You have all seen them. Maybe you have share them, or liked them. Maybe you have agreed with them. But I don’t, and here’s why.
As I am writting this Super Bowl LIV was the past Sunday. Before and since I keep being subjected to posts and memes about how these performers need to “Put some clothes”. At least in my case the majority of these post come from people who in no way are performers, but I am so let me explain.
First off, it get hots. If your moving as much as Jennifer Lopez and Shakira do during their performances your going to get hot. Yes, even in what they are wearing. Yes, even in January. No one has ever told Stevie Nicks she needs to put more clothes on, people also don’t generally comments on the dance aspect of her performances…. oh wait.
Second, its one less thing to worry about.The more fabric on your body, the more things you are fighting against. Think about it, right now as your reading this you are aware of your clothing. You are aware if you shirt is too lose or too tight. You are are if you socks are bunched up within your shoes. As you move about your day you are aware of how your clothes are laying, whether or not they bunching up or wrinkled. Now imagine having to be aware of all of that whilst singing, dancing and being aware that millions of people are going to watch this. (I am assuming that you are wearing clothing while reading this( and not just keep that information to yourself))
Most people can’t even imagine singing and or dancing in front of a singular other human in business causal attire, live. Let alone millions, live and recorded, in a body suit.
But I have, and it was awesome!
In October I had a the opportunity to protray Columbia for the majority of my campus’s midnight showing of the Rock Horror Picture Show. Columbia, is the one who does the tap dance solo in the middle of the Time Warp. The majority of her costume is short shorts, sequin tube top, and fishnets, she also breifly wears gold tails, a red bowtie and a gold top hat.
Now, do I have any dance experince? Nope. Do I have any acting experince? Nope. Do I normally dress like this nope? Was it awesome? Yep!
I have done the whole classically trained musician, look at me wearing all balck thing. It gets boring. You wind up being one or two sets of clothing for these things and you just keep wearing them over and over again, until you can’t wear it anymore. We either just stand there or sit there, and it still can get hot.
And while we are on it, lets just talk about modesty.
Its a load of crap. I have been cat called while wearing sweat pants. I was not cat called while wearing short shorts and fishnets. Would you like to try again? If people are going to be creepy disrespecful perverts, they are going to be creepy disrespectful perverst and what I am wearing is not going to matter.
I spent thirteen yeas of my life subject to various public school dress codes. Let me tell you they can vary drastically even within the same school district. Back then, all I wanted to do was to get out of that town and I knew the fast way to do that was college, and I knew I would need letters of recomendation for that. So, I rolled my eyes at the rules and followed them anyway, as not to push my luck. (I could write a whole post about the dumb things I put up in high school as not to push my luck)
But in the “Real World” that every middle-aged person loves to warn teenagers about, there really isn’t a dress code. And its liberating. I mean I have one for my job, and for conerts but other than that if I like I can wear it. Its amazing.
I am 5’9″. Have you ever tried to find shorts for someone that is 5’9″ that are at least finger tip length? Have ever tried to find a tank top with straps the width of an index card, that is also not cut so low on the side you bra band shows? I have. Its impossible. Meanwhile Dave is over there wearing a shirt featuring a woman wearing a bikini, and no one is saying anything…..
And what is any of this teaching anyone? Its not teaching anyone not look upon other’s bodies with respect, and to control themselves. Its not teaching anyone to be confident in their own skin. All that these rules are creating is the countation of rape culture and people feeling insecure in their own bodies.
Yes, I support basic gender neutral guidelines. But I don’t support parts of my body being deemed approiate or inapporiate to be seen (read: sexual or asexual) without my consent. Its my body, and its my choice on how much or how little of it everyone else gets to see.
I am just gonna be real here. I think part of the reason so many people get mad and offended when they see performance like the Half-Time it is because they aren’t comfortable and confident in their own bodies. Part of that is due to the fact for literally generations, and centuries we have told people (espically women) that their bodies are things that need to be covered, and kept out of sight and out of mind.
So #putsomeclotheson people, #bodypositivity #clothesdontequalrespect
