Could You Bear To Go Bare?

About a year ago I was smoosing on Facebook, most likely procrastinating in exam time, when I came across a photo.

The photo was of one of my friends. Flowers were aligned in a crescent shape on her head, her hair trailing behind her as she appeared to be cycling in the wind, her eyes were bright and her fair complexion absorbed the sheer light of the low Eastern sun. She looked beautiful. But more importantly – she was naked.

And what was the occasion?

Why, it was Brighton’s annual World Naked Bike Ride of course!

(Image via)

And I have to admit that I was jealous. I wanted to bare my naked flesh for the world to see (and judge as they might) with flowers in my hair, a hairy bearded hipster guy at my side, all in aid of promoting greener energy. And in all honesty I would do it this year – but I can’t afford the damn train fair.

But when I asked people recently about this I got mixed reactions.

Some thought it a fantastic idea but most thought it not particularly wise and the prospect of cycling naked in the nuddy not just mentally uncomfortable but also physically.

One person told me about the Naked Rambler aka Steven Gough, a naked activist, who has been arrested and served several prison sentences just for refusing to put on some pants.

The BBC made a documentary about him and you see the power the naked body has to provoke a reaction in people. Some find it funny, some aren’t really bothered and some are dam right outraged!

The camera guy got attacked by a woman on the cliffs of sunny Cornwall within the first two days – and he wasn’t even naked!

We then hear some Scottish guy shouting about how disgusting and malicious it is considering all that’s happened with Jimmy Saville…

‘I’m sorry what?’ I found myself saying.

It happened again when a woman demanded The Naked Rambler and his bohemian goddess of a GF (also in the nuddy) leave her café. Her reason:

‘Because there are families around…’

All I could think was: there seems to be a few blurred lines here.

(Image via)

I suppose it shouldn’t be so surprising. People automatically associate the naked body with sex. A sexualised body is usually one wearing very little clothing. But this guy and his girlfriend weren’t copping off on the bench – they were trying to eat their lunch.

Why do we feel children should be protected from a naked human body?

I think it’s a sad but true fact that in years to come (as well as those we live in now) most young people, even those classed as young enough to be ‘children’, will see a naked body for the first time through porn. And who would blame them?

Kids are curious. Hide something away and they will always find it.

Maybe seeing some normal naked bodies instead of ‘porn star perfect’ – big boobs, big dicks, big smiles – might even stop kids feeling, with their average willies and one boob slightly bigger than the other, so damn inadequate – but that’s just a thought.

I’m not saying that we should all be naked all the time – I mean we live in England; it’s just not practical.

And in fact when you do take your clothes off and embrace the freedom of nudity, well… it’s a very powerful thing, perhaps because you can’t do it all the time.

I think I could go on forever about this but I finish by saying that the naked body doesn’t have to be promiscuous, or sexualised.

It’s not people like Steve the Naked Rambler and his Gawjus GF that will expose our children to sexualisation too soon, it’s the collateral of curiosity that comes from restriction.

Now go strip!

Tags: bikes body freedom Joy naked porn

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