I want you to look carefully at the sign for this theater in Atlantic Beach, Florida...what's showing tonight and through the weekend?
That's right. "The Hoohaa Monologues."
The WHAT?
It turns out that a woman passing by complained to the manager of the theater that the sign read "The Vagina Monologues." According to him, she explained that she didn't want to tell her daughter, who is old enough to read, what a vagina was.
I'll forgive you if you're smiling about now....but it really isn't funny. In fact, it basically proves the point of Eve Ensler's play. By denying women the names of the parts of their body, we in essence are denying their sexuality. If you've read my book, "From Diapers to Dating", you know that I believe that even the smallest children need to learn the names of the parts of body -- all the parts. It teaches them that all body parts have value, that we can talk about sexuality in our homes, it doesn't instill shame, and it equips them to tell if someone tries to touch them inappropriately.
I'd be happy to have the Religious Institute buy that mother a ticket to the play...I think she needs it. And her daughter needs to know not only that she has a vagina, but a vulva and clitoris as well.
8 comments:
I had the same reaction. I've taught OWL, took AYS four times as a youth, and am currently in the Vagina Monologues in my town. At least this is gettign some press, which will hopefully generate conversation.
(I was refered to you after a good friend heard the spot on WAMC, and I'll be a regular reader. Keep up the good work!)
The word "vagina" has been back for a week.
CC
After two days it was changed back to The Vagina Monologues. Thank goodness.
I was wondering how you feel about the replacement of the name "vagina" by some in the midwifery community with the term "yoni" on feminist grounds -that "vagina" comes from the Roman word for sheath (like the sheath for a sword) and was a disrespectful term for women in Roman times (speaking of Valentine's Day and Lupercalia...).
Some midwives feel that referring to the woman's genitals only in relation to their function as a receiving organ for men's genitals is anti-feminist.
Either way, I agree that the term "vagina" is by no means unspeakable. (I don't know that the Vagina Monologues themselves necessarily treat vaginas with the dignity and respect they deserve, but not having seen the play, I can't say for sure.)
Welcome M! And I understand there was a threat of a lawsuit, so it has been changed back. My favorite comment was offline from a friend who asked what this poor mother does when she drives past a strip club...or I thought when they are in line in the grocery store and she reads the Redbook cover "Better Sex Tonight!"....and Pam, I'd love to know what you think if you do go see it.
Well, if you ask me the morals of the country are heading down the toilet. I would prefer not to see, or have my kids see words like that blaring in our faces as we drive down the street. I agree you need to teach your children, but that does not mean we want to see it. TV commercials are even worse.
I am waiting to see the "Penis" dialogues make the venue somewhere.
Somehow I don't think many will think it appropriate.
So much for equality.....
The Vagina Warriors at UCSD had a good laugh over that one. :)
I just came across this article, though, and was wondering whether you'd read it and if so, what you think of it.
And if you've seen the play -- what's your favourite monologue? :)
Post a Comment