Tonight is opening night of the Vagina Monologues here in Phnom Penh. When I first moved here, one of the first things I joined was the cast as a strategy to make new friends. It's worked wonderfully, and it has been a great 6 weeks rehearsing with this crew of ladies from all over the world. I've been in the Vagina Monologues before, so it's really a lot of fun for me to do this a 3rd time (and I think my last, ha).
Last week, it came to my attention that due to the changing political climate in Cambodia, including an increasingly conservative PM (who has been in power for 30 years) who has been more hostile to foreign influence and interference, the cast of VM could be at risk. I don't think at risk in any major way, but it is possible that our participation could lead to mild harassment the night of at best or deportation at worst. I think all expats are on edge after a group of foreigners in Siem Reap were arrested and eventually fined and deported for creating "pornography" based on photos found on their phones...photos that were allegedly taken three years ago. The story of the police and the foreigners have not lined up, and the story sent shockwaves throughout the expat community. It is in this environment that we are performing a show that could be considered inappropriate, lewd, even morally bankrupt.
I never thought of myself as a political person. I have my opinions, informed by my education and experiences. I follow what is going on in the world. But this experience tonight has me in my "feels", so to speak. I am thinking about the #metoo movement, the perilous status of women and girls in Cambodia, my privileges and my experiences of discrimination and prejudice. It is an odd time to be alive, at the cusp of so much tension and change.
So tonight, I will take the stage and do my monologue as an overtly and overly conscious political act. Hopefully, I'll be able to make a few people laugh in the process.
Im so sad i missed this. Are you still here???!
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Hola @drmitsy, upv0t3
Este es un servicio gratuito para nuevos usuarios de steemit, para apoyarlos y motivarlos a seguir generando contenido de valor para la comunidad.
<3 Este es un corazón, o un helado, tu eliges .
: )
N0. R4ND0M:
8590 1065 7433 7053
3510 7110 9019 1266
4890 5518 5211 3401
4145 1469 6261 5632
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Congratulations @drmitsy! You received a personal award!
Click here to view your Board
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Congratulations @drmitsy! You received a personal award!
You can view your badges on your Steem Board and compare to others on the Steem Ranking
Vote for @Steemitboard as a witness to get one more award and increased upvotes!
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit