Opinion Response-Pakistani Activist Shot

     

This article talks about a Pakistani girl with a blog who changed the minds of many. She lives in a small town where the Taliban militants have taken over. These people are militants who have changed rules and control lives of many Pakistani citizens. This girl underwent a difficult time as these people ordered the banning of women attending school, and thus preventing them from receiving an education. They believed no one would ever find out, but Malala Yousafzai is an exception.

As she realized that bad things were happening, she started recording whatever happened in her ‘Swat’ in a blog where she wrote with another name. These records were for the BBC Urdu, who noted everything that was taking place in Pakistan. I admire Malala’s r desire for change. If the Taliban ever found out (which they did) about her diary, they would have killed her. It takes courage to write about something when knowing that it could take your life. I am impressed by the fact that she still wants to pursue her dreams by creating a political party mainly for education. Malala has received numerous prizes and recognitions because of all the things she has done. I believe everyone should follow this Pakistani girl’s actions, because she has proved to the world that she will stand up for her education and her future.

Malala continued writing her blog anonymously until all the interviews and prizes she received revealed her identity. Last Tuesday, Malala was shot in the head and in the neck by a Taliban militant. She was immediately taken to the hospital. I believe it is a miracle for her to still be alive and with chances of getting better. The authorities aren’t sure what happened, but BBC has a clear idea of what occurred. Malala was leaving school and getting into the bus when someone suddenly shot her. I had predicted something like that happening to Malala as I read the article before this one. This girl was letting the world know about everything these people were doing, and they would eventually find out.

She knew that there was a high chance something bad would happen to her. But, despite the risk, she still stood up for all the women in Pakistan and in the world. She couldn’t tolerate the idea that she wouldn’t be able to receive an education because she was a woman. I can relate to this girl because I am also a girl, and sometimes I feel as if I am seen inferior because of my sex. I hope she recovers and can continue doing magical things that will help this world become a better place.

Opinion Response-Portrait of the Girl Blogger

The news article about Malala was impacting. I learned a vast amount about the Pakistani culture by reading about the life of a girl who lives in Mingora, a town in the northwest region of the country. She lives under the rule of the Taliban, who have changed the laws of the country for worse. The main idea of BBC writing an article about Malala is to show the world that there is people who stand up for what they believe is right with no fear of what may happen.

She starts writing a blog through the BBC Urdu about her life and what happens to people like her in Pakistan. At first, the brave girl talks about her daily life, and how she feels coming back from school and listening to people threatening others. But, right before leaving for winter break, Malala faces a difficult moment because she doesn’t know if she’ll ever come to school again. As she predicted, the Taliban demands for education to not be offered for women anymore. At that moment, in her blog, she writes about what these people do to her ‘Swat’ and the decision they have taken that have affected her future. She is considered the first girl to stand up and have a voice about her situation.

I believe she took a bold step by doing something she thought was right: Education for women. When she started writing more and reveals actions that Taliban is taking, she becomes worldly known and receives many interviews. In one of those she tells BBC that when she grows up she will create a political party that will have education as a main focus. I believe that if she can stand up for her education, she will be able to create a political party for the advantage of the citizens. Everyone of us should admire this young girl and her decisions. She has won various peace awards and has had one named after her. I was impressed by this girl’s actions, thinking that no one I know would ever be as brave to do such thing.

Everyone who gets to know her story would be impressed and honored to have this type of people living in our planet. As I reached the end of the article, I read something that emotionally destroyed me. “Malala is now recovering in hospital after being shot in the head and neck by a Taliban militant on Tuesday.”-BBC News. I was shocked. One of the few young girls who stood up for her rights was shot and had a long way to recover. If her god is with her, everything will hopefully turn out fine. No matter the consequences, people should always take the right actions and stand up for what they believe. 

Persepolis-Reading Blog:The Dowry

This is the last chapter of the comic book Persepolis. It finalizes very unexpectedly, almost unresolved. She is expelled from her school and soon placed in a new one. But, after discussing between her parents and the teenager, they decide to send her abroad. They believe it is best for her to leave the country, and even though she is doubtful at first, she eventually ends up leaving. In the final reading response, I will answer all the question I asked throughout previous chapters. This story takes place some time around the 20th century. The fact that she wants to be the prophet doesn't show up as the book continues; in fact, she becomes a very rebellious teenager and is even expelled from her school. This comic book talks about the religion, and the experiences of the war against Iraq. As a little girl, she had many 'meetings' with God at night, and one point in the book these stop. I believe she leaves behind the prophet dreams and the chats with God because she becomes a big girl. To finalize, I would like to say that this comic book turned out to be better than I imagined. Even though some parts were odd, and the finale was very exciting, it was fantastic. I would totally recommend this book. 

