Follow Us on Google
In the social media age, what so many people do not realize is that the internet does not forget or forgive. Whatever one sows in terms of posts waits for the same person on their personal page, it is positive or negative. And someday, it will speak. If they are worthy, it will attract the goodies of life, but if they are not, the person will reap the fruits. The page would once in five years pop up to be seen. Gone are the days of the popular saying, ‘the evil that men do lives after them.’ In this era of the internet, it lives with them.
Now, no matter how the young generation tries to re-create life from the Master’s original design, one certain truth is that standard practice will remain so till eternity. No matter how the devil tries to take over the souls of men, God’s generals will always stand for what is universally acceptable. In a situation where a mature lady agreed and convinced her designer to present her in a near-nude body to the public in this attire is inexcusable. Her designer managed to cover her specific private areas with blue stones, sequins and beads; then probably used her skin-tone lining to complete her work which is still near-nudity to say the least. The complete outfit then allowed her entire body, contour, shape and colour to be presented for a public view. Should it be called a public presentation of full nudity or body contour? This is not just a poor outing, but pure rascality. Since she deemed it fit to post it on the social media platform, the pop-up is waiting for one day, when she might not be able to resist it.
Again, it is obvious that her mind did not reprimand her outfit, because the lady chose so. No member of her family or neighbour did. Neither did her mirror draw her back with a whisper that the outfit was not meant for the public, but for her husband in their private room. Certainly, this reminds me of a late great lecturer Dr. Adelumola Ogunade, who in the course of teaching Mass Media Law at the Mass Communication Department, University of Lagos would ask, what is obscenity? Same Ogunade would say that “Obscenity has no definition, but when you see it, you know it.”
The lady who wore that outfit knew her dressing for an event was wrong, she recognized it, yet went ahead to showcase it. She knew that tongues would wag, but she threw cautions to the winds. She is a celebrity, who chose to teach the younger generation to step out naked. Should we say that nudity in women is getting closer to becoming a norm and gradually getting accepted as a societal value? One thing is certain, once it is posted online, the internet will not forgive and will not forget. In the years to come, she will regret this post, but it would have been too late.
As the lady’s photo circulates speedily on social media, bloggers are fed from it because algorithms prioritize engagement. Many girls and influencers share revealing photos of outfits on platforms to gain followers, likes and a sense of social validation. This creates a highly competitive environment where young women feel pressure to show more skin to stand out.
Again, the body positivity movement popularized the idea that women have total autonomy over their bodies. For many, dressing boldly or taking lewd photos is viewed as a celebration of their figure, a rejection of outdated patriarchal restrictions, and an act of self-confidence and therefore it needs to be posted on social media for online validation. But social media will not forget it.
Interestingly, globally and locally, with the entertainment hubs, trends set by celebrities play a massive role. When popular artists or media figures frequently dress in borderline-nude or sheer outfits on red carpets or in music videos, the look gets normalized and quickly trickles down to everyday fashion. Next is to post such photos and videos online to gain followers without knowing that the social media will not forget and forgive. That nude photo must get its negative validation.
But then, Netizens would not spare such an outfit and the wearer. The backlash of the female blue-wearer was something else. From the comment session, one wrote, “With this outfit, has she gotten a good husband? Can any man take her seriously? Another wrote “We now understand what is going on in the movie industry. The evil spirit that is cast into them by their directors after sleeping with them, makes them do what they would ordinarily have not done. It is only the Lord Jesus Christ that will be able to deliver them if you would let HIM into your lives. Because how else can you explain this madness? Thank God for sincere people whom God has used to expose the evil in the movie industry.” It did not stop there. Another wrote “What is this rubbish about? May God deliver you? You get lucky, say Baba Rex no dey there, u for see shege. Nonsense!
Remarkably, despite the shift, the trend remains highly controversial. Many cultural and religious groups argue that exposing the body undermines dignity and self-respect. Critics often point out that equating exposure with ‘empowerment’ can strip away modesty and send confusing messages to younger generations.
Now asks this lady; what exactly did she think as she walked into a function practically naked? Who are her admirers? How many cheered her at that event, but dissected her on the slaughter table at the back? How many danced and mocked her in the dark, then be ready to shine teeth with her at the event. What some of these so-called female celebrity nude experts refuse to understand is that they have inherent complexes. They are not confidential and revolutionary women. They want to be authenticated, but do not have what it takes to do so. Instead they descend so low to use sexual appeal to attract undue attention.
The trend of women and girls wearing revealing clothing or leaning into public nudity is often driven by a mix of social media authentication, shifting definitions of body empowerment, commercialization of sex appeal by the fashion and entertainment industry. Even though public sentiment is highly divided on this issue; but looking for authentication at all cost without caution is bad. It is cheap and popular; otherwise, why are her fellow GenZ’s not applauding her? I call it debasement of womanhood because feminism is regal, responsible, capacity and authoritative. One of the commenters asked, can any man take her seriously? Meanwhile she dressed that way to attract the opposite sex; took pictures and boldly posted it online. As usual, at that event, men will be fully dressed while some ladies will ridicule themselves with their dressing. She is not a fashion enthusiast or stylish lady; hers is pure madness and degradation of her self-worth, her mien and a way to announce ‘I was not properly raised by my parents.” Otherwise what reason would she give to have dressed up in that manner to an event?
Now, while most people might think she is being judged by mere outfit, which might not be the true character of the wearer, at least she knows what is wearing is offensive. Life is not about the wearer alone, but clothing that will be universally acceptable, socially desirable and economically profitable.
Dear Nigerian social media enthusiasts, know that the internet does not forget and forgive. Whatever you post today will surely bounce back on you either for good or bad. A lady who has scaled through in an interview for a corporate organization lost the opportunity because of her social media activities. A friend who wore very long eyelashes during her wedding does not like to look at her wedding photographs because of the unreasonable long eyelashes. It is also to inform other users that the evil that men do now lives with them. What people post matters because employers of labour go through the social media pages before the employment letter is issued out? A word is enough for the wise.
