Instead of being revered as an upcoming star in women's figure skating, for the past few days Kaetlyn Osmond has been known as the girl whose crotch shot was printed in a national newspaper. And that's the real tragedy of this story.
Canadians have been critical of the Globe and Mail's decision to showcase the 17-year-old in such an evocative position (gasp! -- she is showing flexibility and wearing a normal costume by figure skating standards) and the paper's public editor, Sylvia Stead, called the photo "unacceptable."
The image has sparked a national discussion about body image, but by wagging their fingers critics have actually done a disservice to women's rights: The conversation has once again been about a female's body rather than her professional success.
The true irony of the outrage is that Osmond initially thought nothing of the photo. She told a Toronto radio station that high kicks and short skirts are par for the course in her world, and that she was simply excited to be on the cover of a newspaper for the first time. But since many Canadians saw her media splash as more of a sink, that mentality has clearly tainted Osmond's thinking: "I was really excited about it," she said on air. "Then people were talking about the picture (not being) the greatest."
And therein lies the problem with the photo's critics: They are crossing that ever-so-blurry line between standing up for a cause and being judgmental. In an attempt to make a point about female body image, they are making this otherwise proud athlete feel insecure about hers.
Feminism has a bad habit of working in absolutes (girl in underwear-like spandex: bad), rather than seeing the bigger picture (girl kicking ass in her respective sport: good). It reminds me of that episode of Girls, the HBO series about four 20-somethings struggling to navigate post-college life, where the prudish Shoshanna is touting a dating book for its wisdom applicable to all womankind (or as she refers to them: "the ladies"). The rebellious, free-spirited Jessa is horrified by this over-simplification ("I am not 'the ladies'"). She says: "I'm offended by all the 'supposed to's'. I don't like women telling other women what to do, or how to do it, or when to do it."
So let's stop telling Osmond how to feel about her photo and let her feel the only way she wants to: proud. The best thing we can do for women's rights is not to dissect this image, but to focus on the achievements it represents.
When you think of Osmond, think of this: In the past two years she's placed first at the 2013 Canadian Championships, the 2012 Skate Canada International competition and the 2012 Nebelhorn Trophy event. In her first ever world figure skating championship this year, Osmond landed in the top ten, securing herself a spot at the 2014 Sochi Olympics. Because of her performance, three-time world figure skating champion Patrick Chan now feels Canada is the country to beat in the Olympic team event, according to the Toronto Star.
Maybe if we talk about Osmond's successes, she can grow confidently as an athlete and a woman, rather than feel self-conscious the next time she does a high kick as part of her job.
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Johnny Weir, United States
Olympic figure skater Johnny Weir is famous for his flamboyant style on the ice -- this pink and black number he wore for the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics was all anyone could talk about.
It's no wonder that Weir has been called 'the Lady Gaga of figure skating'; he was even the holiday face of MAC cosmetics in 2011.
Stanislav Morozov and Tatiana Volosozhar, Ukraine
The Ukranian pair defied convention for the Vacouver 2010 Winter Olympics by donning matching electric-blue shiny unitards instead of the standard pants for men and short skirt and leotard for women that skaters typically wear.
Maria Sergejeva and Ilja Glebov, Estonia
The Estonian duo stood out on the ice in neon green costumes with daisy detailing during the ISU Grand Prix Figure Skating Series in China on Nov. 8, 2007.
Anna Cappellini and Luca Lanotte, Italy
It's hard to believe that this Italian pair could actually<em> skate</em> in these stunning outfits! The skaters looked like they were headed to a black-tie event, with Luca in a handsome black tux and Anna Cappellini in a gorgeous rose-inspired dress at the Cancer.Net Skate America competition on Nov. 12, 2009.
Oksana Domnina and Maxim Shabalin, Russia
Russian couple Oksana Domnina and Maxim Shabalin got in some hot water with Australian Aboriginal groups when they wore this controversial costume at the 2010 after the Vancouver Olympics. Critics felt that the outfits and dance moves were offensive towards aboriginals -- and to fashion.
Miki Ando, Japan
Japan's Miki Ando never fails to disappoint with her intricate costumes. She wowed the crowd at the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final on Dec. 4, 2009 in Tokyo with this Egyptian-inspired look.
Russian superstar Ilia Kulik won the gold medal at the 1998 Winter Olympics, but he didn't win any style points in this confusing, giraffe-print and white pleather vest ensemble.
Surya Bonaly
Surya Bonaly dazzled in a pale-blue beaded number at the 1998 Olympics in Nagano, Japan, performing her trademark backflip -- an illegal move -- that would leave her mark on the skating world.