Persepolis-Reading Blog:The Sheep

The Sheep is one of the longest and most emotional chapters so far. Anoosh creates a strong bond with the little girl. He always takes care of her, and defends her from her parents. But, one evening after school, Anoosh isn't home. Her parents tell the girl that he had to go back to Moscow, but the finally tell her the truth about him being send to jail. She is very sad, but gets the opportunity to go visit him for a while. He is then executed, and the little girl realizes this is real beginning of a long war. By al the many occurrences that take place in this chapter, I have a lot of connections. To start with, one very important character is introduced some chapters before this one. I can connect Anoosh to Sirious Black from Harry Potter. Both the main character and the little girl haven't meet one familiar that was previously in prison. But, as soon as the meet, they feel a strong connection. Then, in the book, Anoosh teaches the little girl about his life, and starts becoming very close to her. In the book/movie saga, Harry learns from Sirius, and also generates a strong bond. At the end of the chapter, when Anoosh is sent to prison and then executed, the little girl suffers a lot. Harry Potter lives through the same sadness when Sirius dies. Both supposedly criminals are the favorite familiars of these two characters. 

Persepolis-Reading Blog:The Passport

As the main character decides to step out of childhood and become a grown up, the situation in Iran and within her family gets worse. Taher, a 59 year old man, had suffered two heart strokes from the pressure and stress of sending his son away. He was only 14 years old, and had been send to study abroad in a country were he didn't speak the language. Soon after the girls family talked to him, a tragedy occurred. There was a grenade thrown close to their apartment, which caused Taher to have another heart attack. He was sent to the hospital, but because he needed open heart surgery, nothing could be done without equipment. While trying to get a passport to send him to England, Taher passed away. If I could write a personal response to the family, it would go like this: 

Dear characters, 

Even though you lost a dear familiar, make the fact that you almost made a passport to see his son count. Many people have died throughout this book, and sadly a close member of your family has been chosen. He will go to heaven, where he will be warmly welcomed by God. This bloody war will bring lots of deaths, and the only thing one can do is move on. Take time to be thankful that all of you are still alive and healthy. Stay strong.

Sincerely,

Camila Toro. 

Persepolis-Reading Blog:Persepolis

The chapter Persepolis has the same name as the whole book, but there are no clues to why the author has chosen that title. I had a lot of confusion throughout this chapter, but then I was able to connect many of the final occurrences to my personal life. The little girl is trying to get a chance to talk to her grandmother about her grandpa, and how he ended up in jail. But, her grandmother does nothing but avoid talking about the topic. After a while, the girl's father hasn't arrived. The family starts to worry, and the girl thinks her father is dead. But, thankfully, the girl's dad arrived. He tells the family a story of how, when he was taking pictures of the hospital, he saw many dead bodies. I had many connections that were brought up as I read this the Persepolis chapter. Firstly, I remembered how I used to approach my grandmother when I was young for her to tell me stories about the past as the main character approaches he grandmother to learn about her grandfather. Also,  the little girl listens to the family's converstion about the deaths the father reported and seems confused and annoyed. I can relate to those feelings she felt to what I feel everyday with my family. I am constantly asking myself why adults say such absurd things. I guess the Irani girl and I have a lot in common.

Persepolis-Reading Blog:The Veil

     The first chapter of Persepolis sets the introduction and starts leading the audience to a potential situation that can take place. It starts off by introducing the main character and what she is living through. The chapter closes by showing how the main character desires to become the last prophet of her religion.  This little girl is born in the beginning of the Islamic Revolution. She is obliged to wear a veil over her hair, and is soon separated from her friends at school. Afterwards, she starts thinking of a way to pursue her dream of becoming the last prophet. She has a holy book, and has long talks with God at night. By reading this chapter I came up with several questions, including: What is her name? When does this story take place? Why are the obligated to wear a vail? What does this vail represent? Why does she want to be a prophet when she grows up? When she 'chats' with God at night, is it her imagination or is it really God? Will this book relate to us her experiences with the religion? Due to the fact that it was a short chapter, we couldn't receive a lot of information and therefore I don't have  as many doubts about how the story begins. My last question is, what is going to come up next?