Poetry Corner - Mutilation

In my last Poery Corner addition, I posted an original poem I wrote, expressing what I would tell a doctor should he have the gall to ask me whether I would let him circumcise one of my sons. I wrote a series of poems and song parodies for a contest that centered around male infant circumcision, which encouraged original songs, poems and parodies of other works.


This is my 8th and final addition to Poetry Corner (that is unless I get inspired to write more). It is a parody of a song called "Clandestino" by an artist named Manu Chao.

This song is sung from the standpoint of an illegal immigrant who moves back and forth over the border, hiding, changing his name, and moving quickly to avoid the law. (Original lyrics and translation found at the bottom of this post.

When I first heard the song, it sounded like the man was being accused over and over again. The hook of the song repeats the word "Clandestino" over and over again. I felt sorry for the character in the song, for his only "crime" was trying to earn a living most people who are immigrating "illegally" have no other recourse than to risk their lives.

I wanted to write a poem or parody of a song that reflected a similar plight; the innosence of young boys. In most cases, baby boys are born healthy, and their only "illness" from the standpoint of circumcising doctors and/or a circumcising culture is having a foreskin; anatomy that all boys have at birth.

The repitition in the hook of this song, the accusatory tone and feel of it, made me reimagine it as a condemnation of circumcision and doctors who perform it. I wanted to write parody lyrics to this song, especially taking advantage of the harsh, relentless accusation found in the hook, but something was missing; the song told the story of a man, and I wanted my parody to tell a story also.

I found my inspiration in the story of a boy who was circumcised against his mother's wishes.

Not too long ago, in 2010, the story of a boy in the state of Florida who was circumcised to his mother's dismay, made headlines. The boy was in the NICU because of birth-related complications, and doctors circumcised him while the mother was away.

This wouldn't have been the first case. In another case, courts let the doctor off the hook without paying any damages because it would "open the courthouse door to every kid who's been circumcised," and besides, "no evidence was presented to indicate being circumcised would prevent the youth from having a happy and productive life."


As if resilience from abuse were even relevant.

First off, the reasoning that "it would open the courthouse door" to others who have been wronged in the same way is a logically fallacious reason to dismiss an offense. (See Slippery Slope.) For this reason, courts could dismiss any other case. Imagine courts letting bank robbers and shop lifters off the hook because "it would open the courthouse door to every bank or establishment who has been robbed."




Having "a happy and productive life" is no justification for wrong doing. With the proper counseling, victims of rape and child abuse grow up to have happy and fulfilling lives, but this does not excuse the actions of the perpetrator.

No amount of counseling is going to give this child his normal intact organs back.

He's going to have to live with permanently marred organs for the rest of his life, and his parents are going to have to live with the fact that a doctor abused them and their child, and there is legally nothing that they could do about it.

Our society is ready to downplay and dismiss the forced genital cutting of males, even when doctors circumcise a child against his parents' wishes, and this is frustrating as an activist for basic human rights.

I wanted to write a poem/song parody which tells the story of children who fall victims of knife-happy doctors, and Manu Chao's "Clandestino" presented what I saw as an opportunity to both tell the story of boys like these, and to accuse circumcising doctors and their accomplices harshly.

To do this, I must reimagine the song to have two points of view.

In the original song, the teller of the story and the subject of accusation is one and the same; the "Clandestine" immigrant.

However, in my parody, while the story is about boys who are forcibly circumcised, I use the hook to accuse the doctor perpetrators, and expose the words "circumcision" and "circumcisers" for the euphemisms that they are. I am the judge, and in my parody, I do what the judges in these cases should be doing; condemning circumcising doctors for the charlatans they are.

Without further ado, "Mutilation."

Mutilation

Silent goes my screaming
Silent goes my struggle
Punished for the error
Of being born a boy
Fastened to a cutting board
I await behind closed doors
For docs to have their pleasure
I'm nothing but a toy

I was born a c-section
Barely struggling to survive
The doctors couldn't wait
To have me promptly circumcised
My mom tried very hard
To protect me from the blade
But when her back was turned
Doctors came and had their way

Silent goes my screaming
Silent goes my struggle
Punished for the error
Of being born a boy
Fastened to a cutting board
I await behind closed doors
For docs to have their pleasure
I'm but a doctor's joy

Circumcision, Mutilation!
Circumcisers, Mutilators!
Circum-studies, pseudo-science!
Molestation, child rape!

