Brand Malala - Response Prep

Salem, 1

Dina Salem

Prof. Dania Adra

English 203

September 26, 2015

“Brand Malala” Analysis

Carol Ann Grayson’s article is a piece of prose that explores the manipulation of the renowned human rights advocate and education activist Malala Yousafzai by the government of the United Kingdom. It mainly focuses on the westernization and the public exposure of the young schoolgirl after her shooting. The author, throughout the article, reveals details behind the young activists’ life that were unknown to many readers, and is therefore able to shed some light on how she was used as a marketing brand, the so-called “Brand Malala”, through the use of media sources like film and literature, and explores how her fame has led to a degree of damage for the women of Pakistan, the same women she is advocating for.

The article holds a very high social perspective as the topic itself is sociological and political and is strongly related to the present time. The writer raises questions about controversial and societal topics like gender inequality, for example when she said, How many men do you see studying gender to work with women for greater equality;” and the topic of human rights specifically, for example when she compares the treatment that Malala was given in contrast to the one that other refugees from Pakistan experience, 

“Yet one young lady is flown in to the UK and provided with the best possible care at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham appearing to bypass the hurdles faced by many … It would seem that there is something of a two tier system of care going on here and it is understandable that this will raise questions as to how we define a “deserving” case”.

The author’s personal opinion is infiltrated within the article. She is both for and against Malala’s social adulation, as she believes in Malala’s cause and does not view her as the enemy but rather as the victim, but at the same time nearly blames Malala for the fame she had gained as it has distracted the world from the other war victims in Pakistan who are just as badly affected by the conflict, for example when she says, “I wonder, how many people can name the other girls injured when Malala was shot? What quality of care and support did they receive? Are they represented by PR companies?”

The article is impersonal and addresses a specific topic; it is both expository and explanatory and the ideas flow clearly. The writer uses good sentence structure that addresses the subject in a direct manner, therefore, allowing the reader to fully focus his/her attention on the subject. The main theme of the article is political double-standards and western hypocrisy, with a firm tone that highlights the author’s strong and rather sarcastic point of view, for example when she said, “Why not fly out every child harmed by US drones to the west for the most up to date medical care, there are plenty for wellwishers to assist”, where she draws attention to the fact that there are countless children that are still in need of aid, thus showing how Malala’s image is acting as a distraction. The choice of diction is simple and straightforward, and therefore does not divert from the context of the article.

The author questions the ethical approach of the western society in the case of women specifically, and the author portrays her argument by referring to Gordon Brown as an example, where she emphasizes his strong support for Malala despite the fact that he chose to ignore the widows that were left behind after the war. She also provided a quote from the artist who painted Malala, and furthermore portrayed how obvious it was that she was being used.

In conclusion, the article is more-or-less socially and politically oriented, but still holds elements of ethical, logical, emotional and rhetorical techniques while addressing the subject matter. The author conveys her point of view in a well-written and well-argued manner, by using quotations and examples to prove her case clearly and convincingly. 

Salem, 2

Works Cited:

Grayson, Carol Anne.  “”Brand Malala”: Western Exploitation of a Schoolgirl”.  Shifting narratives.  Zane S. Sinno, Lina Bioghlu-Karkanawi, Dorota Fleszar, Najla Jarkas, Emma Moughabghab, Jennifer M. Nish, Rima Rantisi, and Abir Ward.  Mazraa, Beirut:  Center For Educational Consultation and Research, Educart,  2015.  Print.