Oksana Domnina and Maxim Shabalin, Russia
<em>This</em> is why Russians have a scary reputation -- Oskana and Maxim looked like psychopathic private school kids at the ISU World Figure Skating Championships in 2007. Yikes!
Tanith and Benjamin Agosto, United States
American (can you tell?) skaters Tanith Belbin and Benjamin Agosto performed during the 2006 State Farm U.S. Figure Championships Exhibition and got a whole lot of brownie points of their patriotic look.
Mao Asada
Mao Asada looked supremely elegant in black and fuschia, incorporating a fan accessory into her routine at the All Japan Medalists On Ice event on Dec. 27, 2009 in Osaka, Japan.
Samuel Contesti, Italy
Was Cotesti's look at the 2010 Vancouver Olympic games avant-garde or just sloppy? We'll let Johnny Weir be the judge: 'I thought it was very fashion-forward and a very big risk, even riskier than man cleavage and a pink ruffle,' <a href="http://espn.go.com/olympics/blog/_/name/winterolympics/id/4920616/johnny-weir-outtakes" target="_blank">Johnny Weir said of Contesti's overalls.</a>
Miki Ando
Miki Ando went for a scary, Halloween-inspired spidery outfit for the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final on Dec. 5, 2009 in Tokyo, Japan.
Aliona Savchenko and Robin Szolkowy, Germany
This wacky black/red flame costume sizzled at the World Figure Skating Championships on April 27, 2011 in Moscow.
Aliona Savchenko and Robin Szolkowy, Germany
Aliona and Robin are quite well known for out-there outfits, changing into this quirky costume at the 2011 World Figure in Moscow.
Isabelle Delobel and Olivier Schoenfelder, France
This costume emphasized the theatrics of figure skating while the French pair performed at the Turin Winter Olympic Games on Feb. 20, 2006.
Sinead Kerr and John Kerr, Great Britain
The English duo were glittery perfection in matching black sparkly ensembles at the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating on Nov. 5 in 2009 in Nagano, Japan.
Instead of being revered as an upcoming star in women's figure skating, for the past few days Kaetlyn Osmond has been known as the girl whose crotch shot was printed in a national newspaper. And that'...
Instead of being revered as an upcoming star in women's figure skating, for the past few days Kaetlyn Osmond has been known as the girl whose crotch shot was printed in a national newspaper. And that'...
The photograph could have highlighted a talented athlete displaying her abilities. The photograph that was chosen show's us a woman who's legs are splayed so that we are looking at her crotch. We're being told this person's value is her talent, but what we're shown is her crotch. We know why the photograph was chosen - crotch shot!!! But we're told this is of interest for a more refined reason - athletic talent. The reason many people object is because It's hypocritical.
They could equally have taken a close up of her behind when she's bent over, or one that highlights cleavage or erect nipples (highlighted by being the centre of the photo), and tell and tell us that the interest is the athletic talent. The mixed message is irritating.
If the critique is not legitimate, then there should be a balance between the sexes - articles about athleticism should have accompanying photos where the athletes crotches are the focus of the image, sexualize both of the sexes by having horny male photographers and photo editors select images of female athletes and horny female photographers and photo editors select the images of male athletes. It would be interesting to hear what the poo-pooers would say to that.
Ultimately, I think women are tired of living in a world where everything they do is sexualized. If that's not going to change, there should be an equal sexualization of men, also.
whatsot: The photograph could have highlighted a talented athlete displaying her
Wow, that's just remarkable. I actually saw the rest of the girl in the photo, not just her crotch. This photo looked very similar to other photos I've seen of figure skaters and ballerinas. Perhaps this type of photo would be a useful test to see exactly where people choose to focus their attention?
crowepps: Wow, that's just remarkable. I actually saw the rest of
Rarely have I seen the words crotch used so many times when referring to a woman's anatomy. Previously I have always associated crotch with males, usually in an "ouch he just took one in the crotch" kind of way. Thanks for expanding my mind Huffpo.
Colin_Speth: Rarely have I seen the words crotch used so many
I didn't think twice about this picture until some controversy arose from it. Figure skaters do moves like that in almost every program - and they are often shown on t.v.
At worst, it represents poor judgment by the paper's editor for not foreseeing that some people might think it was a deliberate sexualization of Kaetyln Osmond.
To call this a 'tragedy' is an pretty poor use of the word 'tragedy', btw.
