Women have been both praised and censured for posing nude throughout the ages. Countless paintings of nude women are deemed masterpieces for presenting the “glory of the female form.” However, when the issue of artistic nude photographs of women comes up today, it is deemed inappropriate and controversial.
Seattle Storm player Lauren Jackson agreed to pose nude for the Australian Magazine “Black+White.” The issue contains 35 Australian potential Olympic athletes equally highlighting both men and women, “in tribute to the upcoming Summer Games in Greece.” It is a great honor in Australia, equal to lighting the Olympic flame, according to Jayda Evans’ Seattle Times’ article, “Nude photos of Jackson may stir up a storm of controversy.”
Yet, Jackson is receiving much criticism for her decision to pose nude. Once again, the woman is the villain. What is the big deal? In the first place, it isn’t really our business. In the second place, she was not paid to do it and the photographs used will be “auctioned off to benefit charities.” This is not sex selling the Olympics- this is the human body at its best selling the Olympics- exactly what the Games are all about. It’s not as if the pictures will be on the front page of the newspaper and in every other magazine to advertise the Olympic Games. They are in the “Black+White” magazine which costs $40. Not exactly in-your-face.
Finally, who better to pose nude than a woman at the peak of her athletic ability? The Olympians used to compete nude remember. As Jackson states, “this celebrates the athletic body and how much work you put in. We do it the right way; we don't starve ourselves."
Move over, all you lollipop-shaped models- you are not the definition of natural beauty. Now an athlete at the height of her abilities- that is beauty.
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