Here's what a portion of this play is about: The Little Coochie Snorcher That Could, in which a woman recalls memories of traumatic sexual experiences in her childhood and a self-described "positive healing" sexual experience in her adolescent years with an older woman. This particular skit has sparked outrage, numerous controversies and criticisms due to its content, among which the most famous is the Robert Swope controversy (see below). In the original version, she is 13, but later versions would change her age to 16. It also originally included the line, "If it was rape, it was a good rape." which was removed from later versions.
I just don't know when this sort of content became something that the downtown business district wanted to get behind
Thank you for sharing an almost direct quote from wikipedia about the play.
You (wikipedia) reference Robert Swope with little explanation above. Mr. Swope did, in fact, question the propriety of the monologue to which you refer. However, he there was such an outcry about his comments in regards to the piece that he was fired before the article he wrote was ever printed.
If you are familiar with the play then you are also aware that it is based on the stories of women who were interviewed and spoke about their own personal experiences. Nowhere in the play does it ever claim that all of the stories are easy to listen to or politically correct.
What it does claim to be is an honest telling of the stories of brave women who have dealt with a variety of issues ranging from typical to very traumatic.
As the organizer of this years V Day event in Middletown I am proud of all of the women who have agreed to help tell these stories, no matter how uncomfortable it may be. I am thankful that our Downtown Business District is willing to stand with these brave women and help tell their stories so that Middletown can be part of the movement to end violence against women and girls. I am hopeful that we will be able to raise a significant amount of money for a cause as worthy as The New Horizons Domestic Violence Shelter.
In addition to the DBD I am thankful for the support from Oddfellows Playhouse and Angler Adventures.
I hope that you will consider coming to see our production of The Vagina Monologues, we would be happy to offer you a complimentary ticket.
If you are interested in more information on the global Vday movement you can find it at www.vday.org
I think the point of "this sort of content" is to draw awareness to the issue of violence against women and girls, and reduce the violence. Is the content shocking at times? Yes, but so are the violent acts that are perpetrated - sometimes against very young girls - on a daily basis. No disrespect intended - you're entitled to your opinion - but if you are offended by the content of the show, then perhaps consider instead making a donation to New Horizons to support the work they do to prevent and reduce domestic violence.
Why this play? I believe that it is important to share the stories of these women. I believe that they were courageous in sharing these stories and we shouldn't shy away from them because they are difficult to hear.
I also think that The Vagina Monologues can serve as a catalyst for important conversations that we NEED to have as a community. Yes, it is about raising money for a very worthy organization, but it is also about raising awareness.
I support the work that the V day organization is doing through the V Day campaigns world wide. I am proud to be a part of that work. I hope that this will be an opportunity to raise money, raise awareness and educate people.
I hope that you will join us for one of the shows.
In addition to a community production of The Vagina Monologues, We will also have a silent auction. I am excited that local artists including - David Schulz, Kat Owens and Susie Guckin have donated original pieces to be auctioned off. In addition to the artwork we also have donations from Rogue Elephant Nation apparel, 24Peace, Parisian Day Spa, Michael Francis Day Spa and many other donors.
I do not find this to be controversial at all! Here is the quote i would pick out of wikipedia as a much more accurate description than what Josh K Mitchell picked. "The Vagina Monologues is made up of a varying number of monologues read by a varying number of women ... Each of the monologues deals with an aspect of the feminine experience, touching on matters such as sex, love, rape, menstruation, female genital mutilation, masturbation, birth, orgasm, the various common names for the vagina, or simply as a physical aspect of the body. A recurring theme throughout the piece is the vagina as a tool of female empowerment, and the ultimate embodiment of individuality"
@Bobbye: Whaaaa? So if I leave a negative comment can I get a complimentary ticket as well? Because my fiancee and I can't afford to drop $40, but I have been wanting to bring him to a V Day event since we were blocked from attending one last year due to foul weather. Why not show a little love to someone who actually supports this, and, ya know, has a vagina? It would be most appreciated.
Megara - It is a suggested donation. You are welcome at our show for whatever you are comfortable and able to pay.
We will also be collecting items from the New Horizons wish list. So if it is easier for you to bring a non perishable food item, tampons, pads, slippers, diapers larger than size 3, new pajamas, drink mix, gift certificates in small denominations to local grocery stores and businesses or Mat bus passes that would work too!
