Sex is not vulgar. Slut shaming is.
Modeling is empowering. It’s a form of art. It is platform to reach higher grounds and larger audiences. Being shamed for utilizing the looks I was lucky enough to be born with is not something I, or any other woman, should be subject to. But unfortunately we sometimes still are. I was this morning, in regards to my photo collage in Maxim Magazines 2018 Covergirl Search, which was referred to as “a type of modeling” in relation to the porn industry.
My generation, and the ones following mine, are open to sexuality. We don’t view it as a hindrance, but rather something we relate to and appreciate one another for. We don’t view sexuality and any form that it comes in as something to be generalized into an existence that it is not, we have tenacity. We treat sexuality, and the human body for that matter, as a form of art.
If you cannot appreciate the human body, in any shape or form, being shared and shamelessly promoted, I feel sorry for you. You are stuck in a time that has long past. Women are allowed to be seen, we are allowed to be proud of who we are, and what we look like. Casting a negative light on that, or us, simply based on your pre-judgmental assumptions, is the reason slut shaming even exists. And my biggest frustration? The bias statements and derogatory comments this morning were made by a woman. Older yes, but a woman with breasts, nipples and a vagina alike, nonetheless.
As girls, we were taught shame. Close your legs, cover yourself, put on a turtle neck. We were treated like being born female, we are already guilty of something. But we were all born beautiful, and free to express ourselves. I cherish the women out there who, like myself are breaking down the judgmental barriers, and are not afraid to expand on that.
I have been thrown in a category countless times, “she’s beautiful, but I bet that’s about it,” has been said in reference to me before, and that’s okay, because I know its false. Generally speaking, this doesn’t bother me, I know who I am, I know how I was raised, I know my morals. I was raised by a mother who taught me well that being beautiful is about a makeup of elements – being wholesome. A well rounded personality that aligns with physical beauty. I also know that I am sexy, I am empowered, and I am not going to sit back and take the insinuations anymore. You cannot hinder my confidence.
Categorizing me, or any other female, as a slut because of the images I post, the way I dress, or the captions I use is small minded and inaccurate. Before you jump to a conclusion about someone, remember that old saying “don’t judge a book by its cover.” There is a lot written on the pages within, so don’t assume you know me if you haven’t actually put forth any effort to do so. Your assumptions are unprecedented, and ultimately only give me more cause to keep pushing onward. Its people like you, who try to hold young women back just because we are not who you were at this age, who are defining the differences in our generations. And we will be better, as a whole, because we are whole and we stand together in support of empowering one another.
Stop shaming women for being sexual when you have sexualized us our entire lives.
To vote for me in Maxim’s Covergirl competition follow the link below! You can vote for free once a day or purchase multiple votes in one shot with the “Warrior” option. Proceeds benefit the Wounded Warrior Foundation. Every vote counts and means the world to me! So appreciate the endless support for those of you who so kindly share it!
Through The Seasons 