Dominique Christina - "The Period Poem"

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For more Dominique Christina, check out:
www.dominiquechristina.com
/ dominiquechristina
/ nyarloka
Her book, The Bones, The Breaking, The Balm: A Colored Girl's Hymnal, is available now through Penmanship Books:
penmanshipbooks.com/shop/the-b...

[@ilyem999]

To be completely honest I've never been more proud to be a woman.

[@TheIrritableCanadian]

***** Woa, calm down there. He's probably trolling to get a response and you just fed him. I don't agree with what he's saying, but don't feed the trolls, it only gets worse

[@TheIrritableCanadian]

EpickaNESS Reasonable!

[@missemmafromcanada]

***** Right on, dear friend. Be proud. EpickaNESS: You may not be trolling, and not see yourself as sexist - and I mean, that's good! - but I think Meghan's reaction comes from the fact that your comment echoed a larger context of a society that actively tells women to be the opposite of proud of their gender - to be *ashamed* of it. Many people of marginalized or oppressed genders, races, orientations, etc. have found power in expressing their pride to be something that the world tells them to be ashamed of. And often, when they find the courage to say they are proud of that part of their identity, they meet with reactions that raise an eyebrow and question why they would be proud of such a thing that is generally considered shameful. I know that is probably not what you meant, but that is the context in which your comment can come across. TheIrritableCanadian: On the other hand, even when someone *is* trolling to get a rise, if they're spouting the same kind of words that get spouted with sincerity at marginalized groups on the regular, I'm not sure if ignoring it really is the best way to go. Even if a person trolling won't be changed by the negative response to their words, I am always glad when I and other readers of those types of comments can see a response that shows that most people don't tolerate meanness, whether joking or not. (EpickaNESS, just to be clear, I'm not referring to you here at all, as you made it clear that you weren't trying to be mean - I'm talking about people who *are* trolling, just to be nasty or upset people.)

[@Mack1231D]

Me either. I cried when I got my period and now, I cry tears of joy

[@quacking]

Emma Burns Pride is about achievement. No one should be proud to be a man, woman, nationality, race or sexuality because they didn't do anything to make themselves that way. It's up to each of us to surround ourselves with people who fulfil us, not whine and moan 'waaah, you're against me, waaah'

[@brennahasselmann8075]

I really hope the dummy on Twitter saw this bc he got slayed

[@alyssabethirby5106]

+BrenBren Hmann Is your pic a gothic tangled?

[@brennahasselmann8075]

Alyssa Irby maeyb

[@alyssabethirby5106]

BrenBren Hmann Alright...

[@splash2849]

Shots fired

[@pluto.g_]

"he got slayed" im crying lol

[@iwishiwasawinner1313]

"Bleed and bleed and bleed all over everything he loves." BLESS.

[@ExcellencyNela]

Period!

[@iwishiwasawinner1313]

Why did you feel the need to even watch this video if that's how you felt on the matter? What caused you to decide to comment on it? Did you go through and read every single comment about the normalization of a period and feel the need to comment on every one of them? I'm so sorry that the thought of a period is so disgusting to you that you feel as though you are required to comment rude things on a quote from a feminist made spoken word poem. I'm so sorry for you.

[@iwishiwasawinner1313]

I agree with you that it is a normal process, just like ejaculation, however what I don't understand is why you felt the need to threaten me physically? I realize you didn't specifically say "I'm going to make you bleed," but I feel like you would hit someone for bleeding on something. All I was doing was quoting something and being silly. I don't understand why you felt the need to comment at all.

[@megankyle8240]

+Warcorpse666 She's not glorifying the blood itself, she glorifying what it stands for. The blood is a metaphor for the beauty of women and the gift that it is to be able to make new life. you're right, its not an accomplishment, but it is a gift. Its the most beautiful thing that my body can do simply because of what it stands for. Btw, jacking off to satisfy some primal need is not in any way on the same level as the blood that created every life that has ever been given.

