It’s nearing the end of the first nine weeks spent at McIntosh this school year and students can already smell the peppermint sticks and hot chocolate of Semester Break. Classes have settled into routine and teachers’ grace periods are, for the most part, over. The first report card of the year will come home in a matter of days; students are back to scheming of ways to alter its contents or detain its delivery into their parents’ waiting hands.
The general consensus is that the sooner this year is over with, the better.
But we need to remember what a privilege it is that we are not only allowed, but encouraged to be educated in our country.
Malala Yousufzai would have given anything to have the opportunities we have in the United States, and she did. On October 9, she was shot in the head and neck while riding a school bus home. According to The Guardian, She is unconcious and in critical condition at a hospital in her native Pakistan.
It was not a random act of violence. Fourteen year old Malala was targeted by the Taliban for attending school despite being a girl.
In 2009, Swat Valley, where Malala lived, was taken over by Fazlullah, also known as Radio Mullah. One of his first actions was to order that all girls’ schools be shut down. Malala, 11 at the time, started a blog under the pen name Gul Makai for the British Broadcasting Corporation, or BBC.
She became a person of interest for the Taliban government, but she continued to fight for what she believed in, death threats or no. Her first blog post (can be found on bbc.co.uk) outlined the situation, “On my way from school to home I heard a man saying ‘I will kill you’. I hastened my pace and after a while I looked back if the man was still coming behind me. But to my utter relief he was talking on his mobile and must have been threatening someone else over the phone.”
Malala predicted what would happen to her; in an interview with Farah Hussain for the Pakistani television show, Morning With Farah, she said, “I think of it often and imagine the scene clearly. Even if they come to kill me, I will tell them what they are trying to do is wrong, that education is our basic right.”
It has been over three years since her first post. Numerous efforts have been made both supporting her and opposing her. And only now is her story making headlines in the United States. President Obama has called the attack on Malala “reprehensible, disgusting and tragic.” Feminists and educators around the world are anxiously awaiting her recovery and next move.
This should be a wake up call for those who complain about schools and education being a waste of time. Every moment spent freely learning is a treasure that we should learn to appreciate. If school is something worth dying for, shouldn’t we be trying our hardest to make sacrifices like Malala’s remembered?
Anna Laumann • Oct 31, 2012 at 11:20 pm
Yes, the girl payed for her education in death. I must admit though every time I turn around there is another story of someone being killed or riots starting in the middle east. Things are just not cut out for them there, are they?
I agree with what the girl stood for, everyone has the right to an education weather they deserve it or not. Although yes she fights for education, but what she really wanted was a choice. Naturally as humans we hate boundaries. Why do you think we have the technology we do today? I have seen where people fight for something and then after it is given to them nothing changes.This might sound a little bad, but it’s all how you take it.
Look at the blacks and whites, two races that have always had problems. After the civil war and blacks were given their rights, they still were not treated fairly. Several bad things happened to the blacks like the Jim crow laws and the K.K.K. During this time the government was trying the idea of segregation. Blacks and whites (mostly blacks) stood up and fought for the right to be able to be equal with the white man and to live together in peace. Eventually, blacks and whites were able to live together in peace but, after thinking long and hard. Have you noticed they are still segregated? That’s why you hear things like a black neighborhood, or a white town.
I am glad they can live together now, but they still seem separated. They just wanted a choice, that’s all.
Yes, if she had not been shot eventually she would have succeeded; However, all people want is a choice an option. She would have cherished her education, but I bet she is happy knowing she died for something worth fighting for. Something millions of kids have and take for granite. There is something in her death, sometimes you can do more after life. You show people what they are up against. The people they face will kill a girl just to still have rule. Now people will not only stand up for girl’s education, but also for her.
Greg • Oct 31, 2012 at 3:50 pm
I’m proud that she stood up against her government for education. To us americans we don’t think that education is a big deal. But it is! We should be grateful that we are allowed an education, not just pushing it away.
