'Vagina Monologues' dedicated to murder victim

LISA VAN LUND, Correspondent

Issue date: 2/12/08

The Stop Violence Office hosted its eighth annual performance of the "Vagina Monologues" in the Bronco Student Center at Cal Poly Pomona

This year’s production was in dedication to Monica Thomas-Harris. Thomas-Harris was an Upland resident with ties to the Cal Poly community. She was kidnapped and murdered by her estranged husband in January 2008.  

The Stop Violence Office is part of the Domestic Violence Action Coalition (DVAC) organized by the Covina Women’s Club. DVAC hosted a vigil for Monica Thomas-Harris on February 13, 2008 at the Covina Women’s Club. DVAC is working with advocacy groups such as the Stop Violence Office to spread awareness about Monica’s story. Dedicating the Vagina Monologues was one way DVAC thought the Cal Poly Pomona Community could learn about Monica Thomas-Harris

Directed by Jaclyn Lara and produced by Hayley Armstrong, the "Vagina Monologues" drew both hysterical and emotional responses.

The performances included statistics about violence toward women. One brutal fact, read by Marlene Buligan, was about female genital mutilation. Every year, 3 million young girls in 27 countries are subjected to female circumcision.

Some monologues had lighter messages that were humorous and elicited strong reactions.

"My Angry Vagina," performed by Jenevie Clark, drew the most laughs. The monologue included different rants about injustices against the vagina, including tampons, douches, and obstetrics and gynecological instruments.

"This was the monologue that I auditioned for and that I felt closest to. I felt like I could really relate to this particular monologue," said Clark, a staff member at Student Health Services.

Other monologues included "My Vagina was my Village," a heart-breaking piece compiled from the testimonies of Bosnian women subjected to rape camps.

"The Little Coocher Snorcher That Could" was a series of one woman's different memories about her vagina, ranging from age 5 until 16.

Lara said there were certain monologues required to be included in the performance, but optional monologues were also performed.

"The Memory of Her Face," an additional inclusion, was a harrowing piece about the women of war that are raped, beaten and murdered every day.

"I picked it because it's so real. The American government calls these casualties of war, but they are real women," said Lara.

Eve Ensler, an Obie Award-winning playwright, wrote the "Vagina Monologues" after interviewing hundreds of women with entirely different backgrounds. It first debuted in New York City in 1996 and has now earned global recognition.

The monologues are part of a global movement called V-Day. Their goal is to bring awareness and an end to the crimes and abuse toward women.

Critics feel the "Vagina Monologues" portray a negative and restrictive view of sexuality and that it produces an anti-male bias. One male audience member disagreed.

"I didn't know what to expect when I first came in here, but I really enjoyed it," said Christopher Baliwas, a third-year music business student. "I wish that somehow guys could get involved."

An estimated 500 people attended the performance, with all proceeds directly benefiting the Stop Violence Office and the Cesar Chavez Center.