A friend posted a link to this article, an open letter to Malala allegedly penned by a member of the Taliban. While conceding to the questionable origin of this letter, my friend said that while he felt that Malala was a "truly innocent and a true fighter," she was being used by the West to project and ugly image of Pakistan in order to justify a war, and that Malala was enjoying her fame. To that I responded with:
My friend was upset by my suggestion that Malala might have had more support from her country had she been male and said that everyone he knew was "proud of Malala BECAUSE she is a girl standing up (for) her rights and those of others in her town..."What's so complicated? The Taliban think religion sanctions them to bring harm to anyone that shows them in a derogatory light, which is not true. Then they try to convince everyone that telling an unfavorable truth about them is the same as defaming Islam and that somehow that warrants death for the person who commits it, which is also untrue.
Had Malala been a boy standing up for the right of women to an education and had he been making the rounds in western media and touting Nelson Mandela as his hero, the citizens of Pakistan would have been reveling in his glory and fame.
The west is not "justifying" any war based on this. They have much else that they can use to justify a war. The west is in awe that a country they thought was so backward and primitive can produce the kind valor, intelligence and reflection seen in this girl at such a young age, the kind they are hard pressed to come by in their own communities where they deal with rising teen pregnancies and Miley Cyrus. Unfortunately, in Pakistan, her traits take a back seat to athletic prowess and career/military/political advancement. Overcoming gender biases is without doubt a feat worthy of applause, but it is not the same as risking one's life for the rights of others. The letter, authentic or not, points out the very real threat of speaking up against the Taliban and I'm sure Malala was well aware of it, even if she was unrealistic about the probability of her being attacked.
There is absolutely no reason to malign the image of a girl who spoke the truth simply because it is uncomfortable. Shall we not talk about the 5 year old molested by a grown man because it puts the country in a negative light, and instead focus on the international achievements of our musical artists or our cricket team so we can show that our country is doing something good? Are we that obsessed with our image that we are willing to hide reality (or hide from it) and commit an injustice against so many whose voices we have suppressed? If we are so concerned about image, we should do a better job of finding good and highlighting it (and not making stuff up) AND making sure that we do everything in our power not to propagate a mindset that would be inclined to committing wrongs. That includes being mindful of what we say on social media, amongst friends and family, or within ear shot of our kids.
Not talking about the truth is suppression of truth, of a voice, of rights. It is oppression. To see something wrong and not say or do something about it when one has the power to is a great injustice. To willfully deny someone a voice because it makes us uncomfortable, because it tarnishes our image is to willfully prevent them from a means to ask for help or better their lives. Is that not oppressive? Here we are thinking we do no harm by not talking about the injustices that take place in the country every day. Who is to say that the injustice against 1 is not worthy of attention if 20 are doing fine? Is one death insignificant because 50 survived or even 500? Does that 1 life not count unless to belongs to you or some loved one?
"Over projecting an ugly face of Pakistan," so many say. I think she is over projecting the good, because here the world is thinking what great minds and souls must reside in that country and the reality is that most minds would rather suppress voices, allowing only the ones of their choosing to pass through, to project a reality that suits them. Malala's voice and the things she talks about are a part of reality. Regardless of whether she is enjoying her fame or not, her words are true. If the Taliban feel they skew reality, let them present their truth rather than attempting to silence Malala. Are they saying that Aljazeera USA will not interview them or run a documentary presenting their side of the story? They have their avenues. Let them use them.
But then he stated what I believe forms the crux of Pakistan's "issue with Malala." He said that while no one questioned Malala's "brilliance", they wondered if all the attention and recognition she is receiving is warranted when there are so many others doing so much and more that are going unnoticed and unrecognized; they wondered if she was worthy of being considered for the second ever Nobel Prize for the country and why her achievements are deemed somehow superior to everyone else's.
Please see my response here
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