As previously presented here on ReNude Pride, the sankofa Adinkra symbol, from that tribe residing in the modern countries of west Africa, Ghana and Ivory Coast. The symbol is featured in the above heading along with the wisdom it represents. A synonymous defining word is retrospective. A look back in order to acquire direction for the future.
Another version of the sankofa is offered below. The variance is in the symbolic emblems only. The definition and wisdom is identical for both.
Sankofa: varied emblem!
Purpose:
Today’s post entry is offered as a supplement to the posting: Bare! Black! SGL! That post was published here this past Friday. It is a satirical examination of the myth: Black people aren’t gay or naked.
This post is a retrospective (sankofa) consideration of photographs prior to the Stonewall Inn riots (SIR) of June 28, 1969. An event that precipitated the modern international GLBTQ+ movement. Please note: the subjects shown here in these photos are bare. The dates of the pictures are approximate based on the hair-styles alone.
A kiss!
Sankofa #1: Affection
The estimated date for this picture is the middle 1960s.
Rural couple!
Adinkra #2: Companionship
The hairstyles on these two men are possibly from the late 1960s.
Embracing couple!
Adinkra #3: Trust
The approximate date of this image are the middle to late 1960s.
Mutual affection!
Adinkra #4: Attraction
The estimated time of this picture is early 1960s.
Strongly encouraged!
Proud of who we are!
Naked hugs!
Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride
Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for Friday, February 23, 2024, and the proposed topic is: “Race: Race’s POV!”
Often, the mythology lies around, dormant. After all, it’s an old myth that no one really considers important. It’s also an old myth that we have all probably seen refuted by reality. It simply is nothing earth-shattering or shocking. It’s not detrimental or explosive. All it does is just lie there.
Then, one day when we least expect it, it raises up and punches us in our face! We are so caught by surprise that there are few words that would adequately describe our reaction.
The overwhelming majority of us have been so involved with our everyday lives – handling our own business – that we never saw this coming our way! That’s the reason we’re so dumbfounded and numb.
We never saw “it” coming toward us! Suddenly and unexpectedly there “it” is! Right, directly, in front of us!
Bare! Black! SGL!
The “it” we never saw coming toward us? The mythology that was simply lying around: dormant. It was an old myth that none of us considered important. It was so completely and totally dormant that we had – intentionally or not – simply forgotten that “it” was “out” there. So irrelevant and useless that most of us never gave it any thought at all!
That old myth is this: Black people aren’t gay and they aren’t naked! White people are that way and they are “teaching” our people how to act and to be like that!
Believe it or not, like it or not, that old myth remains among us and with us. Another overwhelming majority of us may know it to be no more than what it really is: an old myth. A meaningless and useless thought left behind by hatred and homophobia. But wait! “It” is still with us.
Bare! Black! SGL! Continuation!
We do indeed live in the 21st Century. And yes, reality – real life – does afford us all with a multitude of opportunities to see examples and reminders of same gender love (SGL) as we go about our everyday lives handling our business. That’s just how this world is supposed to work.
We are all free to be ourselves. To be what and who we truly are. We should all remember that we are free to expect this from others as long as we show the same respect of freedom to all others! We all live in the same world, therefore, we all share the same world.
Nakedness and same gender love (SGL) may or may not be something that is essential or important to everyone and that is good. It is likewise good that we all accept and recognize that for some of us these aspects are crucial, vital and paramount in our lives. The same holds true for interracial couples and marriages – irregardless of the gender. The days of the iron-clad formula that Black should be with Black or that White should be with White are now long past.
Free to be themselves!
All of this I can share from personal experience. Following the arrival of marriage equality here during President Barack Obama’s second term in office, my then-partner, Aaron, and I took the path forward and became legally married (after incessant urgings from both of our sets of parents). My spouse is African-Canadian. I am Greek. An interracial union of two SGL men who prefer bare rather than textile (clothed). Ever since our wedding, we’ve both received an endless amount of comments from numerous casual acquaintances and/or co-workers about our “relationship.”
