Naked & Dignified: Volume One

N A K E D VOLUME ONE

and dignified

BY: RACHAEL DIER

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A N O T E. the inspriation. the purpose.

On November 21, 2018, Ariana Grande fought against a prominent figure spreading hateful mysogny online with tweets - tweets that resonated with over 500,000 people. On that day, the phrase “naked and dignified” resonated deeply with me, stirred a feeling I hadn’t felt before. The phrase inspired me, and in that moment I knew I wanted to create something. But what?

The following summer, I began experimenting with my photography and started a new adventure: boudoir. It was so daunting, but after my first session I knew I found a new calling. The intamcy, vulnerability, and authenticity that enveloped each shoot was a feeling I wanted everyone to feel. Everyone, from all walks from life, with different bodies and energies and essences, to have the chance to feel accepted, loved, cherished, sexy, beautiful, real and raw -naked and dignified.

In the Summer of 2019, this project was born. And it’s taken over a year to put it together, but it’s here. I couldn’t be more proud of how it’s taken shape nor more honored to have the opportunity to work with each of these women. Those experiences, taking their photos, talking about the intimate experiences and innermost thoughts that mean the most to them, transformed me in ways I never could have imagined. I am forever thankful.

Thank you to everyone who helped this proejct to take shape, whether you stood brave and true in front of my lens, have supported the project online, or anywhere in between. It’s because of you that I can stand “naked and dignified” in my own way, sharing all my work, displaying my growth as a creator for any and all to see.

You all give me the courage to do so. Thank you. x

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AN N AL I E S E.

May I write words more naked than flesh, stronger than bone, more resilient than sinew, sensitive than nerve.

– Sappho ( c. 630 – c. 570 BC)

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Being naked and dignified to me equates to vulnerability.

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EXCERPT BY: ANNALIESEE

Being naked and dignified to me equates to vulnerability. You can feel naked in any situation, not just from being actually unclothed, but from being alone in your opinion, your feelings or your actions. The dignified part means that you are confident in where and what you stand for.

Being a woman in today's society is difficult.

I feel life conservative values are still present and

expected

in

many circumstances,

however there have been many liberties given to women as well. Not only are they expected to still fill the old fashioned role of taking care of people and being more mature in general, they also now have pressure to perform better than male counterparts to prove themselves. There is also a more pressing issue, for me at least, on how women have to present to society to be deemed attractive and worthy so to speak. This includes things like fashion, hair, makeup, speech, etc. Specifically body hair is an issue that I am battling. I honestly feel

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more feminie and myself when I do not shave, however societies standards are for women to shave almost their whole body. This has made me reevaluate

"We can only define

what is important to me, and by being

femininity and masculinity

a political stance on the overarching

myself and not shaving, I am also making

to ourselves and should

issue of what really is femininity and

not let others tell us who

define femininity and masculinity to

we are meant to be."

who is able to define that. We can only ourselves and should not let others tell us who we are meant to be.

Women are never portrayed as aging gracefully, as many men are. They're called sluts if they show too much

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and prudes if not enough, yet when a man sleeps with a lot of women he is congratulated for it most of the time. Even breastfeeding has been hyper sexualized by many people, most of whom are conservative, when it is literally a lady trying to feed her child. These

"We are not weaker, less smart than, or anything less than a man."

arguments disgust me because I don't see what the big deal is in women using and portraying their body in which they feel most confident and comfortable.

For me personally, I have changed a lot since 2018. I have become more confident in myself mostly. When we did the photo shoot I was honestly uncomfortable in my day to day because of my decision to not shave and didn't want people to know. Now I literally do not care! It has been almost a year since I last shaved and although some people judge me, probably without even telling me, the people that matter in my life don't care and want me to be happy for and within my body.

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M AYA.

"The worst thing we can do as women is not stand up for each other, And this is something that we can practise everyday, no matter where we are or what we do – because if we are united, there is no limit to what we can do." ― Amal Clooney

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EXCERPT BY: MAYA

Rachael: What does being "naked and dignified" mean to you?

I believe that being “naked and dignified” means to be openly vulnerable while still receiving the utmost respect. I struggle feeling naked and dignified because of my own limitations to be vulnerable. I keep my guard up to avoid the scrutiny of my “naked” self. For me, it makes things easier because if people have something to say, I can brush it off without taking it personally.

Society is harsh. I hope one day that societal acceptance becomes the norm.

Rachael: How do you feel, in this moment in time, about being a Lebanese woman in society?

My Lebanese identity empowers me to reach my fullest potential. As I watch my country struggle politically, economically, and socially, I feel the weight of my privilege entrenched with survivor’s guilt, especially with the most recent explosion in Beirut.

