Demonstrators Take A Walk On The Mild Side

There was a moment during Saturday morning’s World Walk for Breast-feeding when different perspectives on women’s bodies were presented in stark contrast.

As the cheerful group of maybe 60 moms, dads and kids in strollers made a slow loop around the lower level of the Spokane Valley Mall, the procession passed in front of the Victoria’s Secret outlet.

There in the lingerie store’s windows were two big posters featuring a scantily clad model who has made a career out of leaning forward and spilling out of her bikini top.

It wasn’t clear if any of the walkers even noticed or would have cared anyway. But then, confrontation wasn’t on the agenda.

“We’re doing this to raise awareness,” said local walk organizer Gina Peterson.

It’s hard to say how much of that they accomplished Saturday.

The mall wasn’t crowded. And most onlookers just seemed puzzled.

“What’s this about?” asked a guy watching the small parade as he leaned on a kiosk out in the middle of a mall concourse.

“It’s to support breast-feeding,” answered a young woman who worked there.

Sometimes family values aren’t just talk.

The walkers didn’t chant. They didn’t thrust fliers into shoppers’ hands.

The two women leading the way held a “La Leche League” banner.

The group moved around the mall in a quiet, dignified way in the hope that this small, gentle gesture would help maybe a few more people realize that breast-feeding is natural, healthy and deserving of acceptance.

Who could object?

That question produces a wan smile on the faces of women who have been overtly scorned for breast-feeding their babies in places such as, well, shopping malls.

Funny what people in our society regard as obscene, isn’t it?

Most of the walkers wore T-shirts, buttons or stickers proclaiming “World Breastfeeding Week 1999.”

An 18-month-old boy named Vincent rode on his dad’s shoulders and happily waved in classic parade style.

A kid in a stroller said, “Iyiyiyiyiyiyiyi.”

One dad carried a stuffed bird.

A couple of the strollers had squeaky wheels.

The walk had started a little late. There had been a bunch of last-minute arrivals and some minor confusion about the meeting place.

One of the mothers had used that time to open a subtle vent in the top she was wearing and offer her baby a snack.

That kid then proceeded to sleep through the walk.