"I would just like to say a few words about NUDITY in the world today."
One of my favorite muppet segments ever is Sam the American Eagle's rant about nudity. I mean, the bird makes a good point - that underneath our clothing "the entire population of the world is walking around COMPLETELY NAKED." (If you haven't seen it, it's on youtube and is such a laugh).
It's true. We are embodied people. We all inhabit bodies. Many of us have complex relationships with our bodies. Whether it's due to self-image (I wish my ____ was bigger/smaller/etc.), health (I hate that: I'm allergic to ____ /____ doesn't work right.), societal pressure ("Don't do this ever." "Always do this.") or some complex mix of all of it, the result is lots of feels about our embodiment.
For myself, I can sum up my experience as feeling lots of shame related to my body, specifically from being female. As a growing girl, I learned
Girl bodies are to be covered, modestly. If not, then you are immoral or "deserve what's coming to you," or both. But in all cases, it's your fault for existing as a young woman in a way that isn't modest or "appropriate."
Sex (and sexual feelings/urges/attractions) are also bad. Unless you're married, then it's okay. You still shouldn't talk about it, but it's okay to have it. Silently and secretly. Until you get married, you'll be feeling all sorts of things and they'll be confusing, but you shouldn't talk about it with anyone. You most certainly shouldn't act on any of it. Ever.
Your body poops and gasses and bleeds and smells funny and does other body-things. These things are gross and should not be observed by others or discussed. Except with a doctor if there's a problem. Then it should be fixed (because it's somehow damaged or broken). Any part covered by a swimsuit is especially bad and gross.
It's taken me years to work on unpacking these damaging narratives. These beliefs have impacted my relationship with myself and others. But Sam the Eagle is right. We ALL have naked bodies. Every single one of us. All of our bodies have the same parts (or close approximations thereof) and they all do normal-body things. It's not weird, it's not gross, it's not shameful, and having a body is not a tragedy in need of fixing. Bodies are normal! Bodies are awesome. They allow us to go places and see things and learn. Bodies let us give and receive hugs and laugh and dance. Let's learn to love ourselves, to love our bodies, and stop perpetuating shame in ourselves and others.
This post is part 1 of 4 in a series on nudity. In the next post, I'll talk more about why going to a nude beach is one of the best things I've ever done.
