Part Two: A Shadow over Our Valley
- Radio Mullah (imam, mullah, haram, Taliban)
- Why was the radio broadcast so effective? Can you think of media who still do this today?
- What do the authors mean by Fazlullah “cast a long shadow, indeed?”
- The Taliban in Swat (allahu akbar)
- Malala asks, “How had this happened? How did an unschooled fanatic turn himself into a kind of radio god? And why was no one prepared to defy him?” Discuss some possible reasons, using evidence from previous chapters.
- What was the Green Square renamed? Why?
- What is different about Malala’s mother and father?
- No One is Safe (mushaira,
- Explain the quote: “You have put the first stone in standing water.” Would this quote apply to you? Why or why not?
- Describe the incident with Benazir Bhutto. What did Malala decide to do after this incident?
- Candy from the Sky
- Describe the Pakistani military? How is it similar and different from today’s U.S. military?
- 2008: What Terrorism Feels Like
- Reflect on Malala’s excitement over the her teachers’ praise. Do you still feel this way when a teacher tells you, “Good job!”?
- How does Malala’s experience with terrorism differ with your own personal experience –or- how does it differ with your understanding of terrorism?
Part Three:
- A Chance to Speak
- Read Malala’s quote at the top of page 71. Was she being consciously brave or unwittingly brave?
- How did Malala’s family life help mold her views? What are some pros and cons of this?
- A Schoolgirl’s Diary
- Malala’s mother states that “falsehood has to die. And truth has to come forward.” What do you think this means for an 11 year old girl?
- Under what name does Malala write her diary? What is the significance of the name and the connotation?
- Class Dismissed
- What of the criticism that Malala was doing this for fame? Could there be any truth to this?
- Does Malala’s views on the importance of school make you see your own education in a different light? Why or why not?
- Secret School
- Think about this quote: “But I learned another lesson watching the show. Although Betty and her friends had certain rights, women in the United States were still not completely equal; their images were used to sell things. In some ways, I decided, women are showpieces in American society, too.” Is there any truth to this? What responsibility do we have to our freedoms?
- In this chapter, Fazlullah’s forces closed the rest of the girls’ schools in Pakistan but also destroy five schools. As Malala also asked, why did they also have to be destroyed?
- Was it worth Madam Maryam to risk her life to re-open the girls’ school to Malala and other “older” girls?
- Peace? (pakha jenai)—New York Times documentary video is referenced in this chapter—around 12 minutes long. Could watch the video and then pose questions or engage in a discussion/mini Socratic Seminar
- Displaced (tapa)
- Connect the journey of Malala’s family with a trip you had to take out of necessity (a family emergency, a funeral, etc.). What risks did you have to endure? How do they compare with Malala’s risks?
- Home
- The Pakistani army leaves a letter for Ziauddin upon their return to the Khushal School. What about this letter is disturbing? What can you infer about the Pakistani military who left it?
- A Humble Request and a Strange Peace (raakat nafl, mujahideen)
- Malala plants a mango seed outside her home. Why?
- What events (international, political, and natural) were happening during this time? Why did the authors include these details in the book?
- Good News at Last
- Malala is nominated for the international peace prize of Kids Rights by Archbishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa. Do some quick internet searches to summarize Archbiship Tutu’s work. What similarities does his fight against apartheid have to do with Malala’s fight?
- Why is Malala’s mother upset that a prize was named after her? What can we expect in later chapters?
How does Malala’s experience with terrorism differ with your own personal experience –or- how does it differ with your understanding of terrorism?
ReplyDeleteMalala’s experience with terrorism gives me a much deeper understanding of terrorism. Her experience makes me believe that not all of the things that happen every day for us here aren't near as important as we make them. Malala leaves her house every single day in fear that she is going to be punished for wanting an education because it is frowned upon where she lives. I wake up every day and don't think twice about what is going to happen if I go to school. It makes me think twice every time I complain about school or something I'm doing in school. Someone, somewhere, goes to school worried if they will be able to go home, yet I complain because of little stuff when someone else may never have the chance to attend school.
I agree with you Kyrrah. I know that I, too, complain about little things that don't necessarily matter. We are fortunate enough to have the opportunity to go to school, and have the technology we can use to do our assignments. You made a great connection back to the novel about how how Malala leaves her house every single day in fear that she is going to be punished for wanting an education. We don't have to worry about the things that she does.
