Stopping the Practice of Female Genital Cutting Essays -- Ethics, Cult

Female genital mutilation is a practice deeply enmeshed in the cultural beliefs of many Africans and select groups around the world. Also, just like any other culture, they will cling even more strongly to their ancient traditions when their beliefs are challenged by people from an outside culture. When someone from another country comes to a tribe to essentially tell them that one of their most basic traditions is wrong, problems usually ensue. This is mainly because, in an African’s point of view, the outsider does not understand the tribe’s beliefs and so has no valid privilege to tell the tribe what they should or should not do. In this way, even if there are a select few men and women that support the foreigner’s view, they run the risk of ridicule or even banishment from their fellow peers and will not step forth to condemn their ages-old practice. To further explain the gravity of this situation, one must understand that in many villages if a woman is not cut, then she is, in the words of Rogaia Abusharaf, â€Å"generally assumed to be promiscuous, a man-chaser.† In other words, â€Å"genital cutting is considered an essential aspect of a woman’s identity.† Thus, decreasing the prevalence of cutting is a very intricate process that involves a deep change in a culture’s social beliefs. I agree with Abusharaf when she states â€Å"without a deep commitment from within these cultures to end the cutting, eradication efforts imposed from the outside are bound to fail† (Abusharaf). Now, the question is how to first initiate these changes within a culture that practice female cutting as easily as breathing. Cutting is not something they openly discuss amongst themselves, but is essentially regarded as a necessary tradition. It is the norm in t... ...understand that death or later sickness a woman can catch is most likely from the procedure. Together, we can help the movement to end FGM and soon no woman or child will have to undergo the unnecessary torture and humiliation from the procedure. Works Cited Abusharaf, Rogaia Mustafa. â€Å"Unmasking Tradition.† Sciences. 38. 2(1998):22. eLibrary. Web. 11 Oct. 2011. Ben-Ari, Nirit. "Changing Traditions to Safeguard Women."Africa Recovery. Africa Recovery, May 2003. Web. 4 Dec 2011. â€Å"Female Genital Mutilation-A Guide to Laws Policies Worldwide [Part 2 of 20].† Contemporary Women’s Issues Database. 01 Jan. 2000: 1+. eLibrary. Web. 11 Oct. 2011. Rosenberg, Tina. "Editorial Observer; Mutilating Africa's Daughters: Laws Unenforced, Practices Unchanged."  The New York Times. The New York Times, 05 Jul 2004. Web. 4 Dec 2011.

On the Road by Jack Kerouac Essay

â€Å"On the Road† by Jack Kerouac is largely autobiographical work attributed to the genre of stems of consciousness creation. The novel is based on the author’s spontaneous trips with his friends across mid-century America. The novel is deeply inspired by poetry, jazz and drug experiences. The author has changed many of the names, but most references are claimed to be real-world counterparts. In the five parts and sixteen chapters the author describes restless and crazy journeys of Dean, Sal and his friends across the country. Dean Moriarty plays important role in the novel progression as he symbolizes the changeable nature of human relations and the dark side of society. Nevertheless, he pushes and inspires other to act towards their destinies symbolizing changes and shifts. Dean is certainly negative character, though he has positive impact of Sal – one of the protagonists – as he makes his stronger and more confident. Dean lives in San Francisco, travels across the country. Kerouac defines Dean as â€Å"the perfect guy for the road because he actually was born on the road†. (p. 0) However, he presents Dean as wild and mad character stressing that it is his craziness and energy that affects others to act. Dean drinks a lot, uses drugs and has many women. Moreover, he is a father of four children from two different women. Dean manages to change the life values of Sal. For example, before Sal meets Dean, he had â€Å"just gotten over a serious illness that†¦had something to do with†¦my feeling that everything was dead†. (p. 10) Dean’s character can be defined as embodiment of the whirlwind day and as Sal’s shifts from the East to the West Coast. Dean symbolizes changes acting as mechanism for movement beginning. Dean is zealous and wild personality, though he is captivating as well. Sal says about Dean: â€Å"the only people for me are the mad ones, the ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything†¦Ã¢â‚¬ . (p. 14-15) Therefore, Dean’s character plays crucial role for Sal’s development as personality, as well as he is the embodiment of passion for life and constant activity.

Essay on Pope John Paul Xiii Impact on Christianity

Pope John XXIII played a vital role in shaping Christianity as we know it today. He contributed socially, politically and liturgically and was a major influence in the establishment of ecumenism and interfaith dialogue between other churches and religions. He advocated Christian unity, social justice, human rights and the promotion of world peace, and his openness to all people led to him obtaining the name â€Å"Good Pope John†. The early life of Pope John XXIII shaped his morality and future ideas, and his travelling made him tolerant towards other people, cultures and beliefs. He believed that â€Å"No one is excluded by love† and pursued this belief throughout is papacy, even visiting prisons in order to forgive those who had sinned,†¦show more content†¦Not only did Pope John XXIII improve relationships between Christian variants but he also increased the dialogue between other religions, especially seeking to repair relations with the Jews who were blamed for Jesus’ death. A more positive view of non-Catholics Christians and of other religions was encouraged as Pope John XXIII believed that if there was no dialogue between them and Catholics, then all doors would be closed. Pope John XXIII was involved with politics and during the Russia and Cuban Missile Crisis, he initiated a public plea to power holding leaders to negotiate peace and prevent a war with devastating consequences. He promoted prayers of world peace around the globe and even initiated dialogue with Communist world leaders and others clearly opposed to Christianity. His hospitality to Communists was highly controversial amongst the Catholic church, and showed how he believed strongly in developing ties in order to discuss human rights and encourage peace. During his Papacy, Pope John XXIII published several encyclicals promoting world peace(Pacem in Terris) and increasing the consciousness of one’s dignity and rights of workers, women and newly independent nations (Mater et Magisterum). Pacem in Terris was addressed to the whole world and received warmly by Christians and non-Christians alike. It altered thinking about the Cold War and initiated the resurgence of Catholic social teaching. John PopeShow MoreRelatedEssay on The Vatican: Saint Peters Basilica, Rome, Italy2817 Words   |  12 Pagesafter Jesus? death, the Apostle Peter, along with the Apostle Paul, traveled to Rome to proselytize.[i]? Rome was the capital of the Empire, and as one of its? most populous areas, was an ideal location to spread the Word of God.? Peter was crucified on an inverted cross for his beliefs around 67 CE, during the first purge of Christians ordered by the Emperor Nero.[ii]? Peter was laid to rest outside the walls of the city.[iii]? 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