THE UNEDITED VERSION OF JULIETTE FRETTÉ'S PLAYBOY ARTICLE

Feminist Does Playboy. And does it with a Smile. Again. And again. And again. Oh!

Well. Now that I have your undivided attention, I would love to tell you a little bit about myself. As some may already know, I have worked with Playboy in the past: namely for the “Girls of the PAC 10” pictorial in 2005, various Special Editions, and finally, Coed of the Month in 2006. Interestingly enough, I did not think that I would be working with Playboy again. Back “then” at least I could rely on the excuse of my academic experiment for UCLA – my Women’s Studies honors thesis - to legitimate my bold move into feminist purgatory. A project that was originally intended for expansion into a narrative book upon graduation, I had called it “Posing for Playboy from a Feminist Perspective: How Media Images Impact Women’s Empowerment.”

This very project was always my safety net when confronted with the perceived paradoxical question of why a feminist would commit such a crime. “Because I’m writing about it!” I would immediately reply. Subtext: please do not condemn me as a sellout / traitor to women’s progress >insert: feminist community, family, friends, etc.<. But perhaps I clung to the aforementioned excuse more out of fear of my own judgment than that of others.

Regardless, my previous fears were not completely unfounded. I was definitely judged for doing Playboy in the past, namely by some friends and family who had refused to view my images: “I want to remember you the way you were” one family member sadly remarked, as if I had died. Additionally, the institution of my college sorority, Kappa Delta, had actually placed me on national probation for making this legal choice over my own body before my images were ever printed in the “Girls of the Pac 10” edition of Playboy magazine. Apparently, I was not “upholding the standards of the order” as the national headquarters ambiguously articulated in their official letter of condemnation in 2005. How very comical it was that they would perceive my membership as a shame to their organization, especially after I had served on my chapter’s executive board for 2 years. Alas, during the last chapter meeting of that school year, as the drunken departing seniors gave their slurred and rambling speeches of sisterly love, regaling tales of debauchery, my friend announced my future appearance in Playboy and my impending ejection from the sorority house as I triumphantly disrobed down to my bra and underwear. The last hurrah. And no. My sorority did not have naked pillow fights. To my knowledge.

My sorority probation did not bother me very much though, as I had grown weary of the parochial politics anyway and hardly ever attended social events even though I had organized their funding as treasurer. I had even posed again the following summer and yet again for my Coed of the Month pictorial during my senior year, an experience that gave me an even greater affection for Playboy Enterprises Inc. Nevertheless, after graduation I attempted to avoid confining stereotypes. In my feeble attempts to escape from the “big breasted blonde” archetype, I made significant efforts to dye my hair darker for about one year.

Fortunately, I gave up that craziness and realized a very important fact: I was happier as a light, bright blonde . . . who happens to be big-breasted. I am what I am, damn it.

Then I decided that working with Playboy again was a fabulous idea. And sure, I am a feminist too. But what exactly am I right now if I am to work with Playboy? The word “feminist” in and of itself is generally perceived with a negative connotation as many have made the term synonymous with “man-hater”. In truth, a real feminist is anything but a man hater. I, for example, am definitely a man lover.

To clear the air a little, in essence the veritable definition of this contested word is one who supports and upholds the social, political, and economic equality between men and women. Or, I would argue equivalency. Women and men are different creatures; let us not fool ourselves! In fact, I am glad that this is true. Nevertheless, our differences, however social, chemical, or physical, should not preclude our worthiness to live the way in which we are most joyful. Importantly, such joy may or may not involve wearing dresses, suits, a corset, or . . . nothing. Which brings me to the complicated issue of empowerment.

Many feminists may wonder if presenting this particular image of myself to men and women is progressive. And here is a very simplified response to that question: So what if I want to dress up like a Barbie doll? Or dress down like a Barbie doll? Or wear rugged chique clothes like an earthy hippy woman? Our identities can be as fluid as we wish them to be.

Indeed, women’s empowerment and advancement in our constantly transitioning society is a very subjective and yet contentious notion. As a woman, I am very grateful to my foremothers for accomplishing certain pivotal advancements for all of our collective benefit. Yet somehow I find that many women now feel compelled to evaluate objectification, the issue of pornography, body image issues, etc. before simply acting upon their intuitions. As much as I believe that these topics need consideration (and I have paid them ample attention in college) we need to be mindful of not allowing them to make us so judgmental of ourselves if we are to engage in anything that can than be construed as “patriarchal” or “antifeminist” by someone else’s definition. If we are not careful, we may unwittingly undercut our own empowerment and advancement by prejudging our choices based on notions of “political correctness”, thereby limiting our potential, and in effect stifling the broad range of identities that are available to us. Whatever identity we choose, ultimately we are honoring the different aspects of the Goddess and the God within ourselves.

And ultimately, because of this reasoning, I came back to Playboy. Still a feminist.

Yes, Playboy and other media and cultural icons have historically been at odds with the feminist movement for various contentious reasons including body image issues, objectification, debates on pornography, and so on. But at the same time, Playboy has directly and indirectly facilitated a lot of progress for women and American culture. Since its inception, Playboy has been a veritable pioneer in promoting a form of female sexuality in our censored puritanical society while simultaneously donating to a number of women’s organizations and supporting choice. And it is undeniable that over the years, Playboy has given a stronger voice to great writers, thinkers, and political figures in support of civil rights and generally, a more collectively open mind.

Yay! Goddess forbid that Playboy is still known for the articles!

And as for the schism between Playboy and feminists (not to mention very conservative anti-feminists for some of the same “moral” issues): well, perhaps the time has come to move on to a more productive relationship for society. Perhaps it is time to reconcile, or simply move on from this created conflict. We are on the brink of the Age of Aquarius, after all.

Why can’t we all just get along and at least try to work together? I think we can, actually. Having argued my way through college, which can be indulgent fun, I am tired of overtly fighting for progressive change in this world. Actually, I would rather avoid arguing, if I can help it. Instead, I prefer creating the joy, harmony, and balance that I envision in my perfect world in my very own life experience right now. In this moment. On this page.

Therefore, Playboy does not have to be the enemy of women’s progress. On the contrary! Be rest assured that women largely dominate Playboy (and needless to say Hugh Hefner too, of course). In fact, we females saturatePlayboy Enterprises Inc. with our bodies and our minds, working in front of and behind the camera. We are the models. We are the writers. We are the editors. We are the promoters. And we facilitate Playboy’s success with our inventiveness and creativity -- just as men do too, with the exception of the “bodies” part.

Now more than ever, I am utterly prepared to answer that dreaded question of why a feminist would do what I have done. As a woman and as a person: I appear before you in Playboy because . . . It’s fun. It’s creative. I feel like it. That’s why. Likewise, that general fun adds to my joy and finally, to my empowerment as a human being.

Even better, I now have a fresher perspective from which to write the book that I originally intended. It will certainly be an expansion and even a revision of my previous honors thesis about choice, women’s empowerment, and Playboy’s role in notions of progress. In other words, it will ultimately become the *climax* to this entire journey.

Yeah. Had to start and end with a bang.

I hope it was as good for you as it was for me . . .

Here are a few of my writings for Whitehot Magazine: