And Now For Something Completely Different…Sex, Sexy Selfies & Sexism

 

All Photos © Christine Elise McCarthy 2016

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This rant of mine from a year ago today came up in my Facebook Memories feed today – so I re-read it.  It still had the same resonance for me – so I am sharing it again – here.

Maybe I am old or cranky or even wrong (there will be many opinions) – but I am provoked to vent a tad here. The fury about Michelle Obama not covering her head in an extremely misogynist region and a reaction I read to the song I posted here & another slut-shaming women for posting sexy selfies – all piss me off. Outside of the danger of under-age girls sending inappropriate images out to linger in the ether forever (which is dangerous & a real problem – I understand THAT) – I say – grown-up ladies – knock your fucking selves out! Michelle Obama has no obligation to respect a religious/cultural law/custom that demeans her/women – especially as folks from those cultures do not assume Western traditions when on western soil (read about the ultra-Orthodox men holding up flights by refusing to sit next to women). And if women want to post images of themselves that highlight their sexuality – so what? The argument that men get aroused or that the women are objectifying themselves – again – so what? I don’t agree but even if it were true – I still say – so what? If they want to post sexy selfies – they can. This song – is a light & superficial lady power song (this version here is SO CUTE) & I saw it criticized because someone felt it still preaches that a woman’s value is in her appeal to men. What about just wanting to feel sexy or pretty in your own skin?? When I get dressed up or wear tight clothes or whateverthefuck – I do it because I WANT TO – not because I give a fuck about some guy on the street & his opinion. It is my own opinion of myself that I struggle with – not YOUR opinion of me. Same thing when I do not wear make-up or when I wear baggy clothes. Guess what? FOR ME – not the pleasure or displeasure of men. Suggesting that women should never post sexy images of themselves because it cheapens them is just wading into the same waters that led to burkas. Sexuality is huge part of being human and sex is GOOD CLEAN FUN – not a dirty secret – & just about everybody likes to look at naked or sexy images of people. And guess what? WOMEN like to look at sexy & nude pictures of other women – whether or not they get aroused or want to fuck them. The female body is beautiful. So – if women finding power – any power – whatever way they can – even if it is in their sexuality – or even if it is in their appeal to others – even if you don’t understand how it is they feel empowered -then oh, well – that is none of your business. If you are uncomfortable with it – don’t DO it & don’t look at it – but your discomfort is your fucking problem. I am so sick of slut-shaming & fucking expecting women everywhere to conform to standards that make others comfortable. Pubic hair banned on Instagram? WTF? If you want to get worked up about something – why not focus on already-very-thin models being photoshopped to look even thinner so that your ‘tween daughters see unrealistic beauty standards everywhere & start dieting before they get their first period? Harumph! So – yeah. Let the shit storm begin.
Oh yeah – and here are four self portraits from 2008. Blow me, haters.

Here is the video I mentioned above:

All About That [Upright] Bass – Meghan Trainor Cover – Postmodern Jukebox ft. Kate Davis