PAGE 14 //WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 10. 2010
STYLE
Reclaiming the word: return of 'The Vagina Monologues
Alexa Johnson and Christina Brown
Executive Editors
Vagina. Why does the word make people squirtn?
Eve Ensler wrote and performed the original “The Vagina
Monologues” in 1996, as a way to celebrate the body part
that makes every woman a woman ■ the vagina. The play is
composed of monologues that relate to the body part through
many ways, such as sex, birth and masturbation.
“Vagina is not a curse word,” said chemistry professor Lisa
Ponton. “But it often is treated as one. Hopefully, this starts to
break through that."
“This play is an exploration of what it is to be a woman, to
a certain extent,” said creative writing professor Tita Ramirez.
“It's about the diversity of voices that makes up the female
gender and about the fact that, historically, those voices have
been silenced to varying degrees. It’s about speaking up.
The voices of the women in the monologues are an eclectic
mix, covering different races, ages and orientations.
Instead of traditional casting, this production of “The Vagina
Monologues" does not just feature actresses. The casting call
was extended to women from every part of the school, whether
they had acting experience or not. The monologues are taken
from real women's experiences that have covered all walks of
life, so the actresses should naturally be just as diverse.
“It's an intimate show," senior Jordan Frederick, the program
director, said. “It’s about the words, the stories — it’s not just
about us."
The last time “The Vagina Monologues" took place on Oon’s
campus was three years ago. The members of the Women’s and
Gender Studies Program and EFFECT decided a reprise was
long overdue and asked students from every major to take part
in the program.
The monologues will be performed 4 p.m. Feb. 14 at Yeager
Recital Hall. There is no cost for admission, although donations
will benefit Stop Raping our Greatest Resource: Power to Women
in the Dominican Republic of the Congo.
The monologues are a celebration of the female being. The
problem is that some people might decide to skip the event
because they are intimated by the “f” word — feminism.
Don't be.
“The word ‘feminism' is still considered to be a bad word, a
loaded word,” Ramirez said.
But truth is this; feminism — and “The Vagina Monologues”—
is about celebrating every voice and acknowledging that
everyone is equal.
JUSTINE SCHULERUDI Photo Editor
Junior Sabrina Bradley rehearses her part in the monologue Tuesday night
in Yeager Recital Hall.
“It's women talking about women," Frederick said. “It’s
not anti-men. College is all about defining ““self. Therefore,
college is one of the best times to see a show like The Vagina
Monologues’," Frederick said. , ,
“The monologues are about respecting not only the female
body but the female self: to love yourself, you have to love all
of yourself, and that includes your vagina,” Fredrick said. To
fail to respect the entirety of your being, inside and out, is to
leave yourself open to the corrupting influence of those who
would tell you that you aren't good enough. As women, this
is an infinitely important work to see, and one that our male
counterparts shouldn't shy away from, either.
“1 am still amazed that students today are shocked to see the
flyer for the performance hanging on my door,” Ponton said.
“That shock means we still need to talk about these issues."
Those who helped put the monologues together hope the
performance will have a lasting effect on the campus and get
students talking about gender, sex and sexuality.
“What 1 hope we get out of this event is more open
conversation on campus about topics covered during the show
such as rape, abuse, stereotypes, sex, language and, of course,
vaginas,” said senior Betsy Donovan.
Man of the Year: Mr. Delta Sigma Theta 2010
Brittany Washington
Reporter
Hollywood: Lights, Camera, Action.
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. hosted the
second annual Mr. DST pageant on Feb. 5
in McKinnon Hall. Freshmen Daniel Bass,
Derricus Spear, Ben Poole and juniors Justin
Berger and David Rogerson competed for
the title of Mr. DST.
Music played as the men made their
appearance on stage. Dressed in red
button-down shirts, black dress pants
and black shoes, they performed a dance
and stated their names, major, platform
and hometown. Their platforms covered
a wide variety of topics, such as education
in youth, open-source information and
preserving the environment.
The men returned in their casual
wear. Freshmen Jess-Mara Jordan, Whitley
Dozier, Janae Fraizer, Deanna Fox, Raven
Manigault and sophomore Alicia Johnson
escorted the men to the top of the runway.
