This is a page out of an old nudist magazine showing an old past time of the world: beauty pageants. I'm pretty sure somewhere in the nudist world these are still being held, but I'm not positive. Much of the world considers them outdated and sexist. The irony is that if you read the story on the page, nudists were pretty ahead of their time.
Nudism, despite being a largely white male dominated lifestyle, is quite open to women and members from all races. We kind of have to be, otherwise our numbers would dwindle. Plus, being open to public nudity usually means being open to many things. It seems once the clothes are off, the mind opens.
How do I feel about pageants like this? Honestly, I couldn't care less. If people want to participate in them, that should be their right to do so. I don't think of it as objectification as much as I see it as an appreciation for the beauty of the human body. The human form is amazing, and it ought to be enjoyed as a sunset is enjoyed. This doesn't mean that we don't see the person who inhabits the body though. Perhaps that is what makes the body so beautiful, the fact that it represents a part of another human being.
What say you, dear readers? Are beauty pageants outdated? Sexist? Or are they perfectly acceptable as long as they are done consentually?