V-Day Director defends `Monologues'
Kerry Walsh
director and coordinator, V-Day ND 2002
Editor's note: Because"The Vagina Monologues" contains some graphic content and offensive language, the letters discussing these issues will contain such language as well. In order to foster an intelligent dialogue on this matter, this language must be included. Readers who might be offended by such language are cautioned.
First, Mr. Dudley's association of Planned Parenthood and V-Day in his Feb. 14 letter is incorrect. V-Day ND 2002 has absolutely no relationship to Planned Parenthood whatsoever.
All funding raised by the performances and through donations will be given to Saint Joe County Sex Offense Services, the YWCA Women's Shelter and a portion will be sent back to V-Day specifically to be donated to the RAWA fund to aid Afghani women.
Secondly, Mr. Dudley refers to a portion of one of the monologues portraying a molestation that is justified "in the name of lesbian expression." This statement is also false. The notes provided to actresses by the author clearly state that this monologue is neither an endorsement of underage sex of any kind nor is the act meant to be judged in any manner itself. The "Monologues" do not endorse or promote any specific lifestyle. They are simply real women's stories. If the particular monologue to which Mr. Dudley refers seems to promote any kind of lifestyle, it is only due to the way that woman chose to tell her story. That monologue is meant to reveal one woman's journey from a time when she though of her vagina as a dark, horrible, "bad luck zone" to refering to it as "a kind of heaven."
Third, Mr. Dudley insists that modesty and respect will be lost by producing this play. I believe that something surely will be lost by producing "The Vagina Monologues" — fear, shame and guilt. As the actress performing the piece that includes chanting of the word "cunt," I feel that in bringing these issues (and words) to light we are encouraging women to have more respect and love for themselves and to be less prone to tolerate disrespect and objectification by men. By "reclaiming cunt," as my monologue suggests, we no longer allow others to use that word in a negative light. By reclaiming these words and the right to tell our stories, we also make room for dialogue which will be, I hope, the most important result of this production.
In order to further open this issue to discussion, I, along with cast members, faculty members, and even clergy members will hold a panel discussion of the play and issues it raises on Wednesday, Feb. 27 from 9 to 10 p.m. in the Montgomery Theater on the first floor of LaFortune.
During this discussion, we will also re-air a film being produced in conjunction with V-Day ND that includes student interviews and reactions to the play. The film will also be shown at each performance on Feb. 25 and 26. We sincerely hope that all schools of thought are represented at this discussion.
More information about V-Day and its mission can be found on its website, www.vday.org.
Kerry Walsh
director and coordinator, V-Day ND 2002
senior
off-campus
Feb. 17, 2002
All Viewpoint Stories for Monday, February 18, 2002
