In the face of the controversy caused by Little Mix’s revolutionary album, entitled “LM5”, I thought I should write about it.

The album itself, and it’s responses, respectively, has disconcerted the core values and ideas, I have, of my womanhood. I am a 16 year old girl, who already (like many others) has been at the wrath of hyper-masculinity, sexual objectification and gender roles.

I have continually been strongly fighting against the decorum of what is expected of women, traditionally. I see the future as both men and women, rather than either one of them. And I see the idea of a personality – the many individual aspects of a person – overcoming this idea of gender confinement. I am not my gender: I am me.

Let me elaborate on that. Many (wrongly) attach what females should be entitled to because of their gender. I think, personally, it is the wrong way to empower ourselves. Not to say that I’m not proud of being a woman: I feel such unison and passion knowing I am one, knowing I am part of a world-wide, female dominated movement. But – I don’t want to get a job because of my gender. I don’t want to be respected because of my gender. I don’t want to be treated as an equal because of my gender. You should want all of those things because your characteristics deserve them. That being said, it’s absolutely crucial – for a period of time – that women do indeed receive those things because of their gender… in order to overcome the systematic oppression of women. What most do not understand, however, is that for a woman to even reach the stage I am talking about, we must override the boundaries set for us since birth and reach the power men (collectively) have. And that means saying we are entitled to everything a male is – since he receives everything because of his gender (and most definitely).

Some of the responses that have really made me question my beliefs, come from the infamous (and chauvinistic) Piers Morgan. Most of us have probably seen them. And most of us have probably wanted to scream at him. He believes Little Mix have got it all wrong.

If you haven’t already seen it, Little Mix released this photo. To briefly explain to you the meaning, the women have stripped themselves of make-up, clothing – daily things. And despite that, the comments (mostly misogynistic) have stayed with them – showing how these words confine them daily. And by publicly advertising this, it shows they both want to bring awareness to sexism and bullying, and “strip” it away.

Piers Morgan, however, believes they are using this as ploy to sell albums via their sexuality. And that rather, they should be doing this with their talent.

Part of me was conflicted by this. At first, I was like yeah, actually that is true. Women have been confined because of their sexuality for so long, by men, and now you want to sell an album because of it? Talk about taking 2 steps back. We shouldn’t be defined by our sexuality whatsoever. We should be defined, as I aforementioned, by who we are as individuals.

But I made sure I challenged this trail of thought, to make sure it was both valid and intelligent. I came to this conclusion. I was wrong. Piers Morgan had one fatal flaw in his argument:

If Little Mix were using their sexuality to sell albums, it is GENIUS. What is more empowering than using the very thing that others have oppressed you for, for centuries? It’s almost how the LGBTQ+ society, took the word “queer” – that was used to oppressed them – for themselves and owned it.

There is something quite empowering about “re-owning” what oppressed you – its a part of your ancestry, the struggle your ancestors endured. And now YOU use it, YOU have the power – the very they used against you. God, if I’m a bitch for speaking my mind. If I’m a slut for wearing what I want. Call me a bitch and slut some more! What a compliment, quite frankly.

We should OWN OUR SEXUALITY. Women can be BOTH TALENTED AND SEXUAL, and still be who we are; in fact, that very choice, to whom ever makes it, is core to their character.

If a woman chooses to sexualise herself, that is her choice – and no man, or woman, will or can take take that away from her.

Your body, your choice. My body, my choice. Our bodies, our choice.