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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