Recently I have started the autobiography of Nobel Peace Prize laureate, Malala Yousafzai. The Taliban had attempted to assassinate her for standing up for women's education in her homeland Pakistan. Malala survived and continues to be an activist for women's rights.
What I find to be shocking, is that a country would discourage education. An education allows someone to better their own life, as well as the lives of others. As Nelson Mandela once said:
I feel as if that's the exact reason why an education was frowned upon. Here in America, an education is fundamental to success. We are taught to do well in school, so that we can have a better future. Our country's ideology also play a big part in this. America has always been considered to be a land where one could freely follow their dreams. A land where freedom is in the very air we breathe. Our democracy is another manifestation of this freedom.
What I find to be shocking, is that a country would discourage education. An education allows someone to better their own life, as well as the lives of others. As Nelson Mandela once said:
"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world"
- Nelson Mandela
I feel as if that's the exact reason why an education was frowned upon. Here in America, an education is fundamental to success. We are taught to do well in school, so that we can have a better future. Our country's ideology also play a big part in this. America has always been considered to be a land where one could freely follow their dreams. A land where freedom is in the very air we breathe. Our democracy is another manifestation of this freedom.
Malala elaborates with great detail how Pakistan, being a fairly young country, has suffered years of martial rule. Many attempts at a democracy were halted by a dictatorship. Malala describes how her father believed that an ignorant nation only benefitted the politicians trying to retain power:
"Education had been a great gift for him. He believed that lack of education was the root of all Pakistan’s problems. Ignorance allowed politicians to fool people and bad administrators to be re-elected"
(Yousafzai, 26).
This was the condition of Pakistan as a nation. It was almost unfathomable to believe that women actually had it much worse, to the point where a 15 year old girl was shot simply because she wanted to learn. She elaborates on how her nation has the wrong view of things. In the Swat Valley where she is from, a women's place is in the house. Cooking and cleaning, but nothing monumental. This was the same ideology that was prevalent in even America at one point. What I find extraordinary, is that Malala still found a way to rise above her challenges. She stayed true to her beliefs, and vowed to bring change to her country. This is hard enough as it is, but almost Herculean when even her country tries to silence her with a bullet to the shoulder.
A quarter through the book, I find Malala's story to be very inspirational. Her family started off penniless. Her father had nothing but the dream to open a school. Despite the setbacks, his determination prevailed. This same determination is evident in his daughter, Malala. Malala was eventually recognized for her work, and awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, which you can read about here.
Great job describing the plot of the book. I am also currently reading this book. I agree with you that this a very inspirational book. Malala's family didn't have anything but her father didn't give up on trying to open a school. Nice job on your post!
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