Kissing!
For some unimaginable reason, people – SGL couples included – have an issue or a problem when referring to a “marriage” between same gender partners. Is it our gender or is it our skin colour? Or is it a combination of the two?
Now back to the mysterious “it” that was creeping upon us earlier. “It” remains with us and will somehow prevail. Aaron and a multitude of others are actual breathing, living proof that the old myth is unfounded and untrue. There are Black men who are confident being bisexual or gay and who also enjoy and are proud being naked.
Pride!
The awesome reality of this predicament is that no one, Pink, Green, Blue or White had to “teach” him anything. He was born this way and has no shame of being who he is. He has no guilt in being who he is!
Enjoy the remainder of Black History Month, 2024!
Naked hugs!
Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride
Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for Monday, February 19, 2024, and the proposed topic is: “Happy Hemisphere!”
National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NBHAAD) occurs annually on February 7. This year, 2024, that date happens in the middle of the week on a Wednesday. Using the calendar to our benefit, publishing this post entry two days in advance affords us the chance to provide information of the significance of this occasion for all of us, not just African-Americans. That is the reason for today’s offering entitled:
“The Disproportionate Impact of HIV/AIDS on the Black Community!”
The purpose is to explore specific examples of disparities based on race that produced the multitude of deaths and infections within the African-American population here in the USA. “Disproportionate impact” refers to factors – beyond the control of those affected – that cause harm or injury to those being affected.
“NBHAAD: Part II!” is offered here on Wednesday, February 7, 2024, – the actual date for NBHAAD. It features an overall look at the offerings and provisions of the NBHAAD campaign.
Black SGL couple!
The Disproportionate Impact of HIV/AIDS on the Black Community!
To this day, there are some misinformation and myths surrounding the HIV/AIDS pandemic that remain within the minds of many Americans, even in the days of competition with the coronavirus COVID-19 period. One of the strongest of these untruths is that HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, is an exclusively gay (same gender loving: SGL) disease. No matter of the scientific proof to the contrary, this falsehood remains. A close second place to this misconception is the unsubstantiated notion that Black people are highly susceptible to HIV.
In all honesty, it is the White population in the USA that has caused the alarmingly high rate of death and infection from HIV factors among African Americans. The serious mistrust of the public health services by persons of colour was caused and created by people of European descent (Caucasian/White) through bias, discrimination, hate, ignorance, prejudice and segregation. For generations, Black people suffered under the “Jim Crow” laws and separation. This resulted in numerous incidents and instances where the African Americans were subjected to trials and tribulations as “second class” recipients of poor care and mistreatment from the U.S. Public Health Service, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the local and state health services.
The most infamous and notorious of this disasters is known simply as the Tuskegee Experiment that was underway under the watch of the federal government from 1932 until 1972. It involved 400 Black men “officially” untreated by medicine in order to document and monitor the deterioration of health after being infected with syphilis. It was conducted in the deep south at the then Tuskegee Institute by doctors working for the federal government. Click the link below to see the study details on wikipedia:
Personally, when I first learned of this project, I was shocked that it was permitted to continue after the passage of legislation for equality in the 1960s. I was appalled that social consciousness didn’t end the study and that it was never an issue.
NBHAAD Awareness Ribbon
The results of this maltreatment is the overwhelming reason for the deep and profound distrust of the CDC and the U.S. Public Health Service by the Black population. It was one of the major obstacles that resulted in the delay by the community of colour to the realities of the HIV/AIDS crisis. This, in turn, created the explosion of the new disease within this particular community and culture.
With the issue of distrust of the public health agencies as the primary source of the disproportionate impact of HIV/AIDS in the Black American community and culture, another very important factor was the cultural and racial insensitivity of educational and prevention information distributed among this population specifically and the general population as a whole. Too often, vague and ambiguous language and reasoning was employed when direct and simple language should have been presented and used.
The majority of Black adults were the products of segregated educational facilities – often resulting in limited comprehension of the materials provided to them. This unclear information caused confusion and misinterpretation that strengthened frustration and resentment. Government and politicians were well aware of this disparity and failed to address this problem.
Important reality!
For example, instead of “negotiating” the “effectiveness” of the use of a condom, the direct action approach: “tell him if he’s not wearing one, he’s not getting any!” would have deliberately delivered the message in a clear and concise manner. Minimal room for confusion and hesitation with a response such as that! The meaning is plain no matter the gender of the individual receiving the reply.
Distrust and insensitivity in communication are two of the examples offered for the high rates of HIV/AIDS deaths and infections within the African-American community and culture. Another example of almost equal importance is the prolonged inaction and inertia from the government departments over the staggering statistics. Prompt examination over the reported data clearly indicated a major breakdown and inappropriate flaw in the materials and methods long before a serious problem arose. Had discrimination and segregation not existed prior to the outbreak of HIV, the results could and probably would have been significantly different.
Due to budget constraints and the executive and legislative blindness of the republican politicians, funds for public health concerns and programs were severely hampered while defense spending soared.
This situation initiated a dilemma rarely believable in the supposedly wealthiest country in the world. Repeatedly, funds were scarce and demands on the necessity of compliance skyrocketed. Resources were completely unavailable and politicians refused to even consider any concession to ease the crisis for “those” people – the Blacks and other ethnic and racial minorities, the gays and the drug injectors. Evidently, the republican belief was that society could only benefit from the death of “those” people!
Vital message!
Financial assistance and grants to local public service agencies and not-for-profit organizations working within the Black community on a local basis would have greatly reduced the widespread gap between mistrust and trust that existed. A local establishment would have afforded both at atmosphere of credibility and recognition that would enhance the information and message delivered. This would have alleviated the stigma of HIV/AIDS as being a “homosexual White man’s disease.”
Awareness and pride!
“As committed, dedicated, honest, open and sincere bare practitioners (same gender loving naturists/nudists), all we desire is for the world to see us as we perceive ourselves: all naked, all natural. We have nothing to hide and are without reason for shame. We are proud of our nudity and our same gender love. They are not cause for embarrassment, fear or guilt. That is simply what and who we are in our life.” ~ Roger Poladopoulos-Peterson ~ Deaf Gay Alliance speech Washington, D.C., 4 December 2022
Yet another barrier created by both the republican executive and legislative arms of the federal government that fatally delayed and hindered any productive reaction from the community of colour to the ravages of this pandemic.
Naked hugs!
Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride
Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for Wednesday, February 7, 2024, and the proposed topic is: “NBHAAD Part II!”
It’s January in the Northern Hemisphere and an overwhelming majority of us are enduring the month inside where we can keep warm and not force our buttocks to suffer the frigid temperatures outside! Comfort and consideration do over-rule the joy of natural nakedness!
Buttocks comparison!
A bottoms-up! enterprise: a dynamic duo coupled for fun! A wonderful way to spend a winter’s day! Taking advantage of the chance to explore the bottoms-up! universe together! A triumphant team effort!
Bottoms-up! to bottoms-up!
A well-deserved respite from a busy day! Companionship brings out the best for all the rest of us to look back and enjoy!
Dressing room bottoms-up!
The “winter workouts” at our local fitness center or gym can often add a “spice of delight” for fans of bottoms-up! enthusiasts!
A “beachy” bottoms-up!
While it’s winter in the Northern Hemisphere, the Southern Hemisphere is full of the excited exposure of bountiful buttocks from coast-to-coast!
Naked hugs!
Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride
Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for tomorrow, Thursday, February 1, 2024, and the proposed topic is: “USA: BlackHistory Month!”
