Subject: | |
From: | |
Reply To: | |
Date: | Sat, 31 Dec 2005 09:20:07 -0500 |
Content-Type: | text/plain |
Parts/Attachments: |
|
|
I agree with Judy that newspapers tend to publish argumentative
letters. I have had lots of letters published on political topics, but
never one on breastfeeding. The only difference is that I am
respectful and non-argumentative in the breastfeeding letters. In the
political ones I use a lot of sarcasm to get my point across. I will
keep trying, though. :-)
I also think we need to take Kerry Ose's excellent advice about
responding professionally and not in the heat of passion. I suggest
that anyone writing a letter check the archives for her post "response
to media portrayals." I think we should also always write in a warm,
friendly tone of voice so that we let mothers know that LCs are not
angry, militant people. (Of course we are angry -- at the formula
companies and the people they have bought off -- but mothers will pick
up on that anger and think it is directed at them or at women who have
failed at breastfeeding.)
I recently heard an interview with a man who had been involved in a
terrorist organization, and I was really impressed with the
interviewer. He asked his questions in a calm, interested tone of
voice, even though the content of the questions was very intense. It
really enabled the listener to focus on the content of the interview,
rather than getting caught up in emotion. If we want people to really
HEAR what we are saying, we need to calmly provide scientific
information and not get baited by cheap tactics (such as talking about
mothers' choices) that try to take the listener away from the real
message -- that breastfeeding is good for mothers and babies.
Lynnette Hafken, MA, LLLL, IBCLC, Maryland, USA
***********************************************
To temporarily stop your subscription: set lactnet nomail
To start it again: set lactnet mail (or digest)
To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet
All commands go to [log in to unmask]
The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned
LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(R)
mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to:
http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html
|
|
|