DeleteI agree with Kyrrah that we all complain about going to school or we take it for granted that we can go to school with out worrying about being killed. And it makes me think more if I complain about school.
DeleteI also agree. It really makes you think about the rights we have in America, and how lucky we are. We have to thank the people before us that have put up a fight for our rights.
DeleteWhat was the Green Square renamed? Why?
ReplyDeleteThe Green Square was renamed to the Bloody Square. The name was changed because Fazlullah and his men were killing people, such as policemen, government officials, and others that disobeyed him. On page 48-49 it says, “Much of Fazlullah’s “justice” was exacted in the dead of night. Later in his reign of terror, “violates” were dragged from their homes and killed; their bodies would be displayed in the Green Square the next morning. Often a note was pinned to the body: This is what happens to spies and infidels.” Since many had been killed and shown to the town, blood everywhere, they changed the name to Bloody Square.
The Green Square was renamed the Bloody Square for this exact reason. Malala talks about how the name started to spread amongst the people of her town, and how they just renamed the Green Square. You would see the blood of the dead people in the square each time you passed by.
DeleteExplain the quote: “You have put the first stone in standing water.” Would this quote apply to you? Why or why not?
ReplyDeleteI believe this quote would apply to me in some cases but most cases not. In certain things I'll be the first to attempt something but others I'm kind of hesitant to do because I don't want people to judge me. Typically I wait for someone else to do it just so I know what I do is not the wrong thing. I don't believe this quote would apply to my life for the most part however parts of me think it might, depending on the circumstances.
It is true that a lot of people don't like to act independently in fear of being judged. I know I do, but also don't in some situations as well.
DeleteI agree with you, Kyrrah. I also often wait for other people to do things so I'm sure I don't do it wrong. I also don't think this quote entirely applies to my life.
DeleteI agree with you when you say that in some cases this applies but in some it doesn't. Like you I will sometimes be the first to try something and sometimes I will let others try it because I am scared of what might happen or be thought of me.
DeleteDoes Malala’s views on the importance of school make you see your own education in a different light? Why or why not?
ReplyDeleteMalala’s views on the importance of school definitely makes me see my own education in a different light. Malala loves school, and takes the opportunity to get an education. She did everything in her power to go to school, and learn with her other classmates. Nothing stopped her from walking to school, even though she could have been killed if she was seen going to the building. After reading the first three parts of the novel, I realized that I take my education for granted. I have noticed that many opportunities are just handed to us, more so in previous years than now. Malala had to fight for her education, while we just go to school and don't think anything about it. Most mornings, I dread having to get up and get ready to go to school, while Malala wants to go, even though she may not be a morning person. Fortunately, I have not experienced what Malala has gone through, but after reading the novel, I have a bit more of an understanding of how her life was during this time. From now on, I will take all of the opportunities that are given, and not take my education for granted.
I agree with your statement. I feel the same way about my education. Sometimes I take it for granted and I should appreciate it more. I am lucky to be able to have an education unlike women in Pakistan, who are not able to have one because they believed women don't deserve the same rights as men.
DeleteI totally agree with you. I feel that everyone who is allowed to go to school takes it for granted. I myself dread getting up in the morning and going to school, as well. I feel that we should be more thankful that in America we have the chance to go to school and get a good education.
DeleteI completely agree with you. I as well dread getting out of bed every morning and getting ready even though I know how much benefit my education is. Malala and her story really make me think about the things I take for granted every day.
DeleteI feel the same as Maddie, reading this story made me appreciate school more. And not that it for granted and to try my best because if Malala would have the chance to go to school she would do the best she could and not stop learning.
DeleteWhy was the radio broadcast so effective? Can you think of media who still do this today?
ReplyDeleteI believe that the radio broadcast was so effective because the man speaking used their religion against them. The people in Pakistan are very religious people. Their beliefs are very power, so when someone says that he is speaking the words of god, they are going to listen. He
says to, ‘“Stop going to movies. Stop dancing. Stop, or God will send another earthquake to punish us all”’(Yousafzai 39). This quote shows him using religion to persuade people. The radio broadcast is effective for another reason too. It is effective because it connects to people's emotions. The broadcast creates fear. People do not want to upset God for he is their leader and they do not want him to punish them. Also, it connects to sadness. In the earthquake many people lost family members and had to bury their children.
I agree that the broadcast effects people's emotions and brings back the terror of the earthquake. He strikes fear into their hearts and they listen to him.
