Nyameye Bentil dissects the reductive, disrespectful reality behind your classic ‘sexy nun’ costume. Is this facade of sexual liberation really another subtle reinforcement of the all too known binary: Madonna or Whore?
When Chappell Roan stepped onto the stage to perform her Hinterland 2024 set, her attire proved divisive amongst netizens. Those who were outraged cited how it was disrespectful for her to sexualise nuns. While fans of the artist cited her penchant for the avant-garde as an explanation. In recent years, discourse around the ‘’sexy nun’’ costume has increased, resulting in various online debates – especially surrounding its relationship with Christianity. But what does this costume say about our society? And more importantly, how it views women?
It can take up to 12 years to become a Catholic nun. Twelve years in which they are demonstrating their commitment and authenticity. Their commitment to their vows of poverty, obedience, and chastity. As many third-wave feminists move towards notions of female sexual liberation, the idea of a vow of chastity (where one vows to abstain from sexual activity) appears counter-productive. Up to this point, women worked hard to distance themselves from the concept that to have any value they needed to be obedient, loyal, saint-like virgins. This meant women had to be Madonnas. Hence, by dressing up as sexy nuns on Halloween, are we subverting these expectations? By donning her fishnets and veil on stage is Chappell Roan demonstrating her defiance against the kind of woman the patriarchy wants her to be?
Unfortunately, the answer is no. In taking their vow of chastity, Nuns inadvertently challenge the patriarchy. Nuns are self-serving and live for their passions and beliefs – not for the pleasure of men. They lead communities, educate and devote their time to the well-being of others. They do this simply because they choose to. Sexy nun costumes are a mockery of this. Sexy nun costumes tell us it is silly for a woman to strive to live such a life. A life where men are de-centred. The way in which we choose to mock nuns is also a testament to how the patriarchy views women. Why not nuns dressed as clowns, dogs or even Boris Johnson?
No.
It appears the best way to humiliate a woman is to present her as nothing more than an object of sexual desire.
We see this in many contexts. A growing trend in adult films sees women in hijabs engaging in sexual acts in order to humiliate them, Jeremy Clarkson wrote in his column in The Sun he wishes to see Meghan Markle ‘’being pelted with faeces as she was paraded naked through the streets’’ and later claimed that she used “vivid bedroom promises” to turn Prince Harry into a “warrior of woke”. There have also been claims that Vice-President Kamala Harris had an affair with former Mayor Willie Brown to gain her position of District Attorney. These examples demonstrate how to undermine women’s achievements, ambitions and beliefs, we must reduce them to nothing more than sexual beings. As whores.
The Madonna-whore complex is the belief that women are either pure and idealised or sexually immoral, with no middle ground. If women assimilate with the patriarchy’s view of how they should be, they are Madonnas. Take Catherine, Princess of Wales. She is exactly the kind of royal the British public loves. She adheres to the rules of the royal family, dresses modestly and is loyal to her husband. She is the textbook ‘Madonna’. Whilst Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, is the whore.
The difference in the public’s opinions of Meghan and Kate also demonstrates the role race plays in the Madonna-Whore complex. As reductive as the Madonna identity is, for many women of colour, to even be portrayed in a positive light is a privilege they are never granted. Take for example the three recurrent media tropes around Black women. The ‘’mammy’’ where black women live to serve the needs of their white counterparts, the ‘’sapphire’’ where black women are combative, sassy and ‘’don’t need no man’’, or the ‘’jezebel’’ where black women are hypersexual, seductive beings. Despite existing on the screen, these tropes spill into reality. Ask any black woman and I can guarantee they’ve probably been told ‘’before I spoke to you I thought you were really scary’’, or ‘’I’ve always wanted to try a black girl’’. It’s (excuse my French) fucking boring. No woman wants an identity enforced upon them, an image others project. But if it’s going to happen, would you not rather be the beauty, than be the beast?
All in all, there are no ‘’Madonnas’’ and ‘’Whores’’. There are only women. The existence of costumes like the sexy nun demonstrates how easily identities can be imposed upon women depending on public opinion of them and how we choose to treat them. The most godly, pure woman can become a succubus in the blink of an eye.
A woman’s body is not inherently sexual. You can decide when you want to be sexy and when you do not. There is nothing wrong with wanting to be sexy. To look in the mirror and see a beautiful, sexy woman in front of you is the most empowering thing one can do.
That is sexual liberation. What you decide makes you feel sexy is exactly that. However, it is also important to consider the efforts others have made to build their image and how that empowers them.
Respect is sexy.
Happy Halloween, and Happy Black History Month !!!
Sources:
https://asec-sldi.org/news/general/vows-catholic-nuns/
https://www.refinery29.com/en-gb/what-is-madonna-whore-complex
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