I Am Malala

Parent Cafe
1

<p>Am about 3/4 the way through this book; I know she has been making the circuits, giving interviews, etc., but I quite simply never understood the depth to which this young lady has gone to in order to advocate for education. The book has done a remarkable job of documenting her journey, and how starting at a very young age, her father made sure to instill a love of learning in his children’s lives. </p>

<p>What I guess I am most blown away by was her determination to continue her studies, no matter what the conditions she was living. This girl/young lady so much wants to learn, that she chooses to put her life at risk in order to do so. I wonder how many of our young children (our, referring to those in the U.S., not just those on CC) would express some of the same sorts of sentiments as she does in this book. Granted, we live in a very different world where education is basically a given, although we might dispute the quality of that education. But what this young woman has endured, only to rise above it and flourish, just astounds me.</p>

2

<p>I’m about 2/3 of the way through this book as well. Hope to finish it this evening. I have had a similar reaction - the value her father places on education was certainly engrained in Malala from birth. I think that privilege (whether realized or not) changes our view of everything, and education is the most valuable thing she knows. I don’t think children in the US are capable of the appreciation Malala has, simply because of their perspectives.</p>

<p>I volunteer for a children’s literacy program, and I can tell you that education in the US is far from a given. I have a student now (this is my second year with her) who is absent more than she is in school. She has a medical condition (not the reason for her absences) that is highly visible and causes her to be completely insecure. She hides her face with the hood of her sweatshirt. She covers her mouth with her hand when she speaks (which is rare). She smells like a dumpster and her clothes are ripped and filthy. She is rail thin. She is in the fourth grade and completely illiterate, yet she keeps getting promoted. This is the kind of kid who needs the routine of school more than anyone, and yet her and her five siblings are constantly absent. The children have been kicked off the bus because one sibling fights. The family has no car, so on days they choose not to walk (or woke up late, just pick the excuse du jour), the whole family simply doesn’t go to school. I have communicated with her teachers and her counselor as has another volunteer who works with her sister and there are no plans for remedial help for these kids. They aren’t a little behind, they need total Reading Recovery, back to first grade. The adults in the family are missing in action. This child has NO HOPE. Malala has nothing but hope.</p>

3

<p>College4K - when I picked up the book (at Costco of all places), I sincerely thought it was going to be mostly about her injury and recovery. I haven’t even gotten to the point in her life yet where she was shot, so obviously most of the book is NOT about the attack on her, and her rehabilitation. It is about what she endured, what she fought for, her dreams, her fears, her experiences as a child that shaped her into who she is today. That is the real story behind this young woman’s life. She had accomplished so much prior to the shooting!</p>

4

<p>^ Exactly. I expected the same when I first purchased the book. The real story is not about the shooting at all.</p>

5

<p>Well, my book has taken a turn for the worse. I just got back from the chiropractor and my dog had himself a little treat… the corners of the book, and a tiny corner of each of the first three pages! Arrrgghhh!</p>

<p>Although we’re pretty good about not leaving things out when we’re gone, I actually left the book on the couch because I knew I wanted to read it when I got back, thinking, “Surely he wouldn’t be interested in chewing up a book!” I had actually planned on donating the book to our public library when I was done! </p>

<p>I know… first world problems.</p>

6

<p>The reaction from Pakistan is somewhat intriguing. I’m being polite.</p>

<p>[Here[/url</a>] is a statement by a Taliban commander. It’s a mix of obfuscation, evasion and racist nonsense.</p>

<p>[url=&lt;a href=“In Article On Pakistani Website, MEMRI South Asia Director Analyzes Taliban's Emerging Strategy Against Liberal Journalists In Pakistan | MEMRI”&gt;In Article On Pakistani Website, MEMRI South Asia Director Analyzes Taliban's Emerging Strategy Against Liberal Journalists In Pakistan | MEMRI]Here[/url</a>] is an article highlighting Taliban propaganda about Malala. It says her words were weapons so, “[T]he Taliban think that Malala’s diaries were aimed at defaming Islam. ‘Those who say that she was barehanded and unarmed,’ the pamphlet notes, ‘are trying to hoodwink the people. Malala was fighting against the Taliban with words and pen.’”</p>

<p>[url=&lt;a href=“Former Pakistani Interior Minister Hamid Nawaz: Attack On Malala Yousafzai 'May Be The Handiwork Of American Agents'; Urdu Daily Alleges American Conspiracy Behind Malala's Anti-Taliban Diaries | MEMRI”&gt;Former Pakistani Interior Minister Hamid Nawaz: Attack On Malala Yousafzai 'May Be The Handiwork Of American Agents'; Urdu Daily Alleges American Conspiracy Behind Malala's Anti-Taliban Diaries | MEMRI]Here[/url</a>] is a favorite, Pakistan’s former Interior Minister saying the attack “may be the handiwork of American agents”. If you scroll down, you get an article from a Pakistani paper which starts off, “Malala Yousafzai’s diaries against the Taliban were written by the then-BBC Peshawar bureau chief. He wrote this diary in the name of Gul Makai, one of his relatives, and got it released by the BBC after consultation with Malala’s father.” The rest of the article is in this vein. Very creative.</p>

