Monthly Archives: June 2012

Really? What is wrong with saying vagina?

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I grew up calling vaginas a host of names.  Some were in Spanish and a few were in English.  I won’t write them because most of them are considered obscene and one was even made up.  (Chakawaka, anyone?)  In my defense, I thought my Polish/European aunt was teaching me some Polish slang.  Too bad I didn’t know it was made up until I went to college.  It would’ve save me a very embarrassing moment.

Back to my point.  Needless to say, most folks, including my own family, get all crazy and conservative when it comes to teaching children the proper name of female and male genitalia.  But why?  I still can’t figure it out.

In my family, we can tell some naughty jokes and kid around about sex but saying the proper name of your genitalia is viewed in poor taste.  Frankly, folks need to get over it.  I have a little girl and she will most certainly learn the correct anatomical name for her lady bits.  I think it will empower her and I hope also teach her that her body is not something to be ashamed of.  But really, I don’t want her to be a 20 year old calling her vagina a Chakawaka and thinking that folks outside her family actually know what that means.

Michigan State Rep Barred From Speaking After ‘Vagina’ Comments : The Two-Way : NPR.

Bruce Lesley: Stop the Attacks on Our Nation’s Children

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Here’s another great blog post!

It’s unfortunate that our politicians think it is fair game to attack children for their parent’s actions.  Please take a stand.  No child deserves to go to bed hungry.

Bruce Lesley: Stop the Attacks on Our Nation’s Children.

Lessons for my daughter

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I know it has been a bit since I’ve posted anything.  I have to try and get better at this and not let life get in the way.  That being said, I just read this blog post yesterday, Lindsey Mead Russell: 10 Things I Want My Daughter To Know Before She Turns 10, and it struck a chord with me especially since I have a 10 month old daughter.  I certainly agree with most of it (not sure about how #10 starts out) but as the mother of a Latina/SalvaRican baby, I think I need to add a few more.  Here are my additions to Russell’s list.

11.  Be proud of how you are and where you come from. Your maternal great-grandfather was a migrant farm worker from Puerto Rico (yes those do exist).  Your paternal parents came to this country from El Salvador without papers to give your dad the best shot at making it.  Be proud of that.  Do not let anyone tell you that you are less American because your family didn’t get here on the Mayflower.

12. Believe in your intelligence and don’t be afraid to show it.  Beauty fades much earlier than brain function.  While it is important to take care of your outside, take care of your inside and let others see that you do.  Read a lot.  Learn a lot.  And paraphrasing my friend’s favorite movie quote, don’t ever let anyone put Baby in a corner.

13.  Learn Spanish (and maybe even a third language).  Communicating with others is essential in this world.  It is especially important to communicate with your family.  I want you to be able to talk to your great grandma and grandparents in their language.  Sounds silly but you will appreciate it later on.

I’m sure I’ll add more to this list but if you have any that you want to share, please post in the comments section.