Pearl Thusi broke the internet recently when she posted pictures of herself in a black see-through outfit. Although some people applauded Pearl for her confidence, many, like podcaster Penuel The Black Pen, did not “approve.”
Penuel shared a lengthy post on Twitter. He wrote, “This is Pearl Thusi’s body. She has agency & must dress however she wishes, within legal requirements. But I personally don’t approve of this. I think it’s a bad example for young impressionable kids/girls. I don’t think it’s liberating… I think it promotes the cheapening of the female body, in the eyes of most men.”
He continued, “Pearl has done really well for her career, but I don’t approve of her current shenanigans. If we don’t share our thoughts on such, the assumption will be that we all approve, when many of us don’t.
“I wouldn’t be happy with my mothers, sisters or daughters dressing like this. We’re not yet mentally liberated to be nude like this… most men see this as fishing for pervert attention, & a desperate desire to trend by any means.”
He concluded, “With that said, again, Pearl can dress however she wishes, & she’s done really well in her career. End.”
This is Pearl Thusi’s body. She has agency & must dress however she wishes, within legal requirements.
But I personally don’t approve of this. I think it’s a bad example for young impressionable kids/girls. I don’t think it’s liberating… I think it promotes the cheapening of… pic.twitter.com/Z0l8XTy40x
— Penuel The Black Pen (@GodPenuel) June 12, 2023
A few hours later, Penuel wrote, “1. I’m not a rolemodel. Many ppl call me out for having kids with multiple moms. It’s their right to call me out, but I’m happy, & my kids are good. 2. I added disclaimers. Read to understand. 3. It’s important for all of us to raise societal concerns. 4. It is MY opinion.”
1. I’m not a rolemodel. Many ppl call me out for having kids with multiple moms. It’s their right to call me out, but I’m happy, & my kids are good.
2. I added disclaimers. Read to understand.
3. It’s important for all of us to raise societal concerns.
4. It is MY opinion.
— Penuel The Black Pen (@GodPenuel) June 12, 2023
One tweep asked, “Aren’t most traditional attires full of nakedness?” Penuel replied, “A woman wearing a bikini at the beach and a bikini in the boardroom are two different things. I hope that helps with the confusion.”
A woman wearing a bikini at the beach and a bikini in the boardroom are two different things.
I hope that helps with the confusion.
— Penuel The Black Pen (@GodPenuel) June 12, 2023
Commenting on Penuel’s response, one tweep wrote, “What logic is this? If nakedness truly “cheapens” a body, then it does so in ALL of its forms. Unless you want to say being publicly “naked” for culture is *anatomically* different from being publicly “naked” for the beach? PS: Bikinis are NOT meant to be *sexual*.”
What logic is this?
If nakedness truly “cheapens” a body, then it does so in ALL of its forms. Unless you want to say being publicly “naked” for culture is *anatomically* different from being publicly “naked” for the beach?
PS: Bikinis are NOT meant to be *sexual*
— _BOBESA_ (@_BOBESA_) June 12, 2023
Another asked, “Why are you guys so obsessed with making people role models for children?”
why are you guys so obsessed with making people role models for children? https://t.co/Aznc0cz1Ia
— ndim mos? (@malebomakobe) June 12, 2023
“I can guarantee you that Pearl doesn’t care whether you approve or not,” said another.
I can guarantee you that Pearl doesn’t care whether you approve or not https://t.co/A8R7lglLpT
— Zizi? (@yonwaba_mzizi) June 12, 2023
Also see: Pearl Thusi reacts to backlash over explicit images
