Parlor Spider...Step In, Little Fly

Insightful thoughts and/or rants from atop the soapbox from one who wishes to share the "right" opinion with everyone.

Monday, August 30, 2010

Three Cups of Poison

It's not exactly what Greg Mortensen envisioned...in fact, I'm not sure any of us could envision such a scene. Fifty-nine female students and fourteen teachers were taken to a hospital in Afghanistan recently. all of them were sick suddenly...but not suspiciously. Tests are being taken now to determine the cause of the sickness, but it is apparent that this is part of a continuing trend to convince parents and students (especially female students) in Afghanistan that education is not such a good idea.
UNICEF estimates that since 2008 there have been 670 education-related attacks by the Taliban, and the preponderance of these attacks have been aimed at female students and their teachers. In most of these "attacks," the modus operandi was poison gas, and it is suspected that this latest incident will not differ when the analysis is complete.
For historical reference, it should be noted that from 1996-2001 the Taliban was in control of the country, and females were not allowed to attend school at all. Then, of course, Greg Mortensen happened, and girls began experiencing the same kinds of academic freedom as their male counterparts, and tribal leaders began to stand up to the edicts of the Taliban, who, not to be easily stymied, has retaliated by attacking young girls and those who would help them.
It is inconceivable to you and me.
Life is cheap when power loses its control.
Afghan children...innocent bystanders in Mexico...Pakistanis who've lost everything...a whole world of injustice.
I'd better not hear any whining from my students this semester.

0 Comments:

Post a Comment

<< Home