CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (U-WIRE) — It is highly hypocritical for a university that clings dearly to the tradition of streaking to now persecute selective, private and more tasteful nudity such as that in Playboy.
Such a reflex reaction to a deviation from the norm seems rather typical of a conservative campus like that of the University of Virginia — a simple regurgitation of social convention that does not represent the University of Virginia students’ ability to think for themselves. It does not logically follow that since a woman is intelligent, she would not want to pose for Playboy.
The decision to model usually is not a haphazard one. In fact, the women who make such a decision within a community like ours most likely have put much thought into their choice. The intelligent women who model show a high awareness toward the way social standards restrict them.
They treat the opportunity to model like they would with any other reputable magazine. If this were Cosmopolitan, Elle or Glamour looking for models, the University would have scores of women flocking to try their charm with the camera.
Every magazine objectifies women. Intelligent women recognize this and rather than fighting their own gender and inherent sexuality, these women take control and exercise the power in their femininity.
It might seem that the traditional female view should be one of condemnation. If most had the strength to overcome the social stigma, however, they would see that many people can appreciate photos of beautiful people, nude or not.
Nudity is an art form. What is the difference between Roman citizens admiring a nude statue of Venus and average Americans enjoying an issue of Playboy? Some assume the women who model for Playboy have low moral standards and no education. “Cultured” women look down on these models with pity, assuming that no one ever taught them better. Intelligent women have the responsibility of ripping this stereotype to shreds.
A woman can be intelligent, strong and beautiful. Who better to show that than women at the University of Virginia? It is refreshing to see someone make a decision to stray from the social standard in this manner.
Playboy represents an intelligent step away from mindless adherence to social construction. If the University of Virginia could move forward and accept such institutions in stride, it would be one step closer to shaking the conservative strains that cage students.

Jennifer Addie’s column originally appeared in Thursday’s University of Virginia Cavalier Daily.