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Being over 6000 miles away, I felt useless. My people needed me. One of my biggest struggles during this time is transferring this energy into something positive. I am looking forward to the day that I can give actively back to my country. I want to be a part of Lebanese empowerment and unity.

Rachael: What are your thoughts on interactions online discussing your identity?

I am weary of discussing my identity online because I fear that some statements may be taken out of context. Tone and attitude does not travel well through text. However, when these discussions are done in-person, I am able to guide the conversation positively.

Rachael: Have things changed for women since you've been a young adult in your perspective? How have you changed?

As a young adult, I recognize the obstacles before me in my field. I used to have an optimistic outlook and believe that nothing could stop me. However, misogyny is still prominent in today’s society. I find myself looking up to the successful women in my field as mentors. I recognize the obstacles that lie ahead, but I will never succumb to these obstacles. I will overcome.

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C O U R T N E Y. “We teach girls to shrink themselves, to make themselves smaller. We say to girls, “you can have ambition, but not too much. You should aim to be successful, but not too successful. Otherwise you will threaten the man... We raise girls to see each other as competitors- not for jobs or for accomplishments, which I think can be a good thing, but for the attention of men. We teach girls that they cannot be sexual beings in the way that boys are. Feminist: the person who believes in the social, political, and economic equality of the sexes.”

-Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

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Being a black woman in America has always and will always be an empowering and powerful part of my identity.

We are the back bone within our communities and at the forefront of cultural shifts and challenging the systems used to strip us of our humanity. With a legacy like that trailing behind you, you have no choice but to be empowered.

WWW.BROKEINBALMAIN.COM

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EXCERPT BY: COURTNEY

I think most people would take the word naked

where I started to notice and take note.

in its most literal form, but for me naked just

Seeing women whether celebrities, or just

means being in your most vulnerable state.

women from the internet standing up for

Whether that literally means the absence of

themselves, standing true in their sexuality

clothes or expressing yourself emotionally,

and not allowing themselves to be slut-

or even doing something that may make

shamed, women taking over their industries

you feel uncomfortable or nervous! And

and demanding respect from their male

dignified for me is representing your true

counterparts, etc. has truly changed my

self and being true to who you are no matter

outlook on myself. It’s helped me to be

the situation. So being “naked and dignified”

more confident, and recognize my role in my

is being empowered even in the scary

community and the power that hold. It’s been

things and representing yourself and being

an amazing and still evolving experience for

confident in yourself even in your most

sure.

vulnerable state.

With the rise of “Instagram baddies” I feel like People's thoughts on women’s bodies and

there’s been a lot of slut shaming towards

the way they choose to express themselves

women who show more of their bodies than

has always been comical to me. Like, you

socially acceptable. I’ve never understood

really woke up this morning and thought that

this, because like most things, men do the

you were the sole authority over women...

same thing and get praised for it.

our thoughts, our actions, our decisions.

It’s truly absurd, but the norm in American

Nudity isn’t something that should be

culture. The re-rise of feminism (and I don’t

frowned upon. I think it shows a persons

mean Taylor Swift’s feminism) but TRUE

confidence and comfortability in their body

feminism... womanism has been a great tool

and who they are, and that is something

for all women to be able to take back their

that should be praised. Especially during a

identity. We see it in so many forms and it’s

time where so many women feel like they

truly amazing to see!

have to get plastic surgery to be viewed as “beautiful.” I could honestly go on and on

I think things started to shift a lot in my

regarding this topic.

young adult years, or at least to a point

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S E V DA.

Women are the victims of this patriarchal culture, but they are also its carriers. Let us keep in mind that every oppressive man was raised in the confines of his mother's home. – Shirin Ebadi

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EXCERPT BY: SEVDA

To be respected in your presentation of

I see a lot more sisterhood, and women

yourself. To not have others define you for

standing up for all women and other

existing in your own skin.

marginalized identities. But there’s still a long way to go.

People who put other people down are insecure in themselves. The world won’t

For me, it’s been a process of learning to love

change by you hiding and conforming to

myself and my body. I think what has helped

what other people want you to be, it has

me the most is really examining how I look

to change by you shoving who you are in

at other people and the judgements I impart.

peoples’ faces. It has to become normal

The more I find the beauty in other people,

to be unapologetically who you are. And

the easier it is to find the beauty in myself.

that’s why I think what you’re doing is really important.

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PAT T Y.

You are cold doll of social lie, / and I, a virile flash of human truth. / You, honey of courtesan hypocrisy; I do not; / that in all my poems I bare my heart. / You are like your world, selfish; / I do not; that in everything I play to be what I am. / You are only the grave senorona lady; I do not, / I am the life, the force, the woman. ― Julia de Burgos, “To Julia de Burgos”

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“You can be a thousand different women. It’s your choice which one you want to be."

