Pretty in Pink
The Vagina Monologues and Why They Matter
Published: Friday, February 22, 2013
Updated: Sunday, February 24, 2013 16:02
Vagina. I typed it. You read it. Vagina, vagina, vagina. Are you uncomfortable?
VAGINA, VAGINA, VAGINA, VAGINA, VAGINA. VAGINA, VAGINA, VAGINA, VAGINA, VAGINA.
Most discomfort that results from reading, writing and-God forbid-speaking a word like “vagina” stems from its lack of popular use. This is understandable, but also redeemable, as it merely takes practice and exposure. In fact, you’ve probably been exposed to the word quite a bit in the last few weeks. Probably thanks to me, loudly orating in public places. I'm sorry if I distracted you. I was practicing my monologue.
The Vagina Monologues have been performed annually at Holy Cross for twelve years. Yet, certain misconceptions and hesitations regarding them still linger on campus. Allow me to tidy those up.
To the wary gentlemen out there: The Vagina Monologues are not trying to in any way remove, emasculate, embarrass, or attack your penis. The Vagina Monologues do not hate your penis. In fact, several monologues have quite the affection for it. The Vagina Monologues want to be your friend. They want to invite you out to a nice off-campus lunch. They want to buy you a drink. They want to talk with you, not at you.
Though the performances are technically monologues, they would be more appropriately titled the Vagina Dialogues. Their intent is to start conversation, debate, flow of opinions and open-minded exchanges, all in a semi-structured, humorous, mature forum. If you listen to the Vagina Monologues, they will listen back to you.
To the reluctant ladies out there: The Vagina Monologues do not want to turn you into “crazy feminists.” The Vagina Monologues do not want you to burn your bras. I certainly don't want to burn my bras. I paid money for them and they are pretty. Coming to hear The Vagina Monologues is not scary, “gay,” embarrassing, or sinful. It is very simply fun and illuminating.
The word “feminist” is often thrown around with a stigma, especially on this campus, making people almost as uncomfortable as the word “vagina.” Many of these misconceptions about the monologues overlap with those about what “feminist” means.
The Vagina Monologues embody what I think is the purest kind of feminism. They are all at once a celebration of independence, survival, femininity, life, laughter and unity. These monologues, and feminism along with it, are not meant to polarize, but to unite. Unite women with women. Unite women with men. Hell, unite men with men too, because why not?
We are men and women for and with others. We are men and women who not only challenge ourselves, but also challenge our peers. Push out of what you think is your comfort zone for a night, and push your friends out of theirs. On Feb 25th and 26th, in the Hogan Ballroom at 7pm, come hear The Vagina Monologues. It’s more than worth it.
These performances will make you laugh, think, agree, disagree, and question—I’d bet my vagina on it.
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