The De-Africanization of Liberia: The Trend Continues

Forwarded message ----------From: rob Williams <rwilliams610@gmail.com>Date: Jun 3, 2008 1:03 PMSubject: Fwd: [OnLiberianMedium] Re: [OLM_Adm04] The De-Africanization of Liberia: The Trend ContinuesTo: Roberta Williams <rwilliams6@wellspan.org>---------- Forwarded message ----------From: rob Williams <rwilliams610@gmail.com>Date: Jun 3, 2008 9:13 AMSubject: Re: [OnLiberianMedium] Re: [OLM_Adm04] The De-Africanization of Liberia: The Trend ContinuesTo: OnLiberianMedium@yahoogroups.com
What are you really trying to say below, because from what I gathered, you are saying that we should work together for the bettement of human kind; am I correct? If so, good, let join hands and work towards banning female mutilation for good.

Now that we are on the same page, pour the gingerale, drink a glass for me and tell your female relatives, you now understand the reasons FGM should be banned.

Roberta Williams
On 6/2/08, Arthur W Doe <Nahweah@msn.com> wrote:
Remember now, my dear brother, In America, we have our freedom. Most epecially, when we are discussing issue like this female circumcision, only an experience have knowledge in this matter. Therefore, his attempt to be opened to the nitty-gritty of this discussion should not be seen as provocative, otherwise, take some times and visit any Library in the Diaspora and make yourself available to interesting reading materials. That way, you will have respect for open discussion, and refrain from surrpoting others who want to impose their might on tardition. Do you have a glass of gingerale by your side? If not, you can join me. Art Weah Doe
To: OnLiberianMedium@yahoogroups.comFrom: jallah65@yahoo.comDate: Mon, 2 Jun 2008 12:12:27 -0700
Subject: Re: [OnLiberianMedium] Re: [OLM_Adm04] The De-Africanization of Liberia: The Trend Continues
This idea that because something is traditional we should continue to do it is a very disturbing to me.I will agree with Nimely and Nat on that Government should not have the right to arbitarily take away the rights of its citizens, but we should not use this to deter what our education and exposure to other cultures have come to teach us.years ago Eddie Murphy, the Comedian in an apparent rage over a relationship that had gone sour said in a joke that the next woman he was going to marry was going to be from Africa. He stated make sure if you do that you make sure she does not befriend an American woman. He stated the American woman would say to her" how that Eddie Murphy treating u.girl you know you can get half of everything if he is treating you bad".The joke culminates with the African woman telling Eddie Murphy " Eddie, I want half". Of course in his joke Eddie Murphy was implying that African Women were docile, and that he would want that type of woman because he could be more happy controlling her.However we know our African mothers, sisters e.t.c are too smart for that, and if you are a man who think you can continue that trend of control , NEWS FLASH(ARTHUR)When Celia described the story of Fatima, the real tragedy is that no one give Fatima the choice of whether she should have part of her clitoris removed or not.The same way no one gives the female a choice when they offer her to a man when she is twelve years old.When these women get educated they now understand the value of these decisions unfortunately some being irreversible.I wonder how a Nimely or a Nat or an Arthur Doe would look a Fatima in the eye.That is why reading Arthur Doe's account of his encounter offends me because it was the most pure form of male chauvinism exhibited on this forum to date.
