CODE RED: It's Time for Educators to Challenge Menstrual Taboos
The following is submitted by Shelly S.
“Menstruation is the only blood that is not born from violence and yet it’s the one that disgusts you the most”
Maia Schwartz
A form of digital literacy that represents current cultural disparities is the image depicting a pair of women’s underwear with a visible menstruation blood stain, and tampon string hanging down from it. Under it, there is a text in Spanish that states “Menstruation is the only blood that is not born from violence and yet it’s the one that disgusts you the most''. This work portrays a message of gender identity and the stigmatization that comes with the gendered self, specifically, the learned shame of menstruation. This resource encompasses visual and textual literacy, in order to convey the message of gender disparity, specifically, the stigmatization of periods. In fact, the art works as a method of destigmatization by portraying the realistic nature of what menstruation is, and not hiding away from it. This is done by using the visual component of a red liquid to visualize period blood, resulting in the shock value of depicting bodily fluids in art. Due to the controversial nature of menstruation, commercials advertising period products such as tampons and pads, avoid using red-colored liquids, which creates an unrealistic and idealized narrative about menstruation by erasing the graphic and uncomfortable reality of periods furthering the divide between bodily acceptance and identity. That is why, this image works as a literacy resource, because it boldly goes against societal standards and moves towards gender equity by not only using visuals to demonstrate actual blood, but by also using text to bring awareness to the fact that this issue stems from the objectification and sexualization of the female-born body. The text highlights the dichotomy associated with blood that is present in our society by comparing the normalcy of it in action films and TV shows, and the taboo of menstruation.
This resource reflects the theme of equity through the acknowledgment of the gender disparity present within our society. This image brings forth topics about gender identity and the presence of discussion, or lack of, in the classroom. Discussions on menstruation are rarely present in the classroom, and when they are done, they are behind closed doors. This practice results in the stigmatization of normal bodily functions, impacting the way younger people that menstruate view their identities, bodies and the nature of gender and sex assigned at birth. The reason discussion about menstruation is an act towards equity is because there is an inherent sense of socialized shame behind the idea of bleeding. This stems from a heterocentric male-dominated society, in which women are so sexualized that any act that is not used towards sex is considered disgusting, ie. breastfeeding. Due to this fetishization from the male eye, in which the female gender is highly sexualized, natural female acts such as breastfeeding and bleeding are seen as impure and unhygienic. Therefore, those that menstruate are taught to feel ashamed about their bodies, starting from their youth. Gender and identity discrimination begin early and often starts in the classroom. Children learn from their teachers, peers and school policies; if there is a lack of literacy on such topics children will learn to believe that it lacks importance, further perpetuating misogyny and self-hatred.