How had they done it? So openly. So boldly. So comfortably. They talked about those two words – the two words that had only been spoken in dire situation: VAGINA and SEX.
I watched scene after scene, women around my age, take back a power I rarely understood to exists. The power to break down the societal pressures and norms around what the vagina should and should not do. The power to determine that the vagina is meant for pleasure and understanding that pleasure should not be taboo. The power to attach this wonderfully crafted, God-masterpiece to liberation???
Liberation??
Liberation?
Liberation.
Liberation…
Liberation!
Li-Ber-A-Tion !!!!
The progression of the vagina being a great source of liberation clicked in my mind by the end of the Vagina Monologues, because I had come to learn that it was not a deep-dark secret that only my friends and I discussed in the privacy of our homes. The vagina was universal in those moments. The vagina was experienced in those moments. The vagina had stories and tips that I had longed to know, but never asked. Then I got to thinking…
My mother: a single-woman who has five daughters has spoken to us about our “coochies” as something to not be touched, and to be for marriage. What about the rest of it? What if we didn’t want to wait until marriage?
The women: Many of the women in my neighborhood treat vaginas and sex like taboo. Like the worst devil imagined. No one addresses it with youth until someone turns up pregnant as a teenager. Why isn’t anyone talking about how good sex is for the body, heart, and mind? Maybe because of religion. But then again that would be dumb because religion places great emphasis on sex. Now, of course it doesn’t place emphasis on pleasure. That’s the problem! I’m convinced that many grown women I know are in great need of sex, because no one taught them about pleasure and how amazing it is to discover their bodies, as well as allowing others.
Thinking of the Vagina Monologues, the different kinds of women who participated, my mother, the other women in my life, my sisters, my ideas of the vagina & sex, I knew that I was empowered. Now I may not run through the Earth screaming free vaginas of the patriarchy, religion, and societal norms, but I will work effortlessly to teach my sisters and my children – if I ever have them – that the vagina is one of God’s greatest creations, and we ought to embrace it!
I’m glad that I read this. You offered a honest reflection on your thoughts on female sexuality and did a very good job on connecting it with todays social norms. We, as women, are socialized to see our bodies as something to be hidden. However, so many people are beginning to feel otherwise. Have you seen the recent KimK nude photo? You made a very powerful point, when you discussed your feminine power as something that you “rarely understood to exist.” So many women dont realize our power. To be honest, I dont realize my power. But, I think with time we will begin to do so. And I think its important to remember that feminine power looks different for everyone.