I would first
like to talk about the interview with Malala Yousafzai that was posted under
these weeks’ materials. I was speechless when I first listened to Malala speak
about what happened to her and about why she stood up for herself and others.
She spoke with such intelligence and dignity. Not many women would have stood
up to the Taliban like Malala did which caused her to make a difference in her
hometown. It gave me chills to hear her say that instead of reacting with
violence towards the Taliban, she would try to speak to them through peace, dialogue
and education. If she were to react with violence, then there would be no
difference between her and the Taliban. At the of Malala’s interview, she spoke
of a solution that she believes will help cause the violence to stop. Education
is the solution. Malala said, “I support the idea of sending children to school
because it is the best way to fight terrorism.” She also said, “I think issues
and problems are enormous but solution is one and that is simple, that is
education.” What do you guys think? Do you think this is a good solution? What
other solutions is the best way to fight terrorism?
In this week’s readings, we read
about Saima Muhammad and the struggles that she dealt with for a while. We learned
that Saima and her husband were very poor which lead to her husband beating
Saima out of frustration. Saima’s mother-in-law told Saima’s husband that she
should re-marry someone who will give him a boy because she stated that Saima
would never have a son. This clearly
upset Saima which lead to her finding a way to make an income for her family.
On page 187 it says, “Sharifa even allows that Siama is now largely exempt from
beatings by her husband. ‘A woman should know her limits, and if not then it’s
her husband’s right to beat her,’ Sharifa said. ‘But if a woman earns more than
her husband, it’s difficult for him to discipline her.’” There are so many
women’s issues in countries like the one Saima lives in. Why do you think her mother-in-law
(who is clearly a woman) would think it is okay for women to be beaten? Do you
think it is because that’s what she has always known as being normal?
Because of Saima’s successes, she is
now a participant in the microcredit revolution. This provides a system to help
people help themselves. On page 187 it says, “Microfinance has done more to
bolster the status of women, and to protect them from abuse, than any laws
could accomplish.” This is great to hear! Finally, after reading all of these
depressing chapters, we are starting to read about the solutions and we are
starting to see a change in these women’s lives.
Our experiences influence our formation of opinions and ideals which means the culture we are in affects how we live. Society deems that people be in a relationships so many women will avoid leaving one even if it cost her, her life. If women are told and shown enough that they are worthless then they will begin to believe it themselves. The culture that men make in the home cause the women to fall for a self-fulfilling prophecy. If some tell you something enough eventually that is how you see yourself.
ReplyDeletePeople on this side of the world believe in different things. So it is almost in possible to have a complete understanding of violence against women by women. Education is key. Women’s education is the main focus, but men need to be educated as well. The more men begin to understand, the more they may realize what they have been doing is wrong. It needs to be an assault from both sides. Women need more power and confidence, but the men need to learn how to respect and have empathy. The world’s biggest problem is discrimination. As long as we judge, lack empathy, and have inequality the worse this planet will continue to get. I believe in what Malala said about education. It will save the world and bring peace, but education must first teach us understanding.
I think Kathryn has a strong comment before me to explain why these women grow to learn that it is okay to be beaten, because it is all that they have known. For example, I did my research paper on women in Saudi Arabia and many women there don’t speak of up for their right to vote or drive because all their lives they are taught they don’t have a right to speak up and have a voice in anything, so in their minds they truly believe that they don’t have any rights. They have been taught that, so they believe and accept it. As you grow up your perception of what is normal and not normal depends on the society that you live in and what it has taught you, so if from the start these women are taught that they have no rights, they grow up believing that that is what’s normal and that it’s the way it should be.
ReplyDeleteI was very moved to hear a young girl speak so fluently about a situation that is still new to her. I was moved to hear her solution to terrorism being education. I think this is a good solution. I also believe that making people aware of the things that happen ( a form of education) is a good solution to fighting terrorism or anything that doesn’t create peace and equality. I think Sharifa (mother-in-law) believe it is okay for women to be abused by their husband when they aren't aware of their limits, or they are disobedient as a form of learning how to be a good wife. I could be wrong, but in many cultures it is acceptable and okay for the husbands to beat on their wife to teach them as well as have more than one wife if the first wife isn’t doing something the right way or can’t have boys, which would be to carry the last name, carry manly duties around the house, work, etc… So it is acceptable in her eyes because it is normal for them and something that is allowed but in America it is totally different.
