Yesterday evening the iconic Hugh Hefner died at the age of 91. I don't know why but I think I figured he was immortal lol. I decided to write on this because I have such respect for him and what he did for women. It's not my normal kind of topic I know, but my blog is about health, beauty, and fitness; and in my eyes Hugh Hefner's legacy is included in health and definitely in beauty.
If you know me you know that I'm a borderline feminist. And I believe that talking about sex and female openess is such an important part of women's health!
Some of you are probably like: Wait, nude photos for a men's magazine... how is that female power?
Glad you asked... In my eyes there is a big difference in womens sexual freedom and sexuality for the entertainment of men. So in that regard, yes- most men's magazines put a bad taste in my mouth. I tend to prefer the sexuality of European women over American. They embody sort sort of effortlessness about them that is so real and free. They are not being sexy for men. They just are. (Not that men don't enjoy it lol)
American women are always trying too hard. They are trying to impress constantly. It's not authentic and it's exhausting.
I always try to aspire to be more of a European woman that American in my modeling.
That being said, I feel as if Playboy is one "American Dream" that got it right. Paving the way of risque reading and sexual openess starting in the 50's. And unlike men's magazines that only had vapid nakedness to offer, Playboy actually put effort into their articles. Playboy helped pioneer a more open and honest conversation about sex, politics, and society.
Daring at the time, playboy executed free speech, fought against racism and sexism; and supported many progressive views that wouldn't be generally accepted for decades later.
Hugh Hefner was unapolegetic about his work and his words. I respect people that are 100% themselves and 100% stand by their beliefs- disregarding of any and all backlash. Mr. Hefner saw a different way. He represented a kind of childish freedom that was liberating and honest and beautiful. He wanted to see a world where sex wasn't "evil" and women weren't shamed for their sexuality.
"Part of the sexual revolution is bringing rationality to sexuality - because when you don't embrace sexuality in a normal way, you get the twisted kinds, and the kinds that destroy lives... I’ve never thought of Playboy, quite frankly, as a sex magazine. I always thought of it as a lifestyle magazine in which sex was one important ingredient...Being attacked by right-wing Christians did not bother me. Being attacked by liberal feminists did."
At the end of the day- I believe true feminists don't have to be modest. Shouldn't be modest. They should be powerful. And strong and unapologetic. Mindful yes- of why they make the decisions they make. In today's age even the strongest of women can be influenced poorly and end up making decisions that aren't their own. Women get too caught up in trying to make decisions because that's what they think others desire. It has been like this for centuries. But with some self analysis and some refreshing free expression of true feelings, we can decipher what we truly want. At the end of the day all it takes to be an empowering woman or a feminist is to do exactly what feels true to you as a woman. And if what we truly want is to parade around butt-ass naked, or to wear bunny ears and a corset- then we should do it.
"Women have traditionally been either put on pedestals or damned as the source of all sexual temptation and sin. These are two sides of the same coin, since both place women in a nonhuman role. One of the problems with organized religion is that it has always kept women in a second-class position. They have been viewed as the daughters of Eve. Playboy has opposed these warped sexual values and, in so doing, helped women step down from their pedestals and enjoy their natural sexuality as much as men.
If you don't encourage healthy sexual expression in public, you get unhealthy sexual expression in private. If you attempt to suppress sex in books, magazines, movies and even everyday conversation, you aren't helping to make sex more private, just more hidden. You're keeping sex in the dark. What we've tried to do is turn on the lights.
In my wildest dreams, I could not have imagined a sweeter life."
RIP Hef, thanks for doing leading the revolution for open and honest conversation, in general, and for women and sex in America.
xoxo,
Vox