The awkwardness of claiming the last seat upon coming into a crowded auditorium late was very much worth it to see playwright/activist Eve Ensler’s discussion tonight about her latest work at The Commonwealth Club (and, for the sake of full disclosure, I may have read a monologue or two on the college theater stage).
Following this weekend’s 12th celebration of the anti-violence commemoration V-Day that she founded, the author discussed her latest book “I Am an Emotional Creature: The Secret Life of Girls Around the World” and the research on the often unempowering experiences that she witnessed with teens facing sexual abuse, eating disorders, and self-mutilation from California to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (which she recounted in further detail at TED India last year, video below). When asked if the situations she’s been part of have been overwhelming (including incest victims telling her their stories unsolicited on airplanes), Ensler told the mostly female crowd that “it’s okay to be overwhelmed–in most parts of the world, it’s a daily state of existence–who told us life wouldn’t be overwhelming?”
It’s a refreshing thought from a person whose reaction to being criticized by the religious right and Glenn Beck is aptly “we can get very caught up in what others think of us–but do your work; it’s none of your business if they don’t like you–you only need to decide whether you’d rather be admired or liked.” The cause of stopping violence is so much more important that the critiques. And yes, I’m planning to start the e-book this evening.
Eve also announced the unveiling of V-Girls the next installment in the V-Day movement. As Emily mentioned, she painted the picture of the issues facing girls around the globe. They might seem different, but are firmly rooted in a sentiment that shows girls are constantly feeding and evolving themselves based on what the outside is telling them. Which is often not to be bold, not to stand up, but to smile and look pretty. This last comment, I was once told from a stranger. The newest book title came from a girl in the historically violent LA neighborhood of Watts. Eve shared she has often heard, girls share what they don’t like about what they don’t like about being a girl to which the girl of Watts proclaimed, “I love being a girl. I am an emotional creature.” As seen here, the tides are shifting and with perseverance and patience we, as men and women, will continue to keep our eye on the violence free prize.
Eve also announced the unveiling of V-Girls the next installment in the V-Day movement. As Emily mentioned, she painted the picture of the issues facing girls around the globe. They might seem different, but are firmly rooted in a sentiment that shows girls are constantly feeding and evolving themselves based on what the outside is telling them. Which is often not to be bold, not to stand up, but to smile and look pretty. This last comment, I was once told from a stranger. The newest book title came from a girl in the historically violent LA neighborhood of Watts. Eve shared she has often heard, girls share what they don’t like about being a girl to which the girl of Watts proclaimed, “I love being a girl. I am an emotional creature.” As seen here, the tides are shifting and with perseverance and patience we, as men and women, will continue to keep our eye on the violence free prize.