I never knew what women were going through and I never truly knew what it meant to be a feminist until I took part in the Vagina Monologues.
I haven't blogged since Thursday because for the past three nights, I've been performing in the Vagina Monologues. It was one of the most touching, transformative experiences.
For a while, I was practicing my monologue very little and did not take time to understand my monologue or the show. During dress rehearsal, my whole view on the show and issues about women changed. At the end of the show, the audience is asked to stand if they've ever been raped, beaten or violated or know somebody who has. During our dress rehearsal, when it was just the cast, 90% of the girls stood up - including myself.
I couldn't believe it and how terrible the realization was. Females are beaten everyday and on average, more than men because they are perceived as more vulnerable.
I knew violence against women happened before the show. But what I didn't realize was how many women remained silent and not just for themselves, but for the people around them. The show opened up a new world to me and a new side to violence against women pass the standard "Well, she deserved it" scenario.
The monologues that touched me the most were "The Memory of Her Face" monologues. In this set of three monologues, it is revealed how one girls' father is ashamed of her because her face was burnt by a bomb, how a boyfriend threw acid all over his girlfriend's face because he couldn't stand her neediness and the last about kidnapped women in Mexico. It was truly disturbing how some people in the world treat women because they are physically weaker and how they will shun them if they are not beautiful or "worthy." I guess I've been taking for granted the freedom I have being from the Northeast United States.
So in honor of those women who could or cannot speak for themselves, I spoke for them the past three nights and hope that through this social revolution Eve Ensler started ten years ago, women one day will not live in fear.
I did "My Vagina Was My Village" several years ago here at Clarkson.
Congrats on participating in V-Day. It's a wonderful experience.
I did "The Little Coochi Snorcher That Could" complete with different ages and southern accents. I loved it. The girl was presented with so many obstacles and she found relief in such an unexpected way. I loved it. haha. I can't say it enough.
I was "Hair" last year.
For all who read this please also check out my blog and my 1({}) VDay post. Not to detract from your wonderful blog (because I am so grateful that you got involved) I would like everyone interested in the Vagina Monologues to read about the SuperLove event going on in New Orleans on April 11th and 12th. Also read more information at www.vday.com
Thanks!
Think about it...
http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/tomorrowtoday
The vagina Monologues tend to have that affect on people. My favorite monologue has always been "The Flood."
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That's so inspiring. I wish I could participate in something like that. That's so cool.
~The Writer~
Wow...
That sounds pretty intense, even if it is called "The Vagina Monologues".
The name fits but makes it seem rather comical by personifying the vagina.
But all in all that sounds like an extremely moving presentation.
I am going to try and go one one of the Vagina Monologues this weekend. I hope I can get just as much out of it as you have.
Just as a note...
For those of you whose schools do not have "The Vagina Monologues" or who missed it... you can buy the book. : )
I hope that feeling goes away one day! But the feeling of fear is surrounds those that this has happened to! I don't think it will ever change. The silence is not the thing that needs to be changed, because as long as women are sexually abused they will be silent! It's so sad and so true!!!
I've been hearing a lot about the Vagina Monologues lately. It was just performed here in Moscow, but I haven't seen it yet. It must be a big deal, because I hear people talking about it all of the time.
Just the other day, I was sitting in a coffee shop when I heard a couple of women talking about it behind me. They were talking about how strong women are, which I think is positive. The only thing that I found upsetting was that they were trash talking men. I do agree that it is unacceptable for men to mistreat women because they believe we are the weaker sex. This is no reason to bash men. That just continues the cycle. Men and women are different, this is true. But talking poorly about men, calling them "pigs," is not the solution. I believe all people should have respect for all people. Talking down on the opposite sex is just ignorant.
*~Emilythe1st~*
Men perceived things not so dramatic as women.
For example, i was beaten many times, and many times beat somebody else.
And so what? That's life, full of action :))
_____
***Link deleted by BurningExample 3/27***
Being beaten isn't dramatic??!?! Being beaten to the point of stitches and scars and casts isn't dramatic? Rape isn't dramatic? I'm confused on what you would think would be dramatic then? Being beaten to death?
I've heard of this powerful script before but have never seen it myself. After reading this post I think that I'll look into it more - thank you.
I remember when the Vagina Monologues first came out to the mainstream and was featured on HBO. The stories were powerful and hit directly home. I'm ashamed to say I know what it is like to be abused, and to watch your loved ones being abused, as a child, etc. These images stay with you for the rest of your life and at some point in your life, you have to make a decision. Mine was to make sure my life is dedicated to doing everything possible to make sure this NEVER happens again to my loved ones, to myself, and to everyone I come in contact with.
I was once an English teacher in China for a year and I was dating a Chinese girl there at the time. One day, we met a 11-year old albino Chinese girl kneeling on the sidewalk with a written sign asking for money. In a sea of black-haired, Asians, you could not possibly miss this pale little girl with white blond hair and red eyes. She seemed so tiny and fragile.
