Warning: This blog contains material that may be offensive or graphic in nature.
Recall how I mention that I write blog entries in my head but don’t get them written down? This is yet another unwritten-until-now blog.
So over a week after the start of the Olympic Break, also known as the Reading Break x2 (yeah baby!) I have gotten absolutely nothing done. I’m actually going out with my friends a lot less than I thought I was going to, but I’m getting a lot of rest and actually eight hours of sleep! Whoo hoo!! I also watched some events like the Canadian womens’ hockey games, the Canadian mens’ hockey games and the guy who all (fine. Many. Note the capital “M”) girls around and under the age of 19 thinks is their soulmate…none other than Patrick Chan on television! Yay for not succumbing to paying $500 for a ticket from scalpers! (True attempted transaction. I witnessed it with my eyes. And glasses.)
That part of the blog clearly wasn’t my intention when writing this blog. Here goes now!
For the last week of our FAACT session before the Reading Break, my partner and I decided to take our FAACTees to see the Vagina Monologues instead of having our regular session on the Tuesday. This was a superb idea-props to Gino for coming up with it!
I think that most people are reluctant to pay $15 to see something a) with the word “Vagina” in it, even in our stereotypical British Columbian hippie society, and b) in the middle of midterms and last minute papers/assignments scrambles before the break. To be honest, that week was hectic for me-I survived on 3 or less hours of sleep and caffeine but it’s FAACT and I would pretty much do anything for it. But I’m super glad that I went because seeing the Vagina Monologues is a serious source of empowerment, not just for females but for males too. When we went, half of the nearly packed audience was male and they cheered and laughed the loudest.
So what is the Vagina Monologues? It’s a series of monologues delivered by an all-female cast (but there were males who worked backstage). You think, “monologue? pffffft.” Think again. These monologues ranged from possible ab-workout level of hilarity, to serious, to thought-provoking. In between monologues, there were four actresses who led the transition and gave quirky and funny backgrounds to the pieces. For example, they had lists, such as the wear, smell and say list about conceptions and some facts about vaginas, delivered in a classy and made the atmosphere and subject feel comfortable. I’m going to tell you about a few of my favourites, so you can take this snippet and go watch a production of this play.
-Flood: The play’s monologues started off with a bang! Or rather, a whoosh! The actress, Julie Farr, was playing an elderly woman who was downright but unknowingly (the character) hilarious! The grandmother was describing her reluctance to discuss sex and see her vagina due to her personal embarrassing experiences. This was a great introduction because the actress and the character were able to connect with those nervous or conservative enough to talk about this subject. It basically said, it’s fine, I’m talking about it and the last line (quote inverbatim) “I’ve never told anybody about this before. I feel better after telling/talking to you about it now.”
-Because He Liked to Look at It: To prove/give an idea that this play is not anti-male, the character, played by Stephanie Van Dyk talked about how a man taught her naive, outcast self to appreciate her sexuality by looking at her vagina for hours. Before you think that this guy, Bob is either a creep or wannabe gynecologist, his action was a source of empowerment for the female character because it showed that while he was interested in her physically, he also implied that it was nothing to be ashamed of and she shouldn’t try to hide from exploring and being proud of a part of herself.
-Spotlight Monologue: This is a monologue that made you sit up straighter and sent shivers down your spine. It’s about a child sex slave and her love-hate relationship with being female in the “Democratic Republic” of the Congo. At that moment, when you were watching Humaira Hamid perform that piece, the DRC and this deliberate act of women disempowerment and abuse is all you can ever think, and anger is generated towards those men and towards yourself, for not doing anything about it earlier.
-They Beat the Girl out of My Boy: I honestly don’t think I would have liked this monologue as much I do if I hadn’t known more about people who eventually become transgendered. I recommend reading some Judith Butler essays before to really grasp the issue in this monologue. Props to all of the actresses. If you watched the play, it’s still good to read up on genital mutation at birth and how sexes are “chosen” for people born as hermaphrodites or an extra/underdeveloped sexual organ.
-Reclaiming Cunt: Half of this monologue was an exercise where the “Lists” actresses ran around the audience encouraging them to acknowledge the word and subject “cunt” by saying it. Very empowering because they got you to physically say the word and have an “ahhhhh!” moment.
-I Was There in the Room: Excellent conclusion to the play. Very thought-provoking and well-acted by Anna Warje.
Our past FAACT sessions have been very fun and good learning experiences. Watching this play is empowering for males, females, and those who don’t fit into either category because it raised awareness about something that we clearly can’t avoid (via the media and in social interactions) and can’t get rid of. An extra bonus in this play? All proceeds went to non-profit organizations such as the Sexual Assault Support Centre (AMS), WISH, Vancouver/Lower Mainland Multicultural Family Support Services Society, and V-Day International’s City of Joy. I’m so glad that I didn’t miss out on this session. There is a reason why this play is so successful (and not because it’s Disney, McDonald’s or mass-media sponsored/produced). You can watch the play on YouTube (which I’m going to do) but it’s so much better watching it live (plus, you’ll be helping support some local arts productions!)
