Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Defense.

Most US states have laws protecting a breastfeeding mother's right to feed her child in public. And last time I checked, the entire nation was protected by a tiny little concept we call freedom of speech.

Apparently Facebook is above these ideals. Apparently Facebook is really quite invested in making sure that the images we see of women are sexualized rather than celebratory.

I'm told that Facebook has blocked the link to my post "Offense." (Update at 8:00pm EST...am told that people are now able to link to it again.) It was reported as violating the terms of use for Facebook. Funny. Because I reported every truly offensive picture included in that post and when I checked one minute ago, they are all still up on Facebook.

But I get it. Facebook is a private entity and they make their own rules. That doesn't mean their rules are right.

Not only is Facebook treating women in a misogynistic manner, apparently they're quite terrified of free speech as well.

Facebook, you're wrong. And the 6,700 + people who have visited my blog today seem to agree with me.

I'm not stopping here.

(And if you want to link to this post, please feel free. You can do so by copying the blog URL of http://eclecticeffervescence.blogspot.com/, this post URL of http://eclecticeffervescence.blogspot.com/2010/03/defense.html or my original letter to Facebook at http://eclecticeffervescence.blogspot.com/2010/02/open-letter-to-facebook.html.
Linking to my post from yesterday, http://eclecticeffervescence.blogspot.com/2010/03/offense.html, may or may not be allowed on Facebook.)

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

I am thoroughly DONE with Farcebook. I disliked that banality of the medium before, and after reading your last few posts- I have no reason to further support their stance.

I am deleting my Farcebook profile today. It's a tiny little blip on the screen of their vast internet death-grip, but it's my last word on the subject.

You have my unequivocal support.

Kate said...

Hi there, I read this yesterday and since then have collected dozens of photos from facebook that are blatantly sexual - profile pictures of genitals, people having intercourse, embedded pornography etc... I don't exactly have a "next move" but I strongly feel if enough people did the same we could expose them for the hypocrites they are. Fight illogic with logic kinda thing. Keep up the good work!

Leah said...

Sing it sister! Keep fighting the good fight. We're there with you!

Hi, I'm Natalie. said...

I was just introduced to your blog today c/o dooce.com. Excellent post! I think you now have many more rabid mothers supporting this cause!

Melodie said...

This rocks. Good for you! Gonna go tweet this for you.

melody said...

This whole thing is so unbelievable. Though certainly not the first time I've heard of it. I'll never for the life of my understand what's wrong with people. The number of sex related surveys and pictures out there is staggering. But heaven forbid a baby get fed the way nature intended. As a mother who has extended nursed four children, I know this attitude is out there, but I do tend to surround myself with a supportive community. Because of this I have the luxury of sometimes forgetting how truly ignorant some people are.

annelies said...

Nursed our four for a total of 8 years, 10 months! Shortest was 10 months, longest was 4 years.
You go, April!!
Facebook, get a clue. Boobs doing what they're supposed to do is GREAT!

Ellen, give her a call!