Jamila,
I also have been reading the postings on the L. Some of the arguments
were good. However, some were saying that we can't stop the immoral act?
others saying that it will be slow and so on. something must be done
immediately. The UNICEF reports that 6,000 girls around the world are
subjected to FGM every day....And so as I write now, my heart hurts so
painfully that my fingers tremble and I traumatically flinch to the
knowledge that there is a child screaming for our help right at this
moment....help from us, the unknown because her mother, the known, is
outside dancing and chanting to the occasion with family and friends.
As I reflect back to some of these responses, I feel as helpless as that
little girl currently under the razor blade. Right now I could not help but
join her creams...as tears fell down our cheeks, we are screaming for your
help Gambia Lers. Let us stop the pessimisms and arguments, and start doing
something. The already cut off clitoris cannot be restored, but we must not
allow anymore mutilation. Like most stated, education is the weapon that can
abolish FGM.
EDUCATION EDUCATION EDUCATION
I'm planning to go to Gambia next year. My plans, if successful is to
create a program that allows me to go to high schools and teach future
mothers and fathers the deadly health problems caused by FGM. Most of the
time we go to Gambia just to have fun and show off. How about everyone who
goes for holidays target few families and discuss all the facts he/she
learns about FGM on the L. You guys it works! We can do it. Non-African
and non-muslims are doing it. In Somalia, Molly Melching, an American
exchange from the University of Illinois, designed an intensive literacy
program. This program, sponsored by Hillary Clinton, teaches Africans the
consequences of FGM. as a result, 700 villages have stopped the
practice(Vivienne Walt, Washington Post, 1995). The World Health
Organization is willing to send anyone who volunteers to teach the dangers
of FGM. In April 1998, Hillary Clinton herself was one of these volunteers
send to Senegal. I could go on. If these people can do it, Why can't we?
All it takes is talking. The mutilators are not our enemies, they are just
so acculturated to such barbaric practice beyond their recognition of harm.
Ramatoulie
>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
>
>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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