Mean Girls Mom Chat
I had the privilege of appearing on New Day “Mom Chat” with a group of moms! The subject was the impact of reality television on promoting the “Mean Girl” attitude. Hard to believe but I already see evidence of my nine year old daughter copying that behavior and believe it or not even my 5 year old daughters have picked it up! It was a fun and thought provoking discussion but the lesson I came away with came from another guest, Saraya Mire. Saraya is a human rights activist working hard to educate the world about a situation more horrible then the effects of our girls watching mini divas acting mean. When I met Saraya Mire I was immediately drawn to her gentle strength and dignity as well as warmth. Saraya was appearing to talk about the book she has written called The Girl With Three Legs. It his her story of being a victim of FGM (female genital mutilation). Soraya grew up in Somali where she was constantly taunted by her classmates as “the girl with three legs.” Not knowing what this meant, she asks her mother and older sisters. Soraya’s mother decides at the age of 13 that Soraya should receive “her gift.” The gift she received was a rite of passage that has been going on for centuries in Africa and continues for an estimated 3 million girls. Saraya was held down by her mother at the age of 13 for this brutal procedure and went on to suffer more abuse from her well meaning family including a forced marriage with her first cousin. This brave woman has turned her suffering into triumph. She is a tireless activist and has put her own life at risk to educate people regarding FGM. I will never forget her. Now that is Reality Television of the very best kind! Thank you King5 for including me in your Mom Chat but more then anything thank you for reminding all of us girls, women and moms that we must do our best to protect our sisters in every part of the world. Please go to KING5.com to watch yesterday’s program and check back for new venues on the horizon. I am so excited to tell you I have been invited to return as a guest mom for other Mom chats!