reclaiming the cunt (part 1)

When The Da Vinci Code came out in 2006, I was intrigued by the theory proposed regarding Mary Magdalene's role in Jesus' life. The Gospel of Mary is controversial, and while I knew about Constantinople's role in the Holy Bible, it did not really occur to me how determining "appropriate" texts could result in repressing and marginalizing an entire gender. While Eve may have been created from Adam's rib, Mary (whether the virgin mother or Magdalene, often packaged with the story of the prostitute) played dominant roles in the New Testament. In some manuscripts, others have noted that Jesus loved Mary more than the other apostles.

"an intriguing glimpse into a kind of Christianity lost for almost fifteen hundred years...[it] presents a radical interpretation of Jesus' teachings as a path to inner spiritual knowledge; it rejects His suffering and death as the path to eternal life; it exposes the erroneous view that Mary of Magdala was a prostitute for what it is—a piece of theological fiction; it presents the most straightforward and convincing argument in any early Christian writing for the legitimacy of women's leadership; it offers a sharp critique of illegitimate power and a utopian vision of spiritual perfection; it challenges our rather romantic views about the harmony and unanimity of the first Christians; and it asks us to rethink the basis for church authority."

~ Karen King

While Asian women may be the "breadwinners" (me love you long time (part 6)), they, as well as women in many other countries have been repressed their entire lives for countless generations - sexually, professionally, etc. (see taking it all off). Although I grew up in America, Americans, while more passive than Asian countries, still have a lot of progress to be made in this journey, as we still condone slut shaming and gaslighting women as acceptable practices. I spent most of my life and career trivializing and/or masking my femininity for these reasons. I have been guilty of stating many times that I have penis envy and want to be a man in my next life.

While I have fully recognized my role to pay it forward after having to learn to adapt to the business environment and pave the way for other women in the workplace (reclaiming the cunt (part 5)), I am realizing that part of my journey is embracing the divine feminine (trifecta and pussy riots) in all aspects of my life. The Vagina Monologues has evolved from a play on sexuality into a movement called V-Day to address violence against women and girls and One Billion Rising Revolution to address exploitation of women globally. While these may initially address issues to women, the awareness would have repercussions to all, which is the true objective of feminism. Fathers benefit from paternity leave as an extension of maternity leave, for example.

My first true exposure to vaginas, other than my own of course with the help of a mirror, was pornography. I was not aware that they come in all shapes and sizes (and smells). Artwork and sculpture like the David prominently display the male genitalia while the female one is hidden behind drapes, leaves and/or a simple slit. This attributes to the distortion that women have of our own genitalia and has resulted in labiaplasty being all the rage, including with 12 year-olds as supported by their mothers. The clamshell look is called the "Barbie" in the plastic surgery world.

Cunts ... and Other Conversations, MONA

The Museum of Old and New Art (MONA) in Hobart, Tasmania (Australia) showcases 151 life size porcelain vulvas called "Cunts ... and Other Conversations" by Greg Taylor and friends. The models ranged from 18 to 78, Atheists to Muslims, models to doctors, and virgins to bisexuals. All participated in the hopes of wanting women "to be free of growing up with fear, ignorance and loathing of their bodies and sexuality". With such diversity, I would say 99.9999% of the cunts in the world are "normal". I was able to find mine in all her glory and beautiful form.

Happy V-Day!!