Jennifer • Oct 31, 2012 at 3:50 pm
We are so lucky to be able to go to a school that is as helpful and as educational as McIntosh. This story has really opened student’s eyes on how lucky they truly are to be able to go to school. It is privilege to go to school and should be treated as one.
Laura • Oct 31, 2012 at 11:03 am
Words cannot describe how grateful I am for my education. I start to forget how lucky I am for all of the opportunities that McIntosh high school has given me. This story was a reminder that slapped me in the face harder than I imagined possible. This one girl has enough courage and motivation for every one of the students that has the privilege of an education. She shows us how powerful a drive for our passions can be, and that dragging our feet when things come so easily for us is shameful. Take every opportunity that presents itself, and there will be no regrets.
Caleb sellers • Oct 31, 2012 at 10:22 am
The government shouldn’t be able to take away the right to learn
Tanya Castillo • Oct 31, 2012 at 10:01 am
I think that many of us take education for granted and we do not realize how importand it is for another person. This girl was extremely determined to have an education that she is willing to give up her life for her cause. Her story inspires people to work and succeed in school and appreciate what we were blessed with.
Caleb B. • Oct 31, 2012 at 8:08 am
I think that we are very priveleged to go to the school and live in the country that we do. I hope that one day that we will all realize this.
Gianna • Oct 31, 2012 at 7:09 am
This girl is fighting for what we are given. Most people would have backed down if the Taliban was making death threats to them, old or young. Malala was fighting the Taliban for almost three years and half of that time she wasn’t even a teenager. I’m not saying we should go upset the Taliban, but we should at least be grateful that we are giving an education.
Hannah • Oct 30, 2012 at 11:34 pm
Many students today dread going to school. It’s sad to know that there are other kids fighting for their rights to recieve an education. Malala shows great courage standing up for herself and her rights. This article will open peoples’ eyes to how lucky we are in America.
Hannah • Oct 30, 2012 at 11:29 pm
Most students dread going to school. It’s sad to know that there are other kids who have to fight for their rights to recieve an education. This article will open peoples’ eyes to how luck we really are.
Martha • Oct 30, 2012 at 10:25 pm
This article is a nice wake up call for students everywhere. Knowing someone would risk their life to get a good education, something I personally take for granted, is shocking and just shows how grateful we should be. While every student is dreading to even think about school, Malala will fight for it, and even take a bullet. We should really try to think about the less fortunate as we go through our day, because there are so many blessings around us that we take for granted everyday. Education being one of them.
Maddie O'Rourke • Oct 30, 2012 at 10:13 pm
This little girl makes me so grateful to be able to be educated. We sometimes take advantage of our education, when we don’t even realize that a lot of children in this world don’t have it. Its amazing how that little girl fought for her education and still won’t stand down, while we are not making better use of it and complaining.
Jacob Rynne • Oct 30, 2012 at 10:10 pm
I belive that Malala is awsome! She was ambushed on a bus, shot twice in Vital points of the body, and still survived. I dont know about you people, but i truly belive that god, jesus, allah, whatever god she worships, was looking out for her that day, and is guiding her in her efforts to help others(herself included), to get a better education. But her bravery, i think shes doing that on her own. No goddo(like undo in Microsoft) help on that part.
Chrissy • Oct 30, 2012 at 9:30 pm
We all should be thankful that we all get to go to school and not worry about a man coming for us and shot us. This girl is very brave for standing up for what she wanted. I would of never done what she had done. I would of gave up.
Anthony • Oct 30, 2012 at 9:12 pm
When most people go to school, they think that it is so boring and a waste of time. I know I am one of those people. This girl’s story opens our eyes to realize that school really is a luxury item. Even though we may not like going to school everyday, we should all be thankful that we at least have the opportunity to.
Bridget • Oct 30, 2012 at 8:59 pm
It is sad to see how much we take for granted. I admit I am one of the many that complain constantly about school. Malala’s story really inspires me to take more intrest in my education and appreciate what I have. What Malala does is extremely brave especially for a girl of such a young age.
