The other day while I was working at the bar and a man was trying to strike up a conversation with me. I was barely paying attention to his chatter about his daughter until he said something along the lines of, "Men don't truly understand the struggles women have until they have daughters. A man doesn't have the upmost respect for women until he sees his baby girl." This pisses me off, even though I know it's not true. I actually know a few men who do in fact have a great deal of respect for women prior to such a birth occurring. So I replied to the man, "Why do you think it is? Why do you think that the inequality, the disrespect, the vulgar acts made towards their mothers, their sisters, the cousins and friends of these males aren't enough to make a man wake up? Why don't these other female relationships mean enough for him to make changes? Are men so conceded that half of their DNA needs to aid in creating a person with a vagina in order for that person to be deserving of his respect?" He didn't want to talk to me any more after that.
Malala Yousafzai is a hero, her family is remarkable and her father should be a role model to all fathers. This book was a great read (even though I accidentally purchased the Young Adult Version) it's an unbelievable story about incredibly strong people. Through this book I found Malala to be an incredibly stoic, driven individual, who was given a hand up by her parent's encouragement and support. I believe that people are definitely products of their decisions but the circumstances that Malala was born into, being the daughter of a man who ran a school and believed in educating girls is nothing to overlook. The puzzle pieces of Malala's life construct an ideal bridge for progress, especially now that this amazing speaker has a position to speak to the world.
I have no doubts that Malala would have flourished in a variety of situations, which makes it even more of a miracle that her family is committed to the good fight of female education. There is a special place in my heart for her father and all the fathers out there like him, (and this one) fathers who stand up for their kids even when the surrounding culture isn't always conducive.
| My own father can be credited with so much of my self esteem and swagger. |   |
Another book I just finished called 'Do They Hear You When You Cry' tells the story of a young woman from Togo who was allowed and encouraged to achieve as much education as possible before her father passed and was spared genital mutilation because of this progressive attitude her father possessed. Fathers, especially in patriarchal cultures have the ability to build strong daughters, daughters that shine past these traditions with the potential to make real change. My hope is that all Dads understand and embrace their roles as empower-ers and trust their kids with this power to make the world a more equality minded place. My fear is for the father who hasn't turned a corner in his own heart, whose circumstances haven't allowed them to see the value of their children, their little girls.
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When Malala's father put her name of their family tree, the first female name in 300 years of history, he invested in her, he gave her a precious gift, he said you are an equal. Your mind, body and spirit is no less valuable than that of your brother. I hope this story not only inspires young woman to speak out but I hope it inspires men to seek change, seek justice for your offspring.
One of the best snip-its in the book starts out with Malala playing ELF BOWLING as she waits to meet President Obama. I used to play this rather raunchy computer game with my brother at our Dad's office when we were younger. You are able to kill the elves with the bowling ball and receive extra points for hitting a deer as it crosses the alley.
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It got even better as I read her take on the meeting, "I was respectful, I believe, but I told him I don't like his drone strikes on Pakistan, that when they kill one bad person, innocent people are killed, too, and terrorism spreads more. I also told him that if America spent less money on weapons and war and more on education, the world would be a better place. If God has given you a voice, I decided, you must use it even if it is to disagree with the president of the United States."
I have respect for people who are outspoke, especially when they are young women speaking to authoritative men! So read this book, learn about a young lady who was shot by the Taliban, survived this attempted assassination and will continue to educate the world about the injustice that is being committed under the facade of religion. She will remind you that purpose is progress and that her purpose was made clear with a bullet. Let's make an effort each time we open our mouths, our hearts, our wallets that the key to equality lies not with the first world feminist fight but with the damagingly undervalued girls of the second and third worlds.
xoxox,kp
I have respect for people who are outspoke, especially when they are young women speaking to authoritative men! So read this book, learn about a young lady who was shot by the Taliban, survived this attempted assassination and will continue to educate the world about the injustice that is being committed under the facade of religion. She will remind you that purpose is progress and that her purpose was made clear with a bullet. Let's make an effort each time we open our mouths, our hearts, our wallets that the key to equality lies not with the first world feminist fight but with the damagingly undervalued girls of the second and third worlds.
xoxox,kp
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