Silent go the botches
Silent go the murders
These men are in the business
Of mutilating boys
Burning with sadistic lust
They violate parental trust
They offer needless cutting
And call it "parent choice"

Circumcision, mutilation!
Circumcisers, mutilators!
Snake oil salesmen, baby butchers!
Opportunist charlatans!

Original Lyrics in Spanish:

Clandestino
 
Solo voy con mi pena
Sola va mi condena
Correr es mi destino
Para burlar la ley
Perdido en el corazón
De la grande Babylon
Me dicen el clandestino
Por no llevar papel

Pa' una ciudad del norte
Yo me fui a trabajar
Mi vida la dejé
Entre Ceuta y Gibraltar
Soy una raya en el mar
Fantasma en la ciudad
Mi vida va prohibida
Dice la autoridad

Solo voy con mi pena
Sola va mi condena
Correr es mi destino
Por no llevar papel
Perdido en el corazón
De la grande Babylon
Me dicen el clandestino
Yo soy el quiebra ley

Mano Negra, ¡Clandestina!
Peruano, ¡Clandestino!
Africano, ¡Clandestino!
Marijuana, ¡Ilegal!

Solo voy con mi pena
Sola va mi condena
Correr es mi destino
Para burlar la ley
Perdido en el corazón
De la grande Babylon
Me dicen el clandestino
por no llevar papel

Argelino, ¡Clandestino!
Nigeriano, ¡Clandestino!
Boliviano, ¡Clandestino!
Mano negra, ¡Ilegal!

Clandestino

Solo voy con mi pena

Sola va mi condena

Correr es mi destino

Para burlar la ley

Perdido en el corazón

De la grande Babylon

Me dicen el clandestino

Por no llevar papel

 

Pa' una ciudad del norte

Yo me fui a trabajar

Mi vida la dejé

Entre Ceuta y Gibraltar

Soy una raya en el mar

Fantasma en la ciudad

Mi vida va prohibida

Dice la autoridad

 

Solo voy con mi pena

Sola va mi condena

Correr es mi destino

Por no llevar papel

Perdido en el corazón

De la grande Babylon

Me dicen el clandestino

 

Yo soy el quiebra ley

Mano Negra clandestina

Peruano clandestino

Africano clandestino

Marijuana ilegal

 

Solo voy con mi pena

Sola va mi condena

Correr es mi destino

Para burlar la ley

Perdido en el corazón

De la grande Babylon

Me dicen el clandestino

por no llevar papel

 

Argelino, clandestino

Nigeriano clandestino

Boliviano clandestino

mano negra illegal

https://lyricstranslate.com/en/-clandestine.html

Solo voy con mi pena

Sola va mi condena

Correr es mi destino

Para burlar la ley

Perdido en el corazón

De la grande Babylon

Me dicen el clandestino

Por no llevar papel

 

Pa' una ciudad del norte

Yo me fui a trabajar

Mi vida la dejé

Entre Ceuta y Gibraltar

Soy una raya en el mar

Fantasma en la ciudad

Mi vida va prohibida

Dice la autoridad

 

Solo voy con mi pena

Sola va mi condena

Correr es mi destino

Por no llevar papel

Perdido en el corazón

De la grande Babylon

Me dicen el clandestino

 

Yo soy el quiebra ley

Mano Negra clandestina

Peruano clandestino

Africano clandestino

Marijuana ilegal

 

Solo voy con mi pena

Sola va mi condena

Correr es mi destino

Para burlar la ley

Perdido en el corazón

De la grande Babylon

Me dicen el clandestino

por no llevar papel

 

Argelino, clandestino

Nigeriano clandestino

Boliviano clandestino

mano negra illegal

https://lyricstranslate.com/en/-clandestine.html

Solo voy con mi pena

Sola va mi condena

Correr es mi destino

Para burlar la ley

Perdido en el corazón

De la grande Babylon

Me dicen el clandestino

Por no llevar papel

 

Pa' una ciudad del norte

Yo me fui a trabajar

Mi vida la dejé

Entre Ceuta y Gibraltar

Soy una raya en el mar

Fantasma en la ciudad

Mi vida va prohibida

Dice la autoridad

 

