The Power of Grief
From a hospital bed to the world stage
As Malala Yousafzai sat in her hospital room she decided that instead of feeling fear, she would feel strength. She had been shot in the head by the Taliban for nothing more than fighting for the rights of her people. At the time, she was only fifteen.
While she was in school, the Taliban was getting more and more ferocious in their war with Pakistan. They were in the middle of a battle in Swat, Malala’s home, when they declared that girls would no longer be allowed to attend school.
“We realize the importance of our voices only when we are silenced” — Malala Yousafzai
Malala and her family fought this. They continued to send Malala to school in protest of the Taliban’s ban on female education. Many of her friends simply stopped going and only a fraction of her original class still attended.
“Honor your daughters, trust them and most importantly, educate them” — Ziauddin Yousafzai, Malala’s father
During this time, Malala was also acting as an undercover reporter. BBC had asked her school to find someone that would be willing to document their day-to-day life during this difficult time. At first, there was an older girl who was going to take the job. However, her family became too scared of the possible repercussions and made her quit.
Malala’s father then asked the board of his school to give this opportunity to Malala, even though she was considered too young to have this responsibility. Malala was excited and her family was very proud of her. BBC was scared that this ‘diary’ would put Malala in danger so they gave her a pseudonym, Urdu. Urdu means cornflower, just like Malala means grief.
Little did she know that soon she would be facing the very thing she was named for.
“The extremists are afraid of books and pens, the power of education frightens them. they are afraid of women”— Malala Yousafzai
The Taliban wanted women to be married, uneducated, and dedicated to their husbands. When Malala decided to speak out for female education, the Taliban labeled her as an enemy and planned to kill her.
However, she and her family all believed that no one would go after a young girl, and they were not extremely concerned about the Taliban’s threat. However, on October 9, 2012, Malala was shot along with two other girls.
“I am stronger than fear” — Malala Yousafzai
At the time of the incident, Malala had been riding the bus with her friends when the Taliban took it over. They asked for Malala and she was identified. They proceeded to shoot her in the head. The group then proceeded to shoot two of Malala’s friends, but both were able to report the incident.
“With guns you can kill terrorists, with education you can kill terrorism” — Malala Yousafzai
Malala, however, was rushed to a hospital where the doctors were forced to take out part of her skull to help reduce the swelling. They also had to take out the bullet that was lodged in her shoulder next to her spine.
Malala was flown to a hospital in Germany and then to another in England. On behalf of Malala, the Pakistani government took on her medical bills in response to the tragedy.
“I don’t want revenge on the Taliban, I want education for sons and daughters of the Taliban” — Malala Yousafzai
Malala had hit her hero’s abyss; she was at her lowest point.
From here, Malala decided to fight harder than ever. After leaving the hospital, she began to attend school in England where she pursued the education she once thought she was going to lose. She was also invited to speak to the United Nations about what had happened to her and how she wanted to fight for the universal right of education. Malala wants the world to know that they can, and should, stand up for their freedoms.
“I told myself, Malala, you have already faced death. This is your second life. Don’t be afraid — if you are afraid, you can’t move forward” — Malala Yousafzai
During this time, Malala also published an autobiography, I Am Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban.
After the shooting and the subsequent publicity, many people began to follow and support Malala’s cause. By gaining this following and speaking out about education rights, Malala received the Nobel Peace Prize. She is the second Pakistani to earn this award. At seventeen, she was, and is, the youngest individual to ever receive a Nobel Peace Prize.
“One child, one teacher, one book, one pen can change the world “— Malala Yousafzai
Malala has continued to speak on behalf of children everywhere. She has a documentary about her, He Named Me Malala, and she has created a school in Lebanon for Syrian Refugees.
“When the whole world is silent, even one voice becomes powerful” — Malala Yousafzai
Malala Yousafzai has fought some terrific battles. Although they were difficult, they have lead her to become a leading education activist. She took her abyss and transformed it into something incredible, and she continues to share her gift with the world. Malala, at the age of nineteen, has accomplished more than some people can even dream of. Her hero’s journey was difficult and laid with several obstacles, but out of it came a real hero. The power of Malala, of grief, is impregnable.
Sources
Biography.com Editors, Malala Yousafzai Biography.com, A&E Television Networks, April 13, 2017
Web Desk/AFP, Malala Yousafzai becomes youngest-ever Nobel Prize winner, The Express Tribune, October 10, 2014
Sonia van Gilder Cooke, Pakistani Heroine: How Malala Yousafzai Emerged from Anonymity, Time, October 23, 2012
Malala Yousafazi: Taliban shooting victim flown to UK, BBC, October 15, 2012
