I’d also like to ask how this means the end of the women’s rights movement at BC. The fact that women were openly embracing their vagina? The fact that the monologues represented women who found themselves without regard for men’s opinions or tastes? The fact that some of the monologues focused on a woman’s right to her dignity, integrity and safety? I’m curious which of these sounds like BC women giving up their fight for equality in society and protection from exploitation.

Women and allies of the BC VagMons/V-day – I don’t mean for my comment in any way to take away from your efforts, and I commend you for the grace and dignity with which you’ve handled this idiotic piece so far.

P.S. I’m so sick of college newspapers defending their bullshit through claims of journalistic integrity. Get over yourselves.

And really, I still can’t believe people view Feminism as the movement pitting the downfall of men.

It’s about equality! Do your homework first, please!

While your response is fair and thoughtful, we recommend that you attend the show next year.

On Maggie’s “enraged” response, we felt that her response was necessary, merited, and over-all fairly moderate in nature. Of course those involved in the VM expect backlash (they have received it for years), but when faced with a cartoon that depicts a specific member of the cast, a fellow BC student in a such a manner, is a response not called for? Should the cast have said, “Ah yes, I expect to be attacked. Very well then.” and not respond? Kudos Maggie, kudos girls, keep the debate going.

I fail to see why “It’s surprising that this cartoon and article got to you to the point that you were so enraged and disgusted.” Many of the pieces in The Vagina Monologues are written from a place of anger and disgust at precisely what this cartoon depicts: a paradigm that allows for violence against women in person and in print and which deliberately twists women’s honest challenges to that paradigm into an invitation for assault. I appreciate that you do see that this cartoon is crude, but I hope you also see why so many people are upset by it. Does it not logically follow that people who have invested many years in a cause which fights against demeaning portrayals of women, the diminution of women’s experiences, silencing of women’s voices, and violence against women would indeed be enraged and disgusted by this?

I don’t think anyone who has seen The Observer’s responses to The Vagina Monologues in the past are surprised at this cartoon and the backlash that people express against the play. It doesn’t make the cartoon nor some of those responses any less cruel and offensive.

I agree that the cartoon was a bit crude and misguided. As Allie pointed out, the Vagina Monologues isn’t about hating men, but empowering women. Thus, not only do I think it was a crude cartoon, but a poorly thought out one.

All I’m saying is that those that helped organize and perform the VM brought something controversial to campus. It seems obvious to me that they would expect some backlash. In order to attract attention to women’s issues, VM is pretty out there at times. That’s great – I support it and think it’s an effective tool for garnering attention. This cartoon is an example of the other side using the same tactics in response. The artist clearly used sensationalist and exaggerated drawing techniques and messages to get his/her point across. Just my thoughts…

The heart of these threads has a focus on ALL women. The women and men who speak here without anonymity all find The Observer’s coverage of the Vagina Monologues distasteful, but The Observer has that right to speak and we have that right to say The Observer it is totally missing the point of the VM.

Allie says it best. “The Vagina Monologues have nothing to do with hating men, they have to do with loving women. Is that really so wrong?”

Keep digging, Ian.

It’s very clear, as you keep restating, that you are not speaking for the women of The Observer. If what you’re taking away from every, single comment on the drawing, is that we are attacking the women and other memebers of your staff, then it clearly is not getting through to you. I think it’s pretty clear, as you, a male, are one of the only people of the staff apparently responding, that you are NOT speaking for the women of The Observer because I have yet to read a response from the women. It would be interesting to hear from a woman who feels like this drawing is not offensive in the least. Allie also makes a good point that just because you are in the V-Mons or support it does not automatically mean you hate men or dislike men. Is that what this drawing is indicating? That if you love your vagina and can own your womanhood that you are automatically thought of as a man-hater.

Will, you are right. The one thing that this drawing is good for is to allow people to see just why there are so may issues that need to be discussed in a more open manner, and if it has to be launched in a nontraditional way, then so be it. More than anything, I would love to hear what the artist even intended for this piece – the vision, the target, and of course, the reality. Well, if there was any. It is unfortunate that something so prominently displayed on The Observer and fostering heavy discussion is unspoken for.

