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Alice Walker's Africa: Globalization and the Province of Fiction

Alice Walker's Africa: Globalization and the Province of Fiction 1 Since the practices of clitoridectomy and infibulation are actually not analogous to male circumcision, the term “female circumcision” is evasive; genital mutilation appears therefore to be more accurate. In this essay, I will be using “genital mutilation” and “excision” interchangably. For a sketch of the various forms the practice takes, see Annemarie Bean (335), Walker, Warrior Marks 367, and Dorkenoo. 2 Henceforth I will be referring to the novel simply as Possessing. The term “weak relativism” draws on Alasdair MacIntyre’s discussion of relativism and the challenge of translating or formulating value judgements across cultures. See MacIntyre. See also notes 8 and 13. ALICE WALKER’S AFRICA/355 Alice Walker gives this impression and has turned to more than one forum to pursue her case. In addition to the novel, she co-produced a documentary movie entitled Warrior Marks, as well as Warrior Marks. Female Genital Mutilation and the Sexual Blinding of Women, a memoir/travelogue of the experience of making the documentary. To be sure, Alice Walker’s efforts derive from a sound ethical commitment, but it is also important to note that the “West” has always been interested in this ritual.3 Ngugi wa Thiong’o’s novel The River Between (1965), set in http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Comparative Literature Duke University Press

Alice Walker's Africa: Globalization and the Province of Fiction

Comparative Literature , Volume 53 (4) – Jan 1, 2001

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Publisher
Duke University Press
Copyright
Copyright 2001 by University of Oregon
ISSN
0010-4124
eISSN
1945-8517
DOI
10.1215/-53-4-354
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

1 Since the practices of clitoridectomy and infibulation are actually not analogous to male circumcision, the term “female circumcision” is evasive; genital mutilation appears therefore to be more accurate. In this essay, I will be using “genital mutilation” and “excision” interchangably. For a sketch of the various forms the practice takes, see Annemarie Bean (335), Walker, Warrior Marks 367, and Dorkenoo. 2 Henceforth I will be referring to the novel simply as Possessing. The term “weak relativism” draws on Alasdair MacIntyre’s discussion of relativism and the challenge of translating or formulating value judgements across cultures. See MacIntyre. See also notes 8 and 13. ALICE WALKER’S AFRICA/355 Alice Walker gives this impression and has turned to more than one forum to pursue her case. In addition to the novel, she co-produced a documentary movie entitled Warrior Marks, as well as Warrior Marks. Female Genital Mutilation and the Sexual Blinding of Women, a memoir/travelogue of the experience of making the documentary. To be sure, Alice Walker’s efforts derive from a sound ethical commitment, but it is also important to note that the “West” has always been interested in this ritual.3 Ngugi wa Thiong’o’s novel The River Between (1965), set in

Journal

Comparative LiteratureDuke University Press

Published: Jan 1, 2001

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