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A 25-year-old woman caused a stir online after she posted a picture of herself breastfeeding her baby at her college graduation. Karlesha Thurman posted the picture from the ceremony at Long Beach State University on Twitter.
Finally graduated, all my family came through to support. Thank you pic.twitter.com/jK6B44bbFT
— (@KiaraxBlanco) June 8, 2014
This type of shaming happens all over the world against women who want to feed their babies in public. Rhea Holley of London felt similarly humiliated by a couple in a coffee shop. According to the Daily Mail, she was feeding her 11-month-old son when a couple called her a “slut” for breastfeeding her baby inside the establishment. Holley said the incident ruined the breastfeeding experience for her.
Thurman seems to have a more positive outlook on the situation, and she doesn’t intend to let it get the best of her. “I am so shocked that it has gotten this much attention,” Thurman told BuzzFeed.
Despite the controversy this might have caused, Thurman was not doing anything illegal or against school policy. According to California Civil Code Section 43-53, “Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a mother may breastfeed her child in any location, public or private, except the private home or residence of another, where the mother and the child are otherwise authorized to be present.”
Agencies/Canadajournal
