Posted by Riverslug on June 27, 2006 at 23:52:37:
In Reply to: Freemont Summer Solstice pics & a comment posted by john / sherri on June 27, 2006 at 21:16:10:
: First of all, let me say thanks to the contributors of pics from this great event. Great job, hope to see more!! As I was scanning through the photos admiring the beautiful, uninhibited bodies parading down the street I couldn't help but also notice all the smiles on faces in the crowd, from both young & old, male & female....everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves and not shocked or the least bit disapproving of the nudity by the parade participants. I couldn't help but wonder what would happen if such a parade was attempted in my city, Birmingham, AL.. First of all, it would never, ever happen....the very first person to disrobe or show up in body paint would be promptly arrested and probably charged as a sex offender for exposing their sinful body. The parade would be shut down on the spot, I'm sure. Birmingham may have one of the highest per capita murder rates in the country, but by golly we sure ain't gonna allow nekkid people to just walk down the streets bare ass!! No sireee. But lets just pretend that the local police would allow a Seattle style parade here in B'ham. Oh, my, I can just imagine the outrage & uproar from the do-gooder locals! All the baptists would be up in arms, congregating in prayer vigils to protect & invigorate our precious Alabama family values. Any child that happened to be exposed to a naked human body would be enrolled in religious counseling immediately to hopefully erase those obscene, perverted images from their innocent minds. There's absolutely no doubt in my mind that the vast majority of faces in the crowd would definitely NOT be smiling.
: What would be the reaction in your hometown? I'm interested to hear some thoughts from different parts of the country.
I covered both the World Naked Bike Ride and the Fremont Parade this year in Seattle. People's reaction to the WNBR are more indicative of attitudes there because so many come across the riders unexpectedly. I was curious to see how folks would react when the bikers hit the Seattle Center. Mostly though, I noticed nothing more than bemused looks with a little embarrassment mixed in. But then there was THIS reaction (click here: http://www.ufoseries.com/bike/photos/DSCF3886.html) which was posted to the Seattle WNBR site. So not EVERYONE here is smiling and so comfortable with the nudity! Actually, the MOMS are smiling (even though they don't want their children to enjoy the sights). Personally, I would enjoy the sight of the moms naked in the race, but thats beside the point....:)
Anyway, I used to think of Seattle as not being very tolerant of public nudity (there aren't any good nude beaches there anymore). But it depends on what part of the city you are in. I don't think this parade would have played too well in the suburbs, but thats because suddenly people tend to become parents there looking out for their kids. The Fremont district, though, is very progressive and lots of folks (many from the suburbs) probably left the kids at home.
As the bikers ride by, people cheer and hoot. They also scream "down in front" if you are a photographer in the street blocking their view. So, yeah - everyone has a good time. And I bet a lot of people in Birmingham would have a good time too if they weren't so worried about what the pastor would say the next Sunday.
Riverslug