but what about the penis?

[rkt]

for a comment i was making elsewhere, i was trying to find a listing of the (vagina) monologues. i came upon this fine review of the book (all emphases are mine, personal commentaries noted):

"The Vagina Monologues" gave me a new appreciation for that mystical part of a woman's body, the vagina. Although I think the monologues are too brief, they did cover some interesting subjects, everything from the first period to clitoral circumcision. I think the book is valuable in examining the vagina and how it relates to how women feel about themselves. But there are some shortcomings. First, penis is only mentioned once throughout the entire book. How can the male body part mean so little in a serious discussion of the vagina? Surely, one can find women who have pleasant things to say about the male body sculpture. Well, what do women think about the penis? How does it feel during sex? What does it look like to them? These are all questions that went unexplored in the book. While I applaud the book for turning our attention toward violence against women, there are surely good experiences to be expounded upon involving the opposite sex. Are women that self-absorbed in their own little coochi snorchers not to embrace equality and have a frank discussion of the penis as well? [ed note: in a word, yes.] These matters of abuse, rape and incest will only begin to abate when there's some kind of equality among the sexes. [ed note: equality on whose terms, though?] And it shouldn't be left to men to do, but should be advocated by women as well. Overall, "The Vagina Monologues" is a step in the right direction, but it is only a beginning. There are many more subjects to be raised, beyond lesbianism and selfish praise of one's own genitals, [ed note: let me grab my genitals to make sure they're still there while i fall out of my chair, laughing] before equality can be reached. And I hope that is the ultimate goal.

[ed note: this is by no means an endorsement for the monologues in question. no, i haven't suddenly decided the monologues are problem-free.]

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0375750525/102-8320615-6750538?v=glance&n=283155

ETA: also, the vagina is still the hole. not the package.

Comments

[kaygigi.livejournal.com]

I was in the Monologues in college. I never said the word vagina. Granted it was an ensemble cast so I had like one monologue and bit parts in the ensemble or one liner pieces, but still, no vagina. And I wasn't alone. I believe only one or two people in a cast of 8 got to say the actual word.
I think that if we don't get to call it what it is (though I gender mine, if I don't get to call her what she is), why should we discuss penis? And do men really want to know we find it gross?

Puh-lease.

I don't understand, either, why "equality among the sexes" will abate rape, abuse, and incest - tools of male domination will diminish when males no longer dominate? I'm confused.

[liveavatar.livejournal.com]

"I say there, if you're not talking about me and my penis, your play can't be all that interesting or worthwhile."

(eyeroll)

[brienf.livejournal.com]

Is that icon from Exit 57?

[liveavatar.livejournal.com]

You know, I don't know. Could be, though. I originally found it on thedailyshow, and snagged it before I knew to credit icon makers.

It's a very handy icon, I can tell you that. :)

[brienf.livejournal.com]

Projection is fun.

And it shouldn't be left to men to do, but should be advocated by women as well.

If only the women involved in the Vagina Monologues cared about gender equality as much as men do.