If I were to tell someone who did not attend my college that I would spend my Friday night watching naked people run outside the dorm buildings, they might assume that the campus police would be called soon after. But this is in fact a tradition at Denison that has been going on for years. It’s called Naked Week!
While some people may think of this as silly and crude, this has actually been an effective way for Denison students to increase awareness of body image and eating disorders by spreading body positivity. Students run around different quads throughout the week wearing as little to no clothes as they wish, all abiding by the different themes such as funny socks or splatter paint on certain days. While people watch from their windows or even go outside to get a good view, the campus creates a very safe environment by cheering the runners on, prohibiting others to take pictures or videos to protect the privacy of fellow students. As the runners and watchers are yelling and chanting, it creates a sense of comradery and celebration for one another.
While I did not participate this year, two of my best friends on campus ran on Friday. One of my friends was very apprehensive to participate in the event, and even refused to run at the beginning of the week. But after running this Friday he was very glad that he did because the energy throughout campus made the experience liberating and celebratory. It was a great experience to cheer them on and I am going to try to push myself to participate my senior year. Definitely one of those activities at college that you need to do at least once.