Malala Yousafzai

by Morgan from San Diego

(http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/oct/ ())

Malala Yousafzai once said "'We realize the importance of our voices only when we are silenced" (Yousafzai, Lamb 7). This quote embodies Malala's powerful spirit and her commitment to speaking out. Malala Yousafzai was born on July 12, 1997 in the Swat Valley of Pakistan. Her father, Ziauddin Yousafzai, was originally a teacher who founded an all girls school in the valley and frequently spoke out about girls and their right to an education ("Malala Yousafzai" Bio.com). Swat Valley became a tranquil home for Malala and her family to reside until 2007, when the Taliban, a terrorist group, surfaced. By 2009, they had authority over the entire valley, and began limiting education rights for all girls. Malala ignored these rules and continued to attend her father's school. The Taliban took notice of this, and on October 9th of 2012, a group of terrorists approached her on a bus home from school and shot her in the head. Since the attack, Malala has spoken out about women's rights, bringing notice to the issues surrounding education in poor countries. Though the Taliban is still after her, she continues her journey to bring equality and education to everyone. She possesses the trait of bravery for standing up for herself amidst the danger of the war around her. She notices that other children need a leader to guide them and speak up for them, so she embodies that role and does everything in her power to improve their chances of a suitable future. She also remains both peaceful and dedicated, which is reflected in her efforts to spread education around the world. Malala Yousafzai's determination to battle for education, peaceful nature to better the lives of others, and bravery to defy the Taliban by teaching others to stand up for themselves makes her a hero.

(http://www.shughal.com/10-reasons-malala-yousafzai ())

Malala Yousafzai is heroic because of her determination to provide children with an education and teach them to stand up for themselves. Because of her personal struggles and fight for an education, Malala understands what others are experiencing when she declares, "'I want to tell my story, but it will also be the story of 61 million children who can't get education'" (qtd. in "Malala Yousafzai" Newsmakers). Malala recognizes all of the work that demands to be accomplished, yet remains positive and determined to give education to children in need. Her background makes her even more dedicated to assisting those without an education. She is aware of how strenuous it can be to speak up for her own rights, yet tries to inspire others to accomplish whatever they're determined to. After being personally targeted and attacked by the Taliban, one might think that she would surrender and give up hope. Instead, Malala explains, "God has given me this new life, a second life. And I want to serve. I want to serve the people. I want every girl, every child, to be educated" (Yousafzai). She could have easily given up after being shot by the Taliban, but instead works harder so that other children won't have to face what she went through. It is inspiring and heroic of her to risk her own safety for the sake of others. As a dedicated hero, Malala remains determined to improve the lives of others by giving them the gift of education and the power to stand up for their rights. Malala Yousafzai is a hero to all because of her peaceful nature, even towards people who aren't deserving of her kindness. In an interview, she describes her feelings surrounding the Taliban, explaining, "'If you hit a Talib with your shoe, then there would be no difference between you and the Talib. You must not treat others with cruelty... you must fight others but through peace and through dialogue and through education'" (qtd. In Jacobs, Jones, and Harrison). Malala is aware that she can't oppose violence with violence. She is aware that for her to achieve what she aims to achieve, her time can't be spent attempting to get revenge on the Taliban. Instead, she works to better the lives of those affected by the Taliban, or any other formidable leader. Though it would be predictable for Malala to despise the Taliban, she respects the people associated with them; "'I want education for the sons and daughters of the Taliban and all terrorists and extremists'" (qtd. in "Malala Yousafzai Challenges Taliban"). Despite all of the terrible deeds the Taliban did to Malala, her family, and her country, she remains definite that all children need a proper education. She is willing to get past her personal struggles to realize that the sons and daughters of the Taliban are innocent, and deserve what all other children deserve. Finally, Malala discusses her intentions for raising money and awareness; "'I am not against anyone, neither am I here to speak in terms of personal revenge against the Taliban or any other terrorist group. I'm here to speak up for the right of education for every child'" (qtd. In "Malala Yousafzai Challenges Taliban). Though the Taliban targeted her, threatened her, terrorized her, and attacked her, Malala has no desire to avenge them. Instead, she has embraced the struggles she has faced, and is using them as motivation so that no child has endure what she went through. Malala Yousafzai embodies the qualities of a hero because she remains peaceful, even after all of the hardships and violence in her life. Even after being shot by the Taliban, Malala exhibits bravery while she sacrifices her safety to better the lives of others. Malala began receiving threats when she initially spoke out against the Taliban's rules and continued to go to school, even after they had banned girls from doing so. "The publicity Malala attracted in speaking out for the right to equal education resulted in death threats appearing in newspapers, being uploaded on her Facebook page, and delivered to her door" ("Malala Yousafzai Challenges Taliban"). The threat of the Taliban is constantly appearing in Malala's daily life. They make it clear that they will stop at nothing to silence her voice. Despite this, her bravery helps her ignore the threats and remain outspoken about setbacks that need to be resolved. Though at first Malala was terrified of the Taliban's threats, she began to ignore what they were aiming to do. "It seemed to me that everyone knows they will die one day. My feeling was nobody can stop death; it doesn't matter if it comes from a Talib or cancer. So I should do whatever I want to do" (Yousafzai, Lamb 224). Malala puts all fear of the Taliban behind her when she decides that she must dedicate her life to providing education for other children. She isn't afraid of the Taliban's threats, and instead welcomes the idea of death as long as she is able to make a positive impact on the world while still alive. By targeting Malala, the Taliban hope that they can silence her messages and regain control over women in her country. Instead, Malala takes their violence as an indication to make her voice louder, exclaiming, "'The terrorists thought they would change my aims and stop my ambitions, but nothing changed in my life except this: weakness, fear and hopelessness died. Strength, power and courage was born'" (qtd. in Bio.com). After being attacked by a terrorist group, Malala registered that she was gaining a greater following. Instead of letting the Taliban stop her, she became more powerful and worked harder to provide education to children around the world. Malala Yousafzai continues to sacrifice her safety, and even her life, in order to bring education to children in need.

