What would the American public do without the stellar social commentary of the informed Zayn Malik? One’s guess might be that it would carry on and achieve relentless progress in the realm of the feminist movement.

The normal folk on social media must protect the concept of the nude selfies as an outlet for expression of sexuality for any purpose.

On Monday, March 7, Kim Kardashian posted a nude photo to Instagram captioned: “#liberated.” This act received mixed reactions from fans, critics and fellow celebrities.

Though it is unclear what Kardashian meant by “liberated.”

Freedom from misogynistic body standards, the freedom to demand attention, or to truly reclaim one’s body after experiencing sexual assault (in her case, the non-consensual leaking of the infamous sex tape) it is every feminist’s duty to respect her choice as valid.

Comments ranged from body and slut shaming to ardor approval from former foe Amber Rose.

“I think she got slut-shamed a lot, especially because of her sex tape (made with ex Ray J in 2003, released in 2007).

“And I think she has a really cool story to tell, so if she went on stage and told her story and really let people know she is human, and she was in love at one time and she made a mistake, and s**t happens and it shouldn’t be the rest of her life,” Rose said in an interview with Us Weekly.

While there is differing rhetoric in support and opposition to the presentation of women in the nude, several factors associated with the circumstances surrounding such an image allow people to think that naked selfies can indeed be used as a tool for empowerment.

These factors include but are not limited to consent, purpose, and the relationship between the subject matter and the audience.

Rape is generally defined as illegal (non-consensual) sexual intercourse by means of force.

On a broader scale, sexual assault is any form of unwanted sexual contact or threats.

In regard to sex, consent is chiefly imperative. Therefore, when one posts a nude selfie freely or gives another the consent to use their image they are actively or inactively giving meaning and power to sexual consent.

This act is then in direct hostility to the culture of rape which has been fostered for centuries by the patriarchy.

All photos one may post of oneself on the internet is done so by some feeling of vanity, and that’s perfectly acceptable.

In a sexist society that shames women (and others) for being comfortable with their “normal” body, posting nude photos showing fat, bones, body hair, and cellulite is an act of rebellion.

In a puritanical society that shames women for expressing too much or too little sexuality, presenting the nude form with sexual charge is an act of rebellion.

The purpose of the photo in and of itself is irrelevant because nudity is always an appropriate choice; but as allies must always take claims of sexual assault and rape seriously, so too must they believe the individual that claims taking bare photos on Instagram makes one feel empowered.

When Kim Kardashian posts a photo, especially one as celebrated and scandalous as the nude, the entire online world sees it.

When the average woman posts a picture it will be seen and affected mostly by her friends and acquaintances.

If a victim of sexual assault were to find means for recovery in nude photography the audience is not only men who view the post as objectification.

The audience would mainly be acquaintances who become a source of encouragement and support.

The woman would ultimately find empowerment and “liberation” from fellow feminists and allies.

Because of these logical implementations of feminist theory in regards to the Kim Kardashian nude, one can only believe that nakedness is liberating.

The critics are profoundly misinformed.