Valentine's Day is a good day for the vagina
Kimmi Martin
Letter to the editor
I will never forget this time last year walking into my residence hall and noticing the huge sign on the door spelling out the word "vagina" in bright bold letters. Shocked and a little disturbed, as many were, I proceeded to go to class and passed numerous women with T-shirts on that said on the front "V-A-G-I-N-A," on the back were the words, "It's coming." It was only later that I found out what all of this about.
The Vagina Monologues. The concept is wonderful, I applaud Eve Ensler for creating such a fantastic idea, and I am equally proud of Saint Mary's for bringing such a unique and emotional event to campus.
However, I along with many others did not approve of how the event was publicized. I was accused of not being comfortable with my body and it's terminology because I disagreed with how advertising was mishandled. I find it offensive that when people disagree, they are accused of being unable to deal with controversial topics. I had the experience of seeing such a wonderful opportunity evolve into people wanting to shock the system, shock the school, and force people out of their comfort zone.
On the cover of Marie Claire magazine this month, the feature story is about Ensler's effort. Their shirts said V-Day. The "V" could stand for Valentine, Violence, or Vagina. Perhaps these words are not so different. This is the core of what the Vagina Monologues represent. Putting an end to violence through love. What better day than Valentine's Day? Had the promoters of The Vagina Monologues emphasized this the first time it came to campus, perhaps this letter would not have needed to be written.
You cannot shock people into awareness. Last year, the show should have been the center of attention, unfortunately, it was not and now there is a price to pay.
Kimmi Martin
class of '00
February 12, 2001
All Viewpoint Stories for Thursday, February 15, 2001