Today marks the celebration and observation of both the official (actual) birthday and the Monday-holiday commemoration of the occasion both happening simultaneously.
Birthdate:
January 15, 1929
NobelPeacePrize
Recipient
Awarded to him by His Majesty, King Gustav VI Adolph of Sweden on October 14, 1964.
CivilRightsAdvocate
International
Non–ViolentProtest
Activist
Ordainedclergyperson
Professional
SouthernChristianLeadershipConference
Founder, 1957
Married: CorettaScottKing
Wife
Children: Yolanda, Martin L. King, III, Dexter Scott King, Bernice
USA: PresidentialMedalofFreedom
Posthumously given, 1977
NationalMarchonWashingtonforFreedomandJobs
Organizer, Keynote Speaker
August 28, 1963
Speech: “I Have A Dream”
*************************
Fortunately, we live in a world where there are others among us who are able to recall and remember the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Fortunately, we live in a world that is “all-too-gradually” witnessing the dreams of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. materialize into reality. Fortunately, we live in a world that recently experienced the overwhelming election and re-election of a Black man, Mr. Barack Hussein Obama, as president of the United States. This, too, was a dream of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Fortunately, we live in a world that is living in the times of the “Black Lives Matter” movement – a dynamic, growing and popular awakening of social conscience to the basic fact that African-American people are entitled to certain rights and responsibilities within this country and within our world. Another dream of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. that has now become alive.
Equality and brotherhood!
Yes! We are indeed fortunate that we live in a world where the dreams of a visionary and historical inspiration, the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. have come to pass. And we are grateful for his sacrifice and his struggle. His example and his leadership – in addition to his remarkable dreams – opened to doors towards equality and justice that few see in their lifetime!
His dreams, his foresight and his wisdom instill a feeling and sense of hope within us all. Yes, the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. continues to offer and to provide all humanity with courage and with dignity his accomplishment and his achievement of fairness, of knowledge and of non-violence. During an era of degradation, discrimination and prejudice he overcame those obstacles and chose forgiveness, harmony and peace!
The Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is and was a shining star who brightly guided our way into his dreams and himself into the dreams of many of us!
Wisdom from the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Unfortunately, we live in a world that continues to ignore and reject the profound and serious pronouncements of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. In the United States today, despite the cultural, legal and social changes and progress that has occurred since his brutal assassination on April 4, 1968, many persons still refuse to accept the lessons of cooperation, forgiveness and inclusion that were endorsed and taught by the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. In their minds, when his memory is involved or his name is invoked, they see nothing except the colour of his skin as the sole cause of discarding his dreams of future harmony and understanding. They are powerless and unable to move beyond racial hatred.
Thankfully, the efforts and examples set by the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. continue to diminish the numbers of those following hatred rather than healing. “Injustice anywhere remains a threat to justice everywhere.” A valid and unyielding truth!
In Israel today, the self-identified survivors of the the Nazi holocaust flagrantly demolish and evict native Palestinians from their United Nations sanctioned partition-designated homeland and property without concern for their safety, survivorship and well being. The so-called holocaust victims creating victims of their own inspired genocide. Cultural and ethnic hatred preferable to cultural and ethnic healing.
Ideally, the efforts and examples set by the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. will inspire harmony and healing in triumph over hatred. “Injustice anywhere remains a threat to justice everywhere.” A valid and unyielding truth!
The Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. paramount speech, August 28, 1963!
Tragically and unfortunately, it is now evident that globally, throughout our world, all of us need to follow the important yet simple quotation from the wisdom of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. From the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict, the Congo, the Sudan, the Ukraine and elsewhere, “Injustice anywhere remains a threat to justice everywhere.” A valid and unyielding truth!
In 1964, our entire world watched as His Majesty, King Gustav VI Adolph of Sweden graciously bestowed the international Nobel Peace Prize upon the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. A man who responded to the bias, condemnation and hatred of his contemporaries in a heroic, non-violent and peaceful manner. A man who through bravery and courage exemplified his gallant and noble legacy: “Injustice anywhere remains a threat to justice everywhere.” Timeless and valuable advice that is applicable to us all – forever!