----- Original Message ----From: "JTambah@aol.com" <JTambah@aol.com>To: OnLiberianMedium@yahoogroups.comSent: Monday, June 2, 2008 12:01:19 PMSubject: Re: [OnLiberianMedium] Re: [OLM_Adm04] The De-Africanization of Liberia: The Trend Continues
Graphi...... ........here we come! Art, you probably forgot that you have been taken to task by women. Indeed, this particular one is Kru.....in case you did not know. You won't win......... ....sorry! !!!!!!!!! !!-----Original Message-----From: rob Williams <rwilliams610@ gmail.com>To: OnLiberianMedium@ yahoogroups. comCc: NEKTAA <nektaa@yahoogroups. com>; olm_adm04@yahoogrou ps.com <olm_adm04@yahoogrou ps.com>Sent: Mon, 2 Jun 2008 12:54 pmSubject: Re: [OnLiberianMedium] Re: [OLM_Adm04] The De-Africanization of Liberia: The Trend ContinuesArt, By the way, you said your encounter with the Bassa bride was great for you, how was it for her? Did she make sound to let you know she was enjoying you? Did she have an organism or did she just lie there with her eyes closed leggs open waiting for you to be done already? Did you even bother to ask her how she enjoyed you on top of her? That's right; she wouldn't know her genital was cut out. Sorry, my bad!!!! Roberta Williams On 5/30/08, Arthur W Doe <Nahweah@msn. com> wrote:Ms. Williams, I really admired your posted research, most especially the usage of medical terminologies, and the education of us concerning the signs and symptoms of cutting the female genitalia. However, these are all Western diagnosis and/or prognosis, the very crust of our discussion. Mr. Tuon questioned the Western intrusion or aculturation into our nation state, thereby causing the elimination of a more than 100 years old culture or tradition. Since I became to grow up as a teenager in Harbel, Firestone, where most of these traditional traits occurred, I never heard a single case of genital elimination that cause HIV or AIDS. These are the Western tactics that slipped into our society that many of us socalled educated people see today as a 'health' problem. My dear, when I became to feel myself ripe for the go, my first interaction was with a 'Blonju,' a newly circumcised bride from the Bassa tribe. At that time I was between 13 - 14 years old, but the bride was about 15 or 16. I must admit that it was great. Guess what? My parents paid for for me touching this bride.Therefore, we should not becloud ourselves with this 'Western Imposition' of our culture/tradition. Yesterday, it was 'sassy wood,' and today is Genitalia femalia. The next thing will be the stopping of old men from 'eating' more than 'one wife.' Therefore, I wll join others to denounce the elimination and/or imposition of the Western influence on our tradition. Our culture is our identity, and our tradition is our mark. No matter of our acceptance of the Western culture, our judgment should be left with ourselves and not the government. The western culture should be an open ended issue that should be left with our individual persons to decide. For an imposition on a people may create problem for the government. Stopping our people is like taking away your credit card. You know you would not allow that to happen. Whether you cut it or you do not cut it, it still makes the 'pendulum' to move .back and forward. Art Weah Doe To: onliberianmedium@ yahoogroups. comFrom: celiabrown@msn. comDate: Fri, 30 May 2008 20:44:13 +0000Subject: RE: [OnLiberianMedium] Re: [OLM_Adm04] The De-Africanization of Liberia: The Trend ContinuesRobert,Bravo!!! Your explanation is perfect and to the 'T'. No one person could have put it precisely the way you did below. In other words, since the female sexual desire is curbed after the circumcision, the female has lost the ability to even know if her partner, the male can sexually fulfill her? Since the female knows no better, the male walks around like he is the man, therefore actually pleases himself all the time. There is no problem in the relationship because, the female has lost the ability to enjoy the pleasure of sex since the genital part from which sexual height and pleasure is experienced has been taken away? I am also left to believe that after all these health problems that you explained below, that could happen to a female after the circumcision, it doesn't matter to those who are pro. All that matters is the enhancement of the male sexuality? Will this actually be the reason why some men will argue this point to the grave? Maybe I am wrong. Am I? (Celia Cuffy-Brown)My friend Gee, this is the only reason men want female genital cutting: Female genital cutting enhances male sexuality and curbs female sexual desire.Rob WilliamsTo: OnLiberianMedium@ yahoogroups. comFrom: rwilliams610@ gmail.comDate: Fri, 30 May 2008 14:22:56 -0400Subject: Re: [OnLiberianMedium] Re: [OLM_Adm04] The De-Africanization of Liberia: The Trend ContinuesNGee, The potential physical complications resulting from the female genital cutting procedure are numerous. Because female genital cutting is often carried out without anesthesia, an immediate effect of the procedure is pain. Short-term complications, such as severe bleeding, which can lead to shock or death, are greatly affected by the type of female genital cutting performed, the degree of struggle by the woman or girl, unsanitary operating conditions, and inexperienced practitioners or inadequate medical services once a complication occurs. There is a very high risk of infection, with documented reports of ulcers, scar tissue and cysts. Female genital cutting may also interfere with a woman's pregnancy or labor. Other lasting effects that commonly result from female genital cutting procedures include