Argumentative Essay On Malala Yousafzai

What is a hero? Christopher Reeve defines a hero as "an individual who finds the strength to preserve and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles" (Daily Qoutes, 1). If this is the definition of a hero, then Malala Yousafzai is one of the youngest female heroes of the current generation. While most teenagers are watching "Pretty Little Liars" or taking their first driving lesson, one young adult by the name of Malala Yousafzai defies the Taliban through her advocacy of women's right to an education. The Taliban, a group notorious for their harsh treatment of women and support of terrorism, is put to the test and threatened by a seventeen year old girl. Arguably, it is not Malala's survival story that makes her strong, but Malala became invincible

The Taliban had began targeting girls' schools in Swat valley because they believed that female education went against their extremist Islamic beliefs. When the Taliban had prevented her and several other girls from attending school, Malala publicly spoke up against the Taliban's outrageous actions. In 2008, Malala spoke to an audience at a local press club in Peshawar about the Taliban taking away her, as well as several other females, basic right to an education by destroying educational and government institutions. Her speech entitled, “How Dare the Taliban Take Away My Basic Right to an Education,” displays the passion and outrage that Malala feels about the events occurring in her hometown. While Malala's speech was well received and made her publicly known among her village, it was her blog that made her rise to world wide fame. After hearing the announcement by Mullah Fazlullah that girls' schools were to be closed by January 15th, Ziauddin Yousafzai was asked by a BBC reporter if he could search for a girl who was willing to write about life under Taliban rule (Profile: Malala Yousafzai, 1). One girl had volunteered but was later dissuaded by her parents who feared the risks and danger of going against the Taliban (Alter, 1). Malala's father encouraged Malala, who willingly accepted the challenge. In order to avoid discovery, Malala wrote under the pseudonym of

the deepening threat she imposed on the Taliban had as well. The Taliban's earlier issue of death threats against Malala, though evoking fear, had not been taken seriously until October 9th, 2012. While on her way home from school, a gunman stopped Malala's bus, injured three of Malala's school mates, and shot Malala in the head (Alter, 1). Fortunately, the bullet had avoided contact with her brain but left Malala severely injured and in a coma. Malala was sent to Birmingham, England and had undergone several procedures preformed on her at the Queen Elizabeth hospital. It is controversial whether it was luck, fate, or God that saved Malala that day yet one thing was certain, Malala Yousafzai had escaped death and was on her way to recovery (McAllester, 1). Malala recovered but was left disfigured from the bullet wound in her head but still continued her studies in Birmingham (Leiby, 1). One would think that Malala would fear ever speaking for women's education again but almost immediately after her recovery, Malala continued her pursuits and efforts for women's education (Alter, 1). As a result of her being shot, Malala's name and support globally skyrocketed and the Malala fund was established. This fund allows people to support and donate money to the establishment of women's educations. Famous celebrities, such as Angelina Jolie support and donate to the Malala fund, displaying the effect and recognition that Malala's efforts have reached.