I Am Malala.

 

 

     As I delve into the insanity of finals week, I have become quite overwhelmed. Papers, on projects, on presentations, on exams can be stressful for any student experiencing those weeks before freedom. However, this afternoon, I am taking my time away from the studying and cramming for a story that has truly shook me. Most, by this time, should know who Malala Yousufzai is. Malala Day was earlier this month, November 10th, and I am disappointed in myself that I have not decided to write about this hero sooner.

The girl is unbelievable.

      For those of you who don't know, Malala is a now-fifteen year old girl, who was shot by Taliban members on her way home from school in Swat, Pakistan. She is currently recovering from the near-fatal threat on her life. In deciding to do more research about Malala, I learned so much more about this beautiful girl that can become a spearhead for girls education around the world. Malala started blogging when she was 11 years old. That, in itself is incredible-I still get nervous about sending my writing out into the cyber world. She has been doing this since she was pre-adolescent. Anyways, Malala blogged. About her life under the Taliban-ran Swat in Pakistan, the injustices she experienced, how she had to hide her schoolbooks, in order to receive the education she so greatly desired. Malala also became the chairperson of the District Child Assembly in Swat, was nominated by Desmond Tutu for the International Children's Peace Prize, and won Pakistan's First National Youth Peace Prize. Her father and mother encouraged her studies, and she excelled in all her classes, when they were available to her. She had also just recently started the Malala Education Foundation, to help finance poor girls in Pakistan and ensure their right to an education.

     On October 9, two men stopped the van that the girls were travelling in from school and asked "Which one was Malala Yousufzai?". Out of curiosity, when some girls turned to look at Malala, the Taliban members were able to decipher, which child was Malala. The men shot Malala in the face and the neck twice, in addition to injuring two other girls on the bus. Malala's treatment is currently being paid for by the Pakistani government and we can all hope that this brave child will make a complete, and full recovery.

     The amount of worldwide recognition that this story has received could not be greater. Malala's perseverance for her education has become a global fight, and is FINALLY putting the right for girl's education on the table.

     Malala's story is one of inspiration, yet it chills me to the core. In this world, how is it possible that some young women have to face assassination in order to receive the education they so rightly deserve? I know at fifteen, I did not value my education as much as I should have. At twenty-one, I still may not value and fully take into consideration, how extremely lucky I am to have education at my fingertips. It may be a stressful time during finals, but I am thankful for this chance to better myself, learn of my surroundings, and be given the opportunity to have a voice and dream of changing the world. This inherent right to education, and learning is something so beautiful, it should be celebrated world-wide. I can only hope that this day of celebration, thanks to Malala and the other girls in developing countries that risk their lives for learning everyday, can be right around the corner.

I am Malala.

Just saw this and my heart completely melted! Found on Blogher.com, the link is an interview with Mona Gable a blogger for the Huffington Post and Razia Jan, a nominee for the CNN Hero of the Year. Razia Jan is an Afghan woman that just recently returned to Afghanistan to create a free private school for girls. The Taliban controlling the country there has made this extremely difficult and dangerous for Razia Jan and the students, but Razi Jan has still persevered. You Rock, Girl!

 

 

Razia Jan's Amazing Story

 

 

Congratulations, Elizabeth Warren!

 

     Well, election day for 2012 has come and went. I hope everyone mustered up their best Susan B. Anthony attitude, headed out to the polls, placed their ballot in the ballot box gratefully thanks to our suffragette history and received their "I Voted Today!" sticker, which they proudly brandished the rest of the day. Can you tell I was a little over-zealous about election day? As a political nerd, I barely slept the night of the November 6th, anxiously anticipating the outcome of all of the races throughout the state. Murphy or McMahon? Would Akin get his butt kicked? Please, please, tell me no one voted for Mourdock? And of course, the one for all the marbles..Obama or Romney?

 The results came in and I was pleased.

     My most over-joyed election result however, did not have to do with the presidential election. Nor did it have to do with the CT Senate race. I am happy to congratulate the new Massachusetts senator, Elizabeth Warren. By doing so, I am dedicating my blog to her this week!

     Elizabeth Warren, by being elected Tuesday night, is the first woman to be elected to the Massachusetts Senate. Not only that, but she is an EDUCATED woman! Warren has most recently been a law professor at Harvard University for the last twenty years and has written nine books. She has worked to protect middle class families and hold Wall Street accountable for the economic crisis of 2008. The National Law Journal named her one of the Most Influential Lawyers in the Decade and the Boston Globe named her the Bostonian of the Year in 2009. She is truly an inspiration for all women and I am so thoroughly excited for her to be serving this country in the Senate in Washington, DC. I firmly believe that educators make the best politicians, and I can only foresee great things from this incredible woman. Congratulations, Elizabeth Warren!

Halloween: The Holiday for the Slut?

 

"In the real world, Halloween is when kids dress up in costumes and beg for candy. In Girl World, Halloween is the one day a year when a girl can dress up like a total slut and no other girls can say anything else about it."

 

      We all know the famous quote by Cady Heron in Mean Girls. When this movie came out, it was one of the first real movies that addressed these types of things in high school. Everyone knew that slutty costumes were common, yet no one talked about it. It was like Fight Club.

     In more recent years, companies have monopolized the "lingerie" costume for Halloween. A girl can be a sexy cat, a sexy nurse, a sexy cop, a sexy prisoner, and even a sexy Santa Clause. Halloween has over-sexualized women and this has even trickled down into young girls costumes. Now, don't get me wrong. I enjoy dressing up for Halloween. I do it every year. Some years I have dressed a little more scantily than other years, but it was my intention. I wasn't trying to dress conservatively and did not have option. It was my choice.

     However, last night I went to a bar for Halloween in New Haven. I dressed as a nerd. And it wasn't a sexy nerd. I bought suspenders, had a long sleeve top, buttoned to my neck that was not form-fitting. I wore a bowtie and braided my hair into two lopsided pigtails. I wore highwater jeans that didn't form to my body and sported my argyle socks above my converse. I even wore my retainer out. I was impressed with this costume. I had perfected every detail and was thrilled about it. However, when a guy came up to me and started talking to me last night, he asked me why I didn't make my nerd costume sexy? I told him because I wanted to dress as a nerd, not as a sexy nerd. He then proceeded to tell me all the things I could have done to my costume to make it sexy. Short tight shorts, a shirt with cleavage, tighter suspenders.

     I understand having fun and dressing cute to impress someone. As much as we say it shouldn't happen, it does. Women do it all the time. I have a problem with the fact that when women do not dress in this specific manner, they are questioned. Accused. Misunderstood.

 

     Slutty costumes have become expected. How far away are we from being questioned when we don't act like a slut, rather than dress like one?