According to multiple media outlets, the cleavage has not only been freed, but embraced by society as “high fashion” so why not the nipple? What unholy presences does this small skin discoloration bring about to society and why are people so discomforted by it?

Many argue that bare chested women practice public indecency, but by New York law if a shirtless women were to walk the streets of Manhattan it would be completely legal. This controversial and unknown law does not only exist in New York, it exists in 37 states. Unfortunately for the Free the Nipple movement, NYPD is not aware of this liberal law and continues to unjustly arrest women that they consider “indecent.”

In the last year the Free the Nipple movement has worked to educate the masses on the legality of what society considers nudity. In addition the Free the Nipple movement believes that they are promoting equality in women and male rights. It is their belief that if a man is able to go shirtless in public a women should be able to as well. Of course this idea is extremely controversial in the feminist realm. Any right-minded feminist will tell you that Instagramed topless girls with emojies covering their nipples is not representative of feminism. Though some feminists do agree that nipple oppression is female oppression.

So do societal norms and ambiguous public indecency laws create inequality? It is argued that as grand as equality sounds, the female and male bodies are simply different and therefore should not be treated as physically equal. This is not suggesting that men should be paid more than women or treated differently in the work place. In fact one huge contributor to work place inequality is the objectification of women. Many feminists predict that if the female nipple were to be freed objectification of the female body would only increase.

Perhaps the impact of this campaign is over estimated, after all even if a woman’s right to nudity were publicized how many women would really take advantage of that right? The number of exposed breasts may slightly increase at beaches or even on the streets but certainly not in work or school settings. Even in a beach setting the vast majority of the female population would deduct approximately 4-10 inches of fabric by taking their tops off. Yes these 4-10 inches of fabric may allow many beach goers to maintain comfort in the shore environment but should women who simply wish to eliminate tan lines really be forced to conform so others can be comfortable.

The Free the Nipple campaign brings up many questions that society will soon be forced to discuss: Do women have a right to the same freedoms as men even though women are biologically different? If so, should women sacrifice their rights for the comfort of the general public? In addition, will Harriton allow the Banner to publish an article about nipples regardless of their Google search block on the word “nipple”? And perhaps the most important question of all- what emoji combination will get the most likes on #freethenipple Instagram posts?