Some of the most quotable moments in pop culture history come from references to the naked body. We’ve all said ‘Jack, I want you to draw me like one of your French girls’ at some point or other.
So when the naked selfie debate rages on, I take note, because this could be another one of those moments.
Private photos shouldn’t be public photos
A few years ago now some leaked selfies made their way onto the internet. It was clear that these photos were private and not intended for us to see. But some of us did see them, tweet about them, reference them on the news, and laugh about them with our friends.
One of the women targeted actually said:
“Anybody who looked at those pictures, you’re perpetuating a sexual offence. You should cower with shame. I don’t want to get mad, but at the same time I’m thinking, I didn’t tell you that you could look at my naked body.”
Yes, that’s Jennifer Lawrence speaking. What did they do to deserve this invasion of privacy? Well they dared to be famous in a culture where everyone wants to know everything about you. Including what you look like naked.
Now that, that was harmful.
Naked selfies are the new normal
As a twenty-something I have seen my fair share of nude or semi-nude selfies. I can count on both hands the amount of friends who take photos of themselves in states of undress. They keep them for their own self-confidence or share them with their most trusted. I think it’s pretty normal.
The appropriate emoji response for a slightly nude photo from your girlfriend? Fire. In case you were wondering. I seem to get sent a lot, nothing explicit just funny ones, or fierce ones. Empowering selfies. Silly nipple photos. There’s nothing disturbing about it.
But should you share them?
After Kim Kardashian shared a nude selfie with her followers, people reacted. Her fans applauded her for owning her body and taking control of what people see. They said it was no different to the high budget photo shoots some celebrities do for editorials. Except it was in her bathroom, and on her terms.
Bette Midler tweeted, ”Kim Kardashian tweeted a nude selfie today. If Kim wants us to see a part of her we’ve never seen, she’s gonna have to swallow the camera.” The last thing we need is another Kim Kardashian naked selfie, her fans agreed.
Thus a debate raged on. Other celebrities shared their near-naked photos and the world didn’t stop turning.
Naked selfies to blame?
I don’t think it’s the selfies that are damaging to us, but the commentary surrounding them. While we analyze, there is a certain narrative thrown at us by the media. With slim, fit naked bodies praised and anything else tagged as disturbing.
The leaked nude photos ‘were a shame’, but we moved on. While risque photographs shared by their owners have us up in arms. Why? Because someone dared to have an inflated ego and shared a nudey photo?
So what do you think? Are celebrity selfies harming our society? Are they feminist or not? Do they influence young girls? Share your thoughts with me below.
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