Boobs, Modesty and Such

Two things prompted this reflection: a clergy friend sharing a photo of herself in a form-fitting sheath dress on her way to a professional engagement and this story shared on social media.

Let’s file the latter under “Uh-Oh, There Go Women HAVING BODIES AGAIN!”

My favorite comment was, “Is she supposed to leave her ass at home?” THANK YOU, and I’m so sorry I can’t find the tweet now to credit you, hilarious lady. What else needs to be said?

We obviously live in a misogynist society. We know that. Anyone who argues otherwise can see themselves out. Go play in the street, but before you do, make a sizeable contribution to an abortion access fund.

Women’s bodies are constantly policed — and often by other women.
Some haters of this blog think that I am policing women’s bodies by analyzing image and speaking against or for particular kinds of garments. I’m fine with that; no one is forcing anyone to read my BRILLIANT COMMENTARY.

But truly, this is tricky. We live in a misogynist society and we live in the world where people are looking at each other, and none of this is neutral. Patriarchy is always at play, as are aesthetics, archetype, the history of fashion, liberation movements, and generational norms and expectations.

My bottom line is always going to be to advise that clergy be aware, intentional and strategic about how we integrate personal style (which we develop in many ways and for many reasons; all worth examining, celebrating or editing over time) with the context within which we hope to have a positive impact.

In this post-lockdown environment, I am hearing a lot of women talk about going braless. It was so much more comfortable and liberating to do without these constricting foundation garments for well over a year, why go back?

Good question! I am ample-bosomed and wore sports bras most of the time for comfort even when not leaving the house, but I find that I am less particular about shapewear now than I was before the plague came upon us. I don’t care very much that I have uni-boob under some tops. I will always wear a proper bra for ministry work, but I do make pastoral calls in a sports bra. Never a sloppy T-shirt, but comfy bras. You may not find this enlightened, but I like to have a certain shape. I like having a visible waist.

There is a very long history of constricting undergarments for ladies (sarcasm font), and I am well aware of the shrieking public reaction whenever those constraints have been loosened or outright rejected. The same shrieking has also always occurred historically when women dared to dress in “mannish” clothes– oh, the ink that has been spilled in newspaper editorials, pamphlets, and on sermon manuscripts berating women for daring to don “masculine” garments!! There is truly nothing new under the sun.

I just walked my dog while wearing no bra at all, an experiment that lead me to feeling self-conscious when I ran into someone from the wider church community. Will I never go braless again? I don’t know. I just know that boobs are political and social as well as personal, and my not liking that fact does not make it not true. Sure, I should be able to throw on some clothes and go walk my dog without showering, putting on makeup or wearing a bra — and I often do! — but as soon as I walk by the ocean, I know that I am likely to run into folks who know me as the Rev. It’s just politic to know this and to prepare accordingly. Today, I didn’t feel like it. Some may say (and they do), “Who cares? If someone judges you for looking sloppy while walking your dog, what does that say about THEM?”

I personally dislike this line of defense, as it is an overreaction and misunderstanding of the way that most humans register appearance and make assessments based on it: instantly and largely unconsciously. Elaborate denial of this reality will not ever serve to actually support the work of the clergy.

Which brings me to the subjects of biblical modesty and cleavage: the first is patriarchal garbage and should be railed against from the pulpit by clergy who are spiritually mature enough to know how damaging the temptation narrative is and always has been for as long as it has been preached. We are either supporters of rape culture that blames women for sexualized harassment and violence or we fight it in the name of God. There is no neutral ground. “Immodesty” is just another word for victim-blaming. Have you watched The Magdalene Sisters? Please do. Right away. It’s streaming on Prime and Netflix and available on YouTube. Every one of us should be aware of the Church’s role in establishing and perpetuating purity culture and demonizing women for having bodies that “tempt” men. I know it’s not just Christians but let’s stay in our lane, here. Roe v Wade was not overturned because of anything but Christofascist theologies and politics.

Cleavage is just cleavage. It’s what happens when you push breasts together in a bra (which we are supposed to wear.. what a nice predicament patriarchy puts us in!), and revealing it is supposed to signal sexual licentiousness, another misogynist projection with deep roots in the Christian church. What cleavage actually signals is, “I have boobs. They are part of my body.”

I am tired of it. I check for the possibility of Festivals of Inappropriate Sharing while considering my outfit for any professional meeting or gathering, and especially on Sundays mornings, but that is not because I am afraid of being sexualized. I am a woman who exists; I am therefore objectified and sexualized all the time and that’s not my problem. My accidentally flashing some cleavage is not an attempt to “tempt” anyone to think about bewbies. If anyone is, I don’t want to hear about it and I hope they can move on quickly to more interesting ruminations.

I’m tired, but I’m aware of the reality we live in. I will continue to try to find clothing with necklines that don’t feature cleavage but I won’t obsess about it if the neckline of my blouse moves and I flash some bazoom flesh for a second.

By all means, let’s normalize people wearing what makes them feel and look their own version of their best. But in the meantime, let’s honestly assess the context we are actually working in and understand that our choices are never made in a solipsistic vacuum.

And as always, fight the patriarchy.

What are the Best Gold Coins to Buy?

