2 posts tagged “mizzou”

I am so sad right now.  Via Feministing's story about pending V-Day celebrations, I have discovered that the institute at which I am a student has BANNED THE VAGINA MONOLOGUES!!!  Banned.  So, last year, the campus' feminist organization, UNA, put together an off-campus performance, off-campus advertising AND ticket sales (the play sold out!!).  Seems, fair, right?  The ban only applies to on campus performances, and the organization was using their own funds to plan the event completely without the support or use of any SLU facilities.  The Cardinal Newman Society supports the viewpoint of SLU and "200 other Catholic institutions" that ban the Monologues.  This, of course, has nothing to do with  oppressing the uppity women/same-sex relationships/etc., but the fact that the Monologues is "a sexually explicit play that attacks women's dignity!" 

This year, UNA figured they would try and perform an alternative play that might garner the support of the SLU administration; something less sexual and less about a part of the DIRTY DIRTY female anatomy, that we women have to *deal with* every day...  They decided to perform another Eve Ensler production, "A Memory, a Monologue, a Rant, and a Prayer."  However--now the administration is trying to put the kibosh on that too!  They're calling it a "Vagina Monologues 2" and are pushing to cancel the entire event.  I'm so disappointed, I'm not really sure how to say it.

I was apparently spoiled for equality, appreciation of women's talents, and freedom of belief/speech/expression during my time at Mizzou.  V-Day celebrations, events, and awareness of violence against women spanned the entire week, and every campus media outlet was committed to advertising and coverage.  Feminist organizations were prevalent, celebrated, and given opportunity to serve their members and the community on the same level as any other organization--even the College Republicans!  The auditions for the Vagina Monologues were always packed--dozens of students were turned away every year for lack of a spot.  Men, women, gay, straight, bisexual, tall, short, fat, thin... everyone was invited, welcomed, and involved every year.  V-Day was truly an important day on campus.

Now I'm here.  Where our education is truncated based on "Catholic doctrine" that a minority of the student (AND PATIENT) population share.  Even the out-of-class experiences are at the mercy of old, white, celibate men who act as parrots for the false G-d king who sits in a palace in Italy.  These men claim to be protecting women's dignity by simply not talking about them.  Keeping us silent and "in our place" is much better than empowering us to leave men who abuse us, to seek help for our troubles, to attain proper and comprehensive health care... to find a doctor who cares about medicine, science and the health of the patient more than the opinion (because THAT'S WHAT IT IS) of a septuagenarian from Poland, who was elected by his equally-radical peers.

I keep finding ways that SLU is slowly killing me.  This one has most definitely picked up the pace.  3.5 more years...I hope I survive.

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Dear Vagina:

I'm sorry.  You are dirty, and no one (especially men, or women with "dignity") wants to ever think about you, or any of your sisters.  You are only for my husband's use for (pure and holy Missionary Position marital relations)--never my own pleasure--and for birthing his babies...as many as God wills me to bear.  You are exceptionally nasty and to be kept secret and forgotten at all costs.  You are never to be spoken of, and should be ashamed of your very existence.   You are far inferior to the Great and Mighty Penis, and you shall always be lower priority, no matter the social arena.  I apologize for any number of inconveniences.

Lacey

PS:  Fuck that shit!  Disregard entirety of above letter.  The 'pope' has no business in my panties--let's party!

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http://www.craigslist.org/about/best/sfo/540076210.html        WANT!!

(I e-mailed my fiance this link, with text proclaiming "Just in time for the Vagina Monologues!"... It bounced back due to company e-mail filters, no doubt, that caught the word *vagina* and flipped out.)

Friday at 5:30 PM, I finished my formal study of anatomy in medical school.  I walked across the street to see Greg's vehicle already parked outside my building.  He brought food to make dinner.  He is amazing, I tell myself.

We go upstairs to the apartment, I take a shower while he starts dinner.  I get dressed just as he's finishing and we sit at my table (a very uncommon practice for us) and eat kebabs, salad, and mashed potatoes.  He tells me it's time for dessert, but I have to close my eyes because it's a surprise.  He shuffles around the kitchen, opens and closes the fridge, and places a plate in front of me.  I open my eyes and stare at an empty plate.  I look to my right, and he's on one knee next to me, with a GORGEOUS bridal set in his hands.  No big speech, no gimmicks really, just a "Will you marry me?"  I packed in a complete mental fog (after accepting, of course) and we headed to the first of two jacuzzi suites for the weekend.  We sat in one of those hilarious red, heart-shaped tub on Friday and watched Mizzou win a blowout game against Texas Tech on Saturday.  The second suite was in Jefferson City, and we officially started wedding planning that night. 

Best.  Weekend.  Ever. :-D

I'm off to DC tomorrow (leaving at 5:15 AM).  Hopefully I'll have even more good news when I return!