Solo voy con mi pena

Sola va mi condena

Correr es mi destino

Por no llevar papel

Perdido en el corazón

De la grande Babylon

Me dicen el clandestino

 

Yo soy el quiebra ley

Mano Negra clandestina

Peruano clandestino

Africano clandestino

Marijuana ilegal

 

Solo voy con mi pena

Sola va mi condena

Correr es mi destino

Para burlar la ley

Perdido en el corazón

De la grande Babylon

Me dicen el clandestino

por no llevar papel

 

Argelino, clandestino

Nigeriano clandestino

Boliviano clandestino

mano negra illegal

https://lyricstranslate.com/en/-clandestine.html

Original Lyrics translation:

Clandestine One

Alone go I with my shame
Alone goes my condemnation
To run is my destiny
To evade the law
Lost in the heart
Of the great Babylon
They call me "The Clandestine One"
For not having papers

To a city in the north
I went to find a job
I left behind my life
Between Ceuta and Gibraltar
I'm a line in the sea
A ghost in the city
My life is forbidden
So say the authorities

Alone go I with my shame
Alone goes my condemnation
To run is my destiny
To evade the law
Lost in the heart
Of the great Babylon
They call me "The Clandestine One"
I am the law breaker

"Mano Negra*,"  Clandestine One!
Peruvian,  Clandestine One
African,  Clandestine One
Marijuana, Illegal!

Alone go I with shame
Alone goes my condemnation
To run is my destiny
To evade the law
Lost in the heart
Of the great Babylon
They call me "The Clandestine One"
For not having papers

Algerian, Clandestine One!
Nigerian, Clandestine One!
Bolivian, Clandestine One!
"Mano Negra*," Illegal!

*"Mano Negra" is the name of a French music group active from 1987 to 1995 and fronted by Manu Chao.

Related Posts: 

Poetry Corner - What Say Ye? Oh Doctor?

 

Poetry Corner - To Me

Poetry Corner - Circumcision Scar

Poetry Corner - Lullaby For the Damned

Poetry Corner - Song Parody: "My Foreskin Home"

Poetry Corner - Poor Little Guy

Poetry Corner - Haiku

Muncie Circumcision Case: HIGHWAY ROBBERY

REPOST: Of Ecstasy and Rape, Surgery and Mutilation

Related Links:

ABC News: Miami Hospital Circumcises Baby By Mistake

REPOST: Of Ecstasy and Rape, Surgery and Mutilation

Touched off by a recent post on the Intact America blog and the responses it got (not to mention that wanted to correct a glaringly obvious spelling mistake, and make a few other minor changes), I decided to re-post my blog entry "Of Ecstasy and Rape, Surgery and Mutilation."

Of Ecstasy and Rape, Surgery and Mutilation
Original Date of Publication: May 4, 2013

Male circumcision has been called "rape" and/or "mutilation" before, and many, even amongst intactivists themselves, object, either because they themselves find it inappropriate, or because they're afraid others might, thus pushing people away from the message of intactivism.

But are "rape" and "mutilation" so different from male circumcision, that comparing them is inappropriate, if not insulting?

What is rape?
Rape is the act of forcing another person to perform sex acts against his or her consent. The act may involve the usage of drugs to impair a victim's judgement, or even memory.

Traditionally, rape happens when a man forces a woman to perform sex acts on him. However, rape between two men, two women, and yes, even a woman forcing another man, is also possible.

When are sex acts NOT rape?

When both people are consenting adults, sex between two people is not rape.

Consent is the difference between ecstasy and rape.

When one person is forcing another person to perform sex acts against his/her express wishes, then rape is being committed.

What is mutilation?
The online Merriam-Webster dictionary defines the word "mutilation" as thus:

1: to cut up or alter radically so as to make imperfect (e.g. the child mutilated the book with his scissors)

 

2: to cut off or permanently destroy a limb or essential part of ; cripple

When are these things NOT "mutilation?"

When either of these things are performed as a matter of medical necessity, and there is no alternative option, they are not mutilation.

In addition, when these things are performed upon the request of a consenting adult, they are not mutilation.

Medical necessity and/or informed consent is the difference between surgery and mutilation.