8 comments:
Here's what a portion of this play is about:
The Little Coochie Snorcher That Could, in which a woman recalls memories of traumatic sexual experiences in her childhood and a self-described "positive healing" sexual experience in her adolescent years with an older woman. This particular skit has sparked outrage, numerous controversies and criticisms due to its content, among which the most famous is the Robert Swope controversy (see below). In the original version, she is 13, but later versions would change her age to 16. It also originally included the line, "If it was rape, it was a good rape." which was removed from later versions.
I just don't know when this sort of content became something that the downtown business district wanted to get behind
Mr. Mitchell,
Thank you for sharing an almost direct quote from wikipedia about the play.
You (wikipedia) reference Robert Swope with little explanation above. Mr. Swope did, in fact, question the propriety of the monologue to which you refer. However, he there was such an outcry about his comments in regards to the piece that he was fired before the article he wrote was ever printed.
If you are familiar with the play then you are also aware that it is based on the stories of women who were interviewed and spoke about their own personal experiences. Nowhere in the play does it ever claim that all of the stories are easy to listen to or politically correct.
What it does claim to be is an honest telling of the stories of brave women who have dealt with a variety of issues ranging from typical to very traumatic.
As the organizer of this years V Day event in Middletown I am proud of all of the women who have agreed to help tell these stories, no matter how uncomfortable it may be. I am thankful that our Downtown Business District is willing to stand with these brave women and help tell their stories so that Middletown can be part of the movement to end violence against women and girls. I am hopeful that we will be able to raise a significant amount of money for a cause as worthy as The New Horizons Domestic Violence Shelter.
In addition to the DBD I am thankful for the support from Oddfellows Playhouse and Angler Adventures.
I hope that you will consider coming to see our production of The Vagina Monologues, we would be happy to offer you a complimentary ticket.
If you are interested in more information on the global Vday movement you can find it at www.vday.org
I think the point of "this sort of content" is to draw awareness to the issue of violence against women and girls, and reduce the violence. Is the content shocking at times? Yes, but so are the violent acts that are perpetrated - sometimes against very young girls - on a daily basis. No disrespect intended - you're entitled to your opinion - but if you are offended by the content of the show, then perhaps consider instead making a donation to New Horizons to support the work they do to prevent and reduce domestic violence.
Bobbye,
You know me. Just "Josh" will do. :-)
If the point is to raise money for a worthy cause, wouldn't a less controversial production be a better option?
Why this play? I believe that it is important to share the stories of these women. I believe that they were courageous in sharing these stories and we shouldn't shy away from them because they are difficult to hear.
I also think that The Vagina Monologues can serve as a catalyst for important conversations that we NEED to have as a community. Yes, it is about raising money for a very worthy organization, but it is also about raising awareness.
I support the work that the V day organization is doing through the V Day campaigns world wide. I am proud to be a part of that work. I hope that this will be an opportunity to raise money, raise awareness and educate people.
I hope that you will join us for one of the shows.
In addition to a community production of The Vagina Monologues, We will also have a silent auction. I am excited that local artists including - David Schulz, Kat Owens and Susie Guckin have donated original pieces to be auctioned off. In addition to the artwork we also have donations from Rogue Elephant Nation apparel, 24Peace, Parisian Day Spa, Michael Francis Day Spa and many other donors.
I do not find this to be controversial at all! Here is the quote i would pick out of wikipedia as a much more accurate description than what Josh K Mitchell picked. "The Vagina Monologues is made up of a varying number of monologues read by a varying number of women ... Each of the monologues deals with an aspect of the feminine experience, touching on matters such as sex, love, rape, menstruation, female genital mutilation, masturbation, birth, orgasm, the various common names for the vagina, or simply as a physical aspect of the body. A recurring theme throughout the piece is the vagina as a tool of female empowerment, and the ultimate embodiment of individuality"
@Bobbye: Whaaaa? So if I leave a negative comment can I get a complimentary ticket as well? Because my fiancee and I can't afford to drop $40, but I have been wanting to bring him to a V Day event since we were blocked from attending one last year due to foul weather. Why not show a little love to someone who actually supports this, and, ya know, has a vagina? It would be most appreciated.
Megara - It is a suggested donation. You are welcome at our show for whatever you are comfortable and able to pay.
We will also be collecting items from the New Horizons wish list. So if it is easier for you to bring a non perishable food item, tampons, pads, slippers, diapers larger than size 3, new pajamas, drink mix, gift certificates in small denominations to local grocery stores and businesses or Mat bus passes that would work too!
I hope to see you there!
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