Free the Nipple. The last word of that sentence probably made you uncomfortable. Nipple. And, you probably associated ‘nipple’ with the female body, not the male body, as if it is exclusive to a woman’s physique.
But, that is the problem in today’s world. The female body is censored and shunned because, as far as society is concerned, its purpose is merely sexual.
Over the past few years, the “Free the Nipple” campaign has taken the social media world by storm. Pictures of women and their bodies captioned with the famous hashtag #freethenipple fill social media sites, like Twitter and Instagram. The individuals behind such posts love their bodies and wear their skin proudly, much to the chagrin of society.
What Is “Free the Nipple”? Many have heard it but may only know its surface value.
“Free the Nipple” is a worldwide campaign aiming to achieve “equality, empowerment, and freedom for all genders.” It is the voice of gender equality. It is the voice of change.
The movement itself was inspired by the 2014 film, “Free the Nipple.” In the motion picture, women protest the laws on censorship in place throughout the United States. Parading the streets topless, they exercise their First Amendment rights as way to
stand up against the way in which women’s bodies are censored through the FCC and the MPAA.
“Free the Nipple” is a movement of momentum that women are using as a platform for the controversy over women’s bodies, specifically their breasts. Why can men show their nipples but women’s nipples are censored and restricted? Aesthetically, they look the same, so what is the big deal? The big deal is the stigma that now follows the images and portrayal of the female body.
Side-boob, cleavage and under-boob are welcomed, but the minute a nipple is slipped someone go grab the black sensor bar, click those report buttons because that is just too much for people’s eyes.
We can watch decapitations on the news, but we cannot see a woman’s nipple on our Instagram feeds. Which is really worse?
The 21st century is supposed to be a time of change and acceptance, yet the discussion surrounding the female body is polluted with double-standards.
Be innocent, but do not be a virgin.
Be sexy, but do not have too much sex.
Be comfortable in your skin, but do not show too much of it.
What are the people of today, the girls of today, supposed to do? The minute they are confident in their skin, whether that be measured by how much skin they show or not, backlash is sent their way. In this movement alone, there is the infiltration of a double-standard.
Girls and women love their bodies enough to play a role in “Free the Nipple,” but when they do and expose what is beneath their bras, they are shamed and judged. On the contrary, if girls choose not to reveal their bodies, not for lack of confidence, they are shamed for not loving their skin or not being confident.
“Free the Nipple” is not a call for senseless “toplessness,” and not every supporter of the greater cause, gender equality, needs to participate by taking off her shirt. But, women need to have that option, that right. They need to do what it takes to receive the equality that is deserved.
Go ahead free the nipple. Let women experience the same freedoms as men, with or without their shirts.
