I am not one for over-exaggerating. I try and represent something for what it is. However, if something is amazing, it deserves the acknowledgement of being said to the world. So here is me, saying to the world, that the Vagina Monologues were flat out fantastic. I never thought I would laugh so hard at dialogue surrounding vaginas, nor be so moved by stories of an abused woman than in Thursday night’s performance. The dialogues, a compilation of a few hundred interviews of women from all socioeconomic statuses, races, sexual backgrounds, etc., touched on a broad range of topics surrounding women, their sexuality, their romantic experiences, their abuse histories, and any personal anecdotes that got thrown in. One of my favorite parts of the 2 hour performance was how they interlaced each monologue with tidbit information on vaginas. There were some great facts that I myself had never heard before, and I definitely learned a lot in the 2 hours.
One of the hardest parts of the night had to have been listening to the monologue written for the Bosnian women rescued form a rape camp in the former Yugoslavia in the 1990s. The performer who recited this monologue had the ability to portray such a heart-breaking, disgusting story of abuse with deep respect to what had happened. The audience sat, respectfully stunned, and listened. I myself could not decide whether to cry or shake in anger. Despite the graphic, horrid story that was told, I am glad I listened. I am glad that the monologue reinforced the sanctity of a woman’s body, and her right to protect it how she see fit.
Of course, there were many happy, hilarious sections of the evening on top of the moving ones. My favorite had to have been “My Vagina’s Angry!”. This monologue covered many of the common complaints a woman has about vaginas. Every woman and man in the room was dying of laughter by the end of it, and it amazed me how much my friends and I agreed with every word said. It felt very empowering to know that these ‘secretive’ topics, not so socially acceptable to talk about (even in our modern culture), are topics that every woman thinks about.
So exactly what did I get out of The Vagina Monologues? I’d have to say it was the reassurance that despite the trials and tragedies of womanhood, we are an incredibly powerful sex. Not only that, but we are not alone, and we should start talking about our vaginas more, because they can be pretty amazing.
