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Breastfeeding and Roller Derby

12/28/2011

4 Comments

 
What is it that we find so riveting about roller derby girls breastfeeding?
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Photographer Russ Desaulniers snapped this photo of Yo' Mama who plays for BC's Anarchy Angels.
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Perhaps it's the contrast.  The idea of rollerderby, the fact it's a contact sport and a little bad-ass, combined with the soft, nurturing role of breastfeeding mother.  It's also an archetypal image- the Madonna and Child image- but with a twist.  It's slightly subversive to combine the image of a full contact sport with the role of motherhood, especially breastfeeding.  Even the visual contrast of the hard equipment with the softness of breastfeeding is interesting.  It's wonderful, because it questions our notions of what women are, and what it means to be female.

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Blister Sister and Scarlet by Kate Wilhelm

I included the above photo in my Sunday Feature on Kate Wilhelm.  Wilhelm herself writes: "Derby throws any notions of femininity in your face.  Yet many derby girls are mothers, (perhaps the ultimate "feminine" vocation), and the bouts are extremely family friendly.  Immediately I wanted to get to know more about the women behind the derby personas.  So, I invited myself into their homes, their private domestic spaces, the arena that is historically and culturally seen as women's space.  I want the apparent incongruity of a derby girl in a domestic setting to cause the viewer to think about that incongruity and wonder if it is perhaps nothing more than a construct." 
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I love these images because they broaden our idea of what it means to be a woman.  These women are all strong and a little dangerous, but undeniably female and maternal as well.  It shows different layers and facets of what it means to be female.  It also shows a unique perspective on breastfeeding, and the more breastfeeding images we have out there the less likely it will be taboo.

4 Comments
Marina 'Whack Job' Griffiths
12/29/2011 01:35:13 am

I love the whole thing. My kids are grown but when they were babies I had to deal with the public prejudice against breastfeeding in public. I was once nursing my son under a blanket in a restaurant and was approached by the manager to ask if I could please do that in the bathroom because I was disturbing the other customers. I replied, "would you eat your lunch sitting on a toilet?" and refused to move or stop feeding my son. Nothing was exposed and it floored me that people could be so ignorant. Breast feeding is a natural thing and I love the combination of strong women who love derby and are proud to be women and mothers!! I hope this helps change peoples opinion o f both breastfeeding and what it means to be a woman!

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Eva link
1/24/2012 05:55:04 pm

It is really nice!
I am writting from Spain and I think breastfeeding in public here is not a problem.
The main problem is start the breastfeeding and combine it with women`s job.
Congratulations for the pictures, they are really nice!

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Jaclyn
2/29/2012 11:43:22 am

LOVE these photos. I don't know about roller derby, other than what it is. But, I race BMX, ride motocross and do other "extreme sports." Nursing a baby (and now three year old) while in down time during sports is definitely a heck of a thing. The contrast of "roles" is amazing. :)

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Kat Davis
4/3/2012 03:42:53 pm

Beautiful Pictures. I am breastfeeding my 15 month old son and just started roller derby. I have yet to do it in my gear but these pictures are very inspirational whether you breastfeed, support it, or support derby.
I support BOTH! :)

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    A blog on art, roller derby and life.

    Kate Hansen

    I'm an artist and mother of two  in Courtenay, BC.  I've completed a project called the "Madonna and Child Project," and I'm now working on a series of roller derby inspired drawings. In my spare time I play roller derby with the Brick House Betties.  

    Kate Hansen

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