Free The Nipple And Feminism | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

Free The Nipple And Feminism

From someone who’s awkward around nudity.

813
Free The Nipple And Feminism

I’m just one of those people who’s uncomfortable with nudity. It's not personally my cup of tea. No, it doesn’t stem from low self-confidence or a strict Catholic upbringing; I’m just one of those people who aren’t the biggest fans of nudity. Yes, I wear shorts and sometimes even crop tops, but I’m definitely not the type of person who would walk around naked. It’s not me.

Now some people are all for that. I’m an advocate for people “doing them,” totally and completely being who they are. So I have no problem with people that are gung-ho about this whole nudity thing; they do them, and I just turn away. It’s that simple.

The Free the Nipple Campaign is a movement that supports equal rights among men and women, balance in censorship on social media sites and legal rights for breast-feeding in public. Starting in 2015, the phenomenon continues to pop up in headlines across the Internet and the news. With the latest Instagram debacle of Amber Rose’s recent post, Bernie Sander supporters being arrested for showing up nude to a political rally and the recent passing of the New Hampshire bill to “free the nipple,” I struggle to find the connection between feminism and equality in being able to show one’s nipple.

Maybe it’s my own ignorance on what feminism means or my discomfort with the idea of people suddenly walking through Seattle naked, but I don’t get it. Why is there massive support for a movement such as this when we still can’t get a movement promoting equal pay or encouraging younger girls to pursue STEM related careers? Is it because it’s weird? Is it because it’s something as crazy and taboo as nudity?

I understand the complaints: if men can show their nipples in public and on the Internet, why can’t women? Yeah sure, that makes complete sense, but many women are using this platform as just a reason to voice their opinion. I’m not discrediting their opinions; I’m sure sitting in public parks naked has some sense of comfort that I can’t comprehend, but stop saying “just because the guys have it.” Where’s the voice of the overworked single mom who needs to breastfeed her child in a public area in that? What sense of equality are we propelling forward? Women are standing in the middle of metropolitan areas yelling for their rights. What need do women have to show their nipples? Wouldn’t you get cold? Saying “just because” doesn’t give value in equality.

Feminism is the advocacy of women's rights on the grounds of political, social, and economic equality to men. I see how “Free the Nipple” falls under that, but the root of feminism is in encouraging women to see themselves as equal counterparts to men in every aspect; specifically the important ones, like education, the workforce and in life. If the same type of attention were shed on topics that more directly related the future generations of women, who knows the potential that could be tapped? In having women viewed as equivalent to men, more minds can be geared in helping solve the biggest problems of our time. So excuse me, when I don’t understand how the legal right to expose your nipples helps us get further as a country or what values that instills in young woman.

But maybe it’s the little victories that make the difference, and being able to “free the nipple” is the catalyst we need to spark a butterfly effect of other feminist movements. That’s fine—if nudity is what it takes, I can get over my discomfort and let people "do them."

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Lifestyle

The Great Christmas Movie Debate

"A Christmas Story" is the star on top of the tree.

1129
The Great Christmas Movie Debate
Mental Floss

One staple of the Christmas season is sitting around the television watching a Christmas movie with family and friends. But of the seemingly hundreds of movies, which one is the star on the tree? Some share stories of Santa to children ("Santa Claus Is Coming to Town"), others want to spread the Christmas joy to adults ("It's a Wonderful Life"), and a select few are made to get laughs ("Elf"). All good movies, but merely ornaments on the Christmas tree of the best movies. What tops the tree is a movie that bridges the gap between these three movies, and makes it a great watch for anyone who chooses to watch it. Enter the timeless Christmas classic, "A Christmas Story." Created in 1983, this movie holds the tradition of capturing both young and old eyes for 24 straight hours on its Christmas Day marathon. It gets the most coverage out of all holiday movies, but the sheer amount of times it's on television does not make it the greatest. Why is it,
then? A Christmas Story does not try to tell the tale of a Christmas miracle or use Christmas magic to move the story. What it does do though is tell the real story of Christmas. It is relatable and brings out the unmatched excitement of children on Christmas in everyone who watches. Every one becomes a child again when they watch "A Christmas Story."

Keep Reading...Show less
student thinking about finals in library
StableDiffusion

As this semester wraps up, students can’t help but be stressed about finals. After all, our GPAs depends on these grades! What student isn’t worrying about their finals right now? It’s “goodbye social life, hello library” time from now until the end of finals week.

1. Finals are weeks away, I’m sure I’ll be ready for them when they come.

Keep Reading...Show less
Christmas tree
Librarian Lavender

It's the most wonderful time of the year! Christmas is one of my personal favorite holidays because of the Christmas traditions my family upholds generation after generation. After talking to a few of my friends at college, I realized that a lot of them don't really have "Christmas traditions" in their family, and I want to help change that. Here's a list of Christmas traditions that my family does, and anyone can incorporate into their family as well!

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

The 5 Phases Of Finals

May the odds be ever in your favor.

2210
Does anybody know how to study
Gurl.com

It’s here; that time of year when college students turn into preschoolers again. We cry for our mothers, eat everything in sight, and whine when we don’t get our way. It’s finals, the dreaded time of the semester when we all realize we should have been paying attention in class instead of literally doing anything else but that. Everyone has to take them, and yes, unfortunately, they are inevitable. But just because they are here and inevitable does not mean they’re peaches and cream and full of rainbows. Surviving them is a must, and the following five phases are a reality for all majors from business to art, nursing to history.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

How To Prepare For The Library: Finals Edition

10 ways to prepare for finals week—beginning with getting to the library.

3419
How To Prepare For The Library: Finals Edition
Photo by Clay Banks on Unsplash

It’s that time of year again when college students live at the library all week, cramming for tests that they should have started studying for last month. Preparing to spend all day at the library takes much consideration and planning. Use these tips to help get you through the week while spending an excessive amount of time in a building that no one wants to be in.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments