Thread: Afghan Dancing Boys Piece on CNN

Ignored by society, Afghan dancing boys suffer centuries-old tradition - CNN.com

Horrific!!! ,m::..cr.:.p::

That is so incredibly sad. I can't believe, well, I can believe, that all of those people were sitting there watching those young boys dance. Unfortunately this has been going on for so long all over the entire world. Men and women out there abusing children for their own sexual gratification. There are just way too many consenting adults out there in the world that would say yes to just about anything they could even imagine to even have to resort to sexually abusing children, but I guess it's that feeling of power that they get for taking away someone's innocence or knowing that they are doing something that is forbidden and taboo that excites them.

I truly believe that there is a special place in hell for folks like these, I have to believe it or there is truly no justice anywhere.

Sorry for raving there, I just hate it when children are abused in anyway.

wow...so sad...

Very sad. I suppose their "clients" hate gay peope, too.

This is horrible! I don't understand how people can do this to each other...

There is mention of this Afghan issue in the book (and movie) "The Kite Runner"...would really recommend it...touching story...

See Anthony Shay, "The Male Oriental Dancer," in Belly Dance: Orientalism, Transnationalism, and Harem Fantasy, Mazda Press 2005. He traces this and similar practices in history, including times when they were not "underground." "These young men, because of such practices [slavery and castration], led gritty, difficult, sometimes painful lives and in late 20th century parlance would be considered as abused children. But such a concept would be an anachronism in the context of the Middle East in the historical periods under discussion" (64). Plus ca change, plus c'est la meme chose.

Lovely.... ,m::

this is even not human...very bad

I hope you all took note of the fact that it's denounced and the general populace don't approve of it either. The general populace unfortunately has little energy for taking this stuff on right now. You know, with the war and all.

There are child abusers all over the world. I believe some people blame *Facebook* now.

Hi Andrea, welcome. Great to see you on Bhuz. I'm looking forward to your further contributions, you have so much knowledge, thanks for sharing.

Originally Posted by Andrea Deagon

See Anthony Shay, "The Male Oriental Dancer," in Belly Dance: Orientalism, Transnationalism, and Harem Fantasy, Mazda Press 2005. He traces this and similar practices in history, including times when they were not "underground." "These young men, because of such practices [slavery and castration], led gritty, difficult, sometimes painful lives and in late 20th century parlance would be considered as abused children. But such a concept would be an anachronism in the context of the Middle East in the historical periods under discussion" (64). Plus ca change, plus c'est la meme chose.

....

The Taliban are a little flexible about behaviours, it seems. They may well have banned it, but I think some of them are quite INTO it as well. Same as they're into romantic photographs of themselves in makeup holding hands. Many of them are still pretty damn young - the new head honcho in Pakistan is only about 27.

Even though I am disgusted by this story it does make me wonder why the US and UK are highlighting this story? Is it to take the spotlight of us and how many innocent civilians we have killed during this disgusting war?

This, possibly, though there are a LOT of news stories about how soldiers are getting killed left right and centre just for being around and generally trying to be nice peace keepers and things, which are probably stronger than stories about dancing boys. More likely the story presents another good reason to keep the war going...

I remember speaking with Laurel Victoria Gray about the practice of boy dancers in Central Asia. As far as I know, the practice no longer exists but I guess it still does in Afghanistan.

All I know is this aspect was featured in The Kite Runner after 9/11 as used by some members of the Taliban. All I can say is WOW.

those poor boys.

....