(https://www.pinterest.com/mawrahocane6767/pakistan ())

Because of Malala's dedication, peacefulness, and bravery, thousands of people received an education and inspiration to stand up for themselves. Malala's life would be challenging for anyone to persevere through, so it's even more impressive that she's done so at such a young age. By the time she turned 15, she had been targeted, threatened, and shot in the head by a terrorist group that struck immense fear in her country. Her resilience and courage to push through challenging times is what has kept her alive to this day. Instead of backing down after being attacked, she stands up taller and makes her voice even louder, inspiring others to take a stand as well. She makes it a goal to prove to the Taliban that they can't and won't control her, nor any other woman. Malala is teaching populations that in order for injustice to disappear, we need to all stand up and fight the battle together. Her dedication teaches people that they can achieve whatever they put their minds to, no matter how substantial of a goal they've made for themselves. She tells others, "I have the right of education. I have the right to play. I have the right to sing. I have the right to talk. I have the right to go to the market. I have the right to speak up" (qtd. in "Malala Yousafzai" Gale). Her peacefulness teaches us that problems cannot be solved when there is a war going on. Instead, we need to put down our weapons and use our words to convey the points we are trying to make. Finally, her bravery beginning at such a young age inspires people to believe in themselves and make their voices heard. Having this dedication, peacefulness, and bravery is what makes Malala Yousafzai my hero. "Peace in every home, every street, every village, every country - this is my dream. Education for every boy and every girl in the world. To sit down on a chair and read my books with all my friends at school is my right. To see each and every human being with a smile of happiness is my wish" (Yousafzai, Lamb 313).

Works Cited

Jacobs, Brian Jones and Harrison. "That Time 16-year-old Malala Yousafzai Left Jon Stewart

Speechless with a Comment about Pacifism." Business Insider. Business Insider, Inc, 18

June 2015. Web. 30 Apr. 2016.

<http://www.businessinsider.com/that-time-malala-yousafzai-left-jon-stewart-speechless-2015-6>.

"Malala Yousafzai." Bio.com. A&E Networks Television, 2016. Web. 29 Apr. 2016.

<http://www.biography.com/people/malala-yousafzai-21362253>.

"Malala Yousafzai Challenges Taliban on Education and Women's Rights in Pakistan, October 9,

2012." Historic World Events. Detroit: Gale, 2015. Student Resources in Context. Web. 28 Apr. 2016.

"Malala Yousafzai." Contemporary Authors Online. Detroit: Gale, 2015. Biography in Context.

Web. 27 Apr. 2016.

"Malala Yousafzai." Gale Biography in Context. Detroit: Gale, 2012. Biography in Context.

Web. 2 May 2016.

"Malala Yousafzai." Newsmakers. Vol. 3. Detroit: Gale, 2013. Research in Context. Web. 27

Apr. 2016.

"They thought that the bullets would silence us, but they failed." Phi Delta Kappan 95.2 (2013):

6.Biography in Context. Web. 2 May 2016.

Yousafzai, Malala, and Christina Lamb. I Am Malala: The Girl Who Stood up for Education and

Was Shot by the Taliban. New York: Machete Book Group, 2013. Print.

Yousafzai, Malala. "God has given me this new life, a second life." The Christian Century 130.5

(2013): 9. Biography in Context. Web. 2 May 2016.

Page created on 5/19/2016 12:00:00 AM

Last edited 5/19/2016 12:00:00 AM

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Malala Yousafzai

by Morgan from San Diego

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