Aly Raisman is one of the survivors of the disgraced Dr. Larry Nassar’s "treatments." She’s also an accomplished Olympic gymnast.
Now, she’s using her fame — and her body — for a very good cause.
And she’s doing it by defying her critics and posing nude.
Back in November, Olympic gymnast Aly Raisman revealed that she had been molested by Dr. Larry Nassar, her team doctor.
In speaking out, she joined McKayla Maroney and others in condemning the man. His accusers now number over 140.
Bravely, Aly Raisman shared the details of the sick abuse. Under the guise of medical treatment, she and so many other girls were molested over the course of years.
Now, Aly is a grown woman and she’s lending her voice to an important cause — gender equality.
A huge part of that is helping to erase the horrifying, patriarchal notion that a woman is only worthy of respect or personhood if she dresses "modestly."
In the captions of this bold nude photo, Aly writes:
"Women do not have to be modest to be respected– Live for you!"
Women do not have to be modest to be respected is also what she has written along her torso and leg.
"Everyone should feel comfortable expressing themselves however makes them happy."
That is absolutely true. Whether a woman wants to wear nothing but pasties and glitter or a full-on niqab, that’s her business. It really shouldn’t be anyone else’s.
And neither outfit is morally superior to the other.
"Women can be intelligent, fierce, sexy, powerful, strong, advocate for change while wearing what makes them feel best."
She’s absolutely right.
"The time where women are taught to be ashamed of their bodies is OVER."
Some suggest that, as a sex abuse survivor, she should feel compelled to hide her body. It’s sickening that some people would try to use her tragic history to impose their views of sexuality and nudity upon her.
"The female body is beautiful and we should all be proud of who we are, inside and out."
And of course she gave a big shout-out to the people who made that photo possible:
"Thank you so much @si_swimsuit @mj_day @darciebaum @ja_neyney @taylorbphoto & the rest of the team."
It is, of course, wonderful to see Aly Raisman speaking loudly and bravely about women’s equality.
Particularly just after Dr. Larry Nassar has received so much attention — for sex abuse and for possessing child pornography.
One cannot help but note that Aly’s quote, which she has scrawled upon her body, seems to be a reference to that time when Gabby Douglas seemed to victim-blame Aly Raisman.
"It is our responsibility as women to dress modestly and be classy," Gabby wrote in a cringeworthy post. "Dressing in a provocative/sexual way entices the wrong crowd."
One, it literally does not entice the wrong crowd. If someone’s a sexual harasser or a more serious predator, they’re not deterred by clothing.
if a predator targets a woman, it’s always the predator’s fault.
Gabby Douglas admitted that she, too was a survivor of Dr. Nassar’s abuse. Different people cope with and react to trauma in different ways, and what she said may have come from a place of her own personal pain.
We’re curious about the eclipsing of Aly’s arm, where "Fierce" is written. Is this photo merely an outtake?
Or is she taking the word "fierce" out of the equation, because the rest of the statement is true for all women — fierce or otherwise.
Regardless of the meaning — photography is art, and open to interpretation — it’s a beautiful photo.
Aly Raisman is an incredible young woman.
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