DeleteIt is scary to see people use religion and fear to influence people.
Delete• Under what name does Malala write her diary? What is the significance of the name and the connotation?
ReplyDelete- Malala wrote her first few dairy entries using the name "Gul Makai," for her safety. "Gul Makai, means 'corn-flower' and is the name of a heroine in a Pashtun folk story." (Yousafzai 77). This name suits Malala because just like how Gul Makai is the name of a heroine in a Pashtun folk story, Malala is also a heroine. Malala is a heroine for speaking up against the Taliban, by defending girls rights and girls educational rights as well.
• Explain the quote: “You have put the first stone in standing water.” Would this quote apply to you? Why or why not?
ReplyDelete- The quote "You have put the first stone in standing water." To me means that you have taken the initiative to go against something that others do, like to go against a belief or right. In doing this other people might stand and fight with you. I feel that this quote applies to me in some way because I like to share different/new ideas with others. I share my ideas so that others can decide what they feel is the best way to handle a situation. Sometimes people agree with me, or sometimes they don't. I also think that it's a good idea to do something differently from others, if you feel it is right.
What was the Green Square renamed? Why?
ReplyDeleteThe people of Swat renamed the Green Square the Bloody Square. They named it this because people that went against the Taliban that they thought needed to be punished for their crimes were kiled there. Many of the people of Swat Valley have witnessed murders and nicknamed the Green Square, Bloody Square.
How does Malala's experience with terrorism differ from your own personal experience -or- how does it differ with your understanding of terrorism?
For me personally, my experience with terrorism consists of news reports and pictures. Malala has been face-to-face with terrorism before. From reading from her perspective, I understand the effect it has on her and her family. Also, I have learned just how horrible the Taliban actually is and the extent of their brutality.
Candy from the Sky-
ReplyDeleteDescribe the Pakistani military? How is it similar and different from today's U.S. military?:
The Pakistani army is a lot weaker than our U.S. military in my opinion. While reading this chapter, I think by the Pakistani army leaving the people in the homes, wondering if they would wake up the next morning, clinging to their families every night, shows me the problem they were fighting had gotten too far anyway. In the book it says, " The rumor on the street: the Taliban were going to take control of Swat. The military operation was ineffective. Our hearts sank" (58). This quote shows me after all of the days and nights of fighting, the military could not pull through to help Swat districts. This is also a very hard concept to think about, because things have never gotten this bad in the United States, so I don't know if it is really hard for the military to beat a group like that. Although, I do know that it was an awful experience for every person there and I could never imagine living through something like that.
Radio Mullah-
Why was the radio broadcast so effective? Can you think of media that still do this today?:
I think that the radio broadcast was so effective because Fazullah made him self popular so gradually more people listened and "trusted" him at first. Fazullah did so by speaking about things like the daily prayer and emotional things like the earthquake. The points that he made later though, that were for the Taliban's beliefs about women staying home and working made the people that believed in the right to education angry, and the women in general because someone was now making the Taliban's ideas public everyday, most of the time. I think because it was a broadcast it make it a lot worse for people like Malala and her father. This broadcast also made women feel pathetic and useless, because they knew they were capable of more than staying home all day and someone was talking over the radio about how they could not and should not do anything other than that. This broadcast was listened to in the whole community of Swat and there were already multiple problems going on, which made this all worse and so effective on everyone.
Why was the radio broadcast so effective? Can you think of media who still do this today?
ReplyDeleteIt was effective because nobody could see the man speaking. He also was talking to a very large audience and they trusted him. Today I think things posted to Facebook can often get people going even though it is fake. It is easy to believe something when you trust the person saying it and you can't see them.
I agree with Taylor. It was effective because he was not seen and he was trusted.
DeleteI agree. It is easier to hide this way, but still be largely effective. Since many of Fazlullah's listeners were uneducated, they couldn't tell that he was a fake. He was trusted, respected, and even admired by many people.
DeleteI agree with you. I think it is easy to trust someone that is not see. For people who don't have much else to believe, they really didn't have a reason not to trust him.
DeleteWhat was the Green Square renamed? Why?
ReplyDeleteIt was renamed the bloody square because the Taliban used it to show off the bodies of people who rebelled. It was used to show an example of people who were not doing what the Taliban wanted. They took something full of life associated with good things to something terrible. It was a great scare tactic, and it took away another place of happiness for the citizens.
