Letter From the Editor- Catherine Borelli

Do the freedoms of our modernized society grant individuals the right to speech, or the right to say anything?

On February 10th and 11th, in the Hogan Ballroom, the Vagina Monologues performed at the College of the Holy Cross. With insensitivity and vulgarity presiding over understanding and intellect, this show radically presented feminist issues.

If the objective of the Vagina Monologues is to demonstrate and pronounce female equality, it has failed.

Discrimination should never be fought with prejudice. The outdated notion of an eye for an eye translated into a penis for a vagina, as females denounced men in order to elevate themselves. With the intent of showing the cruelty of rape and the necessary freedom of lesbianism (two matters that should be addressed on a more serious, educated plane), should females have to criticize men in order to prove their femininity?

As Jesse Jackson confirmed in his recent Holy Cross appearance by stating the need for black history appreciation everyday instead of everyday for one month, doesn't it seem unfortunate that women feel inclined to single themselves out in order to establish equality? What exactly is achieved? It is my belief that a lack of security lends the need to proclaim equality. We are women; more so, we are people. The reality that we are strong, capable individuals should not be tarnished by loud, desperate cries for equality prompted only by preconceived notions of the past.

The glaring illustrations used to comment on the need for the old-fashioned prospect of women as the subservient, frightened gender to be erased present a comedic blockade between the graphic words and their implicit meaning. If the purpose is to stand up against the feelings of oppression that have lingered amongst women for too long, would it not be more notable to discount the derogatory words that men have used against women instead of loudly and freely attempting to own them? Females should not be forced to use that which has been forcefully used against them. While attempting to appear fearless and unruffled, in actuality, these women have been, for lack of a stronger option, pressured into accepting prejudice.

If comedy is the objective of the Vagina Monologues, then it has been accomplished to some extent. At face value, the Vagina Monologues are capable of mustering up a few laughs. A collection of sexual skits spoofing off of the notion that men are oblivious and women are both awake and mindful of all that encompasses a healthy sexual relationship is moderately entertaining- for women, that is. Though, I believe that the cornerstone of good comedy is the ability to make people laugh without the excessive use of profanity and vulgarity; often times innuendos are a more imaginative comedic device.

Keeping this aim of entertainment in mind, this production should not be used as a vehicle for the making of a controversial standpoint. Consequently, I am opposed to the inclusion of the more serious segments commenting on sexual assault. The overacted, screaming of the word c*nt should not be followed by a dimming of the lights and an upsetting rape account. Increasingly, posed questions such as "What would your vagina wear if it got dressed?" (followed by the answer "An electrical shock device to keep strangers away") should be offensive to a viewing rape victim. Rape is one of the most serious, worldwide issues; the Vagina Monologues lulls its viewer into a false sense of comedy, somewhat unnecessarily disgusting at times, and without warning, uses this humorless crime to take its viewer on an emotional roller coaster. There is a lack of a much needed consistency; rape is serious and should not be thrown into a mix of parody and perversion.

Is it worth sacrificing the gravity of sexual violence for flashy, eye-catching exposure? If we are to fight the severity of rape with comedy in light of publicity, it will make light of the crime itself.

I do not want what I have said thus far to be misconstrued. I am an advocate of equality on all counts of gender, race, religion, and sexual preference. I believe that there is a need for a heightened awareness of crime committed against all females and males alike; I just do not believe that The Vagina Monologues is the correct approach. Though, I understand that the money raised by The Vagina Monologues, like any fundraiser, is, of course, constructive, needed for, and beneficial to organizations that work to assist victims. Accordingly, this production should be regarded only for what it exhibits: fund producing entertainment.