The exchange below is a repeat from yesterday--at
least it will be for some of you. Interestingly, it was called to my
attention that because Bob used the subject line "The Vagina Dialogue" it was
being filtered to the "junk mail" box to be deleted. I thought that was so
ironic! Anyway, with Roy's approval, I'm sending it again--mostly because
I feel so strongly about encouraging people to become acquainted with the power
and control wheel.
Kathy Seifert
___________________________________________________
I would think the anti-violence message comes from
the idea that violence is the ultimate oppression of women in a patriarchal
culture--shaming women for their sexuality is one of many forms that
oppression takes in our culture.
For those of you unfamiliar with the "Duluth Model"
of domestic violence intervention, their "wheel of power and control" is an
image familiar to many of us who have tried to communicate understanding of this
phenomenon. You may visit their website (URL below) to learn more
and view/download the wheel images. The idea is that violence is the
ultimate form of power and control while non-violence is the ultimate outcome of
equality in relationships.
I'd welcome those who may articulate this better
than I to jump in!!
Kathy Seifert
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Friday, April 22, 2005 2:49
PM
Subject: [Winona] The Vagina
Dialogue
[Winona Online Democracy]
What, exactly, is offensive about the word
"vagina?"
I think the girls have a valid point about
attitudes. They are saying they are proud of who they are...I think
that's a wonderful message. It is a pity that we are so phobic about
sexuality that we can't even name reproductive organs in public without
nervous tittering or a reproachful response.
Remember "Penis Envy?" The notion that
strong women really wanted to be men. How ludicrous. We are
all, I hope, increasingly comfortable in our own
skin.
The message reminds me a lot of the gay pride
message...not are we only not ashamed of who we are, but we are
proud. I am woman hear me roar! :-)
I don't quite get the anti-violence message of
the buttons that is purported to be there. But let's hope our kids are
more open about themselves as whole persons than we are.
Bob Sebo
Winona
