by Dominique Gallo, IBCLC, RLC
I live in southwest Virginia. I have a beautiful view of the Appalachian Mountains’ skyline from my back yard. It’s so beautiful here. The area is rural and has a small town feel to it. Lots of mom-and-pop shops and restaurants are here which are my favorite. It’s truly a beautiful area with two college campuses about 30-45 minute drive away. The schools are great with all of them ranking pretty well within our state.
The people are kind and my family is here however I do feel alone. The hospital unit where I work, there are only 3 black people and we all identify as female. I am pretty sure I am the only black IBCLC in the area as well. I am the defender of all the women of color that give birth on our unit and try to be a voice where they are voiceless. I do my best to help the people I work with “see it another way”. So many times, I have heard “well you know they don’t really breastfeed anyway” and so many times I have had to reply, “how do you know that?”. I have one or two allies that do interject when they around and notice that I am having to be the voice for “all people”, but it is hard out here when you are the only one.
Since quarantine I have been taking advantage of all of the virtual opportunities available. I have been posting information about them all around the unit encouraging people to participate in cultural competency courses, webinars on ethical care of BIPOC, trainings on more inclusive terminology, and webinars on why breastfeeding/ chestfeeding support is important for marginalized communities. I am not perfect either, but I am learning. I am not sure how many paid attention, however one nurse did tell me that she signed up for them and they were “eye opening” and “has helped understand and practice better” I guess one is better then none?
I have been trying to get more women of color or infants of color on the promotional hand outs and information pages that we give to people. Even though I am met with comments under breathes about how everything is so “politically correct these days” and “liberal”.
I am exhausted. I feel like throwing my hands up and just giving up. Why am I fighting so hard when I know things will not change? I struggle with staying motivated and finding balance. I am keeping up the fight however, as I know I am in a certain place of privilege where I can help those, even if it’s just a little.
This isn’t a “woe is me” post in hopes to garner some sympathy and “likes”. This is just a post to encourage you take a step back and observe your surroundings and see what kind of workspaces you are working in. If you find that they are not inclusive and supportive of the POC that work there and use the space to help change the culture to make it safe. If you notice that the only black or brown person on the floor is made to give an explanation for everything that is non-dominate culture, step-in, even if it’s to say “you should look that up there are several resources available to you”. We will do the work because we have to, however its easier with help because then we will not be the only one.
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The content of this post does not imply endorsement and may not reflect the position of USLCA.
I am so glad you are in the world and doing this work! Yes, it is exhausting. You are making a difference little by little. Although you can’t reach everyone, people notice what you are doing and the seed is planted for long term change. It has taken a long time for us to get this far but good people like you are so important and truly do help create change. Thank you for sharing your story.
Dominique, Stay with it! have been retired from bedside nursing (L&D) in 2018. Live in a small rural midwest town. Working with & for moms and babies, teaching prenatal classes, coaching in labor, helping in the first crucial hours and days, managing a drop-in clinic and being available to visit them by phone and in their home. I have been an IBCLC for 15 years and started lobbying for Baby Friendly Certification .My goal was to help the OB staff and the hospital achieve this status before I retired. The buy-in and implementation took quite awhile (6 years!), with the buy-in being the longest & most important of the process. I know this is a different situation than yours but do the best you can & celebrate even the little victories.
Dominique I have just taken my IBCLC test and am awaiting the results. I am caucasion, but I understand and have heard those comments. I hope to make a change if I pass my test. I am a labor and delivery nurse and have encountered bias towards other cultures. I live in New York, but it unfortunately happens everywhere.
Dominique, I can relate to your feelings of being all alone. I am retired now but have worked in hospitals as a registered nurse in most areas of maternity since 1968. Living & working in Central Florida in the 1980’s I became interested in childbirth education and breastfeeding. There were very few of us around in those days. We formed a local group of people interested in breastfeeding and shared information teaching one another. I was up against a lot of opposition among peers, administration and physicians in the hospital about breastfeeding practices. State and international organizations became a great source of information and support as well as a monitored online resource that reached a variety of lay and professional people around the world. Keep working with the mothers and colleagues and stay in touch with your breastfeeding colleagues locally and online. It can often be discouraging but with a little help from your friends, very rewarding. God bless you in your life’s work.
Well said, Dominique! Your community is lucky to have you modeling good care as well as speaking up.