At what point do I say that the picture is offensive? All I said was that I do not speak for any other member of the staff. I don’t wish to put words into anyone’s mouth, something you don’t seem to have a problem with seeing as you’ve put words into my mouth. The only things I find offensive is the way people have treated the women of The Observer. People who believe that they do not have a voice are sorely mistaken.

Kyra and Maggie are very much “handling the heat”, with dignity. They are responding to a distasteful and offensive cartoon. They have a right to be enraged and disgusted, and their “thick skins” are exactly the reason they are able to defend themselves in a respectful and intelligent manner. I, for one, would be surprised if they didn’t say anything about the piece. Telling them to “relax” is condescending and unnecessary.

Relax. After performing in the Vagina Monologues for several years, I’m sure you know that it is quite controversial. Some believe the performance is necessary to bring up key issues, while others believe that the sometimes vulgar messages have no place at a Catholic university or in pleasant company. Kind-hearted, reasonable people can come to different conclusions – it happens all the time.

If anything, one would think you’d be glad that The Observer gave coverage to your performances, as your goal is to raise awareness of women’s issues, correct? If the cartoon and article were in such poor taste (and I don’t disagree with you there), then it should prompt those that read it to come around to your points by agreeing that women’s issues are downplayed and need to be talked about in an academic setting.

In short, if you can’t handle the heat, get out of the kitchen. You chose to be a part of the performance. One would assume that you both have pretty thick skins given your ability to stand in front of a packed house and talk about such taboo issues. It’s surprising that this cartoon and article got to you to the point that you were so enraged and disgusted.

I agree with you in that certain women’s issues need more airtime, but can also empathize with the concerns of your critics. That’s the beauty of the Vagina Monologues – whether or not you see the show it inspires discomfort, conversation, and more awareness of women’s issues. Good luck in spreading your message.

At what point do I ever use that excuse to support the cartoon? I simply mentioned our female staff members to refute the claim that The Observer would support the idea of a woman without a voice. As an alum, I find it ridiculous that you would try to twist point I made and attempt to give it a new meaning.

Did you attend the performance?

Also, for people so opposed to VM, take a look at this video– part of the VDay movement. http://drc.vday.org/paintopower

At BC we are men and women for others, after understanding where proceeds of the performance are headed, I hope you understand why some women on this campus find it so difficult and offensive to see such a crude cartoon about a Boston College woman.

We are also not stomping on men, bring on the Penis Monologues!

“There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28)

As an alum, this is apalling, not because of the drawing itself, but the message that it sends to the audience at large. I went to the performaces during all four years at BC. The Vagina Monologues is to bring to the surface issues that are hidden and swept under the rug – rape, sexual assault, shame, etc. It is because of people like this artist that The V-Mons are even more necessary – to show to everyone the narrowmindedness of some. Because I would not want the words / actions of a few to speak for me, I do not want this drawing to represent the Boston College community that I loved and felt respected in. But believe me, this does speak for the BC community and the much criticized and scrutinized Catholic nature of it, and it shouldn’t.

People everywhere play the “penis” game, in which the louder you shout the word shows that you have the most “balls,” while if you wimp out on something, you are called a “vagina” or even worse forms of the word. What does that show us about our community? That is why the V-Mons exists – to make the idea and symbolism behind the word not of shame but to own it. If this drawing is a depiction of what YOU gathered from the production, it seems as though you must have been watching a different production than the other people in the room.

You are mistaken, I do not speak for any member of the staff or represent anyone other than myself. I fail to see how my “brief comment” speaks to the importance or success of the Vagina Monologues.

Kaki,

I cannot speak for the women of The Observer however I can say that your derogatory comments regarding their “voice” as members of this staff is as offensive as the picture itself. The women on this staff have a voice and they do not need you to judge how important they are.

This cartoon is absolutely humiliating, for both the Observer but also for the entire Boston College community. The fact that there are even students on this campus who have the audacity to publish such a thing makes me question this institution. Both the men and the women at the Observer should be ashamed of themselves.

I would like to let you know the disgust I felt when I saw the way I was depicted in your newspaper. This is a humiliating representation of ALL women.