I like how you mentioned that the people who were killed here went against Taliban orders. This showed the other people in the town the result of disobeying the Taliban so they were all scared to act out.
DeleteExplain the quote: “You have put the first stone in standing water.” Would this quote apply to you? Why or why not? I think this quote means that you did something and it started a "ripple" effect and that means that you did something and then people started to follow, you took the first step to do something. I think this quote may apply to my life because sometimes I do things first and sometimes I get scared of judgment and wait for someone else to do it.
ReplyDeleteI really like this idea. Good job.
DeleteWhat was the Green Square renamed? Why? The Green Square was renamed Bloody Square. It was renamed to Bloody Square because Fazlullah and his men were killing people in the square and there were a bunch of dead people in the square.
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteWhat was the Green Square renamed? Why?
The Green Square was renamed the Bloody Square. Citizens renamed it because of the murdered bodies that were left there. “Fazlullah had set up a public court to enforce his edicts, and his men were now flogging or killing policemen, government officials, and other men and women who disobeyed him” (Yousafzai 48). This quote means that Fazlullah would either punish or murder anyone who disobeyed him. I'm the book it states that, “Much of Fazlullah “justice” was exacted in the dead of night” (Yousafzai 48). Meaning that he killed most of his victims in the night. The bodies were left there for everyone to see. They had notes on them telling citizens that if they touch the bodies before 11 AM or they would be next.
I think Courtney did a good job answering the question. I agree with what she says. And she did a good job quoting from the text.
DeleteI think Courtney really covered all the bases when answering this question. I agree with everything she said.
DeleteCourtney did an awesome job answering the question and giving information on why it was renamed "the Bloody Square". I also think the quotes she used really helped the understanding of why it was renamed.
DeleteQuestion: Why was the radio broadcast so effective? Can you think of media who still do this today?
ReplyDeleteThe radio broadcast is so effective because people listen and trust it. People are scared and do not know what to do so they want someone to tell them what to do. They need someone to. A media that does that today is the news. The news informs us of what is happening and tells us what to do. We trust the news for it.
I agree with your statement. People tend to listen to other people when they tell them what to do, especially if they do not know what to do. They put their trust in the radio broadcast, so they did whatever the broadcast told them to do. They believed they were doing the right Muslim thing.
DeleteI agree with Brian because people usually listen to others to lead them and to know what to do. The people of Pakistan didn't know better, because they were afraid.
DeleteI agree with you, Brian. Many people trusted what they heard on the radio, but mainly because they were scared and really didn't know how to handle the situation.
DeleteQuestion: Reflect on Malala’s excitement over the her teachers’ praise. Do you still feel this way when a teacher tells you, “Good job!”?
ReplyDeleteMalala was very excited when the teacher gave her praise. It made her very happy because she felt like she did something right. Getting the approval of someone you look up to is a great feeling. I feel the same when I receive praise from a teacher. It feels good because teachers know what their doing and getting praise from them makes you feel like you know what you're doing.
I agree! I feel like little things like that make Malala feel good because she might not always get complimented. I feel the same way when a older, more experienced person compliments me, I am very thankful for it. It makes me feel better about whatever I was doing!
Delete
DeleteI agree with your statement. I feel that when teachers tell anyone they've done a good job it makes them feel special. Whenever a teacher tells me that I have done a good job it makes my day.
I agree with you. It is very nice to receive praise from someone you look up too. Especially teachers because it shows you that they see all the hard work you are putting in.
DeleteWhat was the Green Square renamed? Why?
ReplyDeleteThe Green Square was renamed the Bloody Square. The people started to call it the Bloody Square because bodies of dead "violators" would be shown there. They did this to show others what would happen if they didn't follow the laws that Fazlullah was coming up with. If the people disobeyed Fazlullah's rules they would be punished or murdered.
Malala’s mother states that “falsehood has to die. And truth has to come forward.” What do you think this means for an 11 year old girl?
ReplyDeleteI think this quote means to an 11 year old girl, that she needs to grow up and leave the little kid behind because Malala was going to be writing a diary about life under the Taliban. Her mother said that because if Malala was going to do this she would have to be serious and write about the truth of what happens about life under the Taliban. She was not to be childish about it. Malala wasn't going to be a child forever she would have to grow up and be mature. She would have to learn how to be a strong women and fight for her rights. Malala was helping other women who wouldn't speak out for themselves because they were too afraid.