[@prillad.3063]

+Megan Kyle 👌👏👏👏

[@zombiedecimator9860]

My older brother came to me when his girlfriend first started talking about her period to him and asked what he should do, that it made him uncomfortable. I say him down and played the same videos I had to watch for health. Afterwards, I explained to him that it doesn't matter that he's uncomfortable, we can't stop our periods. Three months later, and they're still going strong. My brother always carries extra tampons with him for his girl. Guys rag on him for it, and he brushes them off. Girls hear about it, and they try to give them their numbers (my brother doesn't take them, because he's a gentleman). Take notes, guys. That's how you treat a lady.

[@emmaclinton1810]

Wow, tell him that he has my respect. This is what MEN act like. If they don't, they're mere boys. And they need to grow up

[@_SugarBee_]

ZombieDecimator respect.

[@joannajackson8785]

That's so sweet

[@tiedyedowl8367]

ZombieDecimator -that's great what you did, and what he did. It takes courage for a guy (or girl) to ask for help. Hope everything is still great with them.

[@fearorfreedomfreedoom7738]

I feel like sometimes just a little knowledge about periods can change a perspective. I respect him for being her backup when she's unprepared. Kudos to you and your brother!

[@renellapeters6803]

"...everyone I love knows how to bleed with me...."

[@WoahYouExist]

Well, I'll be throwing my future daughter a period party.

[@destinymartin8500]

Sedni same

[@Africangyal]

Me too!

[@SpaghettioRegrettio]

Profile pic is cermetaining

[@jacksalas9216]

aren't they more commonly known as "moon parties"? in any event your future daughter is lucky

[@BabyGrl725]

All red everything 🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾

[@Lily.valkyrie]

can this woman win a grammy award or the whole world or something

[@amaka637]

+Lily is FOREAL THO xD

[@rickbalm6588]

Amanda R what

[@MorganMingo70]

😍😍😍

[@elvirakharmih9465]

For real!!

[@katherinevelasquez6326]

"The feminist politic part is that women know how to let things go. How to let a dying thing leave the body. How to become new." WHAT YAASSS GURL YAAASSSSSSS

[@dorkmyride]

This is why (studies show) men have a harder time getting over break-ups than women. Because we know when to let shit go.

[@lelagoddard1026]

I’ve never thought about my period making me new but I am now doing going to think it. I love that metaphor

[@sheskiwiw]

can someone pass me a bag of oxygen becAUSE I CANT BREATHE. this is amazing. some men out there are horrible. this is my new favourite, shout out to women for being able to deal with periods, while there are some men who cant even buy condensed cotton

[@joebazooks]

just as some women out there are horrible ;)

[@sheskiwiw]

tonyfalca really . REALLY not the point.

[@joebazooks]

what?! you made a generalization and i simply exposed the other side of it...

[@zeekifyable]

tonyfalca because what do some women who are horrible have to do with a poem that is about some men who are horrible to women about their periods? your comment was a red herring, a distraction from the issue at hand. this would like you watching a video about black people talking about their experiences with racism by white people, finding a comment that says "some white people are horrible" and responding with "well, some black people are horrible too". how is that even remotely productive to the conversation? saying "some" is not making a generalization. it's a quantifier used to avoid making generalizations.

[@joebazooks]

by the same token it's relevant. yes, there are horrible men. yes, there are horrible women. yes, there are horrible people of all cultures and creeds and races. it's okay to acknowledge that. doing so isn't at all a red herring. if my comment distracted you from contemplating the poem, you, sir, probably have adhd

[@brenaya2522]

Hell has no fury like a woman scorned PERIOD

[@food603]

That guy moaning every time she slays is one with me at this moment.

[@narayanianand1624]

haha couldn't help but notice !

[@nevy3379]

as a fourteen year old transboy this made me feel a whole lot better about having a period. thank you.