urine retention, resulting in repeated urinary infections and obstruction in menstrual flow, which may lead to frequent reproductive tract infections, infertility and chronic pelvic pain. Female genital cutting is also thought to facilitate the transmission of HIV through several mechanisms. Significant psychological and psychosexual consequences of female genital cutting exist. My friend Gee, this is the only reason men want female genital cutting: Female genital cutting enhances male sexuality and curbs female sexual desire. Rob WilliamsOn 5/30/08, NGee <ngg06@yahoo. com> wrote:Ms. Brown, You are getting notorious by the day for making outrageous statements on this listserv, and it is time that you recognize such notoriety. I am sure you didn't 'pick a fight' with Mr, Tuon when you responded to his post, but if I respond to yours then I am inclined to 'pick a fight' with you, right? Well, Ms. Brown, such a clever plod will not work with me and you know it, so why even bother to try! You see, Ms. Brown, I said to either you on someone on this listserv not long ago that I do not look forward to the validation of my point of view, and I can tell you that the ethnic groups of Liberia that practice female circumcision do not need validation from you or anyone to practice their tradition. Female circumcision will remain part and parcel of Liberian traditional culture whether or not you liked it. For the traditions and cultural values of a people are not subject to change or negotiation to satisfy the curiosity of Ms. Brown and company. You see, Ms. Brown, I am not preaching culture more so than I am asking you and others to use the analytical skills you learned in school and disregard your personal emotions and biases--at least to certain extent--when dealing with the way of life of your fellow countrymen and women if you wish to live in peace in Liberia. For inasmuch as the traditional people do not interfere with you in your practice of western culture and belief systems, you and others should not interfere with the traditional people in the practice of their traditions. For right now, I have not heard of any instance in Liberia--a legal case or a health case--involving the traditional practice of female circumcision so where do you, the government, or any private groups come in to want to change or ban female circumcision? Hence, my argument, like that of Mr. Tuon, is about social justice, fair play, and empirical data to support you desire to ban the traditional practice of female circumcision in Liberia rather than my belief in a culture, even if I do. And so far, Ms. Brown, no proofs exist that female circumcision is detrimental to the Liberian society, especially to the health, reproductive capacity, sexual drives, and general welfare of Liberian women. And my contention is for you and others to provide the proof that female circumcision is harmful to Liberian society and Liberian women before we can even begin to talk about banning female circumcision. Mind you, Ms. Brown, even if you presented overwhelming proofs that female circumcision was detrimental to Liberian society and Liberian women, you will still have to justify why the practice should be banned instead of being modified and improved upon. So, sure, Ms. Brown, if you were the President of Liberia or an influential member of the National Legislature you might be inclined to ban female circumcision, but you will still have to provide proofs about the harmfulness of the practice and establish why the harm is so grave that the practice ought to be banned rather than improved. Of course, at that point, if you had the votes, you might prevail in the ban; but if not, female circumcision will not be affected. And the process for which I speak and I have just described, Ms. Brown, is called 'democracy,' and this is what we professed to want in Liberia so we must begin to abide by democratic principles. In other words, Ms. Brown, I value your right to abhor female circumcision and to preclude your female children from being circumcised, but you do not have the right to ban the way of life of a people on that basis alone, especially not in a democracy. For democracy, Ms. Brown, is about persuasion through verifiable facts and constant negotiations between people with opposing points of view on a given issue or subject. And if you are not willing to negotiate on female circumcision, you have the right to amuse yourself but your refusal to negotiate will not cause female circumcision to be banned. For if the government of Liberia through the Supreme Court banned sassywood--a public traditional practice--in 1956 and the practice is still in force today, what makes you think the people will heed a government ban on female circumcision, a practice secluded from the public? Well, good luck, Ms. Brown, with your ban on female circumcision, but it will never work in Liberia until the pe ople whose life style you want to change are willing to listen to you. Otherwise, the government in Monrovia can issue truck loads of 'bans' on Liberian traditional practices but no one will listen to the government. Nat Galarea Gbessagee5/30/08----- Original Message ----From: CELIA BROWN <celiabrown@msn. com>To: olm_adm04@yahoogrou ps.comSent: Friday, May 30, 2008 10:51:56 AMSubject: RE: [OLM_Adm04] The De-Africanization of Liberia: The Trend ContinuesI have given my stand on this. You can rant and rage about culture all you want. I am glad that I have the luxury to make that decision for my daughter. She will be intact. Opening my mind to any other benefit of female circumcision is something I don't even want to think about or negotiate, neither