UNA, the feminist voice of Saint Louis University, aims to end violence and oppression against all marginalized bodies. “The SLU Monologues” is just one of the ways they try to achieve this goal.
Core Team member of UNA Teresa Wink said that silence is just one kind of violence these groups face.  By hosting these monologues, the group hopes to confront this violence.
The monologues are a series of stories told by SLU students covering a range of topics, such as sexuality and identity.
While the group is a feminist voice on campus, they also serve as a voice for other marginalized groups on campus.
Core Team member Lauren Araujo said that one of the biggest misconceptions about feminism is that it only advocates for the rights of women. She explained that feminism means reaching equality for all people.
“Most marginalization is rooted in a connection to patriarchy,” Araujo said.
While they draw inspiration from “The Vagina Monologues,” “The SLU Monologues” not call for an end to violence and oppression against women and other marginalized groups, alike.
“Opposition against women is linked to opposition against other marginalized groups,” Wink said.
Wink explained that “The SLU Monologues” are also more “personal” than “The Vagina Monologues” in that SLU students tell the stories.
“It is therapeutic to know that your story is known by others,” Araujo said.
The auditions for “The SLU Monologues” follow the rules of the VDay Campaign, meaning that anyone who auditions has to participate in the show in some way. The performers were then paired with a piece that the core team felt they would best express.
Wink explained that the experiences about which are discussed in the show are common, and she hopes they will make people feel less alone.
“I hope that the monologues encourage the audience to be more open and receptive to the stories and experiences of others outside the monologues,” Wink said.
Araujo hopes that the audience will realize that despite their upbringing or background, there is no shame in talking about sex.
“You can’t talk about the bad things in sex if you can’t talk about the good,” Araujo said.
Some consider the subject matter discussed in the monologues to be taboo on a Catholic campus such as SLU.
“There is always tension between the view points of some of the monologues and the teaching of the Catholic Church,” Wink said.
However, Araujo explained that in the two years the group has been performing “The SLU Monologues,” they have not had a problem getting them approved.
Wink considers the monologues to be within the school’s mission because they affirm that all human beings have worth and dignity and that we are called to listen even when we do not agree with their viewpoints.
There will be a panel present at the show to answer questions that the audience may have.
This panel will include Theologians that will be able to provide comments on how the issues discussed come into play with religion.
Wink explained that the process of putting the show together is fun.
While there are some heavy pieces, there are also some lighter ones.
“It is worth all the effort. It has a lot to offer,” Wink said.
Una will be hosting “The SLU Monologues” on Friday, Feb. 25 and Saturday, Feb. 26 in Carlo Auditorium, Tegeler Hall.
The show will begin at 7 p.m.
Tickets are $10 for students and $15 for non-students.
All of the proceeds will go to supporting Karen House, Women’s Safe House and a women’s shelter in Haiti.
Una will also be hosting the “Vagina Monologues” tonight at The Sheldon.
The show will start at 7 p.m.
The group will be asking for $10 donations to go towards Karen House, Women Safe House and the official VDAY spotlight campaign in Haiti.