Independent SMC students perform monologues
By MELANIE BECKER
News Writer
Student performers and 70 members of the community gathered to recognize global violence against women at Sunday evening when a performance of Eve Ensler's "The Vagina Monologues" was held in the Regina North Lounge at Saint Mary's.
Nine students from the junior and senior classes performed "The Vagina Monologues" for interested members of the Saint Mary's Community.
The V-Day website said that, "Saint Mary's College is proud to present a benefit production of `The Vagina Monologues' to raise awareness and for local organizations working to end violence against women and girls." The V-Day website lists senior Susan Almeda as the official organizer of the Performance at Saint Mary's. However, Almeda had no comment for The Observer.
A disclaimer was read to the audience that the College in no way supported last night's performance but students are given the liberty to hold such performances under the academic freedom policy of the college. The performers also noted that they felt that the performance of the show was of great importance. All performers had no comment for The Observer.
The performers all wore black shirts that read on the back, "Never turn your back on your sisters." Minimal props and costume accessories were used as the students transformed the stories of women from around the globe through their reading.
Ensler begins the play by defining the vagina as the essence of a woman "The Monologues" expressed the oppression of women through the negative connotation and destruction of the vagina. Stereotypes and stigmas were addressed as destroying the basic nature of a woman by the denial of such an essential part of her. Examples of this oppression ranged from the practice of douching in western cultures to female genital mutilation, particularly in Africa.
The monologues within the play were taken from interviews that Ensler conducted worldwide with women about their vaginas. The play consisted of a range of topics from the generalizations and embarrassment of having a vagina and menstruation, to the denial of its existence, to rape.
Throughout the show statistical information was provided to the audience about sexual abuse of women. According to Ensler's findings, most homeless women have experienced sexual abuse or rape at some point during their lifetime and that homes for abused women become a place of insecurity and fear.
The affects of abuse and rape of women were also examined. After sexual abuse or rape a woman's body becomes a `crime scene.' The separation of a woman's body and soul after sexual violence was demonstrated through the agonizing tales of women suffering from violence.
"It was a good way to bring about very important issues, such as female genital mutilation. It covered the full spectrum," senior Katie Sandford said.
The hour and a half performance ended with a monologue about the vagina during childbirth. The vagina is compared to a human heart in its ability to love, hurt, heal and sacrifice for others. A woman, like her vagina, changes with the birth of a child.
Audience members had mixed reactions and many refused to comment. Many students were surprised at the bluntness of the show and the level of its detail. Audience members were composed of curious students, parents, professors, faculty and visitors.
"From a male's perspective, it was shocking, but I'd heard of it before. It's uncommon to think about the Vagina, and it makes you think — not about all the pretty stuff either. Overall, it's a good play, it's honest and shows every perspective from a woman's point of view," Ricky Baron, a junior visiting from Valparaiso University, said.
"You never see yourself in that light, it's not something you expect. Many things you don't even hear about are brought to light," sophomore Madelyn Estrada said.
The play has fueled a global movement to end violence against women, which has gained momentum on college campuses across the nation.
Concerns as to whether the show fit the Catholic character of Saint Mary's arose in January of 2001. After selling out Carroll auditorium twice in the spring of 2000, the college withdrew its support of the show and prohibited its performance at Saint Mary's.
Students have continued to perform the show since the College's support was withdrawn. The students that performed the show in 2001were requested to apologize to the student body, but the college did not place any sanctions on the students involved with last year's performance. After two years of controversy surrounding the ethics of performing "The Vagina Monologues" at Saint Mary's, the administration says that they will take a neutral stand to the student led performance last night.
Even without the college's endorsement of the show, students have continued to express the need to perform it at Saint Mary's.
"I think that it's important to talk about violence. Look at how many women are raped here. We feel so sheltered because we are at a white Catholic school. As an all woman's college, it is important to address issues of rape because it is a reality," senior Ann Hoover said.
A collection was taken at the door of the performance and proceeds will be donated to the Sex Offense Services, the Young Women's Christian Association and a shelter for battered women in the St. Joseph Community. Additionally funds were raised through the sale of chocolate shaped vaginas. These funds will go to the V-Day Campaign at IUSB.
Interested students who missed last night's performance can see "The Vagina Monologues" on Tuesday or Wednesday night in Notre Dame's Washington Hall at 7:30 p.m.
All News Stories for Monday, March 3, 2003