discuss any further. You have the freewill to exult that culture. I have the freewill to be against it. And I am totally 100% gainst such practices. What ever the government needs to do to stop this, I am 100% behind the government!! !. Thanks Ngee. Go pick another fight. I am not going to take the place of Mr. Bedell!!! Celia Cuffy-Brown To: OLM_Adm04@yahoogrou ps.com; onliberianmedium@ yahoogroups. comFrom: ngg06@yahoo. comDate: Fri, 30 May 2008 04:05:10 -0700Subject: Re: [OLM_Adm04] The De-Africanization of Liberia: The Trend ContinuesMs. Brown, Sometimes when I read your writings on this listserv, especially the mannner in which you often tackled issues of national significance in Liberia, I wonder if you actually feel that your way of life is the best for everyone. I hope not because not everyone sees President Sirleaf as the 'savior' sent by God to redeem Liberia of its backwardness as you continued to profess on this listserv. Liberia must be run by rule of law in cadence with the cultural values, mores, and traditions of Liberia. No Liberian has the right to interfere with the religious, cultural, political, and social practices of another--not even government, unless such practices have been researched, studied, analyzed, and verified to be counterproductive to the national interest of Liberia. So the issue of female circumcision, sassywood, and other traditional practices of the various ethnic groups of Liberia cannot be deemed to be 'harmful' to society at large because Ms. Celia Brown and party saw a movie or read a novel that certain cultural practices in Liberia are 'harmful,' or because Ms. Celia Brown lives in the United States where the age of consent is '18' in some states so she thinks the age of consent in every county in Liberia is also '18.' You see, Ms. Brown, it is easy to sit in the United States behind a computer screen and write 'Now a days, some things that we practiced especially on our children, are wrong. Children can not protect themselves. If you were a woman, you would understand that it is better to have been dead than to have gone through that ritual.' However, the argument contained in your statement lacks every educational basis of substantiation. First, I really don't want to get into your 'if you were a woman' tautology because female circumcision in the traditional setting is performed in the Sande Institution, an all-female tradition al learning institution, so the issue of male domination is often a false claim associated with those who opposed female circumcision. Second, there are many things in this world, including the choice of food, clothing, dwelling place, early baptism, and travel from one location to another that are 'some things that we practiced on our children' in which the children are not old enough to make an informed decision. And it is the law of nature for the old to take care of the young until the young gets to a certain age to fend for itself. Hence, there is nothing 'wrong' with exposing children to the rituals and other practices of the culture in which they are born. I am sure that you are aware that most male children of Liberia and the United States did not have any say in being circumcised at birth, so there can be no exception for female children. Third, Ms. Brown, many of you who talked about female circumcision being 'wrong' or 'bad' for the female sexual exploits usually do so out of complete miseducation or sheer speculation because female circumcision has no impact on the sexual escapades of women, at least with my experience with women who have been circumcised and women who have not. But let be get away from the personal narratives about my experience with circumcised Liberian and other African women, and my own respect for traditional Liberian culture and dwell on the issues raised by Mr. Tuon from both an educational and legal perspective. First, from an educational perspective, there must be a legal, social, or cultural reason for every change that is contemplated to be made in society. This means that since of any kind of change in society is bound to benefit or harm certain segments of society, the basis for the change must be established from a cost-benefit analysis standpoint. For example, if the drinking age for teenagers in the United States were to be changed from 21 to 17 years, then from an educational perspective, the proponents of the change must establish in fact how the change will benefit American society, and how the current drinking age limit negatively impacts teenagers. These facts must therefore be established through writing by way of highlighting the pros and cons of the proposed change in drinking age based on research conducted of both proponents and opponents of teenage drinking age limit. The data collected for such a research study will also be verified through a system of validation by experts associated with teenage drinking habits to ascertain balance in the data collection process. After these processes, an educational basis for the change would have been established. On a legal basis, the data and results of the research study and expert testimonies will be submitted to the National Legislature of Liberia to hold public hearings on the pros and cons of female circumcision in Liberia, by soliciting testimonies from women who have undergone female circumcision with respect to their sexual practices, psychological bearings and general outlook on life as a direct result of female circumcision. In addition, persons like yourself, Ms. Brown, who feel that female circumcision is 'wrong' will also be invited to testify to give backing for your claim, along with governmental