I think our country is lacking class.

Thank you, Nicola Canavan. Your art, "Raising the Skirt" which deals with the ‘differences of women’s genitalia’ has taken class right out of the picture. Literally.

Many women are having a problem with the fact that they feel that their voices are not being heard. How do they respond? By putting their bodies, quite literally in front of the camera. As a conservative, very traditional woman I don’t see it working.

If we want to fight body shaming, shouldn’t we show how dignified we are? If we don’t want men to see us as sexual objects, shouldn’t we be keeping the clothes on, instead of flaunting it? I have heard over and over again, “I should be able to wear whatever I want. Men should just control themselves.”

I have a couple reasons why that statement is faulty. First of all, men are visualizers. Is it fair to us? No. But it’s also hard for them. They’re the ones that have to control it. Second, strutting around wearing hardly anything can become a chore. You could begin trying to measure up to this idea you have in your head. When you wear that outfit, are you doing it for you? Or for others? If it’s for you, great. If not, and your answer was others, is it really worth it? Is the opinions of a group of people really worth giving up your self esteem? Your class?

Earlier, I brought up the project, “Raising the Skirt,” and I would like to disagree with what they say it stands for. I don’t see it combating ‘body shaming.’ I see women who are angry. I see women who want their voices heard. I see women who want to get mad at something. I see a lot less class.

I can’t understand the art in that. Is this wrong of me? I’m not sure. As a woman, I don’t believe a man has the right to take whatever he wants from me. I don’t believe that women should decide if I am beautiful or not. I want to have confidence in who I am.

A woman with class has grace, has loyalty, and is kind. A woman with class is confident in who she is, and knows the right way to ‘flaunt it.’

A woman with class doesn’t need to take her clothes off to prove a point.