How to Buy Gold Coins or Precious Metals as an Investment. What are the Best Gold Coins to Buy? Buying physical gold or silver as an investment is not always as straightforward as it sounds. But the premium is only one part of the equation. It doesn’t necessarily mean that you’ll get that premium back upon the sale. Worse, there are unscrupulous dealers out there. They will try to trick you into buying numismatics and other collectibles that have a huge premium and won’t retain their value over time. Gold production and purchase, in coins and other forms, have increased dramatically over previous decades and continue to show growth, diversification, and demand in a robust and multifaceted market. Australian Gold Kangaroo Coin: These coins, guaranteed by the government of Australia, use cutting-edge security technology to ensure they’re able to be authenticated accurately, in real time, and exclusively by qualified entities and individuals, giving investors greater confidence in investing in them. Chinese Panda Gold Coin: China’s first gold coin features an annually changing design on its face and the Temple of Heaven on the reverse. If you want to invest in Gold Coins you have to do a comparison about which one is better investment option.

Gold Canadian Maple Leaf Coin: This coin, dating back to 1986 and featuring Queen Elizabeth II, comes in several sizes, sets, and versions. But the premium is only one part of the equation. It doesn’t necessarily mean that you’ll get that premium back upon the sale. Worse, there are unscrupulous dealers out there. They will try to trick you into buying numismatics and other collectibles that have a huge premium and won’t retain their value over time.

Gold American Eagle Coin: Available in limited numbers, this coin dates back to 1986 and has withstood time. High governmental quality control ensures its popularity, value, and liquidity. These coins are slated for redesign in 2021 with new measures to prevent counterfeiting, which is another reason to invest in them.

Canadian Gold Maple Leaf: These coins, guaranteed by the government of Canada, use cutting-edge security technology to ensure they’re able to be authenticated accurately, in real time, and exclusively by qualified entities and individuals, giving investors greater confidence in investing in them.

Austrian Philharmonic Gold Coin: This coin is great for investors and music lovers alike.

Gold Sovereign Coin: This British coin is ideal for those who seek diversification in their gold assets.

American Buffalo Gold Coin: With a presidential design dating back to the twentieth century, this coin, the first 24 karat coin from the United States, is minted with American gold. Due to its purity, it’s softer than other American gold coins, and its authenticity makes it a stable investment.

Austrian Philharmonic Gold Coin: This coin is great for investors and music lovers alike.

American Golden Eagle Gold Coin: This coin, dating back to 1934 and featuring President Franklin D. Roosevelt, features the artwork of Andrew Jackson, the first American President. It is issued as a symbol of the rich history and legacy of the United States and honors the nation’s great heritage and symbols of liberty. read this about the history of gold coins http://kands3d.com/.

When it comes to investing in gold and silver, the best choice is to go with coins that have a premium in their face value, such as American Silver Eagles or the Canadian Silver Maple Leaf.” As you can see, it doesn’t really matter what you buy or whether it has a premium in its face value. In order to preserve your investment, you should keep track of the prices of the different coins that you use. The main thing to remember is that you should always be buying coins that have a premium in their face value. The reason is to protect your investments and determine how much you will get back upon the sale. There are several pieces of advice you should remember: One of the greatest dangers that you can fall victim to is any dealer who will try to trick you into making a purchase that the dealer can collect on. Unfortunately, these unscrupulous dealers do exist. The second advice is that you should shop around, because a good dealer who stands by his promises will get you the best coin possible for your investment dollar. If you believe that any dealer is making you a bad deal, you should call them to get your money back. Gold coins are meant to be collected, not treasured, so consider how much you can afford to spend on the coins. Investing in gold coins is a great idea and offers many benefits.

You should never pay over the odds. This is the fourth important advice that you should remember: Buy from a reputable dealer. If you do not, you will be paying significantly over the odds and may end up with the coin that you wanted in the first place, but did not expect to get. But how to know who to buy from? Buy only from dealers that are trusted by dealers and collectors. It is important to check the quality of coins being sold. In addition, you should do your research by asking a knowledgeable member of the coin community whether that dealer has ever provided you with any bad advice. Remember that the other valuable piece of advice that you should always remember is to always have a sufficient amount of capital in your savings account. This means that you should always have some kind of savings in case you decide that you need to spend more money. Even though the amount of money that you should have in your savings account can vary, one rule that is always true is that you should keep a sufficient amount in your savings account in case you ever need to spend more money. That being said, for short-term loans or bills, you can always borrow money from other people in your family. But for longer term financial needs, you will need to save some money of your own. In addition to this, you should understand the types of credit that you are using so that you are aware of the risks that you are taking.

Houston Check-In

Dear everyone,

Our eyes are on the Gulf Coast. Clergy, if you can please check in.

The waters are still rising and I am worried sick about those of you still there in homes that may be flooded high in mere hours.

We are watching and praying. I had written something about evacuating earlier but I have been told that highways are closed and there’s nowhere to go.

God be with you.

PB On VayCay

Head on over to PeaceBang.com to see my recent posts on covenant, white supremacy, and Bette Midler…

take care, dumplings xoxo

Coming Soon!

Dears!

Coming soon —
A Hair Plan for greying hair!
The Rev. Barbara Hoag Gadon earns a Halo of Praise for taking PeaceBang’s breath away during a Facebook scan.
Why You Should MOVE In Your Outfit Before Wearing It To Your Event
What Is That Fabric You’re Draped In Is It a Muu-Muu Or A Chasuble Or What
Ordination Thoughts
Packing For General Assembly

These post may be coming soon or they may not be coming at all, it ALL DEPENDS on the continued fullness of ye old schedule.

Love you all the time no matter what, though!

Kiss of peace!