The renowned gymnast Aly Raisman had the following quote in the most recent edition of Sports Illustrated (yes, the swimsuit issue): “Women do not have to be modest to be respected.” That sounds like a manifesto. What did she mean, and is she right?
If her intent was to argue that women are entitled to the same rights of self-expression and sexual freedom as men, I’m on board. If she was just trying to say she’s proud of how she looks, that’s understandable, too. But if it was a broadside against modesty in general, I don’t agree.
We didn’t create ourselves. We’re all mortal. We live on the intellectual and physical capital that were created by our predecessors. The best we can do is add to it a little, and leave the place better off than when we entered. Right now, I’m not sure we’re even doing that.
Those are all good reasons for everyone to be modest.