The story of Malala Yousafzai is the story of a young girl struggling for rights in the face of adversity, or in Malala’s case, the Taliban and bullets. In 2007, the Swat Valley of Pakistan was invaded by the Taliban, a radical Islamist group, whose mission was to fulfill their interpretation of Sharia law where music was banned, the faces of women were covered, and education for girls was forbidden. Malala’s emergence as an advocate for education and women’s rights threatened the Taliban’s ideals and consequently, at age fifteen, she was shot in the head. Despite the attack, she continued her activism, going on to win a Nobel Peace Prize at age sixteen. Malala has been able to attract supporters worldwide because of her inspiring story, universally
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Her first hand experience of not having an education and facing a loss of rights along with being shot as a child turns her into a symbol for education. Her age shows that is possible to anyone to take action and as such, in her United Nations speech, she states, “Malala Day is not my day. Today is the day for every woman, every boy, and every girl who have raised their voice for their rights.” Her scars shows the world an innocent person who has been wounded by terrorists out of millions. It gives a face to the struggle for peace and appeals to the compassion of others to also take action for her cause. Her enduring activism in spite of the attack futhers the power of her words. She says, “[The Taliban] thought that the bullets would silence us. But they failed. And then, out of that silence come thousands of voices. The terrorists thought that they would change my aims and stop my ambitions, but nothing changed in my life except his: Weakness, fear, and hopelessness died. Strength, power, and courage were born. I am the same Malala. My ambitions are the same. My hopes of the same. My dreams are the same.” Malala’s unwavering determination and strengthened voice is more powerful than violence in rallying others to her goal. Furthermore, in her speech at the United Nations, she says, “I speak-not for myself, but for all girls and boys. I raise up my voice-not so I …show more content…
Because of her inspirational story and shocking age, media has chosen to focus on her and spread her message. In Malala’s interview with Diane Sawyer for ABC, Sawyer remarks that “at age eleven on camera, online” Malala had one of her first interviews calling for help and that the “New York Times heard about her and filmed a documentary . . .[Malala’s name] was becoming famous inside Pakistan.” These examples along with the various other media coverage on Malala proves her far reaching presence worldwide that shares her story and message. With media, Malala has been able to tell many more her story and goals to reach supporters who are compelled to join her cause after hearing her fight for education and gender
Her first hand experience of not having an education and facing a loss of rights along with being shot as a child turns her into a symbol for education. Her age shows that is possible to anyone to take action and as such, in her United Nations speech, she states, “Malala Day is not my day. Today is the day for every woman, every boy, and every girl who have raised their voice for their rights.” Her scars shows the world an innocent person who has been wounded by terrorists out of millions. It gives a face to the struggle for peace and appeals to the compassion of others to also take action for her cause. Her enduring activism in spite of the attack futhers the power of her words. She says, “[The Taliban] thought that the bullets would silence us. But they failed. And then, out of that silence come thousands of voices. The terrorists thought that they would change my aims and stop my ambitions, but nothing changed in my life except his: Weakness, fear, and hopelessness died. Strength, power, and courage were born. I am the same Malala. My ambitions are the same. My hopes of the same. My dreams are the same.” Malala’s unwavering determination and strengthened voice is more powerful than violence in rallying others to her goal. Furthermore, in her speech at the United Nations, she says, “I speak-not for myself, but for all girls and boys. I raise up my voice-not so I …show more content…
Because of her inspirational story and shocking age, media has chosen to focus on her and spread her message. In Malala’s interview with Diane Sawyer for ABC, Sawyer remarks that “at age eleven on camera, online” Malala had one of her first interviews calling for help and that the “New York Times heard about her and filmed a documentary . . .[Malala’s name] was becoming famous inside Pakistan.” These examples along with the various other media coverage on Malala proves her far reaching presence worldwide that shares her story and message. With media, Malala has been able to tell many more her story and goals to reach supporters who are compelled to join her cause after hearing her fight for education and gender