Newspapers / The Guilfordian (Greensboro, N.C.) / Oct. 4, 2002, edition 1 / Page 13
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October 4, 2002 Page 13 Why Being Nude Isn't Always Naughty Vera Brown News Editor There's been a bit of nudity around Guilford's campus lately, most particularly the weekend of Sept. 22. That Saturday saw probably a dozen naked folk prancing through the apartments, and through the sometimes abusively disapproving partying crowd. So why do streakers streak? And why are people offended by the streaking (or in Saturday's case, pa rading) bodies? As a member of the party of nudes that Saturday at the apart ments, I'm convinced that nudity is great, and public nudity is even bet ter. As I was jumping out of my jeans that evening, my thoughts were pri marily celebratory.. The human body is so completely alive. There is such beauty to be found in iit - and I don't mean beauty as Elle and Playboy define it. Even the simple motion of walking, if seen with a little attention, North Carolina: Why Forbid Fireworks? Sara Addison - Staff Writer "Fireworks!" "Roman candles, quarter sticks, fountains!" The bill boards near South Carolina shout at drivers, luring them toward a hot-pink fireworks warehouse. I like fireworks, so I was delighted with the selection available at one of these stores this summer. The big cement room boasted fireworks that spin, shoot sparks in the air, float on water, and explode. Cashiers unques tioningly sold a variety to my teenage brother. Later, we enjoyed exploding them on the beach, where the gentle surf could reduce the fire hazard. can be found breathtaking. The evening was characterized by fun and craziness, and a part of that for me was enjoying my body. Some think that nudity is fine if kept in the home, but ask why people want to force their nakedness on oth- I want to change people's minds. I want to advocate awareness of the human body, and challenge people's nebulous reactions to it. I want not only to shock people, but to make them think about why they're shocked, too. What is it about bodies that gives rise to the thought that nakedness is something to which we have a right not to be subjected? Which we are afraid to show our children? Being nude is not always about having or pursuing sex. There is a distinct difference be tween a spiritual and aesthetic ap preciation of the nude form and a sexual appreciation of a lover's body. When people are babies, they're When we crossed the border into North Carolina, these fireworks be came illegal for use. In response to the many people who have burned themselves with fire works, national and state governments regulate their sale. Some states, like South Carolina and 17 others, allow es sentially all firework sales. Many permit specific types, and a few states prohibit them entirely. I think more fireworks should be legal in this state, such as the more exciting aerial, explosive, and rocket zrcrtLOWt frequently naked and it's cute. Even older children are sometimes known to strip, and that's ok, too. It's only when bod ies mature that they be come offensive. This is what I will not tolerate. There is something hypocritically ingrained in this society that tells us, vaguely, that the act of sex is evil - and by extension the involved bodies - while selling us pop stars in magazines barely covering their surgically enhanced nipples. There isn't any thing innately gross about naked human bodies. I've heard sev- eral people express vague opinions that they don't want to see naked people, that it's nasty, that public nu dity isn't right, etc., but have yet to find someone who can intelligently varieties. Sure, danger lurks behind every fuse, but this is the country that spawned extreme sports and Evel Knievel. North Carolina abides by a "Safe and Sane" policy for fireworks. The state specifi cally permits sparklers, foun tains, smoke devices, snake and glow worms, trick noise makers, and toy pistol caps. These fireworks do not leave the ground, move, or explode. Many adults find them boring, as do I. Fireworks, popular in America since the 19th century, are tradition ally used to celebrate the Fourth of uMutiu .cam detail what exactly is offensive. I don't think that anyone will; we all have bodies. There can be no way Despina Statelova That argument sickens me. First of all, the college is not cur rently upholding, and will never be able to uphold and enforce, all state and federal laws. Anyone un- July. They illuminate the sky to cel ebrate human achievement, decorat ing the night. The excitement of do it-yourself fireworks is attractive. At the most basic level, few can refute the sheer majesty of a fire works display. Also, I think exploding colorful gunpowder helps people release stress and relax. However, if fireworks disturb others, one should take that into account as well. While I think more varieties of fire works should be legal, I acknowledge the need to use caution with them. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission urges people to keep a der 21 - ever had a beer on cam pus? Secondly, to outlaw all public nudity (thereby lumping the dirty flasher, and me, expressing my spiri tual appreciation of the body, into one category) is wrong. The body can be many things, including a sexual weapon, but it is not right to presume that it is always one. to analyze the healthy naked body and honestly say, "yuck." Some people merely argue the fact that public It goes against every grain in my body, naked or not, to follow a rule just because it is a rule. I have sincere concerns about the society in which I live; I came here to learn how to analyze that society, that existence, to learn what ques tions to ask and how to process the answers. I quite vehemently disagree with both the societal ta boos on nudity and the reasons behind them. nudity is against some state and/ or federal law. The Guilford Stu dent Handbook states that the col lege will uphold state and federal laws, and that is reason enough to not be publicly na ked. I came to college not looking to simply get a degree and leave, but to learn (not to follow) and to think about my values and their presence in my behavior. Can I do that here? bucket of water handy for emergen cies. Keep fireworks away from ob jects and people, especially children, and do not relight any that malfunc tion. Also, no fireworks (including le gal ones) are allowed on campus. The current student handbook states, "the possession and or use of fire works is strictly prohibited in accor dance with state law." Some students will always break the rules. Bryan residents enjoyed a fireworks display in the quad late Thursday night. I witnessed colorful shows in other parts of campus as well.
The Guilfordian (Greensboro, N.C.)
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Oct. 4, 2002, edition 1
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