What is circumcision?

In males, circumcision is the excision of the fold of flesh that covers the head of the penis. The procedure may or may not involve the use of drugs to kill the pain or impair the judgement of the person in question. Though there are speculative medical pretexts for circumcision, it is usually performed for cultural, traditional or religious, non-medical reasons, on healthy, non-consenting minors ranging between the newborn and pre-pubescent period, sometimes as far as the post-pubescent period. Very few circumcisions take place as a matter of actual medical necessity.

How is circumcision like rape?
At the crux of the intactivist argument is the principle of consent.

Circumcision can be compared to rape, because it is taking advantage of a minor to forcibly perform a permanent, disfiguring procedure on his sexual organs without his consent.

As in rape, the principle violated is the principle of consent, and the fact that pain killing drugs are used, and/or that the male victim may not be able to recall the event is irrelevant.

When is circumcision NOT like rape?

When it is performed on a fully consenting adult.

As in rape, the principle violated is that of consent.*

Because another, otherwise intelligent person, is forcing circumcision on another, non-consenting person, without his consent, sometimes against his express wishes, circumcision can be comparable to rape.

*Sometimes circumcision may be medically indicated in a minor that is not able to consent. When it has been determined that circumcision is medically indicated, and there are no other methods of treatment, circumcision is not comparable to rape. Reserving surgery as a very last resort is, however, standard medical practice governing all other forms of surgery.

How is circumcision mutilation?

From the definitions the online Merriam-Webster dictionary gives us, it is the first definition,

 1: to cut up or alter radically so as to make imperfect (e.g. the child mutilated the book with his scissors)

that applies to both male and female circumcision, because it is "cutting up" or "altering radically so as to make [them] imperfect." 

Circumcision advocates often try to dismiss the notion that male circumcision is "mutilation" using definition 2,  

2: to cut off or permanently destroy a limb or essential part of ; cripple

"because the foreskin is not a limb or an essential part of" a person.

If by the 2nd definition male circumcision isn't "mutilation," then female circumcision isn't "mutilation" either.

Some may make the claim that female circumcision destroys a woman's ability to experience orgasm, but research shows this claim to be false. There are varying degrees of female genital cutting, and scientific evidence shows that even women undergoing the most severe form of female genital cutting are still able to experience orgasm. It is demonstrably proven that a clitoris is not necessary for experiencing orgasm and a satisfying sex life. For further reading on this subject, please click here.

When is circumcision NOT mutilation?

When it is performed as a matter of medical necessity, and there is no alternative option, circumcision is not mutilation. (This is actually standard medical practice that governs all other forms of surgery.)

In addition, when it is performed upon the request of a consenting adult, it is not mutilation.

Medical necessity and/or informed consent is the difference between surgery and mutilation.

Consent is at the center of the intactivist argument

Ladies who are interested in getting their labia removed, their clitoris permanently exposed, or any other surgical alterations to their genital organs can find the appropriate surgeon and schedule an appointment.

The removal of the clitoral hood and external labia are known as "clitoral unroofing" and "labiaplasty" respectively.  They are perfectly legal for the appropriate surgeons to perform at the request of the interested woman.

Forcibly performing any of these acts on a healthy, non-consenting minor constitutes "genital mutilation," and is punishable by law, and there is no exception for "religious beliefs."

The difference is consent.

There is nothing wrong with male circumcision, if, indeed, becoming circumcised is the express wish of the adult male in question.

It is forcibly circumcising a healthy, non-consenting minor which is a problem.

Tattoos are beautiful to some. There is nothing wrong with a tattoo, as long a person is giving his full consent. A person interested in getting a tattoo need only walk into a tattoo parlor and make the proper arrangements, s/he is free to do as she wishes with her own body.

US sailor agrees to have his body tattooed

It is forcibly tattooing a person against his or her wishes which is a problem.

An Auschwitz survivor displays his identification tattoo

Yes, I am against forcibly piercing a minor's ears as well.

Conclusion
The foreskin is not a birth defect. Neither is it a congenital deformity or genetic anomaly akin to a 6th finger or a cleft. Neither is it a medical condition like a ruptured appendix or diseased gall bladder. Neither is it a dead part of the body, like the umbilical cord, hair, or fingernails.