Josh • Oct 30, 2012 at 8:35 pm
Most people complain everyday because they have to get up and learn. I even dont like coming to school mosts days but we should be lucky that we get an education because most people do not get one. This girl knew something that most kids dont find out till adulthood that education is the key to your future and she was willing to die for her education.
Taylor • Oct 30, 2012 at 7:55 pm
I feel like I have been taking advantage of the oppertunites I have. This girl risked her life to prove a point. We should all appriciate waking up every day, knowing you get to learn. You get to go to school. I know nobody likes to go to school. I sure don’t ,but after reading that I feel very proud to get to go to school.
Sydney • Oct 30, 2012 at 6:33 pm
Most kids in America would probably celebrate if they were told to no longer go to school. We never really think about how fortunate we are, and we’ve probably never thought about risking our lives for our education. This story should be inspirational for everyone, especially those considering giving up and quitting on their education.
Olivia • Oct 30, 2012 at 6:03 pm
I think we are very lucky to be living in the US. Not everybody gets a chance to get the education we have, and we take it for granted. School may not be perfect, but at least we are literate and not zombies being told what to do.
Kaytlin • Oct 30, 2012 at 5:21 pm
What this girl did is the personification of genuine bravery. She stood up for what she believes in, and didn’t stand down, even when faced with threats of death. She knew the risks she was taking, and was willing to take them as long as her voice was heard. And it most certainly was, probably more-so know than ever before. If a fourteen year old girl will put her life on the line for the sake of her education, shouldn’t that tell us as teenagers in America something huge? We have the PRIVILEGE to obtain an education, something Malala did not have. We fight with ourselves everyday, mumbling about the amount of homework we have or how we hate this teacher or how we don’t want to wake up so early ‘JUST FOR SCHOOL.’ Well, what we deem so intensely frivolous, this young women found worth dying for. We need to take advantage of what we have and use it for the good of others; this includes our chance for a good, solid education. Malala took advantage of what she had: Courage. And she used it to fight for, not just her rights, but the rights of all young girls to attend school. She is an admirable young women and deserves to be acknowledged for what she’s done. Her bravery has put her in the condition she’s in now. So the next time you wake up in the morning for school and want to complain about how tired you are, think about what she’s willing to endure to obtain exactly what you have.
Brandon • Oct 30, 2012 at 4:13 pm
We should all be lucky that we have school to go to. We should also be lucky the country in which we live with all our liberties and freedoms.
Cory Radest • Oct 30, 2012 at 4:03 pm
This opens our eyes. We have always thought school was useless, but people pray to be educated. Hopefully people can stop taking school for granted while people are fighting to even be educated .
Sabrina • Oct 30, 2012 at 3:59 pm
It is great that she stood up for what she believes in. More people need to be like that. We should not take things for granted.
Calvin • Oct 30, 2012 at 3:10 pm
I think that it is a great opportunity that I can go to school. Malala was not scared of what would happen to her, she wanted to go to school to get an education so she could have future.
Tyler • Oct 30, 2012 at 9:14 am
I think this is an amazing story about someone fighting for what they believe in. We never think about how much of a luxury school actually is. Thank you Jessica and Malala.
Waverly • Oct 30, 2012 at 12:27 am
This girl is fearless when it comes to education rights for women. For the u.s., we veiw school as boring and stupid but without it, we would not be able to support ourselves well in the future. For a teenager our age, to stand up for what she believes in is super strong and courageous, not many people would do that here. Most people don’t give a young adult a chance to teach us a lesson. She is an amazing example of bravery and confidence. We need a role model to help us visualize other people’s dreams around the world and to show how lives are being taken for granted. Confidence can take us anywhere, even when there are dark clouds of threats trailing behind us, on our journey to a brighter state of mind. Malala is a warrior for women all around the world, those shots will not stop her from becoming a hero.
