By: Lauren Kane- International News Editor
Media Credit: MCT Campus
In 2009, Adam Ellick released a half-hour documentary on a then 11-year-old girl named Malala Yousufzai, and her family’s struggle to keep schools for girls open in Pakistan. Before reading the rest of this column, you should take the time now to watch that documentary, entitled “Class Dismissed”, on the New York Times website.
For those of you still unfamiliar with the story of Malala, she is a young Pakistani girl who had dreams of becoming a doctor, an almost impossible goal for young women in Pakistan, as the Taliban work very hard to shut down schools for girls using methods of violence.
On October 9th of this year, less than a month ago, the Taliban shot Malala in the head while she was in a van on the way home from school. She is currently in the UK, where Great Britain will treat her and give her refuge. She has not only survived the attack, but is now awake and fully aware of her surroundings, with no signs of significant brain damage. She will continue to do her activist work as soon as she is able.
The entire story of Miss Yousufzai, from the time of the documentary until the most recent news of her recovery, had me in awe. I was in awe of the passion and conviction of this young girl, and all of the other girls in Pakistan who knowingly put their lives on the line in order to get an education. I was blown away by how, in Ellick’s documentary, girls no older than 12 spoke about their right to an education with more passion than I’ve heard from many of my peers speak with in regards to their own education.
The story of Malala comes in sharp contrast to the overall feeling many college students have about education in America. The apathy of many American college students today puts the sacrifice and passion of young girls like Malala in vain. It is unacceptable for practices such as skipping class, ignoring assignments, and sleeping through lectures to become the norm in our society. We have easy access to the education that a young girl took a bullet in the head for. We have the education that she is still willing to fight for. Not only do we have it, but it was given to us. We are born with the fundamental right to knowledge, which is so dearly important to young children in other countries such as Malala. While one can make the case for having to pay for tuition in college, we truly do possess a lucky privilege with having the right to education, and we should acknowledge and be grateful for it.
It is unlikely that college students in Rhode Island (a place so far from Pakistan) would be able to do anything individually to help Malala, or to help the situation concerning the rights to education in Pakistan. However, there is a way that each of us, on a personal level, can make sure that Malala’s work is not in vain. At the risk of coming off as a preaching parent, I will keep my words brief. If I could say one thing to you, it would be this-Realize how lucky you are. Get excited that you get to go to class and learn something new every day. Go to lectures that aren’t mandatory, but that spark your interest. Get into discussions with your classmates and professors about ideas and theories that you have. Relish your education. Take advantage of the knowledge at your fingertips. You have the opportunity to study whatever you love, and whatever you desire.
Malala’s struggle has brought about a change in the country of Pakistan. Her bravery has made great strides in raising awareness in her country. Hopefully, this incredible young woman will not only change the attitude about education in Pakistan, but the attitude about education in America as well.
