I Am an Emotional Creature: The Secret Life of Girls Around the World

admin — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 00:04:00 +0000

I'll tell you why I bothered picking up I Am an Emotional Creature: (1) I loved the graffiti-like cover, which reminded me of the doodling I used to pen over my books in high school, and (2) I really respect and enjoy Eve Ensler's writing. I saw a performance of The Vagina Monologues and loved the subversive way she used humor and fictional stories to tackle real women's issues around the world. So, when I saw that she had released a similar collection, but targeted for girls and teens, I instantly had to pick it up.

I think this book is so important because young girls today are growing up so quickly, and there are less outlets for them to discuss important issues, like abusive relationships and safe sex, or at least, it isn't coming from a source that is from "their generation." Peppered throughout the collection are statistics called "Girl Facts" with shocking numbers on prostitution, sex slavery, eating disorders, and other girl-related issues. Apart from the Girl Facts, though, I loved how these ideas and issues are tackled through the voices of other young women and girls around the world. This collection of monologues, poems, and short stories creates a sisterhood, almost, of females who share similar bonds, despite background, interests, language, etc. That kind of unity is so great and empowering, especially during that awkward period where young girls feel like no one else feels this awkward emotions or that no one "gets" them. I think with so much real suffering happening in other parts of the world, it's difficult to remember that girls in first-world countries have their own voices and stories needing to be told, and just because it isn't anything newsworthy, doesn't mean it isn't a problem or question or anxiety worth addressing.

That being said, my favorite pieces in the collection were the fictionalized accounts of the young women in other parts of the world (as in, not America or the UK). There is a great story called "Free Barbie," about a young Chinese girl working in an assembly-line doll factory, and probably my favorite piece is an epistolary poem/letter about a young female suicide bomber. In all of these stories, especially the ones from girls in developing countries, there is such strength and resilience in their voices that even someone past puberty can feel their empowerment and be proud to be a girl.

I really love what this collection does. And I love how it celebrates girls. I think, considering the target audience, this book is definitely five stars in terms of relevance and importance, but the writing wasn't always impeccable. I mean, I don't think it has to be Pulitzer prize-worthy to accomplish the goal Ensler was going for in motivating young girls; but to be fair, while some stories about sex trafficking or dealing with being a "masculine" girl were so amazing, some of the more experimental free verse passages didn't always do it for me.

Also, I think I might have benefited more if I had read this about five years ago, when the insecurity and all that was more intense. (P.S. This does reference some graphic sexual and adult themes, which are important to read about, but some more conservative families or younger readers should be aware of that.) Regardless, I loved it and will definitely keep it around to flip through and read a couple more times throughout my lifetime.

**Review by **

Cross-posted at Notes in the Margin

Written by: Renée McDonald, June 23rd 2010

Letting Go of God

admin — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 09:41:00 +0000

By Julia Sweeney

The nation appears to be greatly moved by the election of our first African American President. I eagerly await the election of the first open atheist to the highest office in the land, or at least the public consensus that religious practice or lack thereof is someone's own business, and by no means indicates competence as an executive. It appears that I will have a long wait.

Julia Sweeney's Letting Go of God may strike multitudes as scandalous, a possibility that never occurred to me. This monologue is a good-natured observation of the obvious to those from a background of skepticism (one family member used to declaim “All ministers are leeches on our society!” at holiday tables—we still like fancy meals, presents, and a day to go see a movie). The performance is delightfully droll and self-deprecating as Julia describes her spiritual quest, a trajectory launched by the visit of two Mormon missionaries. “She's so likable!” a fellow viewer piped up.

The six-section piece proceeds from 'Genesis' to the arrival of a child. The first recollections are of childhood Catholicism, her seven year-old's conception of moral responsibility as a “permanent record.” After the visit from the Mormons, she enrolls in Bible study, and discovers that the sacred text is riddled with inconsistencies and cruelty. The psychedelic visions of Revelations include locusts with human heads. Experts ranging from the study-group leader Father Tom to British theologian Karen Armstrong advocate that she read with the “eyes of faith” or understand the Bible as “psychologically true.” Sweeney suggests that Homer and The Iliad are also “psychologically true.” As she later explains to her visualization of a disappearing non-deity, she takes the entire issue of its existence far too seriously to suspend her reason.

Afterwards, I visited the “Belief-O-Matic” at beliefnet.com. The site states: “Warning: Belief-O-Matic assumes no legal liability for the ultimate fate of your soul.” I determined that I qualify as a Secular Humanist, followed by Unitarian Universalist. I don't necessarily advocate Humanism: it's just a matter of working with what you've got. Regarding the second, one of the most astute individuals I know, the Scholar, observed:

“There's no good reason to be a Unitarian.” “Have the courage of your lack of convictions.” “Exactly.”

If you are a non-believer, this piece is wry vindication. If you practice a religion, you will receive a calm and thought-provoking introduction to other possibilities. If you waiver in agnosticism, you will be entertained. A splendid time is guaranteed for all. Trust us. Watch it with eyes of faith.

Written by: Erika Mikkalo, June 14th 2009