Craig • Oct 29, 2012 at 10:15 pm
We who read this article attempt to relate to Malala, and fail. Most of us think we have a clue of how it feels to be in her situation. I can not relate to this article because I have never been in her situation. I try to relate and imagine what it would be like, but I cannot make myself feel what Malala feels. I feel as if it is not justified to think that we understand. Malala has spent her entire life in fear because of her desire to learn, and for me to say that I understand is unfair and a lie. The emotions that Malala feels are unique. They cannot be recreated, nor imagined. Those of us who cannot relate are doing ourselves a disservice by saying that we understand just to fit in and be a “empathetic” person. All that I can do is TRY to appreciate the education supplied to me in this country; Although, I will never truly understand until it is taken away. It is likely that I will never come close to Malala’s maturity, bravery, courage, fearlessness, and positive attitude. This story provides American students with a model of how serious education is to the less fortunate. If I could be half as committed to my education as Malala, my educational career would be changed for the better.
Bekah • Oct 29, 2012 at 9:45 pm
This an amazing article. People truly don’t think about the world outside of Peachtree City, and I know that we all take advantage of the wonderful lives our parents have worked so hard to give us. I just wish that Malala got the chance to live like we do. She really wanted to learn and most of us find it so worthless. This brave young girl risked her life to learn the things we learn everyday. This should mean something to all of us that get the privilege to read this article.
Jordan • Oct 29, 2012 at 9:26 pm
That was a very bold move for her to take. Standing up to the Taliban takes braver and she had it. If I were in her shoes I wouldn’t be able to last a second. I would be scared out of my mind, but she wasn’t. She was willing to stand up for what she believes in, and I think people should really do that more often. Then maybe people will begin listening to what others have to say.
Duke • Oct 29, 2012 at 7:40 pm
Each day we dread waking up and going to school for 7 hours and sitting beind a desk for 5 days out of the week. After reading the story I realized how fortunate I am to live in a country that gives us the freedom to make decision and attend shool. It took Malala to suffer a shot in the head for me to appreciate school and how education is important in everyone’s life.
Jessica • Oct 29, 2012 at 6:35 pm
Everybody in the world should have the right to be educated, no matter what you are or who you are. I feel that Malala wanted to have more than just learning math, science, or reading. Education gave everyone a second birth and you can give life to someone else by teaching them knowledge and understanding. Education is more than just learning plain arithmetic, chemistry, or writing. People become helpful and beneficial to humanity and even animals. People care for each other. People love each other. People teach each other. It all comes through education. Education is your life, who you are, and what you are made of. The Taliban are evil for shooting Malala, she is doing what is right. The person who shot her has no education of the right choices. Without education, this world would be chaos.Imagine humans hurting each other, stealing, lieing, and even killing. That is a world with no education. Education is our quest to be righteous. Malala is a wonderful girl. I am proud of her and her courage.
James • Oct 29, 2012 at 6:31 pm
It is very Cliché to say “you dont know what you have, until you lose it.” But in this case, if the kids who live in “the bubble” A.K.A Peachtree city, would put ourselves in the shoes of kids who are deprived of a common education in a constiantly warring country, i guarintee you all of us would say it too. It is amazing how brave Malala Yousufzai is, her bravery is only compairable to that of a maryter, but luckally she is alive and able to continue her brave women’s rights movements.
Alex • Oct 29, 2012 at 4:58 pm
Man, reading and hearing about things like this is sad. Trying to control a large percentage of a population by trying to un-educated females or males even will always be a mistake. There shall always be someone who fights back. When taking away a privilege like going to school to stop the flow of knowledge, there shall always be one who seeks knowledge. You can not stop the human crave for a better understanding.
Maria • Oct 29, 2012 at 4:00 pm
Education is important for all people whether male, female, black, white, young, or old. It is a continuous learning process that molds us into who we are and how we live our lives depending on our use of it. It can range from using life lessons from the literature we read to applying the math and science skills we learn. Education is a survivor guide, without it there would be chaos. Malala’s true example for standing up for what she believes in is incredible despite being threatened and even shot. Her sacrifices are extremely high.
