Look, firstly, I accept that there are morals, there are societal standards. These are carried out-generationally, and we – at least most of us if my observation can be trusted, live by them. (Even this is problematic because time keeps shifting below these morals and societal standards. So it is reckless to imagine they will remain endlessly germane.)
Recently, there was for instance upheaval when some women belonging to certain political party exposed their behinds in order to (as they claimed) get the attention of their regional leadership. I joined the hub-bub and wrote in one of my earlier pieces (Sowetolifemag Online) that exposing your body like that is quite simply unwarranted; disquieting, especially if there are many other ways to pursue the same objective.
So relax if you thought I am about to sponsor some graceless behaviour, a behaviour without poise and delicacy, by women. No. It is not this wanton display of the otherwise private elements of the body that I speak of in my opening line.
I seek to argue, by way of example, that if you are really great in soccer, and you want that greatness to work for you, you will firstly position yourself in such a way that you are seen to be great by those who have the power to help you realise your dream of shining as a soccer star. Then and only then can it be argued that your talent is a strength, surely?
Similarly, if you are somehow satisfied that you can tell a story, you deliberately put the necessary effort to get the attention of those who have the power to provide your stories with a platform that will make you swell into a celebrated sensation where story telling is concerned. That deliberate and necessary effort is what I am talking about.
Otherwise what point is there, really, for a skilled debater whose candle burns below a small kitchen-table in his home somewhere in an unknown corner of a far-flung village? How is such a debater ever going to be a world master if he does not robustly pursue platforms that will create that opportunity?
Inherent in not making an effort to show the world what you’ve got, in not maximising on your talents in order to be the best that you are meant to be is not only to be at war with yourself, but it is also symptomatic of a cancer called self-hate. (And those who believe such wonders are endowed on us by God will in this case surely argue that he is mightily let down.)
So, to get back to my initial point, I feel quite strongly that those women who feel confident in their bodies should, firstly, not be discouraged -even when we keenly set out to malign them- from showing it off if by so doing they seek to assume an advantageous position ahead of the rest.
Secondly, a great body is a great body only if it is in fact seen to be a great body.
Show it off, if you feel it is great, because otherwise how else will model agencies notice it, assuming you aim to be a superstar model with all the big companies with the coolest of brands literally running after you to become their brand ambassador?
How else will people who are interested in such a body know of it if you don’t show it off?
Look, it’s very rough out there. Look out for yourself. Do not be put off by the disparaging lot we can at times be. If that fine body is a device that carries the potential to help you achieve your goals, bloody use it.
Ask musicians. Not a single person stands in judgement, shredding them apart when they step up and boldly employ their voices to sing their way to fame and gold.
Ed Note. Maruping is an independent commentator. Visit social media for his works!