[@mollyseidlitz6002]

[@tiyonnaklein8046]

[@natashadyke1527]

[@TigerPrawn_]

[@eddieee2]

Same ❤

[@abbygailb8487]

"There is a thing.... Called a uterus"👌👌👌

[@stephaniev5898]

👏👏👏👏

[@christinekirkland3082]

and her while saying it😂😂😂

[@KillJoyAcyd23]

"Everybody I love can bleed with me. Hold on to that there's a metaphor in that."

[@xodancerxo312]

Someone printed an excerpt from this and posted this in the girl's bathroom at my school :)

[@nassimbenameur5570]

+xodancerxo312 so cool! you're making me want to do the same

[@meltedthing2338]

such a good idea!! :O

[@YourFace676]

Listening to this every time my period comes around. I feel so empowered by both her words and delivery. What a beautiful poem

[@demJem09]

Your body is a goddamn master piece. Its' people like this who make you realise just how much of a galaxy your anatomy really is.

[@GossamerJedi]

"Moonlight, Magic, and Macabre." Yes!

[@brennahasselmann8075]

That's the only part I didn't get. What is macabre?

[@MissEasyPeasySleasy]

+BrenBren Hmann Dictionaries and google are your friends, boo...

[@jal45100]

+BrenBren Hmann Mababre means something horrific

[@GossamerJedi]

+BrenBren Hmann I took it to mean that she is describing Blood, specifically menstrual - and how it is perceived.

[@brennahasselmann8075]

Jaleel Dennis Gossamer Jedi thank you

[@tra1215]

At the bus stop one day back in 8th grade, I wore black jeans. (I loved them, they fit great!) There were only a few other girls around and a lot of boys. One boy announced, "you know a girl is 'on the rag' if she wears black pants!" All of a sudden, all the boys backed away from me and said eww, and said I was gross. I wasn't "on the rag", but it didn't matter. I didn't want to talk about it either way because it was none of their business PERIOD! They made me feel dirty and ashamed, and I stopped wearing my favorite jeans as a result. That's a bad memory. I wish I'd had some of these words that day.

[@halosandhorns8330]

Should have told all their penises are smaller than your pinky finger, then flex your middle.

[@t.neoma.22]

I revisit this masterpiece every so often over the years and every time my eyes well up. This should be shown to girls and women everywhere. Such a beautiful and powerful work! Thank you for this!

[@laurenhubbard8289]

Agreed!!!

[@cynsational7225]

I wish my health/sex ed class revolved around these ideas that don't shame our bodies

[@girlplease3217]

2 things. If I ever have a daughter I'm going to show her this. Also, may I just say how beautiful your hair is 😍

[@briannabraden7870]

I love this poem, for more reasons than one. First, she starts out kinda making a joke about periods, but she does it in a way all women can really understand, like "Yeah, we should throw that shit a party". Then, she speaks the most truthful words I think I have ever heard about periods. Today in our society, though its much better than it was 50 years ago, we still see periods as something irksome. We see it as a thing that women should be ashamed of, something that you should never mention in a school unless it's in a health class and even then its seen as something disgusting. It is made fun of in the hallways between males that will never experience the pain of having the walls of your body being ripped out from beneath you, but you shouldn't dare correct them because they will turn their attacks towards you. It is seen as something that should barely be mentioned between girls in the seventh grade, and lord forbid I should not have felt that much shame the first time I asked a girl for a tampon when I ran out. And she says this, she says all of this and more and adds glory to this thing that girls have to deal with every month for years. It's like she's telling society, yeah about periods have discussions because the only way that we can stop girls from feeling shameful is to not shame it.

[@hannahbalkovec8748]

"....without which you wouldn't have no twitter account at all muhfucka..." Yeeeess. Love it.

[@anisha.choudhury]

Love it

[@alijoy1721]

I watch this every 26 days since I first watched it. It helps me from even now that i am 35 getting that feeling that I'm not good enough when I get my period. That I'm unlovable. This reminds me I'm strong as frick regardless of having multiple sclerosis,regardlwss of having my period. I'm still good enough. and it's such a good feeling.

