Stay Thirsty, Friends!

I will not bullcrap the first definition that populated when I googled the phrase thirst trap. And I quote, “A thirst trap is a sexy photo posted on social media to attract attention. It can also refer to a person considered sexy—a social-media crush. thot. yeet.”

What? The hell… was that? I just wanted to understand it better before I wrote about it. I don’t know if that definition meant anything to you but it has been brought to my attention on several occasions that I appear to have been setting up traps as people maneuver through my social media pages. In all actuality, I am just living my best life and documenting things here and there. Do I show skin in my pictures? Yes. Is it because roughly 80% of my photos are taken outside and near water? Maybe.  My characterization of a thirst trap must be pretty different from the masses.

I’ve always aspired to be the girl at the gym who walks around without her shirt on in just her sports bra or in shorts. In theory it should be easy to do, as I go to the beach wearing a lot less clothes. But for whatever reason it makes me uncomfortable. It may be because I don’t want to be “that girl” in a gym full of pro athletes, maybe its because my booty will eat those theoretical shorts for lunch, possibly a combination of the first two, but I mostly think its because I have realized that people sexualize the crap out of things that aren’t intended that way. If I walk around exposed in certain environments, I am the one that looks thirsty, but ONLY if it’s sexualized. Are you with me?

There are so many models that share posts that can be misinterpreted as a trap but I look at them as art. When I see a photo of my pastors at the beach in their bikinis or swim shorts, I don’t feel a way. That’s because I am not sexualizing them. But let me put on the same exact “attire” and see how I get roasted for attracting parched people.

I was watching my celebrity gossip guilty pleasure (Dish Nation), and they actually have a segment dedicated to determining whether or not these celebrities are thirst trapping through various posts. One submission was Halle Berry in a bubble bath talking about self-care. She was completely unexposed, smiling and looking like she was enjoying a relaxing bath in her black woman bonnet. She even went as far as using her arms and hands to cover herself, to ensure no one saw any of the goods. I didn’t think she was trapping at all, but the guys on the show said something interesting: “Even with clothes on, Halle is thirst trapping at all times. Every post that she does is thirst trapping because we all want to comment on how beautiful she is.”

Lets analyze this by starting with this question: if someone were considered socially unattractive, unconventional-looking, non-shapely, etc. would it still be considered a trap?  What determines a trap photo with or without clothes on? I need answers. Either way, there’s one thing you can count on from me; I’m going to do and share whatever TF I feel like. Your interpretation is absolutely none of my business. 

Now you can run and tell that, homeboy!