“The Vagina Monologues” features personal stories about women’s sexuality as well as their fears and search for self-discovery and condemns domestic violence. The Women’s Center is bringing the play to campus to increase awareness about violence against women.
Deborah McKnight is a student development specialist at the Women’s Center, which she says “is a place for all students to come and talk about gender issues as well as an avenue for programs to voice student’s ideas and concerns.”
The center sponsors such events as Take Back the Night, the Women’s Symposium and “The Vagina Monologues.”
“The Vagina Monologues” are “something to celebrate rather than something to be seen as shameful or dirty,” McKnight said. Contrary to popular belief, she said, the play is not crude or pornographic.
McKnight is currently working to find people interested in participating in the planning of next year’s “Vagina Monologues.” The event was last held on campus in 2006 and attracted about 750 people over two nights. She hopes to find individuals who want to hold leadership positions in the planning process, which will take place over the summer and next semester.
The event will most likely be held February 12 and 13, right before Valentine’s Day. The proceeds from “The Vagina Monologues” benefit various women’s organizations.
In the past, some have had a problem with the play being held at SMU at all, saying it is pornographic and should not be associated with a Methodist college.
The Women’s Center says it is unfortunate that the “Monologues” have this sort of reputation, because its main goal is to raise awareness about violence against women.
“I would like to see more done for the fight against domestic violence,” junior Elaine Erdely said. “‘The Vagina Monologues’ are more about women speaking out against domestic violence, which, as an R.A., I have seen the effects of firsthand.”
The center affirms that the monologues should not be viewed as pornographic, because the purpose of the content is to move the audience and introduce viewers to the way real women feel about themselves as well as how the experiences of real women have affected them. The stories are personal and honest, and, organizers say, inspiring.
Natasha Steinberg, a sophomore student at SMU and transfer student from UT Austin, said that “‘The Vagina Monologues’ are a pretty big deal at UT.”
“It’s unfortunate that they have a stigma associated with them here, because there is no denying that their main purpose is an important one,” Steinberg said.
For more information about “The Vagina Monologues” see the center’s Web site at smu.edu/womenscenter.