Thank you, the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., for your care, concern and forgiveness of us all!
Naked hugs!
Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride
Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for Friday, January 19, 2024, and the proposed topic is: “Bare New Year!”
Before progressing it is necessary to inform all the reader’s here that ReNude Pride’s author – myself – has made a stupid error! After publishing my previous post entry here this past Monday, I became consumed with composing Bare Modesty? for today. An overly ambitious but also grave mistake by me! There is no one to blame but myself!
Although on holiday from university, I lacked the ability, the energy, the expertise, the skill and the talent to complete the intended posting. I became confused, distracted and totally helpless! It soon became obvious that I was unable to continue on the Bare Modesty? topic and meet the publication deadline. I am setting the entire project aside for the moment. I will publish it – revised – during next month.
I sincerely apologize for inconveniencing you. I ask for your forgiveness and understanding. I am truly sorry for having confusing you like I have been confused. In summation, I offer the old adage: “Two wrongs do not equal one right!”
********************
Offering directions!
Now let’s direct this idea forward. Today’s substitute entry will approach the topic of modesty but from a completely different angle. Hence, the choice of the header image just below the article title to this – my blunder! This photograph depicts a bare practitioner using a fig leaf with his outstretched palm, indicating “stop!” His genitalia is theoretically “covered” by the proverbial fig leaf, yet his nakedness remains implied, obvious and understood by all.
Instead of concealing his penis, the fig leaf has the exact opposite effect. It directs our attention and focus on his state of being bare – body and clothes freedom – and not the usefulness of the fig leaf itself: covering. Hiding. Disguising. Concealment.
A very inefficient and poor attempt to satisfy one’s intention: modesty!
Also, an excellent and opportune linkage of this, a substitute composition, to the intended topic of modesty itself! Completely unplanned and yet a total coincidence! At least, this provides me the chance to offer this substitute entry as an “introductory prologue” to the upcoming publication of the original planned topic of Bare Modesty?
I earlier published here regarding the fig leaf and censorship. Please click the title below to visit that posting:
The utilization of the fig leaf for modesty is biblically referenced but lacks any proof or additional notation of supposed divine inspiration. The practice actually gained acceptance and notoriety later when artistically inspired to comply with popular religious developments to disguise the profusion of nudity in ecclesiastical artifacts: carvings, icons, portraits and statues.
This concept grew in both popularity and practice even though it became identified as a means of including blatantly naked representation within acceptable sacred approval.
Thus, church censorship and elimination of offensive – therefore unholy – nude depictions in ecclesiastical facilities and possession inadvertently preserved the evolution into the pornography business today.
There is no wonder of the obsession of the clergy over the current excesses of pornographic material! They have no one else to blame for it’s prevalence besides themselves or rather, their own professional forebears!
Confused!
The sense of confusion undergoing the ecclesiastical elite is comprehensible. They are the responsible authorities who defiled and determined that a creation of their deity was indecent, offensive and unfit for public exposition!
Not only did they endorse the concept and practice of social nudity by decorating it with a fig leaf; they also encouraged the growth and popularity of the ideal! Basically and essentially they had canonized both the fig leaf and the state of public nakedness! Their actions (or inactions) created a shared bonding of the fig leaf and naked as one common and united factor that has become body and clothes freedom: a movement that advocates and supports social nudity both privately and publicly everywhere.
As a bare practitioner, does this mean that my spouse, Aaron, and I are now sanctified? I already know that we are both saints but this status carries us into an entirely higher level of church endorsed responsibility!
Felipe Ferreira poses with an enlarged fig leaf!