[@tothestars101]

"Period = the war between your legs." THAT just made me stop hating my period.

[@jenu1078]

And you know what I love most about this....there aren't many comments, but every single one of them is positive.

[@allianasanchez4800]

i still love this 7 years later ugh!

[@dreamergirlbaby]

I started my period in fifth grade. I woke up with stomach cramps and had to use the bathroom and as soon as I pulled my underwear down I saw blood. My mom was all "you're a woman now!" And then she was like "don't let no little boy touch you down there because I ain't having no babies" and I'm just like 😐 okayyyy.....

[@Auroracle]

😂

[@hannahmoffett4766]

For me I had to pee, and so I went to the bathroom and I looked at my underwear and it was like...a brownish color (dried blood) and I was so scared. I got a sharp pain on my side and I look down and I'm bleeding. Literally thought I was dying, and I was crying and my mom came in and was like "YOU CAN HAVE BABIES NOW." And I was like crying I didn't want babies .😂😂😂

[@destinysutherland6618]

same thing with my mum

[@procrastinathi]

I have returned to this so many times and it still gives me chills. "Women, made of moonlight, magic and macabre" will eventually be inked onto my skin

[@elizag100]

"your impossible scripture" - such a complex poem, and so powerful

[@dedgesaysfuckthewrld]

I love the way she says ma'fucker

[@jamesblake3439]

Amen. I am a man, and I don't like other men giving me a bad name, and I don't like anyone telling anyone else something natural about them is wrong, and I like what you say, and I like how you say it. Peace and love.

[@mckenziejo5773]

Her daughter is so blessed to have this amazing woman as a mother.

[@smol_chilli_pepper]

I've never been so proud to share a name with a stranger. She is amazing

[@broadwaybookworm1672]

There's a girl at my school who just has a purse full of pads and tampons. Some boys stole it, looked inside it, and laughed and she told them OFF! It was amazing and the female teacher gave her a high-five. This woman makes me want to be like that girl.

[@ilovepiedoyou2]

Can she adopt me please...

[@aliciahunter6311]

+Mel SAMEE

[@mzvibe2232]

ikr

[@ashisreallytired9006]

Mel actually same

[@amandar273]

Why? So she can teach you how to forge signatures to steal people's homes?

[@tranlenamphuong6192]

@@amandar273 what?

[@Bunny_penn]

My sister moved to New York yesterday and tonight my boyfriend got mad at me because he forgot I was on my period. My sister showed me this so often it’s been stuck in my head since high school. Tonight is the first time in long time I’ve cried to this poem. Thank you for writing this and for sharing it.

[@yellow5350]

What a Mother, inspiring in so many ways. This woman is beyond amazing, her poetry is powerful, no words to express.

[@ActorBelle8]

bless this woman

[@rainydaze1502]

I love your profile pic, where'd you find it or did you make it yourself.

[@ActorBelle8]

Chucky i found this one on tumblr, you can search outlines on tumblr and find a bunch

[@hectorthealchemist]

As a young man I look up to awesome women like this. :) danggggggg her words are like an epic yet reglorifying slap the face (in a good way). Feminists/Equalists (name doesnt matter), we need more women like this outspoken... We are not done yet nor are our true messages out there...

[@hectorthealchemist]

Dang it!!! I forgot to include we need more men, PEOPLE like this. Thats ironic since Im male... Gah gender nor sex matters, we need change and we need it now.

[@hectorthealchemist]

H Ritter Aww thanks man/ma'am. Just stating truth. :)

[@JennHrd]

TheSchwaWasntHere Finally! -- A man with kind regards to a woman's natural body functions.

