I went to see The Vagina Monologues this evening. Not my first time, I saw it once many years ago. And that time I felt very uncomfortable. Because, of course, I like many men was scared of the word vagina. I was slightly scared of vaginas for that matter, since it was long before my sexual awakening. VAGINA! Back then it was hard to laugh at what is mostly a very comedic set of monologues.
Luckily, I am not quite so prudish these days, and I ended up having an amazing, moving experience watching it.
As you probably know (my one reader, Jei), each year there is a spotlight monologue, about a contemporary Womens rights issue, and this years was concerning the plight of the countless women who are abducted and forced into sex slavery, particularly in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, as a common practice of war. On top of that, add all the women who are raped, tortured and murdered all over the world. Its an issue that doesnt get enough attention, and The Vagina Monologues are a great venue for their exposure, even if there are still too many people in the world too scared or prudish to see it.
The DRC and the issues there have been very central in my mind over the past year, particularly since I started fundraising for Medecine Sans Frontier. However, this facet of the issue has always escaped me, supplanted by concerns for more medical support, for the diseases which ravage the rain forests in which many refugees have fled, fearing violence in camps set up for displaced peoples. Needless to say, Im incredibly happy to have seen this monologue. Not only was it was it an incredibly performance, it was very emotional and personal. I shed a few tears, which is rare for me these days, and very cathartic. I wont go into too many details. You have to see it for yourself.
In short, go see it if you have a chance this year. Or next year. Or whenever you can.
Luckily, I am not quite so prudish these days, and I ended up having an amazing, moving experience watching it.
As you probably know (my one reader, Jei), each year there is a spotlight monologue, about a contemporary Womens rights issue, and this years was concerning the plight of the countless women who are abducted and forced into sex slavery, particularly in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, as a common practice of war. On top of that, add all the women who are raped, tortured and murdered all over the world. Its an issue that doesnt get enough attention, and The Vagina Monologues are a great venue for their exposure, even if there are still too many people in the world too scared or prudish to see it.
The DRC and the issues there have been very central in my mind over the past year, particularly since I started fundraising for Medecine Sans Frontier. However, this facet of the issue has always escaped me, supplanted by concerns for more medical support, for the diseases which ravage the rain forests in which many refugees have fled, fearing violence in camps set up for displaced peoples. Needless to say, Im incredibly happy to have seen this monologue. Not only was it was it an incredibly performance, it was very emotional and personal. I shed a few tears, which is rare for me these days, and very cathartic. I wont go into too many details. You have to see it for yourself.
In short, go see it if you have a chance this year. Or next year. Or whenever you can.
VIEW 3 of 3 COMMENTS
heartbaker:
If and when I do I'll let you know what I think about it
killary:
I watched it air on HBO, does that count?