The association of the fig leaf with nakedness introduces an entirely new relationship into the purpose of and the definition of modesty. From this perspective, fig leaf and nakedness and modesty itself now become a synonymous dynamic. Fig leaf implies cover (hide). Nakedness implies nudity. Modesty implies cover (hide). Therefore, nakedness or nudity are identical and/or synonymous throughout.
Or perhaps I have created even more confusion in this ambiguous post entry. Only time will reveal the truth. However, this remains as my prologue to Bare Modesty?
Naked hugs!
Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride
Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for Monday, January 15, 2024, and the proposed topic is: ” MLK’s Legacy!”
The Pentagon City Fashion Centreis a popular shopping mall/tourist attraction in Arlington, Virginia, located near The Pentagon and just south of the Potomac River which separates the District of Columbia (Washington, D.C., from the Commonwealth of Virginia. It is located very near the condominium where Aaron (my spouse) and I reside.
The incidentdescribed below happened almost a full year after I began publishing ReNudePride back in 2017. We were both shopping in the mall during the winter holiday season. In reality, it was winter and we were both fully clothed in outerwear and our casual garments!
Aaronrecalled this situation about a week ago and encouraged it as a “seasonal” topic to post here during this year’s holiday tradition!
I am using pictures of my fellow blogger, Adimu and myself to illustrate this posting as this was our very first time spent together when we took these images using a telephoto lens and adapter.
Adimu and Roger, riverside!
The truth is…
Early December, 2017 – it was a Saturday and Aaron (my h-u-s-b-a-n-d) – both legally and officially – and I exited the Metro Blue Line at the Pentagon City subway station. We entered the Pentagon City shopping mall for a particular item of clothing. What that was is as unimportant as the cost of a pair of sunglasses is to Rudolph (the red-nosed reindeer)!
Then, as now, we were both honest and open about our being bare practitioners (same gender loving naturists/nudists). We were probably publicly holding onto one another’s hands or walking arm-in-arm. President Obama had served his second term the previous January and his successor was now in office so we were most definitely in physical contact and completely clothed!
The winter holiday shopping frenzy was underway as we patiently progressed through the four shopping levels. We had all day and had ridden the subway; there was no need or reason to hurry. The only pressing item on our agenda for the day was to get home and return to our usual state of nakedness!
Somewhere along the way to wherever, Aaron stopped as he had been approached by another man – presumably alone. My spouse released my hand and immediately began using American Sign Language (ASL) as this man was addressing him orally. At the very least, I would be able to follow their conversation.
Adimu and I embrace!
From what we both recall from this encounter, the conversation began quite amicable, decent and friendly – initially. This man admitted to regularly reading ReNude Pride. He looked me “in the eye” as he complimented me on writing this blog and on our relationship (marriage). This wasn’t the first time someone had acknowledged our interracial gay status nor our being open concerning our preference for nakedness.
Suddenly, the conversation changed from pleasant to one of hostility. This man – name unknown – became increasingly emotional and he specifically accused us both as being insensitive to the fact that being gay was totally incompatible with being nudists!
Both Aaron and I remember his closing argument: “There is noway a gay man can be comfortable being naked among complete strangers!”
I was shocked and surprised! I couldn’t grasp his reasoning behind this exclamation! What triggered this exclamation? I was unable to even think of any response!
Fortunately, Aaron wasn’t in the same type of mental wasteland. He answered, calmly and simply: “Better to be naked with strangers than to be in costume among friends!”
He then grabbed my hand and led me away!
“A moment’s insight is sometimes worth a life’s experience.” ~ Oliver Wendell Holmes ~ American jurist
Naked hugs!
Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride
Author’s Note: The next post entry here is for Friday, December 15, 2023, and the proposed topic is: “Schedule!”
Another year and yet another Autumn season rapidly reaches a closing ceremony as the end of November arrives! Please join with us in the bare practitioner custom and tradition of confidently and proudly exposing your buttocks!
Felipe Ferreira offers Bottoms-up! to fellow bare practitioner, Rhyheim Shabazz!