[@hectorthealchemist]

Awww... Huh... Thank you for saying that. ;) x)

[@hectorthealchemist]

HOLY ___ *-* ummmm heh thank you all? ^ ^"

[@christophermoore8122]

Best 6 Minutes & 48 Seconds Of My Life

[@AngelChick03]

LOVE THIS!!!!!!! this makes me so proud to be female

[@joebazooks]

now that is what i call a feminist. you have too many people calling themselves feminists on the internet nowadays, that instead of demoting the other's line of thought and inform, just demote the other without really saying anything at all. this Woman actually gets it. this Woman has not only claimed the title of feminist, but earned the title of Humanist in my books. i tip my hat to this Woman who informed me to get her message across and gave to me that "Whoah-man!" feelin' bravo! bravo! in several senses. first of course a shout of approval. and in the sense that she completely assassinated that Kid's line of thought. if this Kid had ears to hear, or eyes to see, his brain will certainly bleed

[@masochistic_art]

Cannot handle this poem. She is a fucking period preacher and she is mother to us all.

[@sarahkorte3839]

I'm going to show this video to my future kids regardless of their gender because this woman teaches a valuable lesson everyone needs to hear.

[@TheKissesfromme]

I've listened to this countless times and cried every single time. This is just incredible.

[@carla551981]

I watched this 3 times just to make sure I understood each word in it's entierty. Your words were moving and I'll be watching this for a 4th time later on tonight with my daughter. THANK YOU!!!

[@alexandrinalazarova]

So honest, real and proud, it should be people like her educating the young about how our bodies work alone and together!

[@sammarie2590]

The coolest woman ever

[@HoppingFireflies11]

bruh I cried at the end I LOVE THIS WOMAN!!

[@marcelle6528]

This poem made me SOOOOO proud of my body. I now tell the boys who mock me and my fellow women for the natural functions of our bodies to let me know when they can bleed out their genitals for seven days a month and still live.

[@jnietoYEPEZ]

I like this Thanks.

[@aidenmckinsey823]

that was amazing. I love when a writer has such a strong voice in their writing. She'd probably kick my ass too but I digress

[@christinekirkland3082]

ok now i want to say that when the occasion occurs

[@christopherbrown2706]

Kidney stones

[@christopherbrown2706]

um, biologically, you're SUPPOSED to bleed out your cooter and live; we AREN'T. False equivalency.

[@millywinder]

"Here in begins an anatomy lesson infused with feminist politics because I hate you" she's fucking queeeeen 🙌👌

[@mitsusora6880]

Not gonna lie, I got tears in my eyes over this. This is simply fantastic.

[@SpaztasticSheep]

I didn't realise how much I needed this ♡ Menstruation is a blessing, women are amazing.

[@makaylacaldwell8543]

Did the dummy on twitter see this!?

[@SlamFind]

+makayla caldwell always wondered that too

[@max-alma8737]

who is the dummy on twitter

[@nirvana4640]

I hope so

[@Mouseytoe]

I really hope so.

[@autumn4445]

I hope so

[@imwritingapoemaboutit]

I watch this amazing piece periodically

[@xoxogigibo]

I actually cried for this poem. Wow. I hope I can raise my future daughters with this fervor and conviction and confidence.

[@aspentheace9283]

Dear lord preach - I'm screaming in my house alone because of this poem - it's amazing

[@SapphireH]

I got my first period when I was 7, and started menopause at 38. Listening to this woman speak, it's the first time in my entire life that I ever found my period empowering... or representative of something positive. We're never too old to hear TRUTH.

[@Caramelschnittchen]

when KZbin gives you a pad commercial before watching this

[@stopthatemilyraaah]

Lmao

[@lydsk-w345]

This gets better every time i watch this

[@briana14333]

Yes, Ms. Dominique! Fucking mom of the fucking year! I love everything about it.

[@kristen.t]

dear "dummy on twitter": i hope you're watching...And learning.

