Malala Yousafzai – Marilyn R. Gardner

This has been a week of blog silence for me. I re-posted and pre-scheduled all the posts that were published and went on a hiatus. You’ll get some of my thoughts on the break tomorrow, but right now I am clear-headed with the confidence that comes from knowing we are more than our blogs.

Now on to the week wrap up.

On Teen Courage: Malala Yousafzai, the 14-year-old who has captured the heart of the world with her courage and tenacity has returned to school in England. We will hear more from, and of, this young woman as she continues to heal and pursue her education. But for now take a look at what could arguably be the best news of the week: A picture and short story of Malala on this NPR blog.

On Teen Pregnancy: A new campaign targeting teen pregnancy has launched in New York City. The ads show sad or crying babies and toddlers with captions like:

“Honestly Mom… chances are he won’t stay with you. What happens to me?”

“I’m twice as likely not to graduate high school because you had me as a teen,”

New York City, Teen Pregnancy

Supporters say this is a great and realistic campaign, that teens need to think through the consequences and an ad campaign like this puts all those consequences right in your face with a gigantic cute baby crying from a billboard. But others aren’t so sure and the ads have stirred up a lot of controversy. One of the issues raised is that they are based on shaming teens and shaming doesn’t work so well in this country. Another is that depicting a child criticizing a mom is just plain sad. So what do you think? You can read more in the article “New York City’s New Teen Pregnancy PSA’s use Crying Babies to Send Message” What do you think? Does shame work? Do you like these ads or find them offensive? And why? I would love to hear what you think through the comments.

On Boys will be Boys: Steubenville, Ohio has come to symbolize a horrific picture of rape, disrespect, and wrong, indeed sinful, choices. We are collectively shaking our heads thinking about what has gone wrong in our society, about the place and plight of women and men, about dignity and lack thereof. Ann Voskamp speaks with the authority and words of a prophet as she calls out the Steubenville tragedy and presses truth hard on our hearts and souls:

“Son. When the prevailing thinking is boys will be boys — girls will be garbage.

And that is never the heart of God.

That’s what you have to get, Son — Real Manhood knows the heart of God for the daughters of His heart.”~Ann Voskamp

Take a look at her article After Steubenville: What our sons need to know about manhood. You won’t be disappointed.

On my Bedside Table: Are you ready? Augustine’s Confessions sits on my stand with the goal to have it read by this year’s Pascha (Eastern Easter) I read 5 pages and thought “Why has it taken me this long to pick up this book?” My thanks goes to Aaron Friar blogging at Like Mendicant Monk for the recommendation.

What has caught your eye this week? I would love to hear through the comments!

City Can’t Win on Teen Pregnancy Issue (nymag.com)
Teen Pregnancy Ads: Shame Campaign? (npr.org)
NYC uses shame, petty insults in new teen pregnancy campaign (salon.com)

Saturday, November 10 was proclaimed Malala Day in honor of Malala Yousafzai, the 14-year-old Pakistani girl shot by the Taliban for her ongoing activity in support of education for girls within Pakistan.

The photos posted on BBC News document vigils, demonstrations, and prayers throughout Pakistan. Men, women, and children bound together in support of this little girl and hope for the future.

Just days after the shooting, a short article published in The Express Tribune had an update on Pakistan’s reaction summed up in a phrase:

Yar darr mat, Malala bann (Don’t be scared, be a Malala).

It was a collective response to feeling helpless in the face of evil and wrong doing, and it was, and is, powerful! Throughout Karachi, one of the largest cities in Pakistan, this phrase was used and people responded.

Hearing about this response in Pakistan is heartening, it’s good news. Everyday our media sources bring us bad news from Pakistan, bad news delivered with smiles that show off perfect white teeth; bad news given with bad pronunciation of the word Pakistan; bad news delivered with no empathy or understanding of this country.

And then comes a Malala and we are given a glimpse of tremendous courage, a glimpse of someone who believes in something beyond her circumstances, and is moving forward in a trajectory that cannot be stopped. Moving forward and now carrying a country with her.

And it’s happening within Pakistan, by Pakistanis — without another country trying to impose an agenda and values and push change that would inevitably die. Change that comes from within is lasting change. Change imposed from without is not change at all, it’s imperialism. It’s arrogant thinking that walks in front of and not beside.

And this change is led by a 14-year-old girl who has a purpose and courage to carry out that purpose.

“Don’t be Scared – Be a Malala” is a call to courage for all of us, no matter where we live. A call to change what needs changing in our communities, in our towns, in our work places, in our places of worship — but most of all in ourselves. Because change comes from within.