ReplyDeleteMalala Yousafzai is a truly incredible individual, who sparked a movement with her words and belief in education. She is wise beyond her years and the way she speaks shows she obviously values education. I really admired how she said that she wasn't going to wait for someone to change things when she could change things herself. I think this is very inspirational to young people. So many times I have heard "I can't do anything, I'm just a teenager and one person!" Malala shows a person who is very young and fighting against all odds can change things, even fight against the Taliban. I think the reason Sharifa, the mother-in-law of Saima reacted the way she did is because she was raised in a household and culture that valued male dominance and put down women. Malala explained that her father had always said that women and education were very important. I think that Malala had the courage to go against the grain because she was raised in a household that had different beliefs than the dominant culture. She really had an impact on me, I'm so glad we saw that interview and heard her story.
ReplyDeleteI think Malala Yousafzai's advocacy for education is definitely a solution for the way women are treated in her country. If you look at Malala as an example, she is clearly very intelligent and is already making her mark on the world. Her education has already set her apart. After watching this interview, I wonder if her life would have been the same without her father being so supportive of her education. Malala explains that her father is an advocate for women's rights and education. He seems to be an exception when compared to many of the males in Pakistan, and this seems to have been a great inspiration to Malala.
ReplyDeleteI loved the interview with Malala, it actually sent chills through my spine. I remember seeing the story of the young lady on GMA and I cried. I think about us here in America and how the youth as well as some adults take education for granted. We can go or not go and it seems to be no big deal, but to live in a land where it is restricted for women to go to school who desperately want to get an education speaks volumes. I would like to show this video to my youth at church so they can see how blessed and privileged they are to be able to get a free education. I need them to know and see this young girl didn't get shot for doing something wrong....she simply wanted to go to school.
ReplyDeleteMalala's interview, I agree, was very inspiring. It is amazing to me the way that she carries herself and how she said that she would not hurt the talaban if they came to hurt her, but she would only educate them to try and change their minds. It's awesome how young that she is and how she has such remarkable social skills and ideas, she is a really smart girl. I think it's terrible that she was shot for wanted to be educated - but I think that what she is doing is great - she is taking a stand for everyone who doesn't have an equal rights when it comes to education and I do think that her solution, being education is a good one. I think that when she says "the talaban only don't like education for women because they know that we will learn things and become smarter than them," is exactly true, and maybe that's a good thing! What is wrong with women being smart? and earning money? like Saima, who wasn't really respected until she started earning money. Earning your own money can be empowering to women.. what is so wrong with that? That should be a good thing!
ReplyDeleteI was also inspired by Malala and I plan to get my hands on her book and read it for myself. I have seen just in passing articles and opinions on her but haven't taken the time to really explore her story until now. It's mindblowing to see how much she has accomplished at the age of 16 in comparison to most other people her age or older. Honestly, I was only half listening to her interview and every time she really got going on her views and opinions I found myself stopping what I was doing and listening, then applauding with the audience. I love how passionate and honest she was! Education really will solve major issues in the middle east and she knows it!
ReplyDeleteI felt so sad and angry when I was reading Saima was beaten by her husband. I thought that Saima's husband was not good enough to earn enough money for the family, so he fight his wife. It didn't make sense. Saima's mother-in-law thought it was ok for a man to beat his wife. I thought it was because of their culture. Men control everything in some culture, so they are allowed to beat their wives or kids. Maybe Saima's mother-in-law was beaten by her husband before. Anyways, I admire to the girls in the book that they are brave enough to stand up to fight to change their life even their hometown.
ReplyDeleteI too would also like to talk about Malala and her interview. I was in shock when Jon Stewart was left speechless by her words. This 16 year old was so poise and proper throughout the entire interview and was talking about things that are so much bigger than her adolescent mind should be capable of understanding, but she did. I can see why she is the youngest person nominated for a noble peace prize. My favorite part during the entire interview was when she said she first wanted to hit the Taliban with her shoe, but instead knew to fight them with education. Even knowing that she would be facing her death, she still wanted to preach the importance of education. She is truly a remarkable human being and I am touched and inspired by her.
ReplyDeleteIn studying to get your PhD in education, you often talk about the "purpose" of education, and how many people have conflicting views on what the purpose is or what it could be. When I first saw Malala's interview about what she felt the purpose of education to be and what it does/did for her, I couldn't help but think--well that's it! It was put so simply and beautifully, and by a teenager no less, that in all my years of my doctoral program I never heard any future professors say it so nicely. :) I really wanted to share it with you all, and I am glad many of you found it inspiring too. I like how Shawn pointed out that perhaps our students need to be reminded that being able to go to school is a privilege that we all have in the United States.
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ReplyDeleteI was really inspired by Malala's interview and take on the power of education. I think that many American's take education for granted, since it is provided to us through the government and basically everyone has access here to education. It is nice to be reminded that education is a privilege, even though in my opinion it should not be. Being educated and having an education should be something that is accessible to all. I do feel that if everyone was educated and continued to become educated then we would have a lot of our world issues and injustice taken care of. I think that the more educated you become the more opened minded most people become, because they know more and can understand more.