[@operationmanifesto]

This is one of the most empowering feminist poems I've ever heard. Fuckin brilliant

[@bebbo]

I remember my first time.. I was crying and crying because I didnt wanted it at age 12!! My mom called my grandma and she started to cry and said my mom had to buy me food and drinks I love. I was angry tho bc she called my dad after that and it was a really awkward conversation. I was 24/7 scared at school for someone noticing but now 2,5 years later I just let my body do what it has to do!

[@zurychacosta3483]

Coming back to this, as I do every few months or so. This has stayed with me over the years. I cry every time.

[@readsamread]

i am crying, this is so fucking beautiful

[@aramigonzalez1533]

THERE ARE NO WORDS TO DESCRIBE HOW MUCH I LOVE THIS

[@lilbitedwards7020]

I've never heard a period is such a good way like this actually make me like periods

[@teresasambuceto9131]

Preach girl preach! Best poem I have ever heard!

[@nikitajean-noel8507]

I want to be Dominique when I grow up. I want to be a mom like her.

[@4dramatispersonae]

This poem means so much to me. Thank you, Dominique Christina. You're a wonderful mother

[@kessuhr]

Dominique Christina is amazing. Period.

[@PippinandPeaches]

This made me feel so empowered. Thank you for so beautifully expressing the joys of womanhood. End period shame!

[@isabellalaf.8679]

This lady... Be preachin' I LOVE HER

[@jupiterdai]

My dad tried throwing me a period party but I was too ashamed of it at the time now that it has been three years I embrace it and don't get uncomfortable talking about it. That's cause growing up I seen my Ma ashamed by hers. When I have children I'm going to teach and inform them about health.

[@SeekTheGreatPerhaps3]

Fuck. I get chills every time I hear this. She's amazing.

[@tanjela1]

I watched the poem over and over and actually make me happy to have a period and feel good about being a women

[@loading7496]

Moms like this are the ones who raise the next generation of leaders.

[@WeWhoBelongtoYou]

This is genius, wish she would do one on PMS.

[@Diddledoop1]

THIS IS SUCH FIRE

[@lindsaywallsott5376]

I applause anyone who can make that stuff beautiful. Never have I heard it explained that way.

[@bernicepiotrowski9694]

I saw your video linked to a Facebook post. My comment is The truth of this poem brought tears to my eyes. Thanks.

[@evahewitt1784]

She is the best mother EVER!!

[@haileykane2482]

this the only poem to ever give me goosebumps, I love it so much

[@farmon794]

my cramps stopped all of a sudden listening to her words (period)

[@roxyexplores]

I'm on my period with really bad cramps and my friend sends me this, so I watch it for like the 5th time. This poem makes me feel better. Reminds me that it may hurt but that I am strong. I am a woman who can deal with the blood and the pain. I can take this, I can take anything and so can any woman.💫🌿

[@AriesGirlMagic]

I....LOVE....HER!!

[@amparoohoo3532]

I wish she was my mother, my mom just makes me feel ashamed of my body. This poem really helped me through the shit I dealt with going through menstruation cycles.

[@Randa12Emam]

Damn! I hope her daughter appreciates how badass her mother is.

[@fidgetofdoom]

this got me HYPED. The message AND delivery. Slammin. Thank you for your time, energy and wisdom, will share along,

[@LeighMariana]

Makes me kind of proud to have a period when it never seemed anything but inconvenient before!

[@avelooksatstuff1523]

she took that boy to fucking church I'm speechless

[@alexandrabillings99]

Stunning. Important. Miraculous. This needs to be heard by every human on the planet.

[@essiemeify]

bleed and bleed and bleed on everything...he loves.

[@LoverOfKakashi]

Period.

[@feministewynn471]

I am in AWE of the power in this beautiful woman's soul.

[@crazyhawk59]

Love this! Dominique, I did stand up and clap. Wish I'd had this understanding for myself and my daughters.

[@eternalfriss0n]

This will never not make me cry.

[@melissafidler8346]

I love this so much. Every time I'm on my period I watch this and it helps me feel powerful and strong. I'm going to show this video to my daughters and granddaughter when the time comes. Thank you.