Thought Paper on Female Genital Mutilation

 

Every person has the right to say NO, and everyone is entitled to choose what he thinks is good and beneficial for himself. However regardless of these rights, one’s free will is sometimes caged by the society he is in. Following what he wants may show signs of deviation and therefore he is often times treated with prejudice.

 

 

In a country where people strictly adhere to their beliefs and traditions, culture often gets into the way of experiencing the totality of one’s freedom. The Female Genital Mutilation or FGM is a perfect example of rituals being performed without proper procedure and scientific basis. Although this practice has been present for more than decades, as a woman and a person who values individual rights, I am supporting Waris Dirle’s advocacy against FGM.

 

Why am I against FGM? First, it can kill innocent females as young as five years old. Let us face it, the procedure of the surgery in unhygienic and is practiced by people who are not even experts on medical field. The surgery itself may not cause the death, but they may most likely die of infection since the instruments used may not even qualify as standard tools for operating humans. Second, it robs the opportunity of women to experience pleasure during sex. It is not women should be very particular of it, but it is part of adulthood. Why prohibit women or why only women? Are they not entitled of anything, from opportunities in the society, power-relations, and now even simply experiencing pleasure? Lastly, it brings a lifetime nightmare, a traumatic past no girls would ever forget. A person who experienced FGM carries the burden physically, emotionally and psychologically until the she dies. At an early age, one should be enjoying her childhood rather than enduring the pains given for free by mandated traditions that only few bothered to question.

 

I am not disrespecting anyone’s culture. I myself is a slave to society’s traditions but the only difference is, I know when to stop being one especially if it means endangering myself and putting my fellowmen into life-threatening situations.

 

X-men Brought to Life

I am not an avid fan of X-men series, but I remember clearly how I wanted to be one of them. Mutants, I may say are interesting and their coolness is not of question. At first I only wanted to have wings even if it is dysfunctional. Then as I continue to watch until the Last Stand, and considered having some steels like Wolverine. After that, I also want my legs stretched in order to reach my desired height and have eyeballs permanently colored with green.

What I have in mind were seemed to be impossible when I was just five or six. I thought these things will never come to life, and I will only got to be one if I will be an actress and stars on X-men and other mutant shows or the world is will be simply crazy and people suddenly do weird stuffs.

I know that moment my thoughts were so out of the world but my so-called idealistic self was brought to reality. It did! Not because I became a movie star but it was when I did learn about Ripley’s Believe It or Not during my late elementary years and Bodymod.org. just now in college. And I concluded, I am the only mutant-wanna be left behind.

Everybody has horns, spikes and tattoos all over their body while I was stuck with mere ear piercings, they are not even tunnels. I was really devastated. How come they have the same idea like me? I am not telling they stole my dreams…or should I call frustrations but the fact that there are people who undergo body modification is indeed incredible which makes me envious.

Envious in the sense that, it could have done it too but why am I not doing anything to have wings or little spikes on my head?Then these random thoughts pops on my head.

It is really surprising to know, that there are people who would pay just to look like a leopard or cat. Or to have their body fill with holes like Spongebob.

I once saw a picture of a girl with a very small waistline which I think is really pretty but made me question if it will not be difficult once she get pregnant and would it affect her child’s development? Or does she even have a plan to be a mother?

Then when I saw a picture of guy with a tunnels on his nose it made me ask my friends if what happens when he sneeze. How about a guy fill with lip piercing? It made me wonder how will he kiss his wife.

I have anything against body modification, just what I have said earlier, I am a fan of mutants. But why would I not try to do extreme things on myself given the technologies and instruments that could make me one of them? I only have one answer things should have a purpose.

I am not saying that doing any form of body modification such as tattoos, piercings, implants, branding, scarifications and other practices for whatever reasons may it be aesthetic or cultural is wrong. Since I myself is guilty of having one which is through piercings plus the fact that body mod is practiced by different religions and cultures.

All I am thinking is that, every body modification that I want should serve something or at least it is really because I want to, not because they tell me it is cool.

I honestly wanted to have a tattoo of my love ones on my back and arms to serve as a memory enhancer and if I get amnesia, there is no chance of not remembering them. But I could not do it now. Why not? Considering how free the university is, I still have my future plans and work is one of my considerations. But I am not saying I will never do that because eventually I will, in the right time and of course with the right names to have as designs.

For now, all I can do is watch these unique people because they made me realised that nothing in this time, is impossible. And with a smile of contentment, seeing them and getting to know some has brought X-men into life which I guess is the craziest and coolest thing man have ever did.