Test, please disregard!


>From: Jamila Allston <[log in to unmask]>
>Reply-To: The Gambia and related-issues mailing list
><[log in to unmask]>
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: Female Circumcision - What Should Be The Approach To Faciliating
>            Positive Change
>Date: Thu, 12 Oct 2000 11:35:21 -0700
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>From [log in to unmask] Thu Oct 12 11:40:52 2000
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>Dear Sisters and Brothers,
>
>     I have been following the debate regarding FGM and I believe that
>the interchange is very good.  FGM is an issue that arouses many
>emotions (anger, pain, etc.)  The array of vocalizations is indeed
>needed to come to a consensus that life is a continuum and that
>cultural practices that have been instituted at one point can be
>modified/changed for the betterment of a people.
>
>     As an African Woman born in America, not only am I concern about
>the conditions of my people where ever we are...I have a special
>concern regarding the mental, emotional, psychological and physical
>oppression and abuse of African Women throughout the diaspora and at
>home in Africa.
>
>    While I have been a long time believer that FGM must be eradicated,
>I also recognize that issues of culture and tradition must be handled
>delicately.  It is not enough to demand a change of a people' s
>practices of culture and tradition (however we disagree or how sincere
>we may be) through the rantings of disgust and condemnation.
>
>    As the debate proceeds, the next logical step may be to look at how
>this forum can be used to developed proactive strategies for
>facilitating educational activism to assist these communities,
>villages, etc. to re think a cultural/traditional practice that is
>indeed harmful to the well being of the African Woman...thus ultimately
>harmful to the well being of the African family and community.
>
>   Part of the strategy should be to also examine the genesis of some of
>our questionable practices.  Are these practices truly African in
>nature, or have we taken on practices/behaviors that are now viewed as
>African practices that were originally instituted by external cultural
>and religious forces throughout the centuries.  Irregardless of the
>genesis, the practice needs to be eliminated.  Yet we must understand
>the dynamics of our history in order to make appropriate constructive
>change.
>
>    Just as we have come together to fight those oppressive forces that
>are destroying The Gambia, let us use our collective capabilities to
>develop strategies and programs that can indeed play a major role in
>eradicating FGM forever.
>
>    Yours in the struggle.
>
>                              Jamila
>
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>
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