This is totally a first world problem, but I've been struggling with my feelings about Miley Cyrus for over a year now. When she was Hannah Montana, I paid her no attention. Since she has left Disney, she's been taking me up and down on quite a roller coaster of love and dislike. I think she can really, really sing. I've seen her live, and she did a Bob Dylan cover that gave me goosebumps. However, she was also touching herself and riding on a giant hot dog. She's been very open about her support of free love, but then she is naked in her music videos at an age that is barely legal. I admire her free spirit, but hate that she makes a statement by saying the F word every other word and using her body to make her voice heard.
     Miley is in the news this week for posing naked for Paper Magazine. The article has nothing to do with the pictures. The article is about Miley's charity for homeless teens, Homeless Hippies. In the piece she talks about how it hit her while she was driving in her Porsche: how could she have so much and others so little? She's right. Her reasoning is enlightened and humble. I'm excited to see someone with influence actively speaking out and doing something to create change.
     Miley also talks about her fluid gender and how she doesn't identify with one sex nor is she attracted to only one sex. She says, she's down with any adult who is down to love her and as long as you aren't hurting anyone, your choices are your choice. Her last statement about choices--how many times have I said that myself? I whole heartedly support Miley in her quest to create love about love rather than gender or sexual orientation. I'm down with that.
     However, why all the naked pictures? Miley has a great body. I support her showing it off, but let's be honest, she's using her body to sell the article, to sell the product--both herself and the charity. Does she think no one would read about her if she didn't sensationalize everything? Will there ever be a day where a woman can be smart and talented and speak out about her causes and people will listen because she is smart and talented rather than because her boobs are showing? I realize that Miley doesn't identify with one gender, but this is a hard loss for feminism.