Just as Eve Ensler said, "it sounds like an infection at best, it doesn't matter how many times you say it, it never sounds like a word you want to say....such an unsexy word."
I have heard of
The Vagina Monologues and always wanted to check it out but never have. Now, I definitely will. What a fantastic intro video to who this genius of a woman is and what her passion is and where it stems from. I really had no idea what V-day was and what her purpose was. I thought it was a satirical comedy or something and as it turns out I am a tad bit wrong. While comedy is there, her purpose really is to give the vagina a voice in issues more serious in nature such as violence, crimes, and inappropriate acts towards women. Why is the vagina so taboo anway? And where did that list of vagina nicknames she rattled off come from? Seriously! "Powder Box," "Pookie," and "Poopaloo," really?! And the list went on and on and on! Hilarious. Ms. Ensler did note, however, that once she opened the topic up for discussion women were on a roll talking about their vaginas. Story after story after story. She heard stories from a huge variety of women. Women from all over the world of different ethnicities, ages, and cultures. The stories could be funny, depressing, sad, gut-wrenching, entertaining, etc. It seems like what touched this woman the most was the number of women that lined up at her shows to tell their story about how their vagina, or womanhood, was beaten, gang-raped, mutilated, infected, and just abused. Eve Ensler went on to investigate and speak out against these topics. She has empowered other women across the globe (Ensler refers to them as "vagina warriors") to travel their villages and communities saving other girls, young and old, from potential tragedy to their vagina. Her movement has raised millions and millions of dollars, 75 to be exact, in an effort to end violence towards women and protect them from abuse. What began as a casual funny conversation about menopause has turned into to an international phenomenon encouraging women to embrace and protect their vaginas. It's an incredible movement. I love how she brings passion to the vagina and gives it a broader definition and purpose other than another part of the body, reproductive and sexual in nature, but rather a symbol of sorts for a woman's existence: mind, body, and soul. I can't wait to dive into The Vagina Monologues and laugh, cry, and discover. Somehow Ms. Ensler was able to draw a connection between balance at the center of the universe and the center and balance as a woman through the vagina, which happens to be located at the center of our body. Very thought provoking in so many ways. I encourage all of you to have a look at this!
V-Day link
http://www.vday.org/
Reference
Ensler, E. (2004). [playwright].
Eve Ensler: happiness in body and soul. Retrieved from
http://www.ted.com/talks/eve_ensler_on_happiness_in_body_and_soul.html
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