Lifeintheslowlane: I didn't think twice about this picture until some controversy
Speaking of not oversimplfying, let's not oversimplify feminism. This was not a feminist critique. This came from a few weirdos who can't look at a photo of a woman without thinking of her as a sexual object.
Lana1234: Speaking of not oversimplfying, let's not oversimplify feminism. This was
Very disturbing, but not for reasons listed here. One of the common features of authoritarian ideologies is how they use guilt about sexuality as a tool to control us. Why can't we enjoy human sexuality as a natural, healthy source of pleasure? We have been so indoctrinated to feel guilty about our sexuality that we are confused how to understand or enjoy it.
Don't you feel a need to be liberated from the influences that try to make us feel guilty for being human? Sexuality should be an element of life we can enjoy without guilt. I wish we could develop a healthy, humane approach to sexuality. We should be able to look at a sexy person and enjoy the pleasure without guilt.
We hand our children over to authoritarian idealists, religious, social and political, who indoctrinate them and violate their right to freedom thought. These are the people who make us feel guilty about our sexuality. It is a mechanism for control. Isn't this the real abuse?
We should be very suspicious of anyone who tries to make us feel guilty about our sexuality. I suspect their motives are authoritarian and inhumane.
Peter_Page: Very disturbing, but not for reasons listed here. One of
This is pretty typical attire for women skaters. And the dreaded 'crotch shot' is just a moment in time.
Think about other skaters, and gymnasts for that matter, who strike these same poses. I don't see five hundred newspapers screaming, 'Crotch Shot' for any of them. I think this isn't worth the coverage it generated.
Averagedancer: This is pretty typical attire for women skaters. And the
The writer has written a very thoughtful article on a very delicate topic. Personally, the Globe public editor Sylvia Stead, over reacted to a few Globe readers who were made uncomfortable about the photo of the front page. The problem lies not with the photo or the skater, but the people who felt uncomfortable seeing a champion woman skater, executing a difficult position, which exposed her fully clothed and covered crotch area. Criticizing a woman for wearing a standard skating outfit and performing in public in a skating competition, leads us down the slippery slope to Taliban thinking, where women should be fully covered and stationary and third class citizens. So that they should not appear wanton and bring dishonor to their family and tribe.
hp_blogger_Mitch Wolfe: The writer has written a very thoughtful article on a
Perhaps because men have parts that can fall out of leotards. I'm not an expert on figure skating but I'm pretty sure it wouldn't be a good idea if Mr. Happy decided to make a showing in the middle of a quadruple loop-de-loop (or whatever those jump/spins are called)
notatowniegirl: Perhaps because men have parts that can fall out of
Great photo of a beautiful young athlete. I would much rather see an athletic person in the attire of their sport rather than some do nothing celebrity with a see through dress or wardrobe malfunction.
Gordon_Waldner: Great photo of a beautiful young athlete. I would much
They could equally have taken a close up of her behind when she's bent over, or one that highlights cleavage or erect nipples (highlighted by being the centre of the photo), and tell and tell us that the interest is the athletic talent. The mixed message is irritating.
If the critique is not legitimate, then there should be a balance between the sexes - articles about athleticism should have accompanying photos where the athletes crotches are the focus of the image, sexualize both of the sexes by having horny male photographers and photo editors select images of female athletes and horny female photographers and photo editors select the images of male athletes. It would be interesting to hear what the poo-pooers would say to that.
Ultimately, I think women are tired of living in a world where everything they do is sexualized. If that's not going to change, there should be an equal sexualization of men, also.
At worst, it represents poor judgment by the paper's editor for not foreseeing that some people might think it was a deliberate sexualization of Kaetyln Osmond.
To call this a 'tragedy' is an pretty poor use of the word 'tragedy', btw.
Don't you feel a need to be liberated from the influences that try to make us feel guilty for being human? Sexuality should be an element of life we can enjoy without guilt. I wish we could develop a healthy, humane approach to sexuality. We should be able to look at a sexy person and enjoy the pleasure without guilt.
We hand our children over to authoritarian idealists, religious, social and political, who indoctrinate them and violate their right to freedom thought. These are the people who make us feel guilty about our sexuality. It is a mechanism for control. Isn't this the real abuse?
We should be very suspicious of anyone who tries to make us feel guilty about our sexuality. I suspect their motives are authoritarian and inhumane.
Think about other skaters, and gymnasts for that matter, who strike these same poses. I don't see five hundred newspapers screaming, 'Crotch Shot' for any of them. I think this isn't worth the coverage it generated.
Enough with the misplaced prudery.