Updated
November 7, 2000
Female Circumcision
Following a debate on the Gambia-L listing, I feel this issue is like Slavery, it will take a long time to remove it from the culture - but the majority agree it is wrong and should be stopped.
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First published on 10 Oct, I have seen disturbing items on the Gambia-L list of those trying to make this a race issue.
They suggest that western comment about condemning female circumcision are a new form of colonialism - where African culture is being destroyed as a means of oppression.
It is sad that these people are so politically minded that they fail to see humanity through their veil of dogma.
During my October trip I discussed this issue with a number of Gambians, the verdict was that this practise will die out eventually - but it will take years, as it is so much part of the village culture.
Many agreed that they would not willingly allow their female children to circumcised but others felt that the mothers and grand mothers would insist that it was done.
The debate will go on in The Gambia much as the slavery debate raged in Europe.
For a few weeks there has been a debate on the Gambia - L listings from America, about the practice of female circumcision in general but in particular concerning Gambians and The Gambia.
Some investigative journalists in Norway using hidden cameras uncovered the public pronouncements of two Imans against female circumcision - filming them apparently supporting the practice.
It is fairly barbaric and I'll spare you the graphic details, but the debate as important as it is, has started to suffer reader fatigue and I pick up a crucial issue and comment below drawing the comparison with slavery.
Original Message -----
From: awa joeque
Sent: Monday, October 09, 2000 7:52 PM
Subject: Re: Jennifer Edison - Female Circumcision >
Jennifer, I think that I'm in a better position to give you the most graphic detail of this operation - you know why - because I am a VICTIM. And let me tell you that writing or debating this on the NET won't change a thing because technology is not within the reach of these folks. Go to the villages and Towns where this is practise and educate the folks out there rather than sitting in your comfy room with all mod cons telling us what to do on the NET.
Awa, I commend your comments on this very difficult matter.
Talk is really important, but action where it matters - matters more.
There can be few things worse than human slavery. As a white man I know
slavery is repugnant, more degrading to the master than the slave, but
my ancestors had to be persuaded for over a hundred years that it was
wrong, they believed that keeping slaves was a legitimate part of their
culture, a respectable trade.
Despite the passage of time, laws and liberation, human slavery still exists, in carpet factories in India and on many of the cocoa plantations in Africa, as well as domestic slaves in embassies in America and the UK, we all know it is wrong but it still continues. and we buy chocolate and Indian rugs, at the cheapest prices for years and despite the scandal of World Bank employees keeping domestic slaves, it still goes on!!
The practise of circumcision cannot to stopped quickly anymore than slavery has been - but like slavery, female circumcision is wrong and misguided, a brutal assault on an innocent individual by people who believe this is a legitimate part of their culture, there will come a time when future generations will realise it is wrong and most will stop it and wonder like me how their ancestors could have done such a thing.
Awa is right, talking to the people and educating them will accelerate that gradual change, but only if people actually go and talk in the villages and discuss it with their families.
Bringing it to the attention of the web audience may result in 10 or 100 people doing just that, people who would not have done so without the debate and that makes the debate legitimate and necessary.
BUT, whatever the issue, I agree with Awa, there are always talkers and far too few doers.
Francis
GTS UK
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