Comments on: Honorary Harpy: Malalai Joya

By: Isa

Isa — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 07:50:19 +0000

I have, unfortunately, never heard of this woman. Thanks so much for sharing some of her story… she is absolutely incredible. Her courage is awe-inspiring.

By: Feminizzle

Feminizzle — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 10:49:42 +0000

I *love* this woman! I heard about her a few weeks ago and want to read her book. I have seen a lot of complaints about her (even from women!!!) saying that she is just a rabble-rouser and is trying to get attention for herself by being so… brazen and confrontational. IMO, sometimes that’s the best route to take, as passivity hasn’t been working well for Afghan women.

Her haters (or dislikers) also say that there are better ways to fight for her cause, and that she is only angering and furthering herself from the people she needs on her side: the other Parliament members. I agree that she is distancing herself from them, but with her POV, how can she work alongside people who are committing the atrocities against which she fights? She would never have their support, anyway, so she may as well call them on their bad behavior…

By: Crazy Cat Lady

Crazy Cat Lady — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 21:36:30 +0000

Religious fundamentalists threatened to rape her, God almighty, have any of these madmen ever bothered to read the Quran?
Brave woman.

By: Ms. M

Ms. M — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 19:37:44 +0000

That was supposed to be an 8 instead of a smiley :::headdesk:::

By: Ms. M

Ms. M — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 19:37:16 +0000

I periodically tell my two boys (12 and 8) what life would be like for me as a woman living in select other countries. They are horrified.

I think it is necessary to discuss situations like this with kids, to add a little shock and outrage to their young lives.

With luck, they will grow up to be men who walk alongside women in the fight for justice.

By: SkipToMyLou

SkipToMyLou — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 18:47:41 +0000

Great post SarahMC!

Malalai Joya in unimaginably brave. She will absolutely not be silenced. Here’s a link to her speech in the LJ. They only gave her three minutes, so it’s short.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iLC1KBrwbck

By: rodriguez

rodriguez — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 18:32:25 +0000

great great post … puts my life in perspective

By: bluebears

bluebears — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 17:32:50 +0000

“Resistance to tyranny is obedience to god” Susan B. Anthony. I don’t believe in god but I always think of that quote when I read about people literally risking their lives to raise up the oppressed.