—Salma Hayek, Actress and Activist

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... I think something has changed in the younger generation, an ember has been stoked to a flame. We are at the precipice of change, and we have the chance to make a profound impact on our future as women.

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"The world demands so much of you and yet you are never enough in the eyes of the beholder."

Being a woman in our society is an incredibly

the way I am shaped, if I cover up then I'm

challenging task for a plethora of reasons,

boring, not pretty, nobody wants to look at

and in the last few years my eyes have

that - if I wear something cute though it's

opened to realize that women are in such a

slutty, it's scandalous, I ought to be ashamed

unique position that at times it feels like you

for the way I was made shouldn't I? You talk

can never "win" in this lifetime in the body

too much, you really ought to speak up more.

of a woman.

You're such a know it all, you know you're smart - for a girl I guess.

The world demands so much of you and yet you are never enough in the eyes of the

You are powerful, you make your own

beholder. From the way you dress, the way

destiny, you should follow your dreams;

you talk, your body's shape and size, your

you are so manipulative, so calculating, you

thoughts and opinions, your emotions; every

must have slept with someone to make it

single thing you do is scrutinized by those

this far. You're so emotional, always crying

with no merits to warrant the judgment, and

and talking about your feelings; you have

yet they go right ahead. You are too tall, too

no soul, you are a cold-hearted bitch. So

short. Too fat, too thin. Too muscular, not

many expectations, how exactly do we as

atheltic at all. You eat too much, you don't

women meet them all? What should I do to

eat enough. You did not eat the right thing

be enough for you?

that a lady ought to eat, you only ate a salad how boring, what a pig to be wolfing that

I am troubled each day by being a woman in

burger down. You wear that dress you love,

society, and the concerns run like water, but

it's too short, you are a slut, it is late at night -

the greatest concern to address in my opinion

you were asking for it. You wear sweatpants,

would be violence against women. Did you

a big hoodie, all bulky to hide any figure, that

know that, on average, twenty-four people

isn't feminine, you will never get someone if

per minute are victims of rape, physical

you don't show a little skin and show yourself

violence or stalking by an intimate partner

off - you are not trying hard enough. On my

in the United States? That is over twelve

body, a tank top makes me a slut because of

million people over the course of a year,

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A S H L E Y.

And one day she discovered that she was fierce, and strong, and full of fire, and that not even she could hold herself back because her passion burned brighter than her fears. – Mark Anthony

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Phenomenal Woman Maya Angelou

Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.

I’m not cute or built to suit a fashion model’s size But when I start to tell them, They think I’m telling lies.

I say, It’s in the reach of my arms, The span of my hips, The stride of my step, The curl of my lips.

I’m a woman Phenomenally.

Phenomenal woman, That’s me.

I walk into a room Just as cool as you please, And to a man, The fellows stand or Fall down on their knees.

Then they swarm around me, A hive of honey bees.

I say, It’s the fire in my eyes, And the flash of my teeth, The swing in my waist, And the joy in my feet.

I’m a woman Phenomenally.

Phenomenal woman, That’s me.

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Men themselves have wondered What they see in me.

They try so much But they can’t touch My inner mystery.

When I try to show them, They say they still can’t see.

I say, It’s in the arch of my back, The sun of my smile, The ride of my breasts, The grace of my style.

I’m a woman Phenomenally.

Phenomenal woman, That’s me.

Now you understand Just why my head’s not bowed.

I don’t shout or jump about Or have to talk real loud.

When you see me passing, It ought to make you proud.

I say, It’s in the click of my heels, The bend of my hair, the palm of my hand, The need for my care. ’Cause I’m a woman Phenomenally.

Phenomenal woman, That’s me.

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I D O N O T. B E L O N G. T O AN YO N E. B U T M Y S E L F. AN D N E I T H E R D O YO U — Ariana Grande

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B I AN C A.

“This society hasn’t changed one bit. People who don’t fit into the village are expelled: men who don’t hunt, women who don’t give birth to children. For all we talk about modern society and individualism, anyone who doesn’t try to fit in can expect to be meddled with, coerced, and ultimately banished from the village.

– Sayaka Murata

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I H AV E B E E N W O R K I N G TO INFUSE MY R E L AT I O N S H I P S A N D T H E W O R K I C R E AT E W I T H V U L N E R A B I L I T Y— THE COURAGE TO SHOW UP AND LET MYSELF BE S E E N.

I am so tired of letting fear of failure and criticism guide my decisions, behaviors, and interactions with others. Now I am learning to detach my self-worth from what people think. Even if I feel shame or disappointment when I let myself be seen, my self-worth remains intact because the value that drives me is courage, not approval or recognition.

