It's Only Just Begun: YouTube Bans Breastfeeding Montage Video

*See updates below*

Apparently YouTube doesn't have a mind of its own because it has now followed suit with Facebook and MySpace by banning our League of Maternal Justice Breastfeeding Montage Video.

That's right. Not "flagged" as inappropriate so it's still viewable by folks if they enter their birthdate.

Totally BANNED.

We can't say we're not completely surprised, considering the continued inconsistencies with policing that these sites do. If you search through YouTube, you'll find plenty of breastfeeding videos still available for viewing. And, as always, you'll find plenty of boobages and butts, plus more disturbing videos like self-mutilation and starvation, all accessible to whoever wants to find them.

*So what was it about ours that ticked them off?

We have yet to hear from them, but that's not going to stop us from taking a stand. This movement we're supporting is not about glorifying breastfeeding. We're asking for policy change. We're demanding that these organizations read the laws and medical journals that state that breastfeeding in public is legal and the best choice (when possible) for babies. If the government is going to force breastfeeding on mothers then why aren't they taking a stand when we continually get asked to leave restaurants and YMCAs and when our pictures are banned as "sexually explicit."

Here's what you can do:

1. Email congressional reps (link to http://www.visi.com/juan/congress/ - enter your zip, and it returns all three addresses/home pages for your location) and Parliament members (link to http://www.canada.gc.ca/directories/direct_e.html - enter your postal code, and it returns addresses/home pages of Parliament members) and ask them to tell YouTube/Google that removal of the video is socially and legally unacceptable.

2. Create a short video (not breastfeeding) that is tagged and titled "Message to YouTube" (feel free to include any other tags, including League of Maternal Justice, Breastfeeding, Health, etc). and tell them what you think about this. Tell them that breastfeeding is NOT obscene

*Updated: We're going to reload our video (with new music) in the next few days. If you want, hold your Messages to YouTube and you can make them as replies to our Montage! (Thanks Jenn)

YouTube is calling for these videos and we're more than happy to oblige. Make sure to send us your YouTube video link! 

3. Write a post and include these same directions on your own blogs and send us the permalinks (or leave them in the comments).

4. Return to the LMJ call to action post (where permalinks will be linked up) and post/vote for others' posts on bookmarking sites.

5. Submit our press release to online media outlets and social bookmarking sites (Reddit, Stumbleupon, etc.), get your message boards involved, send to your local reporters, or any national news contacts.

Vote now: Sk*rt

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Bookmark now:  Delicious

We need your superpowers now more than ever!

Comments

[Lawyer Mama]

Oh. My. God. They didn't.

I'm so incredibly angry, I can't see straight. It's just a red haze.

I'm definitely posting my own video and doing everything else you ask of me. I'll make sure your press release goes to my local paper too.

[PunditMom]

This is getting ridiculous. It's just time to start an all female-owned version of YouTube and FaceBook and give them a taste of their own medicine, because it appears that some things are just never going to change.

[Amy [Taste Like Crazy]]

What the hell?!

Seriously, this is just asinine.

Off to write my post...

[Amy [Taste Like Crazy]]

And here's the URL to a video that I enjoy.

It's a tribute to breastfeeding. This video is still up and running. Why isn't ours?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7zIt62iEKtU

[Christina]

WTF? Did YouTube suddenly decide they wanted the attention Facebook was getting?

With all of the practically obscene junk you can find on YouTube, they choose to ban a breastfeeding video? Sheesh, talk about misplaced priorities.

The anger is slowly rising.

[mom101]

If only you all were drunk and scantily clad while you flashed those boobs. Then everything would be kosher with You Tube.

Well, now you know for next time.

[QofS]

I'll get a youtube video response together today. Bastards

[Gwen]

I have a post up now. It is here:

http://leftcoastmama.net/2007/11/27/when-will-they-learn/

[Gillian Wright]

I feel sick that my pic of me breastfeeding is considered rude or disgusting.I don't believe it, why won't they say why? cowards.Breastfeeding is the most natural beautiful thing a human can do, it is not dirty,rude,obscene or insest!How can they allow so many wrong things but ban an innocent video, yes breastfeeding videos will attract some sick perverts but by taking them down they are saying breastfeeding is wrong, perverts are attracted by a whole load of things we can't ban everything!It's the perverts who are wrong not loving mothers.shame on utube.When a baby is feeding the breast is for the baby not you.

[Gillian Wright]

That's a brilliant idea, a female utube,please someone do it!!! A site which can celebrate how amazing our feeding equipment is for the way nature intended.I really don't get it,perverts.

[Jerseygirl89]

Here are my posts (one for each blog)
http://commercialnation.blogspot.com/2007/11/can-you-believe-i-had-to-post-about.html
http://wwwjerseygirl89.blogspot.com/2007/11/jerseygirls-signs-of-coming-apocalypse.html

[LawyerMama]

I have a post up on MOMocrats. I couldn't figure out how to work a video into it, so I'll put that on my site later.

http://momocrats.typepad.com/momocrats/2007/11/how-is-breastfe.html

[jen]

julie, you are so goddamn brilliant.

bravo, sister. bravo.

[jenn]

just when you think that the world may be right for a bit ...

Post is here: http://quarterrest.blogspot.com/2007/11/youtube-you-too-are-assholes.html

re: the video, is there a League main video (for lack of a better word) that we can use to make our videos Replies To? That way they'd all be nicely linked up... I haven't done mine yet, but will be this weekend.

[Suebob]

Here is my 43 seconds of opinion. Co-starring Goldie.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WWGKMTQbQG4

[cate]

oh. my. God. people! what is the big deal???? they are breasts. and they are feeding babies. what is obscene about that???

i just don't get it.

[Sinead@BMums]

Disgraceful! Just when you think it can't possibly get any worse it does. I can't believe some of the stuff they do let on YouTube, yet they have a problem with babies being nourished by their mothers.

I'm inclined to wonder too if it's just a publicity stunt... after all look at the publicity Facebook managed to generate...

[Mario]

Maybe you just want to change your provider? Switch your videos to Jaycut, which is a swedish project. Its much better anyway, as you can edit your movies as well! And they dont go mad at seeing a nipple (though everybody has two of them) like some of the crazy americans in silicon valley.
http://jaycut.com/

(By the way, I dont work for them ;-)

[Rachel]

Absolutely ridiculous!
Ugh.
Good lord everyone! Watch out Beware. Women are feeding their babies with *gasp* their breasts! Holy lactation batgirl! What the hell?
I breastfeed everywhere, I am discreet, and I thank God that I live in Texas where I'm protected and can do that.
This is absurd!

[PunditMom]

Here it is --

http://punditmom1.blogspot.com/2007/11/you-know-this-would-all-be-different-if.html

[PunditMom]

I also posted it over here --

http://momsspeakup.com/2007/11/28/you-know-this-would-all-be-different-if-men-could-breastfeed/

[mommamonroe]

UGH!!
what are these people thinking!! are they crazy or what??
well never mind on that.. we KNOW that answer!
It's so sad that we have to go thru this yet again.. when will they get it ??
they are boobs.. they are feeding a kid.. wtf is wrong with that?? ARG! the more I think about it the more mad I get!

[Damselfly]

Man, I can't believe this!

[SadieCass]

Okay, thanks to Sparks and Butterflies I found this!! I've posted my protest and experience on my blog!!

http://findingperfect.blogspot.com/2007/11/breastfeeding-is-not-obscene.html

[FishyGirl]

Okay, I posted mine here:

http://fishygirl.typepad.com/the_fish_pond_where_we_ju/2007/11/and-the-list-of.html