Turns out, she lives with her grandparents because her father died and her mother abandoned her because she didn't want an albino daughter. She's never attended a day of school because her grandparents are afraid children will make fun of her. Make a long story short, my heart went out to her and we became friends. I would make sure to visit her whenever I was in town. It's been 3 three years since I've been back to China & I want to go back and find her and ask her grandparents if I can adopt her or offer to arrange a private tutor for her education. I'm striving to self-produce and market two inventions of mine on GlobalQuestFund.com, eventually licencing them to a major toy company so that I can have the financial freedom to search for her and make this possible.
Anyways, I just wanted to thank you for sharing your story. I now want to find that book again.
Warm Regards,
Luis
I hope you do find that book again. The stories are amazingly beautiful.
I also really respect the choices you've made in your life to help somebody else's.
Good luck in everything you do.
:-h
http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/ediblewoman
I think that it is so awesome that you did the Vagina Monologues, empowering women is the most important step to ending domestic violence. When women feel helpless, trapped, and out of control, the cycle of abuse will never end. Great job and thanks
That's it. This is what's finally convinced me to stop debating it - and just going to buy it.
I'm a woman, and I think the Vagina Monologues are great, but the only thing that irked me in your post is saying that women on average are beaten more than men.
First, that could be true but that could also be false. Many, and I mean many, men are beaten by their wives, girlfriends, and others but will never report it. I personally had a male friend who's girlfriend beat him with a bat and he ended up with three broken ribs and a broken nose.
He never reported it until someone found out and forced him to report it.
I don't mean to bash or anything since I'm actually part of the group of women who have been abused and understand what it's like.
I fully acknowledge and know men are beaten. I just said women are beaten more than men for the purposes of generalizations. According to the statistics presented by different groups, women are beaten more than men. If more men are supported in coming out about being beaten and it ends up that more men are beaten, then I'll change the fact.
But I appreciate your comment. It's a shame that anybody has to suffer from abuse and men have a harder time admitting it because of stereotypes placed upon them by society. It's a shame.
I just took a psychology class that has recently covered topics such a domestic violence, and it was also a very emotional and shocking thing for me to realize that SO many women are victimized EVERYDAY. It's amazing that you were able to participate in something so beautiful.
My personal opinion is this: a monologue about things like this is not a way to change the world. I will give you a little clap, just a small one, for realizing how much really does go on in the world you live in. If you really want to change the world, and what's happening to the people - not just women - around the world you would join an organization. But are you REALLY that awakened? Are you REALLY in the world now? Do you sit there and stare starry eyed because you realized that there is something other than you? Or are you going to take that realization and join something - better yet START something. The world is not changed by words, it is changed by actions.
Read up on "The Vagina Monologues." They are not just "a monologue" but a series of pieces done by students at Universities all over the world. Each presentation raises money for charity; it is one of the stipulations for using Eve Ensler's creation without paying a fee.
It's not about just the actors; it's about raising awareness for thousands of people locally, and millions nationally every year. It's also about raising funds for women in need.
Don't try to jump before you can walk, my young grasshopper.
You speak so condescendingly. You make it seem like I've been living under a rock for 10 years and that I didn't know domestic violence happens. I did but I didn't know to what extent these women suffered internally from such an experience. Also, I didn't realize how many different scenarios there are and how cruel some people can be in their closemindedness towards women and sexuality in general because I am so liberal in my views.
And yes, I was really awakened. The show does something to you that can only be explained if you get up on stage yourself. I could list all the things I do to help other people or all the things I'm involved with, but I won't.
Also, I plan to get involved with women's rights, especially health-related concerns. Since I've only recently started having feminist views, I haven't had much a chance to get out there and save the world yet.
And if you haven't noticed, ProgressiveU is about words - getting ideas out there to initiate constructive conversations and maybe ultimately change somebody's mind (hopefully for the better) and convince somebody to take that next step.
I wrote this blog to open people up to the wonder of the Vagina Monologues. I didn't even realize that many people never heard of the monologues, seen them or read them. And if I can inspire them to do one of those things, I've made a small difference.
wow. i really wanna see this, and i've herd a lot about it. I'm deff looking into this.
I just saw a Deaf performance of VM on Friday. It was amazing when I saw it the first time, but to see it in American Sign Language gave it yet another layer of depth and experience. "Hair" in sign is incredibly graphic. It was better, more moving in sign, and I don't even know ASL! And the bit about the different types of orgasms was amazing in sign! The women said it all with their bodies!
The performance raised money for the domestic abuse services of Communication Services for the Deaf. A woman told her story of trying to escape an abusive husband in the hearing shelters, where they don't always have the funds or knowledge to obtain an interpreter. They raised over $15,000 for the program!
http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/ediblewoman