Our bare practitioner celebrity, Felipe Ferreira, offers and shares his buttocks in a Bottoms-up! salute to our bare practitioner community and culture’s own, Rhyheim Shabazz, in devotion, love and respect!
Spontaneity offering!
A last-minute spontaneous offering in tribute to all who willingly offer their buttocks to the rest of the world all in the interest of peace and harmony – and appreciation of fur!
Another proud and spontaneous offering!
The arrival of Autumn has left many unprepared to accept the fact that this month, November, has only 30 days and not 31!
Gio Dell gives his bubble-butt in a Bottoms-up! pose!
Proudly and simultaneously bald and hirsute, Venezuelan-born bare practitioner,Gio Dell, while in his outdoor pool, offers to us all his Bottoms-up! best and finest!
Motion and rhythm by this interracial duo!
With the colder weather temperatures dropping daily, some couples readily adapt to the indoor location in order to avoid exposing their tender buttocks to the extreme temperature!
Naked hugs!
Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride
Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for tomorrow, December1, 2023, and the proposed topic is: “World AIDS Day, 2023!”
Anyone who has ever visited a public clothing optional (with or without swimsuits in certain areas) beach is familiar with the carefully construed message that the sign above delivers: proceed with caution; you’ll probably encounter naked people beyond this point. In essence, a swimsuit is required on this side of this sign, but once you go beyond here, most people will most definitely be clothes free!
Now, imagine that you are in a retail shopping district, a commercial shopping center or a sidewalk that gives access to any number of of stores. You encounter a similar sign only instead of bathers or swimmers the labels are customers/shoppers. Do you continue or do you turn around and “beat a hasty retreat?”
Shopping in style!
Keep in mind that this is the traditional winter holiday season. Anything goes and all systems are on an absolute go! Retail merchants are eagerly welcoming any and all customers who have the means to pay for their purchases. It is also what the retail industry designates as the “season for giving (gifts).” Subtle message: it’s the season for giving to us your money!
We’re also aware that business needs money and that money needs to be spent. Truth be told, absolutely noone cares if the cash and/or credit card is from a bare practitioner or a person fully attired! The business’s salesperson, upon completing your purchase, thinks: first, shop; then, pay;after that, go on your way! but actually wishes you: “Have a nice holiday!”
Satisfied shopper!
Stay calm and remain focused, please! We are currently progressing through the 21st Century! Wake up! We bare practitioners have finally, miraculously attained economic power and fortitude. This and future holiday shopping seasons are all now under our control!
A “proceed with caution” directive is now issued to all you Textile Terrorists out there!
If you can’t handle the crowds of bare practitioner customers now amassing in the store aisles of your favourite retail establishment: Beware! Stay home! Otherwise, the next pair of bare buttocks that you see could very well be your very own!
Caution: Endangered Species!
The last remaining one of his species!
Evolution has caused this specimen to fade away from the surface of this earth! He is the very final bare practitioner to ever voluntarily engage in clothes shopping – gift-giving or personal-use – ever! It is unknown to modern science as to what exactly created this obvious unnecessary compulsion with seeking an object of little known value to the species!
Naked hugs!
Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride
Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for Thursday, November30, 2023, and the proposed topic is: “Bottoms-Up! November, 2023!”
Introduction: The Great War (what is today known as World War I) began with the declaration of war between the Empire of Austria-Hungary and the Kingdom of Serbia on July 28, 1914. The conflict expanded and finally ended on Armistice Day, November 11, 1918. The peace treaty officially bringing the devastation to an end was signed in 1919. Millions died, globally, as a result of the belligerence.
The principle combatants in The Great War were the Central Powers: The Austria-Hungary Empire, Bulgaria, the German Empire and the Ottoman Empire. The Allied Powers were: Belgium, the British Empire, France, Greece, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Portugal, Roumania, The Russian Empire, Serbia, and the USA (1917-1918). Battles and military engagements occurred in Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle East and the South Pacific. This led to the designation of the conflict as World War I.
