A mother of four was caught on camera breastfeeding her baby in the middle of a Bernie Sanders rally in Berea, Ohio.

The mother, Margaret Bradford, was unaware of the photographer capturing the natural act at the time, until she stumbled upon the photo after the rally. She posted the photo on Facebook, with a caption regarding the naturality of breastfeeding, and the hashtag, “#BoobsforBernie.” The picture and hashtag went viral and Bradford encourages mothers to post photos of breastfeeding with the hashtag.

At first, Bradford received mounds of hate mail and death threats for not only the picture, but for her breastfeeding in public in the first place. However, plenty of others praised her for braving it out and supporting public breastfeeding, one of whom was Sanders himself.

The fact that Bradford has received so much hate for public breastfeeding is astounding. The society we live in is, one that promotes naked women on magazines and shows off the female (and male) body “in its natural state,” highlighting “nice boobs” and “perfect butts.” Media can support, even publicize, naked women or men (often with edits and accentuation) without fail nor complaint, but as soon as a woman feeds her baby naturally people are degrading her and suppressing her. There’s something wrong with that.

Thanks to the reporter who captured the since-viral photo, the country has learned of yet another issue Sanders is actively supporting, if they were previously unaware. It is impossible to tell whether the photographer’s intent was to help or hurt Sanders, or breastfeeding mothers. However, it has brought attention to Sanders’ support of the beautiful, natural act.

Hashtags like #BoobsforBernie allow followers of the political race learn more about the democratic candidate that he may or may not touch upon throughout rallies. #BoobsforBernie has started a trend of mothers posting photos breastfeeding their children in public, in support of Sanders.

Other hashtags have opened the door to knowledge of Sanders’ campaign, such as#MuslimsforBernie, Sanders supports the citizenship of Muslims. #Blackberners, in reference to Sanders’ support and attempt at continuing the equality of and non-discrimination towards African Americans, and, of course, the most-used hashtag, #feeltheBern.

    These hashtags have brought attention to the issues Sanders supports that Sanders supporters may not have been aware of. While not crucial to, they’ve been somewhat important throughout the race, increasing not only knowledge, but support.

Sanders is involved in and supportive of important issues that other candidates do not appear to support or even take note of. Issues such as bringing big money out of politics, veteran care, Wall Street reforms, peace over war, and combating climate change to save the planet. All are very important, yet rarely touched upon issues that Sanders either is already, or plans on, working on to help and/or better the country. Not many candidates have taken note of such issues- at least not until the support of Sanders based on these issues was an obvious factor. 

As a Bernie supporter, I enjoy the hashtags and clicking on their links to see what more there is to learn about the democratic candidate.