Responding to " 'Brand Malala' : Exploitation of a Schoolgirl"

            The text " 'Brand Malala': Western exploitation of a Schoolgirl" by Carol Anne Grayson reflects another side to Malala Yousafzai's story. On the outside she appears to be an intelligent young role model and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, passionate about education. But there may be another side to the story, that she is being exploited by the West for the purpose of enhancing their own self image (Sinno, Bioghlu-Karkanawi and Fleszar).

            From the social perspective, the text reveals a startling double standards that the author refers to as the "double standards on how terrorism is reported" (Sinno, Bioghlu-Karkanawi and Fleszar). This means that Westerns countries tend to underreport on their own terrorism and over-embellish, in this specific case, Taliban terrorism (Sinno, Bioghlu-Karkanawi and Fleszar). Moreover, the text references a similar case like Malala's which occurred over a decade ago. Rigoberta Menchu was also "thrust into the limelight and pressurized by others" until she reportedly "altered facts to project her cause" (Sinno, Bioghlu-Karkanawi and Fleszar). This means that such exploitation and manipulation has been going on for a long time and is still in effect today.

            From an emotional perspective, we can see the author's anger and frustration which is glaringly obvious throughout the text. These feelings come through clearly from the strong, effective words and phrases she uses such as "exploited", "propel", and "scant regard for torture" (Sinno, Bioghlu-Karkanawi and Fleszar). In addition to that, the author  uses snarky sarcastic language which shows through her use of quotations: "mentors", "rescuing", "save", and "ripping off" (Sinno, Bioghlu-Karkanawi and Fleszar).

            From a rhetorical perspective, the text is organized in a way where the author begins with her main idea then proceeds to give examples and justification on that idea. Also, throughout the text, we can find descriptive images (when describing Malala and her situation), narratives (when narrating Rigoberta Menchu's story), and comparison between the two (Sinno, Bioghlu-Karkanawi and Fleszar).

            From a logical perspective, we can see that the text revolves around one controversial topic which is: Is Malala Yousafzai being exploited for Western interests (Sinno, Bioghlu-Karkanawi and Fleszar)? The author answers this question with a loud and clear: YES!. And from the argument, reaches the conclusion that because of this exploitation, there are many Pakistani girls and women who have been fighting against the state and remain unheard and oppressed (Sinno, Bioghlu-Karkanawi and Fleszar). And event though the text does not take any other argument into account, it still seems to provide enough evidence to support it properly.

            And finally, from an ethical perspective, the text seems to portray the egoism of the West through their seemingly altruistic acts. The purpose of the text is to show the readers that what seems to be very pure and altruistic, as Western countries helping a young, passionate girl achieve something in life, is actually just Western countries exploiting and using this young, passionate girl for the sake of appearances which is the epitome of an egoistic end to altruistic means (Sinno, Bioghlu-Karkanawi and Fleszar).

            All in all, the text seems to cover this very simple topic of  Western exploitation in an angry and sarcastic tone. The author carefully supports her argument with examples and justification in order to convince the reader. Moreover, a very concerning double standards arises through the text of reporting Taliban terrorism and ignoring that of the Western countries. And all of this can be seen from an ethical perspective where it is specified that it is wrong but is seen by outsiders as a simple act of altruism.

Works Cited

Sinno, Zane S., et al. Shifting Narratives: A Reader For Academic Writing. Beirut: Educart (Middle East) Publishing, 2015. Print.