Own Your #Selfie!

After reading The Guardian's "How selfies became a Global Phenomenon," it was reported that using a survey of more than 800 teenagers by the Pew Research Center, 91% posted photos of themselves online – up from 79% in 2006 (Day, 2013).  Now, we didn't really need this stat to realize that the selfie has completely consumed our culture. This selfie revolution has become so large that "selfie sticks" have actually been invented to become more inclusive. 

After reading the article, I disagree with several points it makes. First of all, it desribes selfie-sharing as "a high school popularity contest on digital steroids" (Day, 2013). While I see how the author could think this, I see selfie-taking as a more inclusive practice opposed to one that excludes others as the "unpopular" ones. For example, the selfie-stick pictured above was invented in order to include more people in a selfie, thus becoming a group selfie. I have friends who would never take a selfie alone, but enjoy taking selfies with a group. So, I think selfie-taking is a more inclusive practice rather than one that excludes others. 

I also disagree with the following concern: "young women posing for selfies in a state of undress is a potentially worrying issue" (Day, 2013).  The article then used the example of model Cara Delevinge instagramming a picture of her nipples poking through a black lace top. While we have spoken repeatedly about the objectification of women in the media, I actually see Cara's post as encouraging young women to own their sexuality because she herself is posting it. To me, her choice to post this photo sends a strong message to her fans that she is totally comfortable with herself as a women. Cara constatly posts sexually forward photos to her instagram, and she is actually idolized by young women for it.  In fact, my roommates were talking just the other day about how they wished they were Cara.  

Why? Why do young women idolize Cara? In my opinion, it's because she owns her sexuality and doesn't give a s*%# about what people think of her.  As we've discussed, men are able to freely discuss their sexual desires because they are "sex-obsessed" creatures, but what about women's sexual desires? Women in the media are never portrayed as sexual beings, and if they are they are deemed "crazy." Well news flash, women want sex just as much as men do.  Cara's instagram account highlights this very fact, and I think this is why she is the epitome of cool for college-aged women today.  In addition, she is an advocate for this social movement called "Free the Nipple," which suggests that since men are able to show their nipples in public, women should to.  While I don't think I'll be participating in this movement, I do think it's a very cool "girl-power" movement. 

So, while her more sexually suggestive pictures receive more likes as the article states, who cares?! Delevinge actually is doing quite the opposite of objectifying women, but rather advocating for gender equality.  In addition, she let's young women know it's okay to be sexually forward like a man. Her efforts should be applauded, not repromanded. 

While I understand why there are critics of selfies, I challenge young women to own their selfies as a practice of self-love.  If someone wants to post a picture of themselves, either alone or with a group, I see it as an opportunity to love yourself for who you are and how you look. If you want to post a sexually suggestive picture of yourself like Cara Delevinge, look at it as a chance to show you're comfortable in your own skin, and as we mentioned in class no one has ever gotten pregnant or a STD from posting a photo. We as women are taught to conceal our sexuality, but I say this is 2015 and women should be able to broadcast their sexuality without being considered a "slut." I realize this is a tall order, but I really do admire Delevinge's efforts. 

So, I hope Cara's instagram inspires young women to be more comfortable with expressing their sexuality to the world.  In addition, I hope women own their selfies as way to show they love themselves! 

Work Cited

Day, Elizabeth. (2013) How selfies became a Global Phenomenon. The Guardian. http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2013/jul/14/how-selfies-became-a-global-phenomenon.