Vagina. Every woman has one, but I’m betting more than a few of you were uncomfortable as you read that word. So you’ll have to read it again: vagina.
At the very least, it is just an anatomical part. At the most, it is a symbol of female sexuality. It has over one hundred slang equivalents in the English language: hoo ha, woo hoo, down there, maneater, you name it. Grey’s Anatomy even coined a new one, vajayjay. But in a few places, there is no word in the language for vagina at all.
“We don’t have to be afraid of female sexuality and we certainly don’t have to be afraid of a word,” explains Andrea Ortu, head director of the Vagina Monologues here at TCNJ. Yes, that’s right. The Vagina Monologues– the name itself is a statement. Written by playwright Eve Ensler, the monologues are part of a crusade to erase the shame and mortification many women still associate with their bodies and their sexuality. To quote Eve Ensler herself, “It never sounds like a word you want to say.”
Based on Ensler’s interviews with 200 real women – of all ages, ethnicities and religions – the monologues give voice to experiences of intimacy, vulnerability and sexual self-discovery. It’s been performed in more than 120 countries in at least 45 languages, and for the past ten years, Women in Learning and Leadership has been bringing the production to life here on TCNJ’s campus.
So why is it we can make up so many words (or have none at all) about something we still are too uncomfortable to talk about? What does that say about us as a society? What does it say about us as women?
“Most people don’t know anything about vaginas. Even individuals with vaginas are afraid of them,” says Sarah Scholz, one of this year’s directors. “If everyone used the word ‘vagina’ as often as we the directorial team do, the world would be a better place.”
Sakina Ayman, also a director, agrees the v-word taboo is problematic when it comes to talking about women’s rights and health. “It’s not like the word ‘penis’ is completely acceptable in common discourse either,” she explains. “But the thing is, when the taboo starts being translated in women’s rights and socioeconomic statuses, it becomes a reflection and implication of something much greater than certain words being taboo.” For instance, a woman should be able to walk into a health clinic and explain to the doctors there that she has a yeast infection. “It’s surprising and disturbing how many countries this type of medical attention would be unheard of or an impossibility,” Ayman said.
At its core, the aim of the Vagina Monologues is to end violence against women, which is why it has inspired the grassroots movement V-Day. Until the violence stops, V-Day will be held in conjunction with Valentine’s Day.
“Our goal is not to offend anyone, but to supply men and women everywhere with stories of women around the world who have suffered sexual violence,” adds Ortu. It doesn’t matter whether this is accomplished by a girl onstage acting out 23 different orgasms with “The Woman Who Liked To Make Vaginas Happy,” or through a somber recollection of rape in the Bosnian war with “My Vagina was My Village.” What matters most is that you will cry, laugh, feel uncomfortable and learn about some really emotional experiences women around the world have been through.
The monologues are outrageous; they are witty, they are compassionate and they are powerful. Even more importantly, they are about you, me, your sister, your mother, your grandmother and your best friend. You should come to the Vagina Monologues because you are against the violence. Come listen to stories of survival – whether or not you are uncomfortable with the v-word.
But do me one favor. Say it out loud, right now. The v-word. Go on…say it. Find your voice and speak out.
Proceeds from this year’s production will go to Manavi, a NJ-based women’s rights organization that benefits South Asian women, and CARE, a humanitarian organization that fights global poverty. Show dates are Friday, February 18 at 8 p.m. and Saturday, February 19, at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. in the Mildred and Ernest E. Mayo Music Concert Hall. Tickets are $10 for students, $15 for non-TCNJ attendees.