Brene Brown’s book Daring Greatly taught me this lesson. Being naked and dignified means I express my thoughts and feelings with mindfulness and courage, and regardless of the outcome or the intense fear that comes with being vulnerable, I feel okay because I acted in alignment with my value of courage. And each moment I do this, I become closer to who I want to be..

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People who don't fit into the village are expelled: men who don't hunt, women who don't give birth to children. For all we talk about modern society and individualism, anyone who doesn't try to fit in can expect to be meddled with, coerced, and ultimately banished from the village.�

S AYA K A M U R ATA, T H E C O N V E N I E N C E S T O R E W O M AN: A N O V E L

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L A U R A.

“When you see me passing, It ought to make you proud. I say, It’s in the click of my heels, The bend of my hair, the palm of my hand, The need for my care. ’Cause I’m a woman Phenomenally. Phenomenal woman, That’s me.”

– Maya Angelou, Phenomenal Woman

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Being a woman is hard.

Women should be allowed to have the same freedom as men do.

EXCERPT BY: LAURA

[To

be

naked

and

because we still live in

dignified] means being

a man’s world. It’s being

confident

knowing

told your voice matters

your body is beautiful

until you speak up about

despite all the flaws we

things that men don’t

see and point out and

want to hear. I spoke

worry about when we

up with other female co

look in the mirror. It’s

workers

being empowered and

within our work place

not

and there’s now palpable

in

allowing

definition

of

society’s beauty

tension

about

and

issues

nothing

to take away that self-

is more disheartening

confidence.

than hearing men not believe you after it took

Being

in

so long for you have the

society is hard and sadly

courage to stand up and

Knowing your body is beautiful

it’s

speak your truth. Being a

despite all the flaws we see...

have had it in society

being empowered and not

yet. Being a woman is

allowing society's definition of

being told you’re a prude

Women can’t win. Prude,

beauty to take away that self-

if you cover up and a

slut, not sexy, too sexy-

confidence.

slut if you show skin.

we’re supposed to be all

It’s fighting an uphill

these things but also not

battle and never winning

be them? It’s ridiculous.

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the

a

woman

best women

woman is hard.

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I changed, because I finally spoke up about the issues in the workplace...

freedom has men do. It’s a body, can’t tell you why everyone makes such a big deal about it. Confidence should be celebrated all around ( we love equality!).

Have things changed for women since you've been a young adult in your perspective? How have you changed?

I wish I could say they’ve changed. I’d say maybe a couple more women have come forward but honestly the reactions they get usually shuts them down from speaking up in the future. I changed because I finally spoke up about issues in the workplace. But the atmosphere has gotten so bad at work I regret speaking up. And that’s terrible. But the culture that’s been created is toxic and damaging and has caused me to feel this way.

Women should be allowed to have the same

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You're not a victim for sharing your story. You are a survivor setting the world on fire with your truth. And you never know who needs your light, your warmth, and raging courage. – Alex Elle

If you are facing sexual harrasment, discrimination, and/or violence in the workplace, you are not alone. Visit www.equalrights.org to learn about your rights as an employee in the United States and what options are available to you.

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H A L L A.

You can't be a feminist in the United States and stand up for the rights of the American woman and then say that you don't want to stand up for the rights of Palestinian women in Palestine. It's all connected. – Linda Sarsour

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EXCERPT BY: HALLA

I think as a woman in today’s society there’s

both immigrated here from Palestine many

huge pressure on how to carry ourselves. If

years ago. They came here for a better life,

we lash out then we’re moody and hormonal.

better opportunities. This is understandable

If we’re assertive then we’re too bold and

given our country has been the target of

have an attitude. Essentially anything that

occupation, apartheid, and ethnic cleansing

would be acceptable for a man is often

since 1948.

looked down on if it was done by a woman.

So this makes it really difficult to be “naked”

I’ve visited Palestine almost every summer

and “dignified” because we feel as though

of my life, and through those visits I got a

we have to censor everything we do, which

taste of what my life would have been like

means we censor who we are as individuals.

had my parents chosen to stay. I saw how my extended family lives, being dehumanized

Personally I’m known to be bold and to have

in ways you don’t even think about. These

strong opinions. This hasn’t always been

experiences lit a fire inside of me. As an

easy because often times people perceive

individual, I can’t free my country. As an

this in a negative light. Regardless, I feel

individual, I can’t bring about huge change.

most “naked” and “dignified” when I’m being

The liberation of Palestine is going to need

my true self despite what others may think

enormous

of that. Having a voice is so important,

there are ways for me to make a change on

especially for minority women. If that voice

a smaller scale.

systemic

changes.

