‘We are scared of women’: Emily Ratjkowski writes candid essay on female sexuality

‘Why, as a culture, do we insist on separating smart and serious from sexy?’

(Michael Avedon/Harper's Bazaar)

Emily Ratajkowski has written a candid essay on female sexuality in which she calls out those who seek to punish women for wanting “to play with what it means to be sexy”.

It was published by Harper’s Bazaar on Thursday alongside a photograph of the model exposing tufts of underarm hair.

Ratajkowski explained how she’s “shocked” that in 2019, “we look down so much on women who like to play with what it means to be sexy”.

To illustrate her point, the model used the example of when she and actor Amy Schumer protested against the nomination of Brett Kavanaugh to the US Supreme Court in light of allegations of sexual assault against him.

“The headlines were not about what I was protesting but instead about what kind of shirt I was wearing,” Ratajkowski wrote.

“Even women from the left, who fully supported the purpose of my protest, made comments about my missing bra underneath my white tank and jeans.”

The model explained how her outfit had somehow “discredited” her political motivations that day.

“Why, as a culture, do we insist on separating smart and serious from sexy?” Ratajkowski continued before proceeding to question why society seeks to condemn women for flaunting or embracing their sexuality.

“As a culture we are scared of women generally, but also, more specifically, of the innate power that female sexuality possesses,” she argued, explaining that she feels just as strong and free in a miniskirt as she does in a “giant hoodie”.

The I Feel Pretty star also commented on women growing out their body hair, explaining that she finds it empowering.

“On any given day, I tend to like to shave,” she explained, “but sometimes letting my body hair grow out is what makes me feel sexy.”

Ratajkowski continued: “And there is no right answer, no choice that makes me more or less of a feminist, or even a ‘bad feminist,’ to borrow from Roxane Gay.

“As long as the decision is my choice, then it’s the right choice. Ultimately, the identity and sexuality of an individual is up to them and no one else.”