DISCUSSION 2

POST:
http://content.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1994768_1994788,00.html
The development of humanity in a modern context can be better understood by an examination of its social and
cultural past. As human beings, people are gregarious by nature and learn via social interaction whether it be
customs endemic to a particular people or by interaction with the physical world. For example, the Western
world view has accepted that the ritual of burial of the dead as commonplace, however; excarnation (the
practice of removing the flesh from the corpse without interment) is readily accepted and practiced in the
Eastern world.
In the article The Scars of Tradition, humanitys ever evolving anthropological journey from a diverse past is
highlighted. The article shows a peoples (African) ritual that historically this said group has used to identity
itself. However, this historical ritual not only clashes with the modern worlds perspective but that of a
Western worlds ideology.
Tradition and ritual has been used by groups of people to identify themselves since antiquity. It is from an
examination of these traditions and rituals that we can better understand humanitys many different
perspectives and the conditions that shaped them.

Response from Courtney:

Sherry you're thoughts are beautifully summated and eloquent! Initially I agreed with the premise that
origins/societal shifts and shaping bring clarity and understanding to an unfamiliar or uncomfortable tradition;
however I believe the general admonishment of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) isn't primarily or
necessarily rooted in Western culture. The practice itself is categorized by three types of FGM: clitoridectomy,
excision, and infibulation. The first two types of FGM are incredibly painful, high risk of infection; but
infibulation actually narrows the vaginal opening stemming menstrual fluid/urine. This can cause infertility,
fatal infections, and stillbirth/childbirth death. These factors, cited by the World Health Organization, are the
primary catalyst for criminalizing, objecting, or deterring the practice. I don't see the correlation for fatalistic
procedures condemned for maiming/mutilating the female body to Western traditions/ideologies. Can you
explain? Thanks :)
Courtney: Thank you for your comment! The main point of my analysis was to emphasis we live in a world
of diverse people and traditions. If we delve deeper into my analysis, we can examine the effects that socioeconomic factors shape the traditions and beliefs of any particular peoples. In the case of FGM, the
physiological and emotional trauma afflicted are empirically evident. However, would this information be
available to those with the privilege of access? Would there be a need for a World Health Organization if the
knowledge and access to health education and health care were readily available to all? To those

hindered by socio economic inequity, their traditions perpetuates itself cyclically irregardless of Western or
Eastern philosophies.

Response from Tucker:

Hi Sherry! Your response was beautifully written! I honestly really enjoyed reading your response. I really love
how you didn't take a side, you just wrote about the subject which makes it easier for one to read and for one to
come up with their own opinion. I also really liked how you included a fact about cultures in the Eastern world
and how they remove flesh from their corpses. Much of Europe has made female circumcision illegal,
including England, Norway, Sweden and Switzerland to name a few. I, personally, feel that they should not
force girls to get this taboo procedure done until the girl is at least 18 where she can make her own decisions.
Knowing all that you know about this subject, what is your opinion on the matter?
Tucker: Thank you for your reply! I agree with your opinion. There are agencies around the world to protect
children because of the mere fact that they are children and are incapable of defending themselves and
deciding on their own well-being. In a perfect world, children would never be subjugated to harm or
exploitation. However, the world is filled with disparities and those who chose to exploit these disparities for
their own gain.

RESPONSE TO VERONICA:
I agree with your thoughts regarding education. If education and access to education were readily available the
traditions of any people would be greatly affected. Imagine if the disadvantaged and disenfranchised were
granted access to education and access to opportunity. The world would be vastly different place. Beside, any
ritual forced upon another person especially a child is wrong.
RESPONSE TO JESSICA:
Yes, Jessica women throughout history have been seen not only as secondary citizens but in several theologies
matriarchy has been seen as a negative force. These is no silver bullet solution to the worlds inequities and
disparities, but I believe readily available access to education and readily available access to information could
at least alleviate some of the disparity.