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March 21, 2004 - Vіctоrіа's Sеcrеt Tеlеvіsеd Fаshіоn Shоw Cаncеllеd!

By Lеаnnе Bell

It comes as no surprise, especially to us here at Body in Mind and Superbeauty, that the War on Beauty has now claimed another victim, the Vіctоrіа's Sеcrеt Fаshіоn Shоw. What was once one of the nicest, loveliest hours on televsion will not be broadcast anywhere this year.

According to Ed Rаzеk, chief creative officer for the lingerie chain, the decision was due in part to poor sales after last year's show, but the main reason for the cancellation was the 'network heat' over Jаnеt Jаcksоn's now infamous breast exposure. Television networks are cracking down on "obscenity", and so quietly, without so much as a word of protest, one of the few tv shows that doesn't involve sex, violence, coarse language, mature themes or disturbing images is the one show that has to be axed.

It's so hard not to say "I told you so." It's so hard to stand by quietly while things like this go on and not want to shout from the moutaintops "There is a war on beauty and we'd better start fighting back!" And it's increasingly hard to live in a society in which women, and their beauty, are vehemently attacked for nothing more than the fact that they are attractive women.

No one seems to question the wisdom of calling a woman in lingerie "obscene". No one seems to worry about sending the message that the female body is a dangerous, sinful, destructive thing that threatens families and children. And no one seems to see that slippery slope approaching, whereby it becomes 'obscene' for women to go out of doors unless covered from head to toe in a shapeless black bag.

I'm surprised that more women aren't up in arms about this. I'm surprised that more women don't protest loudly and often to anyone who will listen that they are tired of being vilified for their God-given bodies, that they are tired of being painted as evil and destructive, and that they refuse to go along with these ideas for one minute longer. Every time the sight of Jаnеt Jаcksоn's breast is called "obscene", and every time a woman walking a catwalk in lingerie is "offensive", all women are branded as offensive and obscene. Every time a woman's body is declared 'inappropriate for children', it's a slap in the face to every woman who ever used her to body to conceive, carry and deliver a child. And every time beautiful women are castigated for daring to display their beauty, it's an affront to every woman who ever made herself pretty for her man, and every man who fell in love with his own special beautiful girl.

When is this gutless, irrational fear of the female body going to end? It's time for everyone with breasts - or those who love them - to rail against the outcry and demand the respect that women and their beauty deserve. If we don't do it, I'm afraid that a tv fashion show, ultimately won't be the only thing to get the axe.

Do something about it here.