health administrator s like the Minister of Health and Social Welfare and directors of the major health centers and hospitals in Liberia to establish through testimony the harmful health effects of female circumcision cases in comparison to other health statistics of the nation. The Ministry of Internal Affairs and some county superintendents will also be invited to testify to the effects of female circumcision on local government administration in Liberia. Of course, Ms. Brown, after the National Legislature has heard all these testimonies from opponents and practictioners of female circumcision and health administrators and policymakers associated with the practice and impact of female circumcision on Liberian society, the National Legislation will make a determination of the case and decide to outlaw female circumcision or protect female circumcision intact or with a few modifications. Conversely, Ms. Brown and party could sue the practictioners of female circumcision in a court of law in Liberia to outlaw female circumcision on whatever grounds important to them and await the outcome of the case. Indeed, Ms. Brown, these are the only two legal bases under which female circumcision can be banned in Liberia. Otherwise, any attempt by an Americo-Liberian president to ban the Native Liberian tradition of female circumcision will be nothing more than a continuation of the cultural warfare that has engulfed Liberia from the time of independence in 1847 where the former American slaves thought their role was to be Americans in the heart of Africa, by practicing American cultural traditions and values while downplaying the cultural traditions and values of the African kinsmen and women who invited them back to Africa. You see, Ms. Brown, you and I have equal rights as Liberians so we must learn to negotiate our differences, including our cultural differences, without one of us trying to impose our will on others. I lived in Monrovia and saw many babies being baptized without their consent; male children being circumcised without their consent; many children forced to attend morning and afternoon schools on family social groups without their consent; many children made to be ordained as altar boys without their consent; many children forced to do chores in home without their consent, and many children forced into early prostitution by their parents--not the street variety--but the one intended to gain favor from Uncle Joe, Uncle Paul, or Cousin Peter, without their consent. Hence, Ms. Brown, it is good that you are in the position to make choices for yourself and your children, but many parents and many children don't have that luxury. But I should remind you that children don't have the choice to make any decisions on their own in any society if you come to think about it critically. Even children in the U.S. must submit to parental control in basically everything, including the choice of school to attend and the type of video game to play. But, again, what Ms. Brown thinks about traditional Liberian culture is the gospel truth so what do I and Mr. Tuon know! Nat Galarea Gbessagee5/30/08----- Original Message ----From: CELIA BROWN To: olm_adm04@yahoogrou ps.comSent: Friday, May 30, 2008 12:01:27 AMSubject: RE: [OLM_Adm04] The De-Africanization of Liberia: The Trend ContinuesBro. Tuon, If a young girl reaches 18 years old and willingly accepts this female genital mutilation, that will not be a problem. As it is, most young girls who go under this rituals do not have their own free will because, they are under age and do not understand the magnitude until they reach puberty or become sexually active. When one does not have the ability to freely choose, it is the government's right to protect those whom can not protect themselves. In our tradition, it is said that the witch doctor can not do any harm to a crazy man who has lost his mind. If you commission a witch doctor to do harm to a crazy man, the witch will come back to you. because, the crazy man is not capacitated to protect himself. So, the God's protect the crazy man. Same with children. The other day, I was watching Tyra Bank's America's Next Top Model. A beautiful African girl by the name of Fatima, in the competition cried. Her friends asked her why, she told them what her deepest secret was 'that she had be circumcised' . She cried and all of her friends put their arms around her and cried with her. I sat in front of my television and cried. It was one of those moment that I was thankful that I came from the Kru tribe where I was save from such. I took my 3 years old daughter in my arms and shuddered. I know that you are nationalistic and this is wonderful to know that people still respect our culture. Now a days, some things that we practiced especially on our children, are wrong. Children can not protect themselves. If you were a woman, you would understand that it is better to have been dead than to have gone through that ritual. For example, in Ghana, the mutilation of Babies faces to show tribal grouping has been abolished since Jerry Rawlings era. Scaring the face of a child when they can not defend themselves is wrong. How can a child protest? A child is defenseless. If a child reaches adulthood and wants to do those things with themselves to identify with their tribe, to them be the glory. Imagine if your parents had mutilated your face? Our culture is not about cruelty. Times have changed. People are more knowledgeable now. God made us different Colors to make the world beautiful. He did not bring us into this world half equipped,and scared. Those whom are scared, came from him that way to serve a purpose. We