The Free Press, Mankato, MN

Local News

February 14, 2010

'Monologues' back with fresh material

Congo war, 'comfort women' new topics

By Robb Murray Free Press Staff Writer

MANKATO — The political situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo has shown the world some of the most brutal behavior humans have ever inflicted on one another.

And it’s not just men at war. Since their civil war began, an estimated 500,000 girls and women have been raped and tortured.

“Women and girls are really bearing the brunt of this war that’s been raging for years,” said Lauren Pilnick, sexual violence education coordinator and Minnesota State University’s Women’s Center.

No surprise, then, that the situation in DRC is at the heart of the newest addition to “The Vagina Monologues,” the annually updated play performed around Valentine’s Day each year on college campus and elsewhere around the world. This year it takes place Feb. 19 and 20.

“The Vagina Monologues” is the defining artistic creation of Eve Ensler, a woman who has become a major player in the modern feminist movement. Every year Ensler adds one or more monologues to the already voluminous collection. Some are funny, some are sad. Some speak in frank and sometimes volatile terms about sexuality, some speak of courage, lack of courage, confidence. And some speak literally about the female anatomy.

None, however, are performed by men. Men are allowed to work behind the scenes, but are never allowed to perform any of the monologues. That’s a directive from Ensler, and to be allowed to put together a “Vagina Monologues” production, all of Ensler’s rules must be complied with.

The new monologue, Pilnick says, is an important one, even if southern Minnesotans might not be familiar with the struggles of women in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

“I think it is a struggle to make it relatable to people in the U.S., but in the introduction to this monologue we learn the whole reason this war is going on.”

Congo has natural resources prized by makers of electronics.

“So we don’t realize that we’re actually funding this war,” Pilnick said.

Another featured monologue in this year’s performance is one focused on the so-called “Japanese comfort women,” women who were treated as sexual slaves. The monologue is based on the fact that every week, the now-elderly women forced to do this go to the Japanese embassy and ask for an apology.

“They have yet to get it,” Pilnick said. “It’s an inspiring piece. They haven’t given up, and to this day the apology still hasn’t been granted. In my opinion it’s showing that, what’s happening all over the world, it impacts you. When an atrocity affects one woman, it affects all women.”

Text Only | Photo Reprints
Local News