Abstract and Working Biblio

Abstract

FGM refers to Female Genital Mutilation, a procedure considered tradition in over twenty-five countries. The procedure is generally unsanitary, and painful, and depending on the situation involves partial or total removal of the external female genitalia to the female genital organs. Many of the women are forced to undergo this procedure, restrained by family members while a stranger cuts them. Although the procedure is done to bring respect and pureness to a woman, it often results in physical, medical, and psychological trauma. Its traumatic effects are compared with those who experience child abuse, and causes extensive long-term damage. Although awareness of this horrific procedure is bringing change to some areas, women around the world continue to suffer.

Works Cited

Behrendt, Alice. Mortiz, Steffen. ¨Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Memory Problems  

After Female Genital Mutilation¨. Am J Psychiatry 162 (2005) 1000-1002. Web. 3

Apr. 2012

Khartoum, ¨Sudan: Living with the Trauma of FGM¨ IRIN Humanitarian News and

Analysis.2 5 May 2005. Web. 3 April 2012. ¨http://www.irinnews.org/Report/54623/SUDAN-Living-with-the-trauma-of-FGM¨

Learner, Sue. "Scarred For Life." Nursing Standard 26.28 (2012): 20-21. Academic Search

Complete. Web. 3 Apr. 2012.

Nnamuchi, Obiajulu. "Circumcision" Or "Multilation"? Voluntary Or Forced Excision?¨

Extricating The Ethical And Legal Issues In Female Genital Ritual." Journal Of

Law & Health 25.1 (2012): 83-119. Legal Collection. Web. 3 Apr. 2012

¨Psychological Aspects¨ FGM National Clinic Group. (2007). Web. 3 April 2012.

¨http://www.fgmnationalgroup.org/psychological_aspects.htm¨

¨The Right to Femininity: Fighting Female Circumcision in Africa Today¨  Films on

Demand. 2003. Web. 3 April 2012 http://digital.films.com.proxygsuken1.galileo.usg.edu/PortalViewVideo.aspx?xtid=34539

Utz-Billing, I.Kentenich, H. "Female Genital Mutilation: An Injury, Physical And Mental

Harm." Journal Of Psychosomatic Obstetrics & Gynecology 29.4 (2008): 225-229. Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection. Web. 3 Apr. 2012.

Whitehorn, James, Maingay, Samantha. ¨Female Genital Mutilation; Cultural and

Psychological Implications¨. Sexual and Relationship Therapy 17.2 (2002): Web. 3

Apr. 2012

Smile or Die

I found "Smile or Die" to be a very riveting video. It is a subject not often addressed, but with so much evidence and examples behind it. One particular aspect of the video that I saw reflected in "Arresting God in Kathmandu" was that of delusions, whether they be optimistic or negative, and how they can trap someone in a situation in life. In "The Good Shopkeeper", Pramod's optimism at the beginning, that he will soon get a job and be able to take care of his family, creates a delusion that as an accountant he cannot have a simple job like "shopkeeper". While the American Optimism would claim that having positive delusions is a good thing, his inability to see the reality behind his situation keeps him, at least momentarily, from getting a job which which he can protect his family. Another example is Kailesh-ji, his delusions that his wife is a loving and committed woman backfire on him while she slows unravels her true self. She begins speaking out, questioning his intelligence and legitimacy as a philosopher, and even having affairs with multiple men. His optimism and "positive thoughts" regarding their relationship do nothing in the way of changing the situation.


The American value of equality is one that has shaped my development, but also always conflicted me. It seems that what people claim to believe, or even think they actually believe, is that all people, skin color, gender, and ethnicity aside, are equal. However, stereotypes, racism, sexism, and racial profiling seem to be so subtly prevalent that it is discredited. How I was raised, between a mixture of peer influence, family influence, and media, I came to understand and believe this value. As my exposure to the world, different people, and different situations develops, so does this belief. 

Shaping Values

A value my mother has always instilled in me, as far as I can remember, is that you can always count on your family. Although I do believe some people choose their family and the bond is just as strong whether it be biological or not, my experiences have showed me that in my family, blood runs thicker than water. I've found this to be true in many different life experiences. Since I was born in Mexico, most of my family lives there, and I am accustomed to seeing them every 2-4 years. It never ceases to shock me the comfort and sense of home I feel around them. For reasons in the past, I hadn't seen my three oldest first cousins for about 16 years. When I finally got the opportunity to meet them and spend time with them, it was as though we had all been raised together. They took us out, offered us a car to take around the city, and my oldest cousin, a tax lawyer, a job, if we ever planned on moving back. This sense of immediate trust and familiarity isn't something I often see, be it on television, in my friends families, or even in books. Another experience that has helped shape this value is my mother's never-ending selflessness when it comes to her family. I am certain there is not a thing in this world she wouldn't do for her children, and almost nothing that she wouldn't do for her immediate family members.
In Cutting For Stone this same value of the importance of family appeared throughout the novel. However, the novel makes the case for both biological and nonbiological connections. The way in which Hema loves Shiva and Marion is unmatchable, it is evident in her every word to them, how her time dedicated to the boys and her actions toward being their mother are written. ShivaMarion's connection is an obvious one, even after years of being apart, unforgivable acts gone unspoken, and a life threatening risk, Shiva still gives his liver for Marion. Dr. Stone displays another example, despite his sons being perfect strangers, their operation is the hardest one he ever does, because of his connection to them. He risks his career and does the only thing for them he ever knew how to do.

