When Kim Kardashian-West posted that naked selfie last week, the internet was divided...
When Kim Kardashian-West posted that naked selfie last week, the internet was divided. Can a celebrity who posts a naked selfie still be a feminist?
Some, like actress Chloe Moretz, were pretty outraged that someone who is a ‘role model’ to many women, would post pictures of her body online for likes. ‘I truly hope you realize how important setting goals are for young women' Moretz tweeted, 'teaching them we have so much more to offer than just our bodies.'
Singer P!nk, too, made a thinly veiled jab at the reality star, giving a shout out to all the women in the entertainment industry who don’t use ‘your body, your sex, your tits and asses, to get attention,’, while even Bette Midler jumped in on the row by joking that for us to see any more of Kim she'd need to 'swallow the camera.'
Ironically (or perhaps deliberately) it all went down on International Women’s Day, which seemed to make Kim's critics all the more angry. Was this really what Emmeline Pankhurst had in mind for us all when she fought for women’s rights?
All very well, but as Kim was quick to point out, no one was asking her to post naked pictures of herself. No one was exploiting her body. She’s the one who decided that she loves her booty so, and she’s the one who chose to show it off to the world. She is, as she put it, #liberated.
Other stars, like Amber Rose and Emily Ratajkowski were quick to share their point of view, declaring that ‘society sexualizes our breasts and our bodies and if a grown mother of 2 is comfortable with her body and wants to show it off that's none of ur business or anyone else's.’ Some even posted more naked selfies in support, as Kim wrote a pretty powerful essay calling out her slut-shamers.
Kim Kardashian-West is not the first, or we expect, the last female celebrity to share a naked selfie with the internet. Miley Cyrus, Lady Gaga, Emily Ratajkowski, Rihanna and more have all posted just about censored pics like these online in the last year or so.
And, of course, there are thousands of naked bodies out there online – Kim is just a high profile person who is, ahem, fronting a global trend for sharing nude snaps. You only have to Insta-search the hashtag #naked and 2.3million results appear in under a second.
The fashion media also loves a nude – think of all the nearly naked cover stars you see on news stands, or the number of celebs hitting the red carpet in naked dresses, or juggernaut productions like the Victoria’s Secret show.
So is it our prerogative, as women, to enjoy these things? Are we being un-feminist, seeking male approval, or setting a bad example to the next generation, if we flash our flesh?
Or is it ok to acknowledge that both arguments are right – women are pressured by society to show their bodies, but it is also their choice and their right to do so if they want to?
We want to know what you think; do naked selfies and feminism mix? Cast your vote in the box below, plus tell us what you think on Twitter and Facebook @MarieClaireUK and we will add your opinions to this story…
Do naked selfies and feminism mix?
Yes
No
'It is not feminism.It is psychosexual disorder....You call this person [an] exhibitionist,' adds Malgorzata B.
'How are they even related?! Feminism is about believing in equality not selfies,' asks Radhika Sanhani on Twitter.
'Yes they can! Women own their bodies!' says @RuiJorgerodrigu
'Of course they can. being a feminist means you want equality. it has nothing to do with whether you post naked pics or not.' adds @Tessies_
'They're telling women to use their bodies and not their brains to get ahead and encourages young women to do the same.' says Jennifer G on Facebook.