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 __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Get Yahoo! Mail - Free email you can access from anywhere! http://mail.yahoo.com/ ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L Web interface at: http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/archives/gambia-l.html You may also send subscription requests to [log in to unmask] if you have problems accessing the web interface and remember to write your full name and e-mail address. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------