A direct consequence of The Great War was the eruption of yet another global clash, World War II, that began twenty years later, in 1939. That second conflict proved even more destructive than the first.
One of the sparks that triggered the beginning of The Great War was the assassination of the heir to the Austria-Hungary throne, Archduke Franz Ferdinand, and his wife, the Countess Sophie, by Serbians opposed to the dominance of Austria-Hungary in Balkan politics. In reality, the heir was in favour of greater self-determination of the the native Serbs, Bosnian and Croatian peoples in their own governance. Unfortunately, his death also destroyed any peaceful solution to the volatile political situation.
In discussions with my students about the origins of The Great War, I have recently noticed a growing number of them referring to the actions of the Archduke Franz Ferdinand as among the causes of the First World War. This misjudgment I attribute to faulty teaching from their secondary school instructors and try my best to keep them abreast of historical truths. I’m not familiar with all of the archduke’s personal characteristics but I am unable to identify any historical source for this misinformation.
By 1921, almost all the world that survived the destruction of The Great War was observing the anniversary of the official Armistice that ended the slaughter. In the United Kingdom and throughout the Commonwealth, the peoples joined with King George V and Queen Mary in honouring the deceased on Remembrance Day. Two minutes of complete silence was publicly held in commemoration beginning the hour of the end of the fighting: 11:00 a.m. In Western Europe, Armistice Day ceremonies were conducted at cemeteries and battlefields. In the USA, the custom of Veteran’s Day was implemented.
Battlefield remembrance!
The Red poppy flower represents consolation, remembrance and death. The poppy is a common symbol that has been used to represent everything from peace to death and even simply sleep. Since ancient times, poppies placed on tombstones represent eternal sleep.
During The Great War, much of the fighting took place in western Europe, especially in the Flanders region of the Kingdom of Belgium. The countryside was blasted, bombed and fought over repeatedly. The landscape was torn apart by trenches. The previously beautiful scenery was turned to mud: bleak and barren where little or nothing could grow. There was a notable exception to the drudgery: the bright red Flanders poppy. These resilient flowers flourished amidst so much chaos and destruction.
John McCrae was the son of Scottish immigrant parents and was born in Guelph, Ontario, Canada, in 1872. In May, 1915, he was serving in the Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps in Flanders, Belgium. On May 2, 1915, Lieutenant Alexis Helmer, a Canadian field artillary oficr and close personal friend of McCrae, was killed in the Second Battle of Ypres. Shortly afterwards, McCrae wrote the following poem, “In Flanders Fields,” in memory of his friend and honouring all the war dead.
The poem was first published on December 8, 1915, in London, United Kingdom, in the satirical magazine, Punch. It was immediately popular and widely circulated and reprinted as a fitting tribute.
In Flanders Fields
In Flanders fields, the poppies blow
between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
the larks, still barely singing, fly
Scare heard amid the guns below..
We are the Dead. Short days ago
we lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie,
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe;
to you from falling hands we throw
The torch, be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
We remember and appreciate the efforts of John McCrae and all the fallen, wherever they lie.
Remembrance Day Poppy Campaign
Etiquette
Participation in the Remembrance Day Poppy Campaign is completely voluntary. It should never be mandatory or required.
The poppy should be worn on the left side of the body over the top of the heart or on the left lapel.
Acceptable colours for the Remembrance Day Poppy Campaign are: red (remembrance) or white (peace).
Two minutes of silence are recommended, beginning at 11:00 a.m., (local time). If prayers are to be offered, they should be voluntary and silently.
The poppy should not be worn after 11 November (exception: memorial services).
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Naked hugs!
Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride
Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for Monday, November 13, 2023, and the proposed topic is: “Nakedness: Downside!”
ReNude Pride: Guys Without Boxers! 