What was the Green Square renamed? Why?The Green Square was renamed Bloody Square because that is where Radio Mullah carried out his practices and where he placed people's dead bodies who defied him.
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteWas it worth Madam Maryam to risk her life to re-open the girls’ school to Malala and other “older” girls?
I think that it was worth the risk for Madam Maryam to re-open the school because even if she died, if she educated those girls, they could become political speakers and become the voices that enforced a change and would end the terrorism of the Taliban rather than the girls living the rest of their lives as slaves to the whims of the Taliban.
This is a nice answer and I totally agree with you. The girls she tought could be come the people with a voice to speak out.
DeleteReflect on Malala’s excitement over the her teachers’ praise. Do you still feel this way when a teacher tells you, “Good job!”?
ReplyDeleteMy answer- Malala's teacher had praised her and she felt very proud. I also feel this way when a teacher says good things about me. I feel this way because school is very important to me.
I agree. Compliments from teachers always seem extra satisfying. I also think that Malala felt especially proud because she put her heart and soul into her education. She was privileged enough to go to school, and she wanted to get the most she could out of it.
DeleteHow does Malala’s experience with terrorism differ with your own personal experience –or- how does it differ with your understanding of terrorism?
ReplyDeleteMy answer- Malala's experience with terrorism gives me a deeper understanding with the way other countries handle issues. I don't really have a personal experience with terrorism, because (since I was born) America has been pretty safe. Sometimes we can take that for granted.
What was the Green Square renamed? Why?
ReplyDeleteThe Green Square was renamed Bloody Square because it often had bloody bodies displayed there. In the book, it says "Later in his reign of terror,"violators" were dragged from their homes and killed; their bodies would be displayed in the Green Square the next morning. [...] Before long, people had a new name for the Green Square: They started calling it the Bloody Square." (Yousafzai 49)
What do the authors mean by Fazlullah “cast a long shadow, indeed?”
ReplyDeleteI think the authors mean that Fazlullah had a big influence, though not a good one. He was very powerful,and even Malala's mother believed him at first. As he got more power, he got more violent and extreme in his actions, resulting in the "dark shadow" that he cast.
What was the green square renamed? Why?
ReplyDeleteThe square was renamed to the bloody square because of all the death that happened there. People would be dragged there and killed in front of many people which would obviously leave blood. If you ever passed by the square there would be death and blood.
Why was the radio broadcast so effective? Can you think of media who still do this today?
The radio broadcast was so effective because people listened and trusted it. They rusted that the man was telling the truth. This relates to any celebrity on twitter. They could post something totally untrue and millions would believe them.
What was the green square renamed? Why?
ReplyDeleteThe square was renamed to the bloody square because of all the death that happened there. People would be dragged there and killed in front of many people which would obviously leave blood. If you ever passed by the square there would be death and blood.
Why was the radio broadcast so effective? Can you think of media who still do this today?
The radio broadcast was so effective because people listened and trusted it. They rusted that the man was telling the truth. This relates to any celebrity on twitter. They could post something totally untrue and millions would believe them.
Why was the radio broadcast so effective? Can you think of media who still do this today?
ReplyDeleteI think this was so effective because all the listeners trusted and believed everything he said. He gradually made them all trust him by not being so harsh in the beginning. He would talk about normal traditions and values of the culture. He would talk about everyone's beliefs that everyone knew to be true so they all came to believe everything he said. He then would use this trust to manipulate them and make them scared for their life. He would threatened them and the people would not take any chances so they listened. In todays world I think that any social media can be like this. On social media there is a lot of things put out there that are not true, but most people think that everything they see is correct even though it most likely is not.
What was the Green Square renamed? Why?
ReplyDeleteThe Green Square was renamed to be called the Blood Square. It was called this because the place that was so great to the village of Swat had turned to violence and revenge. This is where the Taliban would publicly murder those who went against what they have been told by the Taliban not to do. They murdered the people at a public place where everyone would go to hang out to show others the consequences of going against the Taliban.
Was it worth Madam Maryam to risk her life to re-open the girls’ school to Malala and other “older” girls?
ReplyDeleteI think it was her choice and if she believed in the right to education to the extent that she would risk her life, then yes it was worth it.
Malala plants a mango seed outside her home. Why?
ReplyDeleteShe planted the seed because Swat was at peace at this point. She new that it would take a long time to bear fruit, like the reconciliation and rebuilding the government promised. When it grew, she wanted it to represent that she was full of hope and looking forward to the future.