So I suppose there’s only a few v-words that be considered dirty before they could be considered ‘not so dirty’ and before you ask, no it’s not that one. It’s the other one. Though I’m pretty sure fewer people say it than any other ‘dirty’ word. After all, the only power that truly exists in words is the power that people give to them. A word in itself is nothing, simply vocalizations or scribbles on a page, but when a word is given power it has potential to bring down the most mighty of men. I suppose the same is true of this word, though I am not a guy (despite several debates) so I can’t presume to speak for them. This word has become so ‘dirty’ that I’m sure you as a reader has only uttered it in reference to someone else, in reference to a record label, an 80s song title, or more likely have used it as an insult. The word?
VIRGIN
That’s right, you read me correctly. Virgin. Think about it, the word has become ‘dirty’ in our culture. It is used as a punch line for jokes and the underlying theme of quirky romantic comedies (think American Pie), a word synonymous with ‘rookie’, or an understood trait of most nerds who cosplay and play excessive video games while living in their parents’ basements (though it is assumed that most nerds are virgins). By the way, my nerdy friends more often than not get more ‘play’ than my ‘normal’ friends. That is not the point. I suppose all of this started in my fiction writing class. I wrote a story about a girl who sold her virginity on eBay to pay for her tuition (I was not aware that this had actually happened, and I am aware that eBay would ban it, ergo the ‘fiction’ bit) and as a part of the assignment, we had to distribute a copy to everyone in the class who read through the story and write all over it; suggestions, criticism, things they liked, things they hated, or whatever random thought that popped in their head. There is a line in which the narrator says that colleges should offer scholarships for virgins as a sort of consolation prize. I got a few responses to that and they well…they weren’t what I expected. I got fussed at in a manner of speaking. One young lady in my class professed herself a virgin and said it was nothing to be ashamed of. Then the next is what kind of surprised me. A young man wrote and said pretty much the same thing. That’s
right, a boy.
Now I realize that there are plenty of virgins out there who are male, most of the virgin jokes are targeted at them. However, very rarely will they come out and say so. Particularly to a girl, whether they are attracted to them or not. This guy did and it surprised and delighted me. It reminds me of the myth of unicorns…no, I really am serious. You see, the myth of the unicorn actually started in ancient Greece where the unicorns were believed to be real creatures who were extraordinarily powerful and were the very image of beauty, grace, strength and purity. As the myth goes, no man could catch this elusive creature. The only way to capture it was with a virgin maiden. How did she do this? Well according to the writings of one of the greatest geniuses this world has ever known, the virgin simply sits down. The virgin simply is and the unicorn “because of its intemperance, not knowing how to control itself before the delight it feels towards maidens, forgets its ferocity and wildness, and casting aside all fear it will go up to the seated maiden and sleep in her lap, and thus the hunter takes it”. (http://www.universalleonardo.org/work.php?id=438) This great mythical beast who had the power to skewer a man and rip him apart simply comes up to her and sleeps in her lap. Who is this man who held such reverence for the purity of a virgin and the ability of the maiden to subdue such a great beast(mythical or otherwise)? Leonardo Da Vinci. Yeah, you know him don’t you?
There is a strange correlation between unicorns and virgins, you see virgins have become modern day unicorns. Nobody believes virgins exist. Try to think of ten virgins that you know who are your age. It’s difficult if not impossible. I find myself writing about them frequently, virgins that is. You see, one of the first lessons they teach you in writing is to write what you know. I suppose the reason I write so often about virgins is the fact I AM ONE.
You read that correctly. I, Alicia Farrar, am a bona-fide, legitimate, non-mythical, real-live virgin. Despite the feeling that my story gave people, I am not remotely ashamed of it, nor do I believe it is a shameful thing. I am quite proud because it is more than a state of being it is a choice. I am a virgin because I choose to be a virgin. You’d be surprised the number of people who are completely shocked by that. I suppose it’s mostly because of my age, I am twenty five. Now we virgins each have our own reasons for our state of being. My faith has a big role in my decision to remain a virgin and yes, I am one of those odd ones who wants to stay a virgin until I am married. Now all my reasoning behind why I want to do this is another discussion for another time. Virginity is nothing dirty or insulting or anything to hide. I am a virgin and I am not ashamed to admit it. I suppose that is one of the greatest effects that the confession of the young man from my class was able to have. Although, sometimes it’s just nice to realize that you are not nearly as alone as you feel.
Virgin. It’s the not so dirty v-word.
