As campus organizer for last year's, and this year's, VDAY events, as well as director of The Vagina Monologues, I would like to thank Kamaria Porter and John Sikorski for accomplishing one of many of VDAY's goals - continuing a dialogue that increases awareness in order to stop the violence. However, the best dialogue is an informed one. I'm writing to address some of Sikorski's comments, and to provide the facts.The Vagina Monologues is a theatrical piece, comprised of a collection of monologues from women's experiences all over the world. It is not a one-woman show, as evidenced by the 60-plus people involved in last year's event. The script is not accessible online because, as with all theatrical productions, the performers must be given rights to use the script. If you want to read it, you can purchase it in the bookstore or online, or you can contact me to borrow a copy.The website to the organization is not blocked on the Notre Dame server. It is www.vday.org.The Vagina Monologues does not promote any one particular lifestyle except one that does not include violence. It does not advocate homosexuality or masturbation or speaking any sort of inappropriate language. Rather, it empowers women to live their lives without violence.Our Lady had a vagina, too. It provided us with the life of Christ. That monologue is called the Gospel.VDAY functions worldwide, from both "top-down" and grassroots levels, to stop the violence against women and girls. The Vagina Monologues is taken in conjunction with this movement. To condemn this collection of stories is to condemn these women and the truth of their lives, and, as Christians, we are taught to love one another. I ask that as members of a Catholic university, we all examine how closely we live up to that standard.Last year we raised about $6,000 for the YWCA, SOS and the Polaris Project (an international organization that works against the trafficking of women). Our proceeds do not benefit abortion clinics. We protect women and girls.I encourage everyone to see the show on Feb. 14, the original VDAY. Moreover, I challenge you to live up to the motto of Eve Ensler, author of The Vagina Monologues and founder of VDAY: Create the world you wanted for yourself. Stop the violence.
Lindsey Horvathsenioroff-campusDec. 7
