Read Our Lips: No More Violence

On Thursday and Friday night, the public was encouraged to sample several of the best-tasting (edible) vaginas at UB.

Chocolate "vagina pops" were sold at both productions of the university's fourth-annual showing of The Vagina Monologues, an awareness-based play by Eve Ensler that infuses humor, poignancy, and harsh realities in an attempt to reduce the stigma associated with the reproductive organ. The show is a part of UB's V-Day campaign, an international effort to raise awareness about violence committed against females.

"[V-Day] is an opportunity to speak about issues that sometimes are hidden in our society," said Jane Fischer, director of SBI Health Education and producer of V-Day SUNY Buffalo 2011, in an email. "We tell stories that need to be told and need to be heard."

In 1998, four years after The Vagina Monologues premiered off Broadway, V-Day was created on Valentine's Day; the "V" stands for victory, Valentine, and vagina. The UB production is one of 5,400 events held worldwide to commemorate V-Day and support women affected by violence.

At UB, approximately 45 students of various majors and departments participated in V-Day events.

The Vagina Monologues is a compilation of skits based on dozens of interviews that Ensler conducted with women and is meant to be a provocative and conversation-promoting foray into challenges facing modern women. The play addresses issues including sexuality and rape.

"Rape, sexual assault, and gender violence are real, and everyone knows that, but this offers an opportunity to learn how real," Fischer said.

Since 2001, the movement's annual Spotlight Campaign has focused on a specific group of underprivileged women who are experiencing violence. This year, the women and girls of Haiti will benefit from at least 10 percent of the funds raised worldwide through V-Day programs such as The Vagina Monologues.

It is crucial to support and give voices to women who do not have the ability to speak against their abuses, according to Fischer.

"Most mainstream media will not cover what [the women included in the V-Day Spotlight] face on a daily basis, or the history of violence against them," Fischer said. "We're telling their stories half a world away. Hopefully, one person will be inspired to take one step to help."

The ongoing popularity of the show can be attributed, in part, to the fact that real women are speaking about real situations, according to Fischer. The show's liberal use of the word "vagina" and frank discussion of feminine matters gives the production an "edgy" appeal that draws viewers, Fischer said.

"The word ‘vagina' is almost taboo," said Shannon Gawel, one of the show's directors and a junior media studies major. "If we can get people to just say it, they can become more empowered and learn to protect their own bodies."

When students have knowledge of, and access to health resources such as those provided by SBI Health Education they will be more inclined to take charge against violence, according to Gawel.

Similarly, the campaign emphasizes the importance of communities of women, of understanding and support, and of those standing against violence, Gawel said.

"Other girls need to know that they're not alone," said Kaitesi Munroe, a sophomore political science major.

Although the campaign focuses on violence against women, men are not excluded from its message. Earlier this year, UB's Men's Group and the Student Wellness team held V-Men, a workshop to help engage men in dialogue about ending violence against women.

"Men can do so much," Fischer said. "Set positive examples, serve as allies, educate others, stand up to jokes and comments, and be non-violent in their own lives."

Jonathan Feliciano, a sophomore psychology major, attended the show to support the campaign as well as a friend who was involved.

"The whole thing was great," Feliciano said. "It's for a good cause and important because it's something a lot [of people] might not be comfortable speaking about."

Brian Krauss, who received his M.B.A. from the School of Management in 1991, was in attendance with his girlfriend and was celebrating their anniversary.

"I came because I love vaginas," Krauss said, laughing. "I came because I wanted to learn how to use a vagina as a means to laugh, cry, be angry, and be sad. This is a celebration of women."

Auditions for The Vagina Monologues are open to UB students and are typically in the fall.

Email: news@ubspectrum.com