Chapter 13: Grassroots vs. Treetops

Grassroots vs. Treetops

Are women human yet? If women were human, would we be a cash crop shipped from Thailand in containers into New York’s brothels…? Would our genitals be sliced out to “cleanse” us…? When will women be human? When? – Catherine A. MacKinnon, Are Women Human?

During this lecture we discussed the cultural acceptance of Female Mutilation. As a class we went over the positives and the negative aspects for cutting. What we came up with was a unanimous decision that the practice of cutting was enforced and encouraged due to social pressures. The message that came with embracing the practice of cutting is, "If you are cut, then you are pure and proper for marriage " This idea has been instilled in these communities, which is why the practice of Female genital mutilation still continues today. The facts showed that over 130 million women get the procedure done from ages 1-15. Female genital mutilation (FGM) refers to several different harmful practices involving cutting of the female genitals. "FGM is a practice that is founded upon traditional values and continues because it is a social convention upheld by underlying gender structure and power relations."  (UNICEF- Female).  The negative perspective of this procedure is obvious health risks and damage to the woman's body. However, we discussed in class the outcomes of refusing the FGM procedure could lead to a ruined marriage arrangement, and social outcast situations. 

The conclusion, we came up with was to figure out a local way to spread education on the health consequences through channels of: Seminars, posters, booklets, and music. Pretty much any route to create a better awareness and educate the people on the effects with FGM, would be the quickest and most effective solution.

The conclusion, we came up with was to figure out a local way to spread education on the health consequences through channels of: Seminars, posters, booklets, and music. Pretty much any route to create a better awareness and educate the people on the effects with FGM, would be the quickest and most effective solution.

This video forces the viewers to deal with the reality of the situation. This exercised practice is an issue that can no longer afford to be ignored. The health risks and consequences of this procedure are extremely dangerous. Everyone in the video seemed against Female Genital Mutilation. As a solution, the directors try to raise a greater awareness of the issue in order to educate the viewers of FGM. 

Another video we watched was on a breakthrough with community development. Molly Melching is the founder. And this video summarizes all the aspects of Tostan. Tostan is a self ran program and provides seeing the message easier for natives within the communities to inform and enforce new laws. It is evident in this video and within the book, that Molly creates an awareness and allows a choice.

 Pg. 224 ( Half the Sky)

One of the most successful efforts to end cutting, Tostan tries to always remain positive, preparing people to make their own decisions through discussion of human rights and health issues. In doing so, Tostan has been widely criticized for not taking a stronger stand against cutting. What are your thoughts about this approach? Are you aware of any groups or issues in the U.S. where the Tostan approach may be more successful? 

This video, then led into the discussion of effective approaches and implementation of reaching out to people and educating them. This was the heart discussion of the chapter, surrounding the ideas of the Grass root approach vs. the Treetop approach. The grass root approach involved getting the local people involved. This approach seemed most effective in Grass root situations. People tend to listen better to directions given within their own community of people. There is a sense of similar understanding and appreciation of  advice  from those who have lived through the same experiences. As for the Treetop approach, when it comes to situations like dealing with diseases such as Malaria, having authoritative figures telling you what to do, for the best interests of thousands, is an effective approach. 

Pg. 229 (Half the Sky)

The grassroots model as opposed to the treetops model is the “crucial way forward for a new international movement focusing on women in the developing world” according to Kristof and WuDunn. What changes will need to be made to our existing means of service delivery as a church or as a country? What shifts in thinking need to take place? What challenges will the local church face in trying to shift paradigms?

The second part of the Chapter talks about what girls learn and talks at school. This stresses the importance of having a better awareness. 

Towards the end of the lecture we read an activity article on Cultural Perspectives  called, "Body Ritual Among the Nacirema." This article proved to be very mind blowing, because after reading the article, you realize that the author is talking about unusual behaviors perceived by other countries of the United States. Nicirema is actually America spelled backwards, and they are making fun of how we spend money to go to the dentist and brush our teeth.

This article got us into the discussion of not judging other countries based on their unusual behaviors, because that is what is normal to them.  Certain examples were thrown out such as: 

• RIGHTS OF PASSAGE
• PREPARING CERTAIN FOODS
• BODY PIERCINGS
• POLITENESS POLICIES
• IDEALS OF BEAUTY 

To conclude class discussion we watched one final Misrepresentation video. This showed us the worries and social pressures that exist within our culture today. The accepted ideas that we have to look and act a certain way in order to be accepted by society. In a lot of ways, this video showed me that our country, is not very different then those discussed in the books when it comes to social pressures.