On Feb. 17, 2005, The University News published the following statement: “There is a difference . between protesting the merit of what “The Vagina Monologues” tries to teach and the actual existence of the play on campus. Don’t kill the messenger, but, rather, try to disprove what he has to say, if you disagree. To stifle this intellectual conversation would be equivalent to an old-fashioned book burning.”

“The Vagina Monologues” is a controversial production precisely because of its subject matter-the vagina, both as an organ and as a symbol of femininity, carries political and cultural implications.

Flagrant discussion of vaginas, including their identities and uses, has disturbed unwitting viewers of “The Vagina Monologues,” especially those devoted to the intersection of femininity and Catholic identity.

“The Vagina Monologues” was first produced at Saint Louis University in 2002. Two years ago, however, SLU Provost Joe Weixlmann, banned the production from campus. He told The UNews that, though he encourages programs that promote awareness of violence against women, this production “proved hugely burdensome,” as answering letters and e-mails from protestors took time away from others’ administrative duties.

This year, Weixlmann’s justification remains unaltered. “This decision,” Weixlmann said, “has been in force for more than two years, and I don’t see it changing.”

Tell that to Una, SLU’s feminist organization. Though they secured the support of four SLU academic departments-women’s studies, social work, political science and communication-the protection of “academic freedom” that Una rallied behind proved unconvincing for the provost.

The show will go on for “The Vagina Monologues”; this year, they’ll hold the play off campus at The Sheldon Concert Hall on Washington Boulevard on Feb. 11 and 12.

But that’s not really the point. At the core, this long struggle exists between three ideologies: the feminist ideology of Una; the traditionalist ideology of protesters and the ideology of convenience propagated by SLU administrators.

The University News’ 2005 editorial included the following succinct point: “That’s what The Vagina Monologues is about: varied voices informing each other.”

Let’s return to dialogue about gender and its expression at SLU as the first step toward a world free of gender-based violence.

In the meantime, Una would do well to keep spreading the message that the Monologues promote on and off campus, even as an act of civil disobedience. through the Monologues themselves as well as other creative outlets.