Embrace femininity
Molly McShane
junior
I would like to respond to Sean Dudley's letter concerning the vulgarity of the "Vagina Monologues." First, a small disclaimer. As luck would have it I know the author of said letter and therefore do not wish to condemn his intentions because I believe they were good. I must, however, strongly disagree.
If I had to pick one word to describe Eve Ensler's play, (which I have seen and read many times) it would be "empowering." Women discussing their vaginas, learning about their vaginas, loving their vaginas and so on, is not disgusting or rude. On the contrary, it is extremely important.
I'm not a psychology major, but I think one can make a connection between the epidemic of low self-esteem among females and the taboo surrounding their genitalia. Why is it that words like "cunt" and "pussy" are designated as vulgarities, while "wang" and "schlong" are accepted and common? Why are girls raised to be quiet and embarassed about a part of their body while the other half of the population campares the sizes of theirs? It's not fair. No one asked for their vagina. The least they can do is be proud of it.
As for religion, there is no reference to it in the Monologues. The play cannot be compared to dung on a statue of the Virgin Mary when there is nothing similar to dung or the Virgin Mary in the play. Where the story of the young girl and the 24-year-old woman is concerned, there is no question that it is a little scandalous. However, nothing about it is "violent," and after one hears the story from the girl first hand through the monologue, the age difference question is lost in the beauty of her own self-realization.
I'm a Catholic, I'm in the "Monologues," and I would be lying if I said that some parts didn't make me a little uncomforatable. But I embrace those feelings and consider them a challenge. I push myself not to be ashamed of how God made me.
Molly McShane
junior
Badin Hall
Feb. 14, 2002
All Viewpoint Stories for Friday, February 15, 2002
