To the editor:
In response Fred Olson’s letter:
“The Vagina Monologues” were written from interviews with women about true events in their lives.
One of the roles “art” serves in our culture is to make us feel uncomfortable and to challenge our commonly-held beliefs. “The Vagina Monologues” is not suitable for young children and was never meant to be.
As with all art forms, the viewer will either like it or not; and undoubtedly, certain scenes will make some people feel uncomfortable. It does not seem as though Mr. Olson actually saw our production or read anything beyond the script. We encourage him and others to watch the documentary “V-Day: Until the Violence Stops” (available through Netflix) to more fully comprehend the positive impact Eve Ensler’s work has made in our world.
Issues that relate to violence against women are complex. “The Vagina Monologues” builds on what many women are already keenly aware of in relation to this violence. Eve Ensler celebrates women’s sexuality and highlights incredible wrongs that have been done to women. We can see where “The Vagina Monologues” taken at face value might offend some people who are not fully aware of the extent of violence against women in our world. It is interesting that Mr. Olson only quoted other men to prove his point. Perhaps stepping out of the male purview is too great a leap. We hope he can find a way to look further into the issues brought up through this play.
In the meantime, the good that has come about through productions of “The Vagina Monologues” will continue to grow and flourish whether he approves or not.
Barbara Dunn, Beverly Rose, Sharen Heath, Barb Spence, The Rev. Kit Ketcham, Susan Jensen, Dana Linn, Vicky Pitt, Kathleen E. Schofield, Gwen Harrell, Leah Green, Kate Scott, Darlene Milne, Carolyn Tamler, Susan Gilles, Patty Toombs, Betty Freeman, Linn Whittendale Lee, Sheri Marcarlberg, Lindsay Brockett, Linn Lee, Mary Ellen Jones, Vicki Robin, Jane Winslow, Barb Spence, Signe Cvar, Elisa Stone, KC Lanigan, Anastasia Brencick, Shelley Higman, Trish Coffey, Susie Williams, Darlene Milne, Martha Murphy and Marta Mulholland
Vagina Monologue Cast and Supporters
