In response to the recent debate surrounding the performance of "The Vagina Monologues" in the Marquette community, I must say that I can not relate to those women who would regard such a performance as positive and beneficial to women in our society. Rather, I am outraged by the degrading philosophy contained within "The Vagina Monologues."

As women, we need to be critically aware of what is being proposed to us as our "liberation." It must be realized that what is being set forth in "The Vagina Monologues" is not merely an increased awareness of sexual violence, but a view of feminism which impoverishes the truth of what it means to be a woman. I find it an offensive and incredible injustice that the lesbian rape of a 13-year-old girl and the sexual exploitation of a 6-year-old would be posited as my liberation — that my identity as a woman would be reduced merely to my sexual organs, only to be manipulated for my own pleasure.

These depictions, presented in "The Vagina Monologues," promote a radical and aggressive feminism which views men, women and children as objects to be used and limits the body and sexuality to mere instruments of gratification. As such I find "The Vagina Monologues" a deplorable attack upon my dignity as a woman. This is not a feminism I find myself able to embrace.

In order to develop a genuine feminism, we must embrace a vision that upholds the true beauty and dignity of woman, both body and soul. If this is to be achieved, if the body is to be seen as more than a contemptible object of use, we must first and foremost embrace love. For in truth, it is woman that is best able to love, to receive life within her, to nurture it, to care for it, to sacrifice her very self for the other.

Indeed it could be said that it is the feminine aspect of humanity that will save it from the prison of selfishness and enable it to open itself to life, love and meaning. For in this world of suffering, if we live merely for selfish pleasure, the only logical conclusion is meaninglessness, despair, self-destruction and suicide.

However, we need not accept this depressing worldview. I challenge you, women, to reject this vision, which sees hate, anger and vengeance as the proper response to oppression, merely exchanging the role of oppressor and oppressed. Reject this vision, which considers aggression and use the fullest expression of our freedom and empowerment. Rather, accept the vision of love. Love is the only proper response to another human person. Love is the surest way to overcome injustice. For it is our ability to love which makes us human, gives us our dignity and reveals the true beauty of womanhood.

We must not reject this truth of our feminine nature. As women dedicated to upholding our value and integrity, we must embrace our femininity and be the love this world so desperately needs.