I think the value of family is a really great one to have. Not only does family serve support system, but they provide a link to who you used to be, who you are, and who you'd like to become. It could be negative in that sometimes people are too selfless and trusting toward their family, only to be betrayed.

Weblog #3

The first third of Cutting For Stone focuses largely on the character of Hema. Hema is a strong, independent woman. She surpasses the constraints of the life she was born into, going to Ethiopia to practice medicine instead of staying in her home country. Although she walks into the middle of utter chaos, with Sister Mary Joseph quickly losing life. She makes the decision, over Dr. Stone's, to save the babies lives. I believe her decision was mostly motivated by her values as a doctor, the belief in saving a human life above everything. However, there are various religious references throughout the delivery. 

At first, Hema relies on her skills as a doctor to save the babies. Afterward, she relies on her God. She surrenders control and calls upon her God to save them. In fact, it seems as though as soon as she utters the word, "Shiva", the baby breathes. Her motivation lies in religion in that she leans on her deity to save the baby, even naming the baby Shiva. The shining light brings an almost godly element, filling the children with light and with life.

The idea of valuing a human life above all, whether religious or not, is a value I would definitely recommend to others. Hema's focus arises from the need to save lives, an appreciation of life, and a faith in her God to help her save lives.

Weblog #2: Orange juice soaked memories

I moved to the United States at a very young age, after being born in Mexico and having lived in Brazil for 8 months. When we moved for my dad's job to Marietta, Georgia, a woman we had met in Brazil came with us. Her name was Gloria, fondly known to all her loved ones as "Yu yu'". She was essentially a grandma to us, and easily one of the most special people I have ever known. I could think of a million stories from all the time I spent with her before she passed last year, but one story my mother always tells that seems to epitomize exactly the kind of person she was.


One afternoon that we were all visiting in Mexico, my mom took me, my little brother, and Yu yu' out for breakfast with an old friend. Mrs. Lucita, our family friend, was an older woman, very mild mannered and very sweet. It was her first time meeting Yu yu', and she had the unfortunate luck to be sitting directly in front of her at breakfast. (A place we would all learn was best to avoid). My mom decided to tell one of her classic jokes, making the whole table burst with laughter. Well Yu yu' had a signature laugh, the infectious, contagious laugh that you can't help but lose yourself to. Her laughter was animated, and with it came merriment, joy, and unfortunately for Mrs. Lucita, orange juice. The poor woman was bathed from across the table, from head to lap, in saliva and orange juice. While I personally don't remember this story, I can recall multiple times where I was on the receiving end of the table, and how much funnier it was to be a spectator than the one in need of a second shower.

1.  Did you add or leave out any parts of the original story?

I'm not sure if I left out any parts, but I took some freedoms in the details. I'm not sure if it was just my brother and I who went to breakfast, or if the rest of my family attended. I also don't quite remember if it was a joke that made her laugh, or just a silly part of the conversation.




2.  If so, what did you change and why?  If not, why did you feel it was important to preserve the story as it was told to you?
I didn't purposely change it, rather for story telling purposes. I feel that the rest of the story is very important to preserve, because it illustrates how even now that she's gone, she stays with us through our memories of her.

3.  How does your retelling compare to Sanjay's retelling of the Ramayana?
 I think Ramayana was re-told mostly to make the characters easier to relate to, and the entire story simpler to read and connect to. My story was a silly one to begin with, so the seriousness and pictures come with the story itself. 

Weblog Assignment #1

For my assignment I interviewed my friend of seven years, Ayushi Acharya. Her parents are Gujurati, from India. After years of struggling to find a balance between her two worlds, she identifies as Indian American.

From a very young age, she realized how different her parents' values were from hat of her American friends. They were allowed to do certain things that she wasn't allowed to do, staying out late or eating certain things. This caused  conflict during her preteen years because although she was living the life her parents designed, she didn't identify with Indian culture they way they did. As she got older she began to understand her parents and their attatchment to their culture, so while the tension didn't disappear, it did improve. It was at this age that she said she realized, "I would always be Indian no matter how long I've been in America". Being her best friend it always seemed as though she lived a double life, her Indian gatherings, events, and temple. She would always be curious to try my chicken dishes, hiding the fact that she loved grilled chicken from her very religious father. It was very few times that these two lives converged, like at her parents' 50th anniversary celebration, or her graduation party. Hall would place her in the "becoming" stage of her identity, still seeing the cultural dispora as a juggling act that at times caused tension and conflict. Like Ruma in Unaccustomed earth, she found her own private forms of rebellion.
Now in college, she lives in her own apartment, a very American tradition, but identifies with the Indian culture more than ever. She's joined an Indian sorority,balances and introduces both her Indian friends and American friends, and feels comfortable in both atmospheres. Her values may be different from those of her friends, as they are a construct of two worlds, but she's comfortable enough with her identity that these differences don't cause stress. She hopes that now and in the future she'll be able to, "take the very best of each side and incorporate it into defining myself as an Indian as well as an American."