People have been going gaga for tatas! We’ve been hearing a lot on the news about the Free the Nipple campaign. This is a movement that is aimed at removing the stigma and censorship associated with female breasts. Many women have been supporting this movement by going topless in cities around the country.
On Sunday August 23rd, many people gathered in New York City to participate in the Go Topless Day parade. Both men and women marched their buns off for boobs to support gender equality. This year, the march fell a few days before Women’s Equality Day, which is on August 26th. Women who march are known as desnudas (Spanish for naked) and pose with tourists to raise money.
However, Mayor Bill de Blasio was not pleased with the demonstration in Times Square. Although nudity is legal in New York State, de Blasio believes it is an illegal act that must be terminated. He’s giving business and government officials until October 1st to come up with solutions to do away with the movement, and possibly Times Square completely.
The fact that the mayor of one of the most diverse and liberal cities in the country does not support this cause not only hurts the movement, but further perpetuates the stigma that these organizations are trying to eliminate. Breasts have become increasingly sexualized in our society. Even breastfeeding, a natural and necessary part of human life, is viewed as crude and offensive exposure of the female body. This is a feminist issue that limits women’s equality. Men have the freedom to expose their nipples and be shirtless in public without any backlash, whereas women are required to cover up.
This social norm has been ingrained in the way we think for centuries, so I can understand the apprehension. Even I am hesitant when it comes to discussing or participating in this cause. Although I am all for women being able to have the same rights as men, I would not bare-all in Times Square. I personally would be too uncomfortable, which is the exact hesitation the movement is fighting. I do think that Free the Nipple is a progressive campaign that will bring us closer to gender equality. I believe Mayor de Blasio needs to calm his tits and support our racks!
