There are *tons* of things we can learn from Emily Ratajkowski; be it calling out unrealistic beauty ideals or her fierce approach to feminism. In a personal essay for Harper’s Bazaar’s September issue, the 28-year-old expertly tackles both topics, specifically, knocking back the notion that women shouldn’t have body hair.
“On any given day, I tend to like to shave, but sometimes letting my body hair grow out is what makes me feel sexy,” she wrote, alongside some stunning snaps of herself rocking au naturel pits.
“If I decide to shave my armpits or grow them out, that’s up to me,” she continued. “For me, body hair is another opportunity for women to exercise their ability to choose ― a choice based on how they want to feel and their associations with having or not having body hair.”
Ultimately, she reckons feminism – in its simplest form – is about women having the right to express themselves, however they see fit.
“There is no right answer, no choice that makes me more or less of a feminist, or even a ‘bad feminist,’ to borrow from [writer] Roxane Gay,” she added. “As long as the decision is my choice, then it’s the right choice. Ultimately, the identity and sexuality of an individual is up to them and no one else.”
Btw, that doesn’t necessarily mean connecting with our “inner Thotiana.”
“I’m just making the point that women can and should be able to wear or represent themselves however they want, whether it’s in a burka or a string bikini,” she explained.
“Young women are ripped apart from every angle as they grow up. In the era of selfies and social media, they are prone to immediate feedback and criticism. More than ever, they are doubting and questioning everything about their identities. The one thing they can have is their own choice.”
“Give women the opportunity to be whatever they want and as multifaceted as they can be,” she concluded. “Preconceptions be damned.”
Couldn’t have said it better ourselves, Em.
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