Sep 23, 2023·edited Sep 23, 2023Liked by BOPBadger
The special days are there just to highlight the theme, the theory behind these days. However it doesn't guarantee that there will be increased number of people who will embrace the theory of that particular day on permanent basis, even if these days will be celebrated.
Honestly, I wasn't aware of all the celebrate-nudity days you mention, but they seem harmless enough. If it is an excuse for people to get together and share some good times, well, all the better.
But the tabs like to write about events associated with those days, so they are raising some awareness.
My question: who comes up with all the special days, and is there an official Special Day Registry out there?
Sep 21, 2023·edited Sep 21, 2023Liked by BOPBadger
With the exception of the World Naked Bike Rides, which are not specifically naturist events, the various days that promote nude activities are completely pointless at the moment because they only "preach to the converted", and the "converted" are mostly uninterested or unwilling to hold these events in public spaces to reach the clothed majority. As Fred mentioned, public nudity events require people who are activists. Far too many naturists are afraid to rock the boat.
In 2021 and 2023, Hauraki Naturally took on the mid-winter Polar Plunge (we missed 2022 due to Covid 19). Both were held at public beaches - Hot Water Beach in 2021 and Ray's Rest, Kaiaua, in 2023. While the Polar Plunge events are never that well supported anyway, public response to both those events were most positive, both physically on the day as well as reaction to advertising and fundraising. Christchurch Freebeaches also held their event on a public beach with no issues.
In Auckland, some folks wanted to organise one and I suggested Torbay, Long Bay, Takapuna Beach - or any other popular public beach. But no - instead they hid themselves away at St Leonards (a traditional nudist beach with difficult access) and only 2 people showed up - one of whom, as it turned out, is known for his questionable intentions. The organiser was too afraid of a perceived public backlash if they went to any other beach. They may as well have not bothered!
I fear you’re right about these days becoming pretty meaningless. We’re presented with a plethora of “days” which started out with good reason (Christmas, Easter etc) and then with good intentions (International Women’s Day, Holocaust MemorialDay) but we’re then hijacked by the marketing men who have demeaned the whole idea by simply making them a sales opportunity. As a result most of them are preaching to the choir, and I doubt any produce converts to whatever cause is being promoted.
The various naked "this, that or the other thing" days are for the textile impaired folks out there. But they are also for nudies.
They provide an anchor to rally around. They provide an affirmation of identity, just like St, Patrick's day for the Irish, Cinco de Mayo for American Latinos, or Pride Month for gays.
If properly undertaken they provide an opportunity to interface with the textile world. They provide an opportunity to legally "show the colors," so to speak, to textiles. The more textiles see social nudity in *non-threatening* situations, the less paranoid they become about the concept.
If you are not an activist, they probably don't mean much. If you want to remain low key about nudism, you might oppose them. You'd prefer that nudism as an activity stay below the radar during times of social upheaval.
Public nudity events require people who are activists. I'm inclined to be all in favor of them as long as we makes something of them. If nobody organizes or nobody shows up, they are meaningless.
The special days are there just to highlight the theme, the theory behind these days. However it doesn't guarantee that there will be increased number of people who will embrace the theory of that particular day on permanent basis, even if these days will be celebrated.
Honestly, I wasn't aware of all the celebrate-nudity days you mention, but they seem harmless enough. If it is an excuse for people to get together and share some good times, well, all the better.
But the tabs like to write about events associated with those days, so they are raising some awareness.
My question: who comes up with all the special days, and is there an official Special Day Registry out there?
With the exception of the World Naked Bike Rides, which are not specifically naturist events, the various days that promote nude activities are completely pointless at the moment because they only "preach to the converted", and the "converted" are mostly uninterested or unwilling to hold these events in public spaces to reach the clothed majority. As Fred mentioned, public nudity events require people who are activists. Far too many naturists are afraid to rock the boat.
In 2021 and 2023, Hauraki Naturally took on the mid-winter Polar Plunge (we missed 2022 due to Covid 19). Both were held at public beaches - Hot Water Beach in 2021 and Ray's Rest, Kaiaua, in 2023. While the Polar Plunge events are never that well supported anyway, public response to both those events were most positive, both physically on the day as well as reaction to advertising and fundraising. Christchurch Freebeaches also held their event on a public beach with no issues.
In Auckland, some folks wanted to organise one and I suggested Torbay, Long Bay, Takapuna Beach - or any other popular public beach. But no - instead they hid themselves away at St Leonards (a traditional nudist beach with difficult access) and only 2 people showed up - one of whom, as it turned out, is known for his questionable intentions. The organiser was too afraid of a perceived public backlash if they went to any other beach. They may as well have not bothered!
I fear you’re right about these days becoming pretty meaningless. We’re presented with a plethora of “days” which started out with good reason (Christmas, Easter etc) and then with good intentions (International Women’s Day, Holocaust MemorialDay) but we’re then hijacked by the marketing men who have demeaned the whole idea by simply making them a sales opportunity. As a result most of them are preaching to the choir, and I doubt any produce converts to whatever cause is being promoted.
The various naked "this, that or the other thing" days are for the textile impaired folks out there. But they are also for nudies.
They provide an anchor to rally around. They provide an affirmation of identity, just like St, Patrick's day for the Irish, Cinco de Mayo for American Latinos, or Pride Month for gays.
If properly undertaken they provide an opportunity to interface with the textile world. They provide an opportunity to legally "show the colors," so to speak, to textiles. The more textiles see social nudity in *non-threatening* situations, the less paranoid they become about the concept.
If you are not an activist, they probably don't mean much. If you want to remain low key about nudism, you might oppose them. You'd prefer that nudism as an activity stay below the radar during times of social upheaval.
Public nudity events require people who are activists. I'm inclined to be all in favor of them as long as we makes something of them. If nobody organizes or nobody shows up, they are meaningless.