The foreskin is not "extra skin." The foreskin is normal, natural, healthy, functioning tissue, with which all boys are born; it is as intrinsic to male genitalia as labia are to female genitalia.

Unless there is a medical or clinical indication, the circumcision of a healthy, non-consenting individual is a deliberate wound; it is the destruction of normal, healthy tissue, the permanent disfigurement of normal, healthy organs, and by very definition, infant genital mutilation, and a violation of the most basic of human rights.

I don't compare circumcision to rape; without consent, or a medical necessity, circumcision IS rape.

I don't compare circumcision to mutilation; without a medical necessity, circumcision IS mutilation.

Is male circumcision "rape?"

Here. You decide.

In Indonesia, an infant girl undergoes "sunat" to fulfill religious and cultural tradition.

Not too far away, an infant boy undergoes circumcision for precisely the same reasons.

(Notice the mother: "Shh! Quiet!")

It is only through sexist double-think that we allow ourselves to feel disgust for only one of these pictures.

DISCLAIMER:
The views I express in this blog are my own individual opinion, and they do not necessarily reflect the views of all intactivists. I am but an individual with one opinion, and I do not pretend to speak for the intactivist movement as a whole, thank you.

~Joseph4GI

External Link:

Circumcision and Rape: Does a Victim’s Memory Matter?

Related Posts:

Of Ecstacy and Rape, Surgery and Mutilation

Circumcision is Child Abuse: A Picture Essay

Politically Correct Research: When Science, Morals and Political Agendas Collide

Of Ecstacy and Rape, Surgery and Mutilation

Male circumcision has been called "rape" and/or "mutilation" before, and many, even amongst intactivists themselves, object, either because they themselves find it inappropriate, or because they're afraid others might, thus pushing people away from the message of intactivism.

But are "rape" and "mutilation" so different from male circumcision, that comparing them is inappropriate, if not insulting?

What is rape?
Rape is the act of forcing another person to perform sex acts against his or her consent. The act may involve the usage of drugs to impair a victim's judgement, or even memory.

Traditionally, rape happens when a man forces a woman to perform sex acts on him. However, rape between two men, two women, and yes, even a woman forcing another man, is also possible.

When are sex acts NOT rape?

When both people are consenting adults, sex between two people is not rape.

Consent is the difference between ecstacy and rape.

When one person is forcing another person to perform sex acts against his/her express wishes, then rape is being committed.

What is mutilation?
The online Merriam-Webster dictionary defines the word "mutilation" as thus:

1: to cut up or alter radically so as to make imperfect (e.g. the child mutilated the book with his scissors)

 

2: to cut off or permanently destroy a limb or essential part of ; cripple

When are these things NOT "mutilation?"

When either of these things are performed as a matter of medical necessity, and there is no alternative option, they are not mutilation.

In addition, when these things are performed upon the request of a consenting adult, they are not mutilation.

Medical necessity and/or informed consent is the difference between surgery and mutilation.

What is circumcision?

In males, circumcision is the excision of the fold of flesh that covers the head of the penis. The procedure may or may not involve the use of drugs to kill the pain or impair the judgement of the person in question. Though there are speculative medical pretexts for circumcision, it is usually performed for cultural, traditional or religious, non-medical reasons, on healthy, non-consenting minors ranging between the newborn and pre-pubescent period, sometimes as far as the post-pubescent period. Very few circumcisions take place as a matter of actual medical necessity.

How is circumcision like rape?
At the crux of the intactivist argument is the principle of consent.

Circumcision can be compared to rape, because it is taking advantage of a minor to forcibly perform a permanent, disfiguring procedure on his sexual organs without his consent.

As in rape, the principle violated is the principle of consent, and the fact that pain killing drugs are used, and/or that the male victim may not be able to recall the event is irrelevant.

When is circumcision NOT like rape?

When it is performed on a fully consenting adult.

As in rape, the principle violated is that of consent.*

Because another, otherwise intelligent person, is forcing circumcision on another, non-consenting person, without his consent, sometimes against his express wishes, circumcision can be comparable to rape.

*Sometimes circumcision may be medically indicated in a minor that is not able to consent. When it has been determined that circumcision is medically indicated, and there are no other methods of treatment, circumcision is not comparable to rape. Reserving surgery as a very last resort is, however, standard medical practice governing all other forms of surgery.