Consider if you had to fight for education today, would you risk your life for it?
Paige • Oct 29, 2012 at 3:04 pm
Education is a privledge and it can be taken away. We are so fortunate to be able to have the right to learn. God bless us for all that we have! Thanks for the point of view. I truly understand how blessed I am to have what I do!!
Sarah • Oct 29, 2012 at 2:44 pm
It is definitely a privilege to be at McInosh. We can say whenever we would like to say and although we may get judged we still have a chance to do it. It’s tragic that just a couple days later after she spoke up she got a punishment that Is unbelievable that someone can do something that harsh to someone so young. Thank you Jessica for sharing this with not only a couple of people but the whole school. I am so great full to be a chief!!!!!:)
Dana • Oct 28, 2012 at 8:36 pm
I agree that kids shouldn’t take things for granted. Kids should wake up everyday and be happy to go to school and learn cause Malala didn’t have the chance to do tha
Britney • Oct 28, 2012 at 8:33 pm
I honestly can say that I am one of those people that has said, ” School is so over rated”. or, ” school is such a waste of time”. The kids of our country definatly take things for granted when people like Malala just want and education…
Pallavi • Oct 28, 2012 at 6:04 pm
From my point of view I think Malala is brave young girl for standing up for girls’ rights of education. In certain countries education is not an option like we have here in America. Also a lot of people here who do receive a great education complain a lot saying, ” ohh school is boring”, or ” ohh no tomorrow is Monday”. Yes I agree we do say those kind of phrases a lot, but that does not mean that we should not be thankful for the privileges that we have and receive and take for granted. Malala has a dream like all the children in the world to be something as they prosper in life like for her she wants to be a doctor, but not all of us want to be a doctor, but we do have our dreams of being something. I hope she gets well soon and is able to fulfill her dream of being a doctor.
Sophia • Oct 23, 2012 at 9:59 pm
This is a tragic example of standing up for what you believe in. I believe many girls would have backed down in her situation, and I am glad she didn’t although very saddened by her critical condition. It just goes to show that we very much take for granted what is given to us, and she is definitely a figure that many people are soon to look up to.
Taylor • Oct 22, 2012 at 10:43 pm
This morning my alarm went off and I thought, “ugh, it’s Monday, I don’t want to go to school.” I got my butt up, got dressed and came to school with an its-just-school kind of attitude. I am normally good at doing homework and turning things in when they are due. There is always those kids in class that just don’t do the work because they are too lazy or they didn’t feel like it. if Malala got to switch places with a person in my math class, she would be overjoyed and the kid that took her place would feel bad and value America’s school systems and actually try to do well.
Tyler • Oct 22, 2012 at 9:38 pm
School in America is not as highly valued as in Pakistan. Consider that commonly found gems are usually inexpensive and have little value to society. Rare gems are usually very expensive and have high value. You can make the same comparison with the schools in America and Pakistan. Schools in America are so common that they are not valued like they should be, but in Pakistan where girls cannot get an education, school is very valuable.
Sophia Homer • Oct 22, 2012 at 9:24 pm
I personally believe that Malala did the right thing. She stood up for what she believed in was right. I am sadly one of those people who always wants to leave school early. I have never appreciated school until now. But, everyone should have a right to go to school, and go to college and get a good job. Some people in this world are messed up and we got to show them the right path. I hope Malala get’s better soon!
Hunter • Oct 22, 2012 at 8:39 pm
I think that Malala is very brave and I would like to thank her for standing up for whats right. Women are just as capble as men at reciving good grades and deserve the same education. I think that Malalas efforts will inspire other girls to stand up and fight for what they belive in. Hopefully one day all the women in the middle east will have equal rights as men and be given the same amount of opprortunity as men have.
