Wednesday, April 27, 2011

The Place With No Name



On April 23rd, 2011, a group of second-generation Taiwanese American women decided to pioneer the discussion of sexuality at the North American Taiwanese Women's Association Annual Convention. Turns out that several of the group members had been in or produced The Vagina Monologues and wanted to share a version of this with the Taiwanese American community. It proved to be a controversial event fraught with discussions over whether or not to give a name to a body part that had not been discussed while growing up. It was evident that many of the women had been taught "nothing," "nothing," "nothing at all" about their sexuality while growing up in Taiwanese immigrant families.

Here is a sample of some of the responses to the questions posed on an online survey used to create the script that would ultimately be used for the skit: "The Place With No Name."



1. What did you learn about sexuality while growing up and how did you feel about your own?
Growing up I never knew there was a 3rd hole down there. I only thought there was one to niao niao(pee) and one to bung sigh (poop). How was I supposed to know? I didn't really have a reason to lookdown there.
2. Did your mom talk to you about sex and sexuality?
HELL NO! Not sure what the reason was, but I'm assuming it's a combination of language and culturaldifferences.
3. What did your mother teach you about the vagina?
NOTHING. NOTHING. NOTHING.
4. What do you call your vagina?
Don't really have a name for it...maybe I should!
5. What is the first thing that comes to your mind when you think of your "vagina"?
I don’t think I ever think about my vagina….
6. There are thousands of women whose "vagina" are unwillingly violated every year (e.g. raped, soldfor prostitution, genocide, etc.). What would you say to these women?
It is not your fault...you do not deserve this. you are not alone.
7. How do you feel about your sexuality now?
With age I discover a power with my sexuality, that the femal form is beautiful, female voiceis enchanting, and female touch on big or little things goes a long way. I am happy to be a woman. Being a woman gives me power.
8. What advice would you give to your daughters or nieces (current or future ones)?
Your body belongs to you and nobody else. Don't let anyone else make decisions about your body and sexuality. You are who you are and you should be proud of it.

Perhaps most encouraging is that some of the first generation women of the audience were inspired to produce their own version of this skit for the next convention. What a way to reclaim the place with no name!

What messages did you grow up learning about sexuality?