Everybody freaked out about Ciaras dress when she sang the National Anthem
— Ciara (@ciara) January 12, 2016
I couldn’t care less about football, but I do care about fashion. And I care about petty misogyny, which this story has in spades. On Monday night, Ciara sang the National Anthem at the 2016 College Football Playoff National Championship Game in Arizona between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Clemson Tigers. Ciara took the task seriously, and she wore this knockout gown, as you can see in these photos. She also posted social media photos and videos and told her fans about how proud she was to sing the National Anthem:
Grateful. What A Special Moment. #NationalChampionship #BamavsClem pic.twitter.com/LJgFdF4RfO
— Ciara (@ciara) January 12, 2016
So, what’s the problem? Some people decided that Ciara-cleavage was inappropriate. Because children are watching grown men play one of the most violent sports in the world for hours, but a little cleavage might destroy a child’s mind. ESPN’s Bonnie Bernstein got the ball rolling when she tweeted this:
Dear Ciara. You're stunning. But this is a National Championship Game. Kids are watching. Cover up.
— Bonnie Bernstein (@BonnieBernstein) January 12, 2016
Other sports writers/columnists got in the act too, like this dude named Jason Whitlock. When some people were like, “Why are you guys bashing Ciara for showing a little cleavage when the cheerleaders are basically wearing bikinis?” the arguing back and forth just got stupid. Whitlock wrote: “You dress for the job. National Anthem different job than cheerleading. Model dresses different from cameraperson. National Anthem should be about the song/voice, not the body. #respect Cleavage is for halftime show, cheerleaders.” Whitlock also called it a “thirsty look” for Ciara. This gown. Thirsty? Seriously?
All of this… because she showed a little cleavage. If this dress was worn on a red carpet, most of us would consider it modest, right? Are these people so sheltered about fashion that they get this pearl-clutchy over what is a totally normal dress that nearly any woman would wear with pride?
Photos courtesy of Getty.
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