Every now and again we need a refresher in life.
Sometimes things can be so routine and standard that we seemingly take them for granted; often forgetting the tremendous efforts of others, which allow us to have some of the current opportunities available to us.
There was a specific instance last week that reminded me how easy it is for us to disregard one another or take for granted life as we know it.
Consider Malala Yousufzai.
Yousufzai is a 14-year-old Pakistani girl who has shown steadfast determination since she was 11. While not yet grown, she has chosen to be more courageous than people three and four times her senior.
Yousufzai’s advocacy developed around 2009 when the Taliban issued a formal proclamation banning all girls from school. Yousufzai’s father always taught his daughter to be an individual and stand up for whatever she believed in. As a result, the young Yousufzai took a non-violent stand against the Taliban. She took her position to the people all around the world through a blog she wrote, protesting against overt oppression against women and young girls. The young girl who plans to be a doctor also took a stand, by continuing to go to school. As a matter of fact, Yousufzai’s father operates one of a few schools that have defied the Taliban edict. As time progressed, Yousufzai’s efforts got worldwide attention and she was heralded as a hero of sorts.
An unfortunate thing about people who take a stance as Yousufzai did is that they become targets.
Last week, as Yousufzai was traveling home from school in a van with other students, Taliban forces stopped the vehicle and climbed in, demanding the children identify Yousufzai. Out of fear, the children pointed to Yousufzai and the Taliban men proceeded to shoot her twice: once in the head and once in the neck.
At Recorder press time, Yousufzai was still alive and receiving top medical care from a team of international doctors in Great Britain, though officials are not releasing the prognosis of her recovery.
Yousufzai’s determination and zest for educational freedom can teach us so much: how to stand up for what we believe, going against the crowd and being true to ourselves, and that one person (even a child) can enlighten the world.
Yousufzai is currently in the fight of her life, but I’m sure she had a suspicion something like this might happen. What is most powerful and endearing, however, is that the repercussions of her actions did not deter Yousufzai. Even when she knew publicly speaking against the Taliban could hurt her and possibly result in her death, she still remained committed to the cause. She continued to fight.
A reporter previously asked her why she risks her life and her response showed a girl whose maturity far exceeded that of her age.
“I shall raise my voice,” she said with intensity. “God will ask you on the day of judgment, ‘Where were you when your people were asking you … when your school fellows were asking you and when your school was asking you …’Why I am being blown up?’”
That type of perspective should motivate all of us to do better and work harder towards the greater good; even if advocating for the greater good can result in serious repercussions. Our time on Earth is brief, what really matters is doing God’s work.
As I considered Yousufzai, I thought of young girls and women in America. Then I thought of our boys and men. How many of us take for granted the fact that we have access to a quality education? How many of us forget that if we are hungry there are service organizations and government accommodations that are devised to assist us? How many of us fail to vote?
America is a country of promise. We are fortunate to have the opportunities that we do. Let us not take these opportunities for granted. Let’s become active and engaged citizens.
You can email comments to Shannon Williams at shannonw@indyrecorder.com.
