So it’s the end of one arbitrarily defined time period and the beginning of another. I often question why we have this moment when everything becomes new again, or so the theory goes. What does it mean when everything is focused into one moment?
Over the last few years, I’ve found it much more compelling to contemplate the sunrise on the first of January. That seems more indicative of newness to me. I know there are all sorts of old traditions that dictate that midnight is symbolic, but that symbolism seems less relevant in our current age. I don’t know of anyone who still celebrates with the First Foot so why do other traditions persist when some fall by the wayside?
I was just discussing traditions with a friend and we were pondering the nature of changes in what’s defined as appropriate, both online and off, and we both expressed concern over the remaking of the female image under a male gaze. It raises questions about what changes have happened and are now being pushed forward. Things like defining the naked body as only sexual. I keep hearing comments from our so-called leaders about how disgusting certain images are, and now topless sunbathing is being labelled as revolting. Personally, I think sunbathing is revolting but that’s because I live in Queensland, the skin cancer captial of the world. It’s not the topless part that’s the problem, it’s the framing of attractiveness and health in terms of suntan. I think that is the problem.
The whole reframing of the body was a part of the feminist movement, but it’s been usurped by the far-right. Think about brazillians and the implication of pre-pubescence that comes with that. The hairlessness of our current standards of beauty evoke immaturity – an immature female body. Now who’s being disgusting?
So I really think it’s important that we not implement puritanical standards of imagery on the web. I really think that there is a line and we are so far from it, that it’s unlikely we will cross it[1]. We need to become comfortable with ourselves. Our politicians are not. I hope they loosen up and realise that their morality is not mine (and probably not yours). I will work towards keeping our ability to appreciate the human body, it does, after all, have a certain beauty, but one that is being manipulated by so many different forces that it will be hard to unravel.
In this new year, lets contemplate the ways in which we have moved forward, and the forces that are holding us back, both personally and socially. Oh, and don’t forget politically. Those forces should never be ignored.
Have a good one!
- of course, if you manipulate your search terms, you can find some pretty disgusting stuff, but generally, you won’t find it if you don’t go looking and you don’t have spyware on your computer [↩]
