By Koda Carlson
Have you ever seen the bombshell Marilyn Monroe in “Some like it hot”? Or perhaps you’ve seen her iconic photo of her in the white dress above a subway grate. Marilyn was known for her looks. She oozed sex appeal and was admired by millions for it. As women, we are taught to hide our body’s, to be ashamed of our skin. We’re taught that we have no control, nor should we deserve to get to choose what we do with our bodies.
Over the years, we’ve struggled with being put in the dark by people, for being fed false truths about ourselves just so we can feel belittled. It was taught that if we had confidence then we were conceded. A woman owning, her body and not caring? Uncalled for. As a woman growing up in these years, I’ve noticed it all around. Not just in movies, books, but in my day-to-day life. “Did you see what she was wearing? She was asking for it.” We aren’t taught to feel comfortable in wearing something that could be considered provocative to other people. We’re taught that we should fully care what others think of us and that their opinions can make or break us. A man sleeps with multiple girls and he’s a player, a woman sleeps with multiple men and she’s a slut. We were taught that we can’t enjoy sex. Women throughout the years have been breaking the stereotype and crushing the stigma we have against us and our bodies.
I distinctly remember seeing a feud in the comments of one ofactress Dove Cameron’s Instagram post. She posted a photo of herself in a bikini because she liked it. This specific photo caused controversy for some odd, bizarre reason. People are fine with seeing women naked if it means they’re ashamed of it, But the minute they see a woman owning her body or liking it, it’s an issue. Someone commented that what Cameron posted was “inappropriate”. That it “wasn’t setting a good example for young girls”. Showing you have any confidence in your body and/or showing that confidence off is like committing a crime in this society. We claim to be a “nonjudgmental” group” but how do we uphold that claim when we post comments shaming a grown ass adults Instagram posts? Cameron simply responded with explaining how there was absolutely nothing wrong with posting a photo of herself in a bikini and how it wasn’t inappropriate or setting a “bad example”.
Something struck me one day while trying on clothes. I felt, confident and hot, sexy and untouchable. Part of me wants to give credit for the bomb ass women anthem (She) Harry Styles recently released on his new album, but I also want to give us women most of the credit. For years we’ve been catcalled, assaulted, taught to hide. But, over the same years we’ve also gained a sense of self and our confidence grew. The 2010’s was the decade where we took control of our bodies, and we intend to keep it that way.
xx, Koda