Bailey • Oct 22, 2012 at 8:30 pm
This girl’s tragic story proves how lucky we are to live in a country where we all have the privilege to get a proper education. Sometimes we overlook the fact that not all countries are economically stable enough to send all of their children to school. In some countries only boys can go to school or children with wealthy parents. Despite the death threats and condescending remarks, this girl did everything she could to get an education; which is something I believe inspires us all. I think we all can agree that the next time we think about saying, “Ugh! I don’t want to be at school today!” we will remember this girl’s story.
Amelia • Oct 22, 2012 at 8:14 pm
This artical gives a lot of perspective on how luck we are to live in a place where everyone has equal rights and opportunities. Malala is very brave for being able to stand up from what is right even when she knows the possible cost.
Hayden Crawford • Oct 22, 2012 at 8:13 pm
It really pains me to hear students talk about our school system and education in a negative way. Our school is clean and safe, so why complain? People don’t realize how important our education is (especially in PTC), and I hope the story of Malala will help people open their eyes to the high class of education offered to them. Malala exhibited bravery and courage in a situation where not many else would. She fought for what we receive everyday against a dangerous group of people while risking death. I think more people should read this story and start taking education seriously.
Tyler • Oct 22, 2012 at 7:46 pm
Public education in America is something that is required by the government. We go to school 5 days a week, and we don’t see the value of school anymore. Think about it like this, gems that are common tend to be inexpensive, and they don’t have much value. The gems that are rare are usually very expensive and are highly valued. The same principal applies with schools around the world. Over in Pakistan where girls are not able to get an education, school is highly valued because it is so rare. In the United States, school is not valued as highly because it is in everyday life.
William • Oct 22, 2012 at 7:25 pm
I think that Malala was right in my opinion because she loved her education and showed to people and didn’t care what other people thought about her. Even though she was worried about going to school she still wanted to get her education and knew she was going to die. She wanted people to enjoy school and take it for granted.
JP Caldwell • Oct 22, 2012 at 7:20 pm
Malala Yousufzai is a hero. She is a symbol to the world that one person can and does make a difference. Her bravery in standing up to the Taliban for a woman’s right to an education should empower us to appreciate the freedom we have in America. We must appreciate our ability to safely ride the bus to and from school without the slightest thought of danger. We must never forget Malala and her sacrifice.
Alex M. • Oct 22, 2012 at 6:32 pm
I think that she is right to say that “education is our basic right” because here in america everybody gets a chance at an education. Also when all day you hear ” I hate school” or “when is this day over” you have to remember how lucky you are to have an education.
Samantha • Oct 22, 2012 at 5:49 pm
Most days I’ll sit around with my friends and complain about how boring school is and how it’s a waste of time, and questioning teachers where I’ll need to use this or that later in life. Hearing something like this, makes me regret every word. I think what happened to this poor girl was wrong and everyone deserves to have a well education. I feel lucky to have it. I really hope she gets well soon and survives and something is done about this situation.
Erick • Oct 22, 2012 at 4:31 pm
School is an important factor that one of the most important steps in life. The way we view school in our society based upon our surroundings and options could be seen as reasonable but the fact is we definently shouldn’t take it for granted. I do think that we shouldn’t take school for granted and mabye if more students had the enthusiasm and desire to go to school as Malala does, education would be viewed as more of a necessity and privledge to future generations.
Chris • Oct 22, 2012 at 4:13 pm
It’s sad that many people dread going to school and don’t appreciate a good education nowadays. Meanwhile in other countries, such as Pakistan, some people are denied education. It really goes to show how there are some things in life, like education, which you take for granted. Malala Yousufzai, who was denied education due to her gender, stood up for what was right and paid with it for her life. We need more people in the world like her who both want to receive a good education and stand up for what they think is right.
Grace • Oct 21, 2012 at 8:49 pm
Walking around school, a commonly heard phrase is, “I can’t wait for this school day to end,” and this is because those who say it, and I admit to saying that as well, do not know the hardship of going without an education. Malala did know it and decided to take action. Every day, she constantly fought for her education in the shadows while fearing her death. Although she did pay a terrible price for doing so, she sparked a passion of freedom throughout the world that will doubtfully contained for much longer.