However,

is silenced, we don’t get any closer to living in a society that’s accepting of all people

I discovered that the best way for me to

from all walks of life. Societal pressures that

do so is by simply raising awareness. As a

lead to women censoring their authentic

Palestinian woman in society today, the first

selves leads to silencing these women and

thing I share about myself is where I come

this perpetuates the many issues we have in

from. This often leads to sharing the history

today’s world.

of my country and the struggles of my people. By just doing that, I have been able to

Although I was born and raised in the US, I

educate so many people on the Palestinian

grew up with a strong sense of pride towards

struggle for liberation. With more awareness

my culture and background. My parents

comes more pressure for systems to change.

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"Having a voice is so important, especially for minority women. If that voice is silenced, we don’t get any closer to living in a society that’s accepting of all people from all walks of life."

I can’t change the system but I can raise

you to feel bad about your own self and

awareness. My existence as a Palestinian

this continues the cycle of not accurately

woman is a political statement. This should

discussing/portraying your identity.

not be the case because Palestinian human rights should not be a political issue, but that’s the reality of the situation. I don’t have the privilege to ignore the news and

(Context: Rachael asked "Have things changed for women since you've been a young adult in your perspective? How have you changed?")

ignore politics and go about my day. I don’t have this privilege because some people’s

This is tough to answer because honestly I

opinions about my country and my people

didn’t really think about these things when I

threatens my very existence.

was younger so I’m not sure I can compare.

I can say though that I think we still live

The internet often times is a very fake place.

in an extremely misogynistic society and

Social media does an excellent job at allowing

there’s still a long way to go. The majority

people to create this image that usually just

means the group in power and the majority

isn’t reality. There are certain standards that

in this country today is still the white male.

have been set by media and entertainment

These are the individuals that have set the

and by society as a whole. Let’s say your

tone for how our society functions, whether

identity doesn’t fit these standards, doesn’t

that’s the gender pay gap or deciding what a

fit this mold, you find yourself editing it in

woman can and can’t do with her own body.

a way to do just that. Editing could mean

Obviously strides have been made but being

literally editing the way you look or simply

complacent with those strides isn’t going to

just editing out the bad parts of your life/

get us anywhere.

identity and just showing the good.

As an individual I’ve more or less finally Social media is a double edged sword;

found my voice. I know what I believe in and

it connects you with friends and family,

I strongly stand up for what I believe in. I

allowing you to feel closer to them when

think it’s important to always challenge the

you’re miles apart but often times you’re

status quo and not let my status as a woman

not seeing their real identity/real lives. You

hinder what I want to achieve in this world.

get this image that’s deceiving, it can lead

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L I LY. My body will not allow me / To mingle with the men / But my heart is far braver / Than that of a man. – Qiu Jin

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O L I V I A.

If you're anything like me / You've grown to hate your pride / To love your thighs / And no amount of friends at 25 / Will fill the empty seats / At the lunch tables of your past / The teams that picked you last... / But Darling, you keep trying.

– Taylor Swift, If You’re Anything Like Me

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EXCERPT BY: OLIVIA

The moment the world hears the word

I digress. Those definitions, common as they

naked, man or woman, an image of nudity

are, are not necessarily what being "naked

presents itself in your mind. As a society we

and dignified" mean to me. For myself, to

often define being naked, normally, as one

be "naked and dignified", creates an ultimate

without clothing, and often we find the word

moment of vulnerability where one holds

to lead us towards a conversation of a sexual

their head high by baring everything and

nature as our society is commonly sexually

being proud of what the world views upon

charged in all facets.

doing so.

Being naked is almost always represented

To be naked by letting the world see your

with the image of someone shedding their

smile, your sensitivity, your laughter, your

clothing, even though there are many other

genuine happiness, makes you so vulnerable

ways for one to bare everything. Now, to

because if you share that joy with the world

be diginfied our culture tells us means to be

it can give the world the power to take that

worthy of respect, the word I have always

happiness from you in a moment. Beyond

taken issue with in that definition is worthy.

that, being proud of your happiness, fighting

What makes a person worthy? What makes

through the tough times that you thought

one person more deserving of respect than

may never end, overcoming obstacles thrown

the person sitting next to them?

in your path, living with internal struggles that only you can see, and not allowing the world

We live in a society that is always pitting

we live in to strip you of that joy you feel in

us against one another, pushing us to be

your bones, allowing your emotions to be a

"better", but rather than pushing us as

strength rather than a weakness and proudly

individuals to better ourselves, we just need

letting those emotions flow free.. what a

to be better than the person sitting next to

beautiful true moment of being "naked and

us in school, better than the person in the

dignified" that is to me. So content with who

cubicle across from us at work, better than

you are, comfortable, proud of every aspect

the people we see on social media as that is

that makes you "you", inside and out, that no

how our society in many ways defines what

outside influence can tell you that your pride

makes a person worthy.

in your vulnerability should be viewed with any sort of negative connotation.

