I think I disagree with this:
"Nudism is NOT about seeing or being seen. It’s about de-stressing, relaxing, and returning to innocence. It’s about accepting yourself and others for who you are, how you act, and what you say, rather than what you look like, wear, or own. Nudists usually remove sunglasses when talking with someone new. It’s polite. It’s simply the feel-good feeling of the air, water on you without the constriction of clothing.” – Cheri Alexander, on Bay of Plenty Times site
I think at least for me a big part of nudism is being seen. Not in the perverse sense but in that it is a cultural taboo for the most part to be seen in the nude. People describe shame, embarrassment, humiliation and the like as emotions they feel when being seen naked by others. They are uncomfortable. To me nudism is being 100% on display. There are no secrets and people are vulnerable to each other and in turn tend to be friendlier.
I love that when I go to the beach people can see my body and parts that society says are to be private. I love that I can see that side of others and converse at a mature level without false bravado.
Well I agree that private parts certainly aren't the FOCUS of nudism, they are definitely there and people are human and surely notice. Nudists are just mature enough not to judge others based on the size or shape of their bodies because they are equally understanding and vulerable.
However, I would make one edit and change your "on display" to "visible." When you are naked in a social venue you
can be seen. Visibility is important because it provides confirmation to people of your existence, the fact that you
are. There is much talk about visible minorities (whether racial, ethnic, sexual preference, financial status, physical disability or otherwise) and one of the great sins of society is pretending that these people do not exist . . . that they
are not. So visibility is important.
Being
on display is a very different concept, or at least it is in my mind. It calls to mind wannabee celebrities and other forms of exhibitionists.