This weekend, a group of women will gather at the USC Law School Auditorium to perform a series of monologues about female empowerment and a healthy body image.
It’s “The Vagina Monologues,” the cornerstone of the V-Day movement. The movement seeks to end all forms of violence against women, including: rape, battery, incest, sex slavery and genital mutilation, and this performance is part of the global V-Day movement.
“The Vagina Monologues” are a collection of monologues compiled by Eve Ensler, who interviewed women around the country about their bodies and sexuality. Naturally, with a name such as “The Vagina Monologues,” a variety of different ideas and opinions arise about the performance.
Some claim the monologues promote sexual promiscuity; others say they are simply a bunch of angry feminists spewing hatred against men. These criticisms come from people who either do not understand the show or seek to only trivialize it.
The monologues discuss far more than sex. They discuss how to be proud of who you are and how you appear. The performance brings light not only to issues such as rape, domestic violence and shame, but also pride, joy and pleasure. Some of the monologues are lighthearted, funny and enlightening, while others are serious, moving and passionate with subjects varying from sex to body image.
While the show is certain to make all of us blush at some point, it portrays issues to which all girls and women can relate.
There are also local benefits from the production — all proceeds from USC’s performance go to the women’s shelter and to Sexual Trauma Services of the Midlands.
More Like This
‘Vagina Monologues’ share stories of sexual assault
By Tyler Simpson | Feb. 8, 2012Sexual violence demands worldwide attention
By Leia Cain | Feb. 7, 2012