As the men were escorted off stage,
black history facts were shared: Shirley
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Professional Discovery Week 2010:
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Caesar, a gospel choir singer and pastor,
and Hazel Johnson Brown, the first black
female general in the U.S. Army, are both
members of Delta Sigma Theta sorority.
Following the fashion portion, each
contestant performed a talent. The men had
diverse interests such as bata drumming,
stand-up comedy, and origami. After the
men’s talents were showcased, a 15-minute
intermission followed featuring music
performed by Twisted Measure.
After the intermission, the contestants
returned to the stage in formal wear. Once
again strutting their stuff.
The night then transitioned
into the question-and-answer
portion of the evening. Each
man was asked why he should
be the next Mr. DST. Each of
them mentioned they supported
Delta Sigma Theta’s principles
and programs and thought
these goals were beneficial to
the men's platforms.
After the question-and-
answer round, the audience
voted on their favorite man.
Bass received the Most
Improved award and Poole
received Mr. Congeniality. The
People's Choice went to Berger.
The third place winner was
Spear and the second place
winner was Rogerson. Johnson
was crowned Mr. DST 2010. He
received a $250 scholarship and
will host an assisted chapter
program about his platform on
healthy black relationships.
‘It makes me want to
compete next year,” freshman
Sheldon Faison said.
Rogerson took home the
main prize.
“The pageant allows males
from Elon University to show
their talents and true character.
I enjoyed this experience and
will never forget the bonds 1
built with these men," he said.
Proceeds from the tickets
went to the African-American
Alumni Scholarship, which
will be available to future black
students who demonstrate
financial need. Funds also went
to the American Red Cross for
continuing relief efforts
Haiti.
in
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Grab and Go;
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Picking out an outfit irnhT^
morning takes the backseat to
the stress that accompanies
the beginning of any semester
Rather than reaching for the
sweatpants
off the floor
and the first
T-shirt in the
drawer, try
these tips for
getting out the
door quickly,
comfortably
Alexandra and
Johnston fashionably.
Fashion Columnist Sort and
oi'ganize:
While the
closets on campus aren't
luxurious by any means,
organization can go a long way
to helping pair outfits. Instead
of throwing items into drawers
after they come out of the
washing machine, sort out each
garment by type. Put jackets
and blazers together, casual
shirts together and dressy shirts
together. This organization helps
you in the morning because it
is easier to see what options are
available for each occasion.
Avoiding the slum: There are
comfy clothes in every person’s
closet, but wearing these clothes
every day can make you appear
indifferent. There are other ways
to stay comfortable. Start by
choosing articles of clothing with
natural fibers, cotton, wool, silk
and linen. Avoid blends with high
percentages of polyester, acrylic
and nylon. Natural fibers breathe
better, are less prone to irritate
skin and keep the body cool in
hot weather and warm in cool.
Simple natural tees and sweaters
can be a great option to pair with
the best old worn-in jeans, warm
socks and boots.
Another option for
maintaining comfort is to pick
items that have a little stretch
to them. Jeans or dresses with a
spandex can add extra comfort
while still allowing the natural
fibers to dominate. Not too keen
on jeans for comfort? Leggings
with long tunics and sweaters
can be just as comfortable as
sweats, but actually give shape to
the body.
Have a fallback: When
applying for jobs, schools,
housing or other life-changing
decisions, most people find
they have a fallback, or backup
decision should the first option
not work as planned. Fashion
can work similarly. Go through
your closet and find outfits that
will look good no matter what.
Some popular choices are pairing
a basic white blouse with dark
denim and boots or popping a
menswear inspired blazer over
a great dress. By finding outfits
that work, it is easier to climb out
of bed 10 minutes before class,
grab something quick and still
look fashionable.
Put on a fagade: If all else
fails, there are certain ways to
trick bystanders into believing an
effort was actually made.
While in class, keep a coat on,
covering an old shirt and sending
the message that the classroom
is just really cold. No one will
know that the shirt happens to
be pajamas and everyone only
sees how adorable and warm the
coat must be. Or, dress in athletic
wear, tennis shoes, T-shirts and
running shorts or pants and
bring along a big bag. This gives
the impression the person is
probably just going to the gym
right after class. Actually, why
not even do one better and try
to go.
Fashion shouldn’t be a chore,
and it doesn’t have to take time.
By pre-planning outfits and
figuring out what looks good,
pairing together a wardrobe
is just as simple as pulling
sweatpants off the floor.