This is not only the violence against women but against humanity. It is just that in our world more women are violated, so their stories are told in the Monologues. In the future, I’m sure we will all be more than pleased to see the first Monologues performed about a male by a male or female. Despite the violence, women constantly face pressures put on them to have male children, to look glamorous, and to carry the prestige of their families. Trust me, life is no cakewalk for women. In fact, 90 to 95 percent of all anorexics and bulimics are women.
It’s on days like today V-day, Valentine’s day, victory over violence day, that women from all over the world can claim today as a day to celebrate the liberation of some women, the courage of others, and the hope of many more. It’s a day where we can unite together and make a difference for all the women in the world and even men. Its not about hating men or ripping on them or blaming them for all the violence or grievances we suffer, but a day for us to shout out about our special experiences about womanhood, whether we have a vagina or not. To share the mishaps of others because they touch us so much that we want to drop everything we are doing and stop the violence.
A vagina is a symbol. A symbol of womanhood, strength, courage, endurance, pain, love, heart, life, death, hunger, fulfillment, peace, excitement, and the list goes on. A symbol regarded among the highest in several religions. A yoni or vagina in Hinduism is more powerful than its male counterpart, the lingam or male genital symbol. Women’s superior spiritual energy represented by the yoni is necessary for men since they are unable to reach spiritual fulfillment without the emotional union to a woman. This is only one example. Buddhism, Christianity, Judaism and other faiths give reverence to symbolism of femininity and womanhood in similar ways.
The idea of selling a candy pop that represents a vagina for the Vagina Monologues is only natural. Shagall claimed it to be tacky. Although it more secretive and hidden from society than explored and understood, the vagina is sacred to some and merely pleasure to others. Either way all proceeds from the show and the candy are going to charities that help end violence.
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