Breastfeeding's not normal?

I've been breastfeeding for nearly eight years now.  What once seemed a bit foreign has now become second nature.  Well, not even second nature.  More like first nature? Wouldn't that just be nature?  I dont know.  Something I do without even thinking about it.  It is the most normal thing in the world to me, and especially to my children. 

While I totally get that breastfeeding is not for everyone, my children don't.  They have no tolerance for the nipple Nazis.  You know them, the people who are deathly afraid that someone will find out that I am nursing a baby and demand that I leave the room RIGHT THIS MINUTE for fear of indecency.  Not even a blanket will do.  A wall must be between a nursing mother and all other human beings for their comfort.  Even the words "breastfeeding" and "nursing" must be uttered in a hushed tone as though they are the most offensive of all curse words. Ha, utter.  That sounds like udder.  I bet they'd whisper that too.

For as long as mammals have existed, we've had mammary glands.  What is the purpose of these mammary glands on these mammals you speak of?  Lactation.  We make milk to feed our young.  This is why those things on your chest were created.  We use our feet to walk, our mouths to eat, and our boobs to nurse.  It's a body part being used as intended, and yet some people have to find a reason to be offended. 

Sure, some people find breasts to be sexual.  Some people are also aroused by feet, but I'm not giving up my Birkenstocks just because you're a pervert.  I've had gingerphiles approach me, but I'm not covering my hair for them, either. 

Ronin is 4 and has long since weaned, but he understands what makes the baby quiet.  There have been many times when Tanith has started crying and he's yelled, "Mama, Taniff neez boob!"  He saw a woman nursing a baby while shopping a few weeks ago and excitedly yelled out that the other mama was using her nipples too.

Kaiya heard that a friend of ours was taking a breastfeeding class and laughed a bit.  "That's silly.  I can teach her.  You put the baby on your lap sideways and then you pull your shirt up.  The baby bites your nipple and she gets milk.  Who doesn't get that?"  When I asked her about what happens when other people are around, "They don't need your milk!"

None of my children have ever enjoyed having a blanket thrown over their head.  It either becomes an arms-flailing get me out of here sort of moment or a game of peek a boo, and both of these situations draw much more attention than simply pulling up my shirt and latching.  I still don't understand the views of those who think it's a taboo thing that must only be done in private for fear of offending anyone.  You don't have the right not to be offended here.  If your obnoxious yapping offends me, I don't reserve the right to throw a blanket over your head and demand you only speak in a restroom.

I've recently had it brought to my attention by multiple people that women have been raped because they were nursing in public.  This is one of the most ignorant statements I've ever heard regarding breastfeeding.  Not only is it victim blaming, it's implausible, unprovable, and just plain stupid.  If you google it, you get results about breastfeeding after surviving a rape and one result of a woman raped in her apartment while nursing a baby.  I'm thinking maybe she was raped because she had a madman who wanted to rape her in her apartment, but that's just a theory.  

What are your thoughts on breastfeeding? 

What?  Nursing in front of animals?  Surely, the cobras must object!