Vaginas are NOT Profane or Objectionable

CENSORED:  The form that is used to accept letters to the editor by the Bakersfield Californian has censored my attempt at submission  So here is a copy of what I wrote that is considered by robots to be obscene:
 
While a student government leader at CSU Northridge I organized campus events, the most memorable was, The Vagina Monologues.  A 20-year-old conservative catholic that devoutly spent my weekends at mass & debate tournaments was then put off by the word “vagina” on my meeting agenda. 
 
When I first got involved it felt like an HBO free preview weekend filled with things that I felt shame for watching but was immensely curious about.  The impact for me was so profound that the next year I auditioned & was cast. I sent postcards for the performance to my family in Bakersfield (as you might imagine that did not go well).
 
Before Facebook & Facetime existed, I sent the now infamous postcards with a Georgia O’Keeffe inspired flower and scrawled note that said, “come see me perform in the Vagina Monologues.”  The arrival of the cards triggered a phone tree of prayers to address every Mexican mothers fear realized: I had moved to LA & been lured into porn.   None of my relatives came to watch me but, in their defense, I sent a sexually suggestive postcard with zero context & not everyone tunes in when they get free HBO. 
 
Bakersfield is fortunate to have a vibrant & sometimes scintillating art happening here.  This production will shine light on persistent problems that we need to discuss such as sex trafficking and violence against women. I hope you will join me in attending the Bakersfield Vagina Monologues on February 9th at the Fox Theatre.