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"The world demands so much of you and yet you are never enough in the eyes of the beholder."

Being a woman in our society is an incredibly

the way I am shaped, if I cover up then I'm

challenging task for a plethora of reasons,

boring, not pretty, nobody wants to look at

and in the last few years my eyes have

that - if I wear something cute though it's

opened to realize that women are in such a

slutty, it's scandalous, I ought to be ashamed

unique position that at times it feels like you

for the way I was made shouldn't I? You talk

can never "win" in this lifetime in the body

too much, you really ought to speak up more.

of a woman.

You're such a know it all, you know you're smart - for a girl I guess.

The world demands so much of you and yet you are never enough in the eyes of the

You are powerful, you make your own

beholder. From the way you dress, the way

destiny, you should follow your dreams;

you talk, your body's shape and size, your

you are so manipulative, so calculating, you

thoughts and opinions, your emotions; every

must have slept with someone to make it

single thing you do is scrutinized by those

this far. You're so emotional, always crying

with no merits to warrant the judgment, and

and talking about your feelings; you have

yet they go right ahead. You are too tall, too

no soul, you are a cold-hearted bitch. So

short. Too fat, too thin. Too muscular, not

many expectations, how exactly do we as

atheltic at all. You eat too much, you don't

women meet them all? What should I do to

eat enough. You did not eat the right thing

be enough for you?

that a lady ought to eat, you only ate a salad how boring, what a pig to be wolfing that

I am troubled each day by being a woman in

burger down. You wear that dress you love,

society, and the concerns run like water, but

it's too short, you are a slut, it is late at night -

the greatest concern to address in my opinion

you were asking for it. You wear sweatpants,

would be violence against women. Did you

a big hoodie, all bulky to hide any figure, that

know that, on average, twenty-four people

isn't feminine, you will never get someone if

per minute are victims of rape, physical

you don't show a little skin and show yourself

violence or stalking by an intimate partner

off - you are not trying hard enough. On my

in the United States? That is over twelve

body, a tank top makes me a slut because of

million people over the course of a year,

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and one in three women have experienced

not how we should be responding to these

rape, physical violence and/or stalking by

situations, allowing survivors to have the

an intimate partner in their lifetime. One in

guilt that they must have done something

three.. I have a mother, and a sister, meaning

for this to happen to them, or worse, that

out of us three one will experience some

they in some way deserved what they went

form of violence throughout our lifetime,

through.

and the more terrifying thing is that we may never know what the person sitting next to

We are powerful, we as women need to

us has been through, even more terrifying

help one another, to fight for awareness,

many would turn to that person and not

make sure that we hear more stories where

believe the words flowing from their lips.

the victim is believed rather than the more prominent ones where the victim is blamed

WHY DON'T YOU JUST LEAVE? HOW COULD YOU LET HIM TREAT YOU LIKE THAT? I WOULD NEVER LET THAT HAPPEN TO ME. HE SEEMS SO NICE THOUGH, HE IS ALWAYS SO KIND TO ME. YOU MUST HAVE DONE SOMETHING TO MAKE HIM DO THAT. IT IS YOUR FAULT!

and the abuser goes back out into the world leaving at least one woman alone and fearful for what her future holds. I am concerned that a woman can walk up to a police officer battered and bruised and be told that it was her fault.

I am concerned that woman can painfully recount every moment of her assault and be told that she ought to have fought harder, that she should not have been out so late, that she should have worn something less... risque. Change is a constant that we can always count on, and when it comes to issues such as domestic violence and sexual

It is your fault... that is the unfortunate message that we send to survivors around the world in these situations, that they must have done something wrong, that they must have caused this, that they let this happen

assault there is a path to creating a better tomorrow, encouraging greater awareness, and continuing to fight for the rights of survivors; this is a constant change that I welcome in my life.

or forced the situation somehow. That is

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"In this moment, I am "naked and diginifed" in a beautifully broken way."

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seen as "cool" to fight when you are younger, but doing what is "cool" often looks different than what is right, a difference I noted early on in my life. The fascinating answer to how have I changed is that I do not believe that I have ever stopped changing, nor have things for women, since I turned the tassels on my high school graduation cap. At fifteen my heart was filled with an unpenetrable love and belief that there is good and bad in the world, but that it is all very black and white. At twentythree that heart is capable of unpenetrable love, but no longer sees the world in stripes of black and white, rather realizing how many shades of grey fall in-between and that there are few situations in this world that are as If you know anything about me, people

simple as a pre-teen girl had once seen. For

have called me sunshine for my optimistic

me, it was all in those moments, big and small,

demeanour since I was young. My glass was

that slowly shaped the person in the mirror

not fogged, my world was not unencumbered,

today. The first time, as a young woman,

quite frankly the amount of darkness I

that you walk home late at night from an

witnessed in such a short time could fill several

event or from studying at the library and you

lifetimes of others, and yet I've continued to

pray your mother picks up your call because

choose to see the glass as half full, only more

walking home alone at night is dangerous,

aware of the liquids the glass contains.

you never know what could happen to you.

