The Sun, a British newspaper, has laid to rest a long time tradition: the Page 3 girls. For the last 45 years, every Monday, loyal fans turned to page 3 to be “greeted with a photo of a smiling, topless model.” (“The News,” The Week, January 30, 2015 pg. 14.) But no more. Rupert Murdoch, who owns the tabloid, has bowed to political correctness. No longer will he be threatened with boycotts or accused of being a sexist who objectifies women.
Museums, of course, are full of the images of bare breasted women. Some plays require actors to appear on stage without clothes. The tradition stems as far back as the Ziegfeld Follies and the Follies Bergere. But, of course, in these cases we’re talking about shows for cultured folks who “will automatically understand those images aren’t smut—they are art.” (Ibid pg. 14.)
I suggest we drop the flabby folderol which attempts to make a distinction between art and the bawdy. A woman’s breasts are part of our western landscape. There are plenty of tits in films and TV programs like Game of Thrones, and no one raises an eyebrow. Why Page 3 girls had to sacrificed on the altar of political correctness, I don’t know. Speaking as a long time feminist, I’m not offended if a woman chooses to bare all, as long as it’s voluntary. In fact I support her right to choose. After all, going bare doesn’t make a woman stupid. It’s the men who seem to go gaga.
Courtesy of www.novaans.com