Ngozi • Oct 21, 2012 at 5:52 pm
I think that we often forget how lucky we are to be attending a school like ours, one of the best in the state of Georgia. Kids at our school may complain about teachers being “stupid” or “unreasonable”, but not once have they ever been shot for going to school. I fully support Malala and her decision to stand up for what she believes in; the world needs more people like her. What was done to her was completely and totally wrong. I wish her all the best in her recovery and hope she continues to attend school, no matter what people say.
Katie • Oct 19, 2012 at 11:09 am
This is such an inspirational story. This girl, Malala, really stood up for what she believed in. Everyday she went to school she was afraid for her life, yet she still went because she wanted an education. I know that I, and probably many others, am not that dedicated to school. We’ve all taken the “mental health days” or the “sick” days when we just didn’t feel like going. Malala and her story really puts into perspective how much people in America take their education for granted. We should all be more grateful that we live in such a great society, and take initiative to help others who are not as priveledged as us. We can do it guys 🙂
Julie • Oct 19, 2012 at 10:59 am
Malala is the start of a chain reaction. If the Taliban thought that hurting her will stop her, they are wrong. Contrary to the opinions of the Taliban, this tragic event will spark the interest of education reform around the world. Education is important and it is the key that can and will open any door. I admire Malala for standing up for what she believes in and I hope that our generation can help change the unfair education rulings around the world.
John • Oct 19, 2012 at 10:56 am
There is a lot of wasted resources and time in the American school system; I know because I am from Canada, the nation with the most effecient school system in the world in terms of money spent for good results per student. But just because our system is ineffecient, that doesn’t mean that it is not worthwhile. This girl is a role model for the world on how to overcome adversary for something you know in your heart and soul is right, even when the people around you say it is wrong. Yes there are problems with certain aspects of the education system that students do not hesitate to point out, but we must take the good with the bad and work our way towards and universal and well formed education system. That is why this inspiring young woman has chosen to risk her life for a better future for her and her country through education.
Caroline • Oct 19, 2012 at 9:17 am
In my opinion, Malala was very brave for standing up in what she believed in, even if there were threats against her. Although the cost was terrible, she has become a great role model for millions of people around the world. The Taliban tried to get rid of their problem, but now the have an even bigger one now that she has survived so far. They tried to blow out a candle, but they ended up igniting a bigger flame. She is a hero and I appreciate her sacrifice.
Katie • Oct 19, 2012 at 9:13 am
Sometimes we do take education for granted. Malala Yousufzai understands how important it is to be educated. Being so privileged has clouded the importance of education. Count your blessings!
Logan • Oct 19, 2012 at 9:12 am
I feel like this girl is doing the right thing by standing up in what she believes in. It is tragic and horrible and i dont think she deserved that. In America we take advantage of “free” education. We don’t realize what people in other parts of the world have to go through just to learn. Malala should stay strong and keep going to school. People in the U.S. also need to realize how lucky we are that we have the opportunity to go to school and we should learn as much as we can because its an amazing priviledge.
Robert • Oct 19, 2012 at 9:00 am
You never really consider how much of a gift our education is. It’s not the best in the world, but there are places like Pakistan where the school system is flat out terrible. Our lives are made so much easier by education. It might be difficult, or tedious at times, but it paves the way for our future.
Also, Hi Mrs. Owen!
Monica • Oct 14, 2012 at 1:22 pm
Thank you Jessica for giving us a proper perspective from which to view our education. Often we revert to complaining about what is truly our biggest blessing: a chance to learn and create our own futures, no matter our gender or race or wealth.
John Oliver On october 29th, 2012 6:57 • Oct 30, 2012 at 7:09 pm
To my opion Jessica disered the same right and bilieves as we have in united states of America. Also, no should get shot at if they what to learn more.