When I first read this story I was shocked and appalled. Shea Allen, special investigations reporter at WAAY-TV Channel 31 was fired for admitting a little secret. She didn’t wear a bra sometimes while on air, but no one noticed. It was her little secret that she thought she would reveal on her personal blog. Sort of an insider’s look at her life.
Now, if you look at Shea, she is a petite woman. Not heavy chested by any means so not wearing a bra probably didn’t make much difference in her professional appearance. Although, there are some who may assume that not wearing a bra is a sexual invitation, in reality it is about often comfort or convenience. There are times of the month that a bra just feels horrible. And to be honest, sometimes it feels great just to not confine any body parts. I believe this should be a woman’s choice. I have friends who refuse to ever wear bras. It goes against what they believe. Some of them work in the corporate world. I have never seen my friends wear anything distasteful.
All of this begs the question, should employers have the right to dictate your underthings? I imagine if you work at a lingerie shop…then maybe I can see how it makes sense. Anywhere else…I don’t think it’s okay for any employer to be offended if the outfit is in good taste.
The point is, if Allen was tasteful in her appearance and no one noticed until she mentioned it then why is it a problem? Below is an excerpt from her personal blog, which she has updated since the firing and media attention.
This is worth a conversation — how many things need to be controlled by society to make us into “proper” women? Should wearing a bra be a mandatory, contractual dictation by employers? Just think about that one for a second.
“This post was taken down because I was momentarily misguided about who I am and what I stand for. To clarify, I make no apologies for the following re-post. It’s funny, satirical and will likely offend some of the more conservative folks. But it isn’t fake and its a genuine look into my slightly twisted psyche.
Here’s the thing, I’ve vowed to always fight for the right of free expression. It’s allowed, no matter what the profession. I pride myself in having earned the respect of many because I make no apologies for the truth and hold nothing back. I don’t fight for things because they serve me, I fight for them because they are right. Sources trust me because I am an unadulterated version of the truth. I won’t ever bend just because its popular to do so and I’m not bending now.
This is my voice. Hope it makes you laugh.”
1. I’ve gone bra-less during a live broadcast and no one was the wiser.
2. My best sources are the ones who secretly have a crush on me.
3. I am better live when I have no script and no idea what I’m talking about.
Read the rest of her blog at http://sheaallensays.blogspot.com/.