It's the moment your parents get in the car

Prior to turning eighteen I lost several people

and wave their final goodbye as they leave

close to me to suicide, held the hand of a best

you at a new place that is meant to be called

friend battling with her mental health, a battle

your home for the next four years, and there

I watched her body and mind win and lose

is a little tickle in your throat realizing that all

time and time again, and fought bullying - an

the nagging you protested for years is really

epidemic that still is not seen as one and is not

gone. Those nights that turn into days with

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strangers that turn into friends, only for

the cracks until it overflows. After all of that,

many to become strangers again. Unable to

can you really say that nothing has changed?

forget the jarring moment you realize how

Seeing so much darkness in so much light

truly cruel the world around you can be as

changed me, but upon stepping back it made

you see the cold truth in front of you, staring

me realize that every moment we are shaped

at the battered, bruised, and broken by

by the world around us, what we see, what

those that were supposed to care, watching

we endure, and so we change, but we also

the world demonize them for the pain they

get the power to choose how the world

endured.

changes us and what the aftershock of these waves of change look like in the person that

Watching money slide from abuse to

we become. Today, as a young adult, as a

power, only to realize corruption is the

young woman, the words to describe myself

norm rather than the exception in society.

echo out as fierce, resilient, thoughtful,

Tearfully staring at the glazed eyes of a

genuine, caring, intelligent, and fearless. In

soul wondering how it was their fault if at

allowing myself to stand before the world,

the end of the night they themselves were

walls down on all sides, I find myself held to

unconscious and could barely remember the

a higher standard of being true to who I am

events of the night before... only left with

and more vulnerable in knowing who that

the remnants of a body torn from the inside

person is. In this moment, I am "naked and

out to awaken to as the light shined through

diginifed" in a beautifully broken way.

their window, only the light seemed a bit darker than before.

Fighting a battle inside of you that nobody can see, screams echoing in the emptiness of a body nobody can hear - it's the unwinnable fights of a stigma created by those we are so desperate to please. Someone like me had the chance to see that a world that screamed at me that nothing I did would ever be enough, that the way I did something would never be right, craving the unattainable only to find misery, and the flooding judgement that overpowers our lives and seeps through

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J I L L I AN.

Today is a day where I publicly twerk on things because I’m black, and mad, and I want to. ― Britteney Black Rose Kapri

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EXCERPT BY: JILLIAN

Naked and dignified to me just means that women are allowed to express themselves and show off their bodies if they want to, and they should not be judged or criticized for it.

Being a woman in this society is like walking on a tightrope, and trying balance between the different double standards that exist for women. Being a pushover vs. being called a bitch, being called a prude vs. being called a slut, etc. Life as a woman is constantly trying to find a balance while also dealing with the other injustices that women face.

Now for me, as a queer black woman, life is like walking that same tightrope while being shackled and holding 40lb weights in each hand. The same walk is far more difficult because I have to deal with forms of oppression in multiple ways. But right now, I feel empowered by my ancestors, and the strong women in my life, to continue pushing forward through life!

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I mean, as a women myself, it hurts to see people say such things and it shows how much farther things have to go for women to be able to live peacefully and equally to their counterparts. But it also makes me want to go that much further to support the women who are being shamed. Ask me how many times I’ve listened to WAP lol.

PI think like with a lot of things, some things have changed for the better, and other things have stayed the same. I think we’re gradually moving towards progress for women, such as the #MeToo movement, and the Women’s March. I’m happy to see more women in political seats now than probably a decade or too ago, and I’m happy that people are starting to talk more now about rape and especially rape on college campus, because those conversations are super important.

However, again, there’s def more work to be done, and more change to be made.

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E M M A.

You painted a naked woman because you enjoyed looking at her, put a mirror in her hand and you called the painting “Vanity,” thus morally condemning the woman whose nakedness you had depicted for you own pleasure. ― John Berger, Ways of Seeing

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Self-Portrait in the Nude Allison Funk To understand what it would be like to remove my clothes as painters do in portraits of themselves I imagine I’m the woman who knows her body no longer belongs to the young artist who painted herself before she had children, before her topography was changed by forces erosive as water and wind, and yet she goes on painting it, the girdle of her earth that is now an etched terrain crossed with silver rivulets.

