So someone (hopefully female) wants the equal right to go topless? (“Seeking equal topless rights,” page A1, July 1 Herald.)

Guffaw!

Prohibitions against it are merely “local” cultural biases. We could demand full-coverage burkas — the so-called bee-hive attire required by law in some Muslims nations. Or at least flog violators.

Midway between them and us, partial or total nudity is quite common in many city parks, beaches, etc., in various western European nations — including those from whence most our families immigrated.

And, NOT being topless is often rather eccentric in various African and Pacific Islander cultures (as any American boy who has discovered National Geographic will tell you).

Of course, female nudity IS completely acceptable throughout the USA — as long as the person is “young enough.”

Once, I was leisurely driving down the San Francisco peninsula coast and, liking beaches, I casually checked out every one to which I could find access. (California mandates that all beaches are public domain, up to mean high tide.)

The only beaches without nudity were the state park beaches. Most of the others were contentedly shared, without problem, by singles, couples and families of nudes and un-nudes. At the same time, the skimpy attire that was legal on state beaches was often far more provocative than total nudity.

Laws prohibiting nudity (which is in the eye of the beholder) are simply a cultural majority using the heavy hand of their government to force their attitudes (dare we call them prejudices?) on everyone else. For Americans, it doesn’t seem to be very freedom-loving.

On the other hand, I would NOT like to be in traffic where drivers — probably of both sexes! — were focused on some cute young maiden bobbling along a sidewalk sans “proper” restraints.

Jim Warren
Hansville