<p>There are dozens of these, including articles that discuss how Malala couldn’t have been shot because a girl can’t survive being shot in the head and ones that say she was only in this for herself. A favorite is essentially a joint release by the leading “terror” groups in Pakistan. If you want to understand what this entire thing is about, [url=&lt;a href=“Document: TTP-IMU Joint Statement Cites Prophet Muhammad's Orders And Pashtun Cultural Tradition To Justify Attack On Pakistani Teenager Malala Yousafzai | MEMRI”&gt;Document: TTP-IMU Joint Statement Cites Prophet Muhammad's Orders And Pashtun Cultural Tradition To Justify Attack On Pakistani Teenager Malala Yousafzai | MEMRI]this</a> excerpt](<a href=“In Letter, Taliban Commander Adnan Rasheed Urges Malala Yousafzai To Return To Pakistan And Attend A Madrassa, Saying: 'Had You Been Shot... [By] The Americans In A Drone Attack, Would The World Have Ever Heard Updates On Your Medical Status?' | MEMRI”>In Letter, Taliban Commander Adnan Rasheed Urges Malala Yousafzai To Return To Pakistan And Attend A Madrassa, Saying: 'Had You Been Shot... [By] The Americans In A Drone Attack, Would The World Have Ever Heard Updates On Your Medical Status?' | MEMRI) says it pretty well: </p>

<p>"The present war underway in the world is a war between two faiths and a struggle between two religions. A war is continuing around the world presently between religiosity and irreligiousness. One says put on clothes; the other says don’t [do that], remain naked, it is your right. One says maintain the veil; the other says no, don’t violate women’s rights. One says don’t do sinful [sexual] things [because] this would destroy the race; the other says it is not so, it is your fundamental right, do whatever you want to do.</p>

<p>"One says acquire education; the other says no, in the name of education and art, do immoral acts and indulge in dancing and singing, obscenity, music and jumping. One says be steadfast to your religion; the other says no, keep religion and the world separated and keep mullahs away from government.</p>

<p>"One says give respect to the elders; the other says no, insult revered persons and, god forbid, commit blasphemy against Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, because this is the era of freedom [of expression] and everyone has a right to exercise his/her opinion. One says give education to girls [and] take care of their veils; the other says no, appear on TV and give interviews to unknown males [the males with whom marriage is permissible] also. One says protect women; the other says no, instead mock those Taliban and Mujahideen too who stop Muslim girls from obscenity, immorality and Western civilization. In short, it is a war of two faiths.</p>

<p>“Now we come towards the real issue, and that is ‘Malala’; and behind her cover the infidels and their agents are spiting venom against the Taliban continuously day and night. We would like to say something on this issue which is being raised by the pro-West people: Malala is a doll [puppet] in their hands.”</p>

<p>The rest explains why she needed to be killed.</p>

7

<p>^^^ Yes, the Taliban made it clear that they were thrilled she did not win the Nobel Peace Prize. It seems to me that the more they try to justify themselves with the attack on her, the more they appear to be really frightened by her existence. </p>

<p>It will be interesting to follow her journey and see if she ever attempts to return to Pakistan again. Unfortunately, I would not put it past the Taliban to make another attempt on her life, even if it’s on foreign soil.</p>

8

<p>Finally getting back to this thread. I did finish the book last week and afterward thought I would love to see it read by middle school English/Lit classes. Some critics complain that it is poorly written, but I think it comes through as the voice of a very articulate teen. There is nothing wrong with that, and I think a lot of other teens could relate to her “voice”. Not to mention her message.</p>

9

<p>Yes, I finished it last week, too, and have been requested to keep it around for D1 when she comes home at Thanksgiving. I just am in awe over the level of activism she was involved with at such a young age… many adults wouldn’t be comfortable making the kinds of speeches she did at ages 10 and older. She obviously had quite the audiences, too!</p>

<p>Hard to believe that conspiracy theorists out there claim she was never even shot. I hope her life continues to unfold with opportunities to press her agenda, but that above all, she and her family remain safe. I think I mentioned upthread that it remains to be seen whether she will ever be able to return to Pakistan, which is unfortunate given how eloquently she wrote about growing up in Swat. </p>

<p>As far as middle school kids reading it… for schools out there which offer humanities classes for middle schoolers, it would be a great selection; it could be used as a social studies/language arts reading project. That way, students could discuss whether or not they think it’s poorly written or not and debate that, while learning about the realities of life as a teen growing up in Pakistan (Swat). </p>

<p>Our middle school used to have a program like that as part of the gifted program; not sure if they offer it anymore.</p>

10

<p>I haven’t read the book. But I did see an interview with her on PBS’s Newshour:
[Malala</a> says assassination threats can’t weaken her cause | PBS NewsHour](<a href=“http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rundown/2013/10/malala-says-assassination-threats-cant-weaken-her-cause.html]Malala”>http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rundown/2013/10/malala-says-assassination-threats-cant-weaken-her-cause.html)
Video and transcript on the website.</p>

11

<p>Listening to her speak is just so inspiring. I watched an hour-long interview with her last night on BOOK TV and am so glad I saw it. Try to look for it to be rebroadcast again as her voice and humor and manner of speaking are just amazing for someone her age. My favorite thing she said (in reference to not winning the Nobel Peace Prize):
“Always have hope…but never have great expectations.”</p>

<p>I don’t have her book yet, but I look forward to buying it.</p>

12

<p>She and her father and family are beacons of hope and light in a troubled area and time. I hope she has many followers worldwide. Love and education can solve many problems.</p>