And hills, I want to say to her.

Valleys. Then hummocks, hot springs, hoodoo. What is art about if not depression? Uplift? Depression again? At which she straightens the flesh of her shoulders and neck to face me before I disappear into landscape, my favorite state of undress.

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DAN I.

It's important to have strong images of women out there, women who aren't afraid of expressing themselves, women who aren't afraid of taking chances, women who aren't afraid of their own power. ― Gina Torres

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M A R N I.

I believe that owning our worthiness is the act of acknowledging that we are sacred. Perhaps embracing vulnerability and overcoming numbing is ultimately about the care and feeding of our spirits. ― BrenÊ Brown, The Power of Vulnerability

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For me, being naked and dignified means letting go of all control.

For me, being naked and dignified means letting go of all control and decision making — letting someone else take the reins.

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EXCERPT BY: MARNI

For me, being naked and dignified means letting go of all control and decision making — letting someone else take the reins.

Generally not having control in this particular situation, being photographed, is me being naked — me at my most vulnerable. The summer that these photos were taken was one of the times of my life where I felt the most self-conscious.

I hated my body, my anxiety was at an all-time high, and overall I was not a happy person.

When the opportunity arose to take part in this project, I decided to step out of my comfort zone. Beyond being photographed and not knowing what I looked like, I left all decision-making up to Rachael. From my outfit to my clothing, the locations, my poses… if you see it, she choreographed it.

Between every shot I shared with Rachael just how uncomfortable I felt! I did not know how to pose, I did not feel like I looked good, and I did not want to be the one who ruined the project that she had been working so hard on. With Rachael’s positive energy, kindness, and patience, not only did she make me feel so much better about myself and the photography process,

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but I also liked the outcome when I saw the photos on my computer screen post-photo session! Rachael is the reason that I felt dignified in my version of “naked.” This just goes to show that as women, and as people in general, we have the opportunity to lift each other up and make each other feel good.

Particularly when it comes to online interactions, I think that people need to remember that there are human beings behind the screens. We can sometimes have productive conversations online, but when it comes to shame, criticism, and scrutiny, we are so used to it that we often let it slide by without commentary or repercussions. We need to stand up for others — online and in-person.

I think that women have become more inclined to stand up for other women in the last few years, but are in need of more outspoken young female voices doing the same. I think that I have changed in that I have learned to stand up for myself and my beliefs in conversation rather than in complaints to other people post-conversation. I am more direct and confident. I also now pride myself in my decision making when it comes to the people that I spend time with. I want to be with people that lift me up. Why spend time with people that make you feel badly about yourself?

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S H R E YA.

I am no bird; and no net ensnares me: I am a free human being with an independent will.

– Charlotte Brontë, Jane Eyre

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"If somebody loves you when you feel naked just know and believe that it’s the easiest thing they’ve ever done."

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EXCERPT BY: SHREYA

Being naked and dignified to me means being comfortable. Whatever that looks like to me on that day, if it’s a tank top and shorts and I feel powerful in it it’s me showing my skin and being dignified, if it’s a heavy sweater and jeans and I feel comfortable and open minded that’s the naked I like being. Naked and dignified is being comfortable in my skin in my clothes and in my mind.

I’m always weary of being a woman in today’s society as much as that pains me to say. Though I am strong and more than capable of success I also recognize that I deserve to be treated the way I feel. As a woman of color I long for recognition and representation and will fight and encourage my peers to do the same. Special shout-out to Rachael Dier for helping in this by creating the strongest platform to talk about issues such as this.

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Shaming comes from insecurity. It always boils down to that. Why do people get jealous? Why do people feel the need to let their unwelcome opinions known? They are insecure and believe they have a say in things that they cannot claim is theirs. It is a difficult battle to not only educate people that do this but also help them find their own sense of self worth. Being a keyboard sniper is one the easiest ways to hide behind a screen and words but those words have power. So it’s a good thing women are powerful as naked and dignified beings.

My experiences as a young adult and as a woman have changed me. They continue to shape me and the relationships i choose to be in. Difficult times are easier to remember than

peachy

ones.

Anytime

someone

talked down to me I would believe them.

But it also allowed me to experience the aftermath of that sadness and pain. And that is where I built myself a safe haven through relationships, passion, service and so much more I have had the pleasure to experience.

I could not be more grateful for the things that have shaped me.

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THANK YOU.

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ANNALIESE ASHLEY BIANCA COURTNEY DANI EMMA HALLA JILLIAN LAURA L I LY MARNI MAYA OLIVIA PATTY SEVDA SHREYA NAKED AND DIGNIFIED: VOL 1

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N A K E D and dignified W W W . E Y E O F T H E D I E R . C O M