Response Prep

Diab 1 

Aya Diab

Prof. Dania Adra 

ENG 203

September 26,2015

Malala: A Western Exploitation of a School Girl

           Even though Malala Yousafazi was shot by Taliban, according to the author, she became a “marketable western commodity”. (Grayson 593) The author believes that the US and western politicians have used Malala, being shot, as a benefit for their own good. The author believes that behind every media coverage of a story, there are some acts of conspiracies and clandestine acts, that means there is dishonesty in their interpretations and translucency of the Malala story. The media wants to use her story for their own interests, as shown by the author when she quoted Jonathan Rao saying: “I guess I was worried that she was probably a pawn in a bigger game and was being unduly influenced by the people around her.” (Grayson 595) She compares the difference between the special treatment of a Pakistani girl or any young survivors of torture by saying, “What makes one person more deserving than others?”. (Grayson 595) According to the author, Malala is a “bright and articulate young woman” (Grayson 597), and through media she has the potential to open eyes to the modern victims of torture and trauma within true honesty.

        In the article, Grayson didn't show any emotions; however, she was discreet and careful about giving examples about Malala’s life before becoming an important life figure and after that. Grayson shows deep respect for Malala but feels that her story is being more addressed in her home country than any other victims of torture who have been held in asylums rather than hospitals. She seems ironical as she finds it “fascinating to see the establishment prizes Malala is collecting especially ‘Pride of Britain’” (Grayson 596), and when she sarcastically addressed Tommy Robinson who might have believed that, “She must surely be the acceptable face of Islam.” (Grayson 596) She also feels devastated about the unfairness of the world where she says; “This does not help the cause of the any woman while one is exploited and others are being suppressed!” (Grayson 598) 

    The article seems to be argumentative whenever the author wants to demonstrate the unfairness and abandonment between other extreme stories about torture victims and Malala’s story, but she also seems to be explanatory whenever she justifies the reasons she is addressing the situation in such manner. When she uses rhetorical questions, the author wants to keep the reader aware and to understand her perspective thoughtfully; such as: “Can we assume she will not be targeted in the UK?” “How many people can name the other girls injured when Malala was shot?” “What quality of care and support did they receive?” (Grayson 596) These questions make the reader wonder about the true aspects of the situation, and why it is a worldwide issue. Grayson’s article is impersonal because she’s narrating Malala’s story descriptively from Malala's origin and environment in Pakistan to her story about becoming a worldwide icon to winning a Noble Prize.

       Grayson’s article shows a debate about Malala’s exploitation and quick media coverage of her traumatizing story. In her opinion, people might think that Malala will bring shine to other women’s stories, but Grayson believes that all stories should be equally addressed. In the text, she didn’t blame Malala because she knew that Malala is a very good girl whose only intentions are to go to school and have a proper education. She blames the media and the western regions who weren’t able to comfort the other women in need of help. Grayson has concluded that the media takes advantage of every single tragic story, and if the people get really affected by it then the media assigns itself to “help”. So at the end, her article is deductive because she took a general conclusion (through quotations and examples) that all media, PR companies, and establishments such as the UN are exploiters and do not take any other story into consideration if they do not benefit. 

      

       Malala’s story broke the hearts of many, and she is seen as a symbol of strength, courage, and peace. This article shows deep moral respect toward the girl’s story and how it affected the world because of its honesty and damage. Malala, as said by the author, is “caring and commited and has great potential to make a difference in this world fighting her own route.” (Grayson 597), so people should respect such person and open their eyes for the other victims of exploitation and use. Malala is considered a survivor; a survivor who didn’t lose hope of continuing her studies and pursuing what she wants. People should learn from her experience, should value what they have, and should act upon them so that they can benefit from what they have in order to reach a higher status.

Works Cited 

Grayson, Carol Anne. “’Brand Malala’: Western Exploitation of a School Girl”. Shifting Narratives. Beirut: Center for Educational Consultation and Research, 2015. Print