who came into this world whole must not take away those things that God give us to provide us the pleasure of life. I wish you luck in your quest to down spiral the trend of time, but, I don't see you winning this war. Celia Cuffy-BrownTo: oneliberia@yahoogro ups.com; alja1@yahoogroups. com; olm_adm04@yahoogrou ps.com; onliberianmedium@ yahoogroups. com; ulibsaaforum@ yahoogroups. com; bushchicken_ 06@yahoogroups. comFrom: tuonagain@yahoo. comDate: Thu, 29 May 2008 19:08:25 -0700Subject: [OLM_Adm04] The De-Africanization of Liberia: The Trend ContinuesThe De-Africanization of Liberia: The Trend ContinuesGet Ready For Liberia's Culture Revolution According to a recent news story, we are told that a campaign against what western perception described as 'female genital mutilation' has intensified in Liberia. Let me be the first to say, I don't support this idea of any female undergoing such process, but any campaign about this should be based on education that will lead to those who are involved to either accept it or reject it. But campaign to call for an outright ban, and calling it barbaric is very crude. Any move to ban or allow any practice should be based on the merits or demerits of such practice, rather than comparing it with a foreign ideology and ban it based on that purpose. As we Liberians begin to thoroughly look at many of our traditional customs, we should be care not to destroy our culture simply to impress our friends in the west or else where. Education and to allow one to exercise his/or her free will must be the only tools necessary to do away with those things we consider as uncouth. In the west, citizens are urged to exercise their own free will to choose or to reject, but when it comes to Africa, the idea of exercising one own free way is a rare commodity, especially when it comes to imposing foreign ideas, mainly western. Instead of introducing a western idea to Africans and allow them to exercise their own free will to either adopt or reject, the process of coercion is used through which various kinds of sanctions, and at many times a blatant use of force is accompanied such imposition. Many African practices that have endured many centuries among the African tribes are first described as barbaric and uncivilized, and this is followed by the used of uncivilized means to impose the so called civilized behavior. The irony in this process of imposing foreign ideology on Africans is that onc we accept the idea and failed to meet the so called standards set by the imposter, they immediately impose sanctions on us. Today many traditional practices that once preserved stability in Africa and the homogeneousness of the African people, especially among native Liberians, are under attack in Liberia. First it was this deceitful idea of 'one man, one wife' through which the African practice of having more than one wives was strongly condemned. The introduction of 'one man, one wife' brought with it the adulterous practices that are so common in the west. The 'One man, one wife' idea has turned out to be faked, unrealistic and has become the most hypocritical idea ever imported from the west. Recently we were told that trial by ordeal is too crude, out of step with modern (western) implication of justice. So without carefully studying the effect or impact of this many centuries old practice it was quickly banned in Liberia. Trial by ordeal, unlike the western system of justice, has never let the guilty to walk due to lack of evidence, or imprison the innocent due to the so called due process. This practice, that the west crudely described as' female genital mutilation', so described to justify its outright ban, requires further study, and an objective education campaign to enable those concerned or would-be participants to decide on their own free will, rather than instituting a criminalization campaign of this practice and other practices to justify their outright ban. This idea of terming African customs as barbaric or sometimes criminal by juxtaposing them with western ideas is a trend that is disrupting the African way of life and creating or putting Africa and Africans in a position of subornation to other cultures, especially the western. The most powerful tool necessary for human development is freedom and the right to exercise it. This was the basis of the European renaissance in the middle ages that led to many changes in the way Europeans use to live. After many year coercion and the use of force by the powerful elites in Europe against the weak and the poor that led to many years of instability throughout Europe, the idea of individualism prevailed that gives the individual his/her freedom and the right to freely express it. Every tribal custom in Liberia deserves an objective and thorough review in favor of improving it instead of a criminalized campaign to ban it. Many of Africa's problems are rooted in the imposing of foreign ideology by the use of force. The forced imposition of any foreign ideology has limited acceptance, in order words, many of the foreign ideologies that were imposed or being imposed on Africa are be accepted only at the top by the so called elites which in turn clashes with the general way of the majority and then set the stage for the conflicts that have plague Africa ever since. The same governments that are quick to ban what they interpret as out dated practices, including the so called 'female genital mutilation', is the same governments that will display half-naked girls with uncovered breasts to dance in front of visiting foreign dignitaries and call it entertainment. Coming Soon: The Manifesto of the Liberian Culture Revolution