-old daughter became irritable, I proceeded to calm her as I always have - I nursed her.
I was quietly taken aside by the salon owner and informed that if I wish to continue to breast-feed my child, I would have to do so in either the back room, where the chemicals for processing are stored, or use another room. She was not comfortable with me utilizing the waiting area for something that is offensive to people. It was made very clear to me that I would not be welcome to nurse in the salon again.
Virginia state law 18.2-387 states: ``No person shall be deemed to be in violation of this section for breast feeding a child in a public place, or any other place where others are present.'' This law is a good beginning, but it does not go far enough to protect a woman's right to feed and comfort her child in the manner that nature has intended. There are no laws to protect a woman's right to bottle feed; indeed, this is looked upon as a cultural norm. This has only been a widely accepted practice in the past 100 years. Why, when a mother's doing her best to give her child the best start in life, is she subjected to prejudice and occasionally outright hatred?
Nevada, New York and Florida have state laws that protect a woman's right to breast-feed any where or time that is necessary. Virginia needs to enact a similar law. This will not be possible without further education of our state representatives. This will only happen when the public understands the benefits of breast-feeding and encourages all mothers to follow their hearts and to do what is right for their families. Please do not subject another mother to the hostilities that I encountered. This incident could have ruined my confidence in my choices. Let's all try to help all mothers in their choices and not perceive a different choice as a wrong choice.
Carmen Staicer
May 17 Driving without lights treated as criminal act
My daughter left her oceanfront job around 8:30 p.m. She made a left turn on Atlantic Avenue and proceeded one block to 22nd Street. Between 21st and 22nd streets, she realized her car lights were not on. After turning on her lights, she made a left on 22nd Street. On 22nd Street by Wendy's, she was asked to pull over by a Virginia Beach police officer. She was being ticketed for not having her lights on when she was on Atlantic Avenue.
How many times have you, for a minute, forgotten to turn your lights on? Do you deserve a ticket?
My daughter does not drink. She had her seat belt on. Her inspection sticker, driver's license and Virginia Beach city sticker were all up to date. Why did she get ticketed? She is young, has a nice car and for a minute forgot to turn her lights on. She was not given the opportunity to explain and she was treated as if she had committed a crime. Is this the message we want our police department to send to our young locals and tourists?
There is a better way for the officer to use his time and my tax dollars.
Shirley Hollenbach
May 8 by CNB