Mr. Sajaw: It is very funny that you would misinterpret my analogy of events with Ms. Hernlund. For your info, I spoke to the young lady this afternoon. It would have been appropriate if you had read my exchanges in detailed. I never denounced, nor used any innuendos against Ms. Hernlund. The biggest problem with today's society is that one cannot ask questions or differ in methodology to a problem. I am fortunate to let you know that critical reasoning will help us in how we perceive problems. With all the echoes on female circumcision, I have yet to read a solution to it. As a rural child, I will tell you that female circumcision will greatly reduce as more women go to school. A child who goes to school and eventually has children will more than likely refuse to have her daughters circumcised. The approach to female circumcision must be clearly defined. Those in lead must realize that the problem can only go away if they approach our elders in a proper way. Condemnation will not solve the problem. I ask, why not lobby the legislature and the executive to ban female circumcision? I bet those politicians will be scared as hell because they may be booted out of office. What other way do you have to stop this act? I suggest that we sit and talk to our parents and make it a priority to discuss with them that female circumcision is not in the Koran. In Egypt the debate on female circumcision took a sudden change when the leaders opposed to it yielded trust with the community. In sociology, you cannot change culture without building trust. I bet you my life that, though I have not read Ms. Hernlund's book, her approach in curbing female circumcision might be close to my scenario. Whether you are a victim, or an interested party in the anti-female circumcision debate, you must understand that your initiatives in banning a long held tradition cannot simply be accepted by the natives. If you leave attitude and emotion out of it, and approach the participants in a fashion identical to anthropology or sociology, you will be impressed in how you can build trust. The use of "FGM" in reality sounds negative in either tribal interpretation. I understand clearly that the victims will loudly say to the affirmative that they were mutilated, but I beg to differ that a kinder and gentler approach in the name of diplomacy will heal the wound. Please let is understand anthropology and sociology in getting our message across. May I suggest that we read Ms. Hernlund's book? Naphiyo, Comrade ML Jassey-Conteh ------Original Message------ From: [log in to unmask] To: [log in to unmask] Sent: March 29, 2001 4:52:52 PM GMT Subject: Re: book(YLVA) Hello Ylva, I have always and will continue be an ardent opponent of FGM. Personally, I want to thank you and congratulate you for your grandiose efforts to fight this barbaric practice. YOU ROCKS! One thing is clear reading the exchanges on the list is that Gambians share a different paradigm when it comes to its application and contradictions. When educated people want to quantify the benefits of an openly proven theory that FGM has no medical significant to the millions of victims of this dehumanizing practice, it makes me wonder if it is the results of the research they are worried about or the fear of shifting paradigms. I have ordered your book to help support the brave cause you and your colleagues are doing to help end this form of abuse to particularly, young women who are the victims of this practice. If people like Mr. Conteh disagrees with the tools and methodologies used in your research, I advice him to conduct his own studies and brief us with his results. Finally, please continue your qualitative approach to this issue. I will send you my thoughts about the book once I read it. GO GIRL, Sincerely, Matarr Sajaw ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------