It’s been a while since I’ve hosted a webinar, but I’m doing so on ‘Decolonizing Breastfeeding in Communities of Color’. It’s a 45 minute presentation with a good discussion to follow, that I think is crucial among breastfeeding advocates and activists. Even though it’s not happening until next month, there are very limited spaces — and I won’t be opening it up for others should it sell out. That way we can have an engaging discussion without being overcrowded and overwhelmed, so to those interested I’d recommend signing up right away. Below is the info with some FAQs. Let me know if you have any other questions.

REGISTER HERE: Decolonizing Breastfeeding in Communities of Color: A Webinar

Abstract:

In the past several years, there have been great efforts on the part of individuals, groups, organizations and government agencies to show the benefits of human breastmilk. Much of these endeavors stem from emerging empirical and scientific data that highlights the importance of human milk that calls for community action and activism to counter illness and disease that stem from a lack of breastfeeding. Local and national advocates place large and important emphases on these areas and frequently adhere to the mandates set forth by the overarching medical establishment. This has been the conversation over the past number of decades.

But what does it mean that much of the information we receive about breastfeeding comes from mainstream white, male and female-dominated health systems that has historically been built upon ‘othering’ those outside of these identities? In the age of IBCLCs, professional services and various emerging credentials that promote practical breastfeeding mechanics along with mother-infant bonding and other benefits, does it matter that much of this discourse originates from within the United States that does not always discuss the nuances of those outside mainstream avenues? 

In this webinar, we will take a look at this form of breastmilk promotion, and gauge how Communities of Color are impacted. We will highlight different ways we adhere to an overarching social structure of breastfeeding and also work together to learn and understand the challenges and benefits of using varied avenues and legacies from within and outside of our communities to support the breastfeeding tradition. 

Date: Friday, October 21, 2016

Time: 10:30 am -12:00 Pacific Time

About the speaker: Acquanda Stanford is a critical Black feminist anthropologist and Certified Lactation Educator. She is also a PhD student of Sociocultural Anthropology, researching breastfeeding among people of African descent in the US.