Right?
And you know what, they're probably right.
After all, we live in the United States of America where we have a public and affordable education system - a poorly run education system, but a system nonetheless. There are no threats to our ability to educate our children. There are no wars on our country's soil that force schools to shut down. There are no violent groups of people forcing our schools to move "underground". And, there are no groups suppressing the education of women in our country.
But these threats are very real for kids all around the world; kids like Malala Yousafzai.
Watch this video of Malala Yousafzai as she explains to Comedy Central's The Daily Show host Jon Stewart what went through her mind when she learned the Taliban was out to kill her. Listen to her passion for education, her motivation to be heard, her understanding and her wisdom. Oh, by the way, she's only 16.
If you're not familiar with her story, Malala is an education activist from Mingora, a town in the Swat District of Pakistan's northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. Needless to say, it's a violent part of the world where the education of women is seen as a threat on many levels. Malala, who grew tired of waiting for her government and military to make positive change in the educational system, decided to voice her concerns for the suppression of women's education on every media channel that would allow her. Eventually word reached the Taliban, who not only announced their complete disdain for Malala, but their desire to kill her.
On October 9 of 2012, an assassination attempt on Malala was committed by a Taliban gunman. The gunman boarded Malala's school bus and shot her in the head and neck. Malala survived but remained in critical condition for days. When her condition improved she was transported to Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham, England where she underwent extensive rehabilitation. She's rebounded, continuing her cause and is now promoting her new book, I am Malala.
At last report, the Taliban is still out to kill Malala.
As part of her immense desire to raise awareness for every girl's right to an education, Malala has created a fund called The Malala Fund. "The Malala Fund's solutions are grounded in inspired innovation: they are girl-centric approaches to education that support the Funds' goal of creating a world where every girl reaches her true potential" (quotation from the site itself).
Malala should be an inspiration to everyone. Her cause is worthy of great recognition and her fight for survival is awe-inspiring. In fact, she's up for a Nobel Peace Prize.
Malala should be an inspiration to everyone. Her cause is worthy of great recognition and her fight for survival is awe-inspiring. In fact, she's up for a Nobel Peace Prize.
It's amazing what one person can overcome and accomplish. Her fight isn't over though; there's still much to be done.
So, the next time your kid is complaining about going to school or throwing a fit about a book report, tell them about this girl and help them put things in perspective. Show them the video of a 16 year old girl who was hunted down and shot simply because she wanted an education.
The Daily Show - Extended Interview with Malala Yousafzai