How is circumcision mutilation?

From the definitions the online Merriam-Webster dictionary gives us, it is the first definition,

 1: to cut up or alter radically so as to make imperfect (e.g. the child mutilated the book with his scissors)

that applies to both male and female circumcision, because it is "cutting up" or "altering radically so as to make [them] imperfect." 

Circumcision advocates often try to dismiss the notion that male circumcision is "mutilation" using definition 2,  

2: to cut off or permanently destroy a limb or essential part of ; cripple

"because the foreskin is not a limb or an essential part of" a person.

If by the 2nd definition male circumcision isn't "mutilation," then female circumcision isn't "mutilation" either.

Some may make the claim that female circumcision destroys a woman's ability to experience orgasm, but research shows this claim to be false. There are varying degrees of female genital cutting, and scientific evidence shows that even women undergoing the most severe form of female genital cutting are still able to experience orgasm. It is demonstrably proven that a clitoris is not necessary for experiencing orgasm and a satisfying sex life. For further reading on this subject, please click here.

When is circumcision NOT mutilation?

When it is performed as a matter of medical necessity, and there is no alternative option, circumcision is not mutilation. (This is actually standard medical practice that governs all other forms of surgery.)

In addition, when it is performed upon the request of a consenting adult, it is not mutilation.

Medical necessity and/or informed consent is the difference between surgery and mutilation.

Consent is at the center of the intactivist argument

Ladies who are interested in getting their labia removed, their clitoris permanently exposed, or any other surgical alterations to their genital organs can find the appropriate surgeon and schedule an appointment.

The removal of the clitoral hood and external labia are known as "clitoral unroofing" and "labiaplasty" respectively.  They are perfectly legal for the appropriate surgeons to perform at the request of the interested woman.

Forcibly performing any of these acts on a healthy, non-consenting minor constitutes "genital mutilation," and is punishable by law, and there is no exception for "religious beliefs."

The difference is consent.

There is nothing wrong with male circumcision, if, indeed, becoming circumcised is the express wish of the adult male in question.

It is forcibly circumcising a healthy, non-consenting minor which is a problem.

Tattoos are beautiful to some. There is nothing wrong with a tattoo, as long a person is giving his full consent. A person interested in getting a tattoo need only walk into a tattoo parlor and make the proper arrangements, s/he is free to do as she wishes with her own body.

US sailor agrees to have his body tattooed

It is forcibly tattooing a person against his or her wishes which is a problem.

An Auschwitz survivor displays his identification tattoo

Yes, I am against forcibly piercing a minor's ears as well.

Conclusion
The foreskin is not a birth defect. Neither is it a congenital deformity or genetic anomaly akin to a 6th finger or a cleft. Neither is it a medical condition like a ruptured appendix or diseased gall bladder. Neither is it a dead part of the body, like the umbilical cord, hair, or fingernails.

The foreskin is not "extra skin." The foreskin is normal, natural, healthy, functioning tissue, with which all boys are born; it is as intrinsic to male genitalia as labia are to female genitalia.

Unless there is a medical or clinical indication, the circumcision of a healthy, non-consenting individual is a deliberate wound; it is the destruction of normal, healthy tissue, the permanent disfigurement of normal, healthy organs, and by very definition, infant genital mutilation, and a violation of the most basic of human rights.

I don't compare circumcision to rape; without consent, or a medical necessity, circumcision IS rape.

I don't compare circumcision to mutilation; without a medical necessity, circumcision IS mutilation.

Is male circumcision "rape?"

Here. You decide.

In Indonesia, an infant girl undergoes "sunat" to fulfill religious and cultural tradition.

Not too far away, an infant boy undergoes circumcision for precisely the same reasons.

(Notice the mother: "Shh! Quiet!")

It is only through sexist double-think that we allow ourselves to feel disgust for only one of these pictures.

DISCLAIMER:
The views I express in this blog are my own individual opinion, and they do not necessarily reflect the views of all intactivists. I am but an individual with one opinion, and I do not pretend to speak for the intactivist movement as a whole, thank you.

~Joseph4GI

Related Posts:
Circumcision is Child Abuse: A Picture Essay

Politically Correct Research: When Science, Morals and Political Agendas Collide