Remember the Vagina Monologues?

By now many have laughed, cried, screamed and have even remained speechless by our President Elect's "Grab Them by the P****"comment caught on audio tape. Personally I can't not laugh every time I hear it. It's a nervous laughter indicating I am still in shock over what I have heard.

Back in 1996 a writer named Eve Ensler wrote a play about Vaginas. It was what they call an episodic play because it had several monologues touching on different issues but all related to the Vagina. It ran Off Broadway in New York City and at the time it was very controversial. So many mixed feelings were expressed about this little body part that holds so much power.

I remember just being a new mom thinking who talks about this in public. I don't even like to use that word lol how times have changed. Now I wish we used that word instead of P**** but I guess its a free for all now.

illustration by spectrumtheatre

I bring this up because of the things that are happening around us in relation to the 2016 Election and women's issues. Today we are still dealing with the same subject matter Ms. Ensler talked about in connection with the female experience. It seems everyone has an opinion on my Vagina. Today the subjects of birth control and abortions are hot topics as are what constitutes rape and how it should be punishable to economic justice and sexual orientation rights. Back in 1996 Ms. Ensler touched on menstruation, orgasms, rape, love, sex, masturbation, birth and the use of the word "Cunt" just to name a few.

The Vagina is a powerful tool viewed as a  symbol of women's empowerment. It was so in 1996 and it is so now but if that is the case, why then is such a small body part being controlled by men and being the bases for such terrible abuse on the person who has one? Why do men continue to want to tell me what to do with my P****? I can't buy birth control because its against blah blah blah but I can't get an abortion because its against blah blah blah. If I'm married its not "really" rape because its my husband and you somehow see it as my duty and give me the side eye because you feel I shouldn't have the right to say no. I can't pleasure myself because its against blah blah blah when I have my menstruation its funny to you that I may have to call in sick.

Because I have a P**** men want to pay me less, men want me to work harder than my co-workers just so I can show them I'm a team player. Men in position feel I shouldn't get paid family leave. Men want to tell me who I should sleep with and what gender they should identify as. These are some of the same issues also addressed in the Vagina Monologues. Some criticism was about touching issues that didn't effect women in the United States such as genital mutilation. Some also felt it was a poor depiction of male and female relationships. All these issues are front and center relevant today.

illustration by zazzle

My P**** should not be up for discussion nor should it be acceptable for anyone to feel they have the right to "grab" it. My P**** is not here just to pleasure you it is the passage that gave way to my daughter's life. That was my choice then it should still be my choice now. My P**** should not be the gauge in which a bathroom is assigned or a marriage license awarded. You would think that subjects touched upon so long ago would have been resolved by now. There are lessons to be learned from past experiences. Sadly women must continue to fight for our rights and continue to protect one another from that dude walking around "grabbing the P****".

Stay informed and be mindful of respecting everyones right to live their life as they see fit. What works for one doesn't work for all. Let us not lump religious beliefs and politics together. Equality shouldn't be a privilege.

What are your thoughts? Does religion have a place in politics? Should women's rights be an issue ever? Are there limits to women's rights? Share with me, let's start a conversation.

Always stress free xo,
Mari