My First Period – Spoken Word of Staceyann Chin
Summary
Staceyann Chin, a patient of Dr. Seckin, performed her poem “My First Period” at the 2009 Campus Progress National Conference. In her spoken word piece, she reflects on her sexual maturation, expressing both excitement and trauma associated with her first period.
Chin shares her initial joy about menstruation and the potential for motherhood, but juxtaposes this with the darker memories of her childhood trauma, including sexual assault. She highlights the societal shame surrounding women’s bodies and the silence that often follows such experiences.
Staceyann Chin, one of Dr. Seckin‘s patients, performed her poetry through spoken word at the 2009 Campus Progress National Conference. In the second half of the video, her poem of choice was “My First Period.” In this poem, she described her sexual maturation and what it meant to her.
Staceyann began the poem by sharing how excited she was about her first period and how she confided in her best friend. The ultimate excitement about the beginning of her menses was that she could finally have babies.
Staceyann then turned to the darker aspect of sexuality when she shared that her cousin in Jamaica had raped her when she was just a girl:
“You smell like a woman in a girl’s body,”
Staceyann mimicked his rationale to the audience.
“Years later, he still smiles at me. No apologies. I was just a girl,”
Staceyann confidently exclaimed. She continued on to relate her experience to the experience of other girls and women concerning rape when she said:
“Quick and quiet, girls learn to wash those details away.”
Staceyann connected elements of personal experience to a greater and widespread problem of shame of the female body, despite its unique ability to support and give life.
FAQ
What is the main theme of Staceyann Chin’s poem ‘My First Period’?
The poem explores the duality of excitement and trauma associated with the onset of menstruation and female sexuality.
How does Staceyann Chin relate her personal experience to broader societal issues?
She connects her experience of sexual violence to the widespread shame and silence surrounding women’s bodies and their experiences.
What event did Staceyann Chin perform her poem at?
She performed her poem at the 2009 Campus Progress National Conference.
What emotions does Staceyann express about her first period?
She expresses excitement about her first period as a sign of maturation and the potential for motherhood, while also addressing the darker aspects of her sexual experiences.
How does Staceyann Chin’s poem address the issue of sexual violence?
The poem highlights the impact of sexual violence on young girls and emphasizes the need to confront and discuss these experiences openly.
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