Some do not like the word 'rape' - they prefer the whitewashed euphemism 'circumcision', but i think it's important to call it by its real name. It's a violation, an assault, a terror and a horror to the child. People understand that when it involves a girl. It's time for them to understand that when it involves a boy. I think the 'bloodstained men' movement is making it clear to everyone that boys also need and deserve protection from parents and medical personnel who aren't yet clear on the concept - and boys need and deserve equal protection under the law - no snickering
About the notion of "parental choice" - he who owns the language, wins. So i wonder if we can figure out a better phrase to use. Unfortunately, some people take "parental choice" to mean that it's their RIGHT as a parent to CHOOSE circumcision(male sexual mutilation) for their child.
I have seen parents really get militant with that phrase - "it's MY child and i'll DO what i WANT to with it." - as if their very freedom and autonomy revolve around circumcision - and they are "more free" if they choose to circumcise(sexually mutilate). There's a similar problem with "his body, his choice", for it implies that the child has an inevitable choice to make. But not choosing mutilation does not mean the person is not free - it means he has not been enslaved by the mutilation mark.
Leaving bodies whole should be a no-brainer for everyone, as it is for women in our country now. The norm should be that no one would even ever consider the possibility of cutting a child for any non-medical emergency. So i wonder if some verbal geniuses out there can figure out a better way to say these things that would protect the child from the egoic posturing of parents. I think it is the right of the parent to protect their child from medical malfeasance and from social manipulation.
- Patricia Robinett
Patricia Robinett ist ein Opfer weiblicher Genitalverstümmelung, welche in den 50er Jahren in den USA noch praktiziert worden war.