The following essay was written by Sam:
Malala Essay
Everyone around the world deserves basic human rights. One very important part of human rights is freedom of speech. With freedom of speech, anyone can say what they want. In addition, people are allowed to practice their own religion. Also, anybody can express their feelings without being afraid. In the United States, we have all these important human rights. Everyone is equal because they live in a democracy. In Swat Valley in Pakistan there is no democracy. In Swat Valley the Taliban took away the basic human rights when they took over Swat Valley.
In Swat Valley, life changes for women and everyone. People are not allowed to have TVs, CDs, and DVDs. Also women are banned from entering public places. Girls are unable to go to school and everyone had to follow the Islamic law. That means men had to have long hair and beards, while the women had to wear burqas. All the people now have no rights or freedom under the rule of the Taliban. Another big change for all the people was the violence. The Taliban publicly whipped people, killed innocent citizens, and bombed many public buildings.
The Taliban took away basic human rights of the people of Swat Valley. This current event is similar to the problems black people faced in the south during the time of the Civil Rights in the U.S. For example, freedom of speech was prohibited to a black person just like it is currently banned to the people of Swat Valley. Also, blacks in the south were discriminated against because they weren’t allowed to go to the same schools or hotels as the white people. In Swat Valley, the girls and women are treated differently and don’t have the same rights as Islamic boys and men. The difference between the people of Swat Valley and black people in the south is that the Taliban takes away religious freedom from the people of Swat Valley and in the south, black people could practice any religion they wanted.
It is better to live in the United States because now that black people have all their civil rights, everybody is equal. Unlike in Swat Valley, girls can have all the freedom they want. No major villainous governments or groups can threaten them. Now black people are able to go to any school, they can go to all public places whenever, it doesn’t matter if they are black or white. In the U.S. there is basic human rights for all people, while in Swat Valley, Pakistan there are no basic human rights at all. The Taliban has taken control of everyone.
*The following paragraph was completed by Danny:
In the United States we have a democracy. In a democracy, all people are treated equal. Under the rule of the Taliban in Pakistan, people are not allowed to do certain things. People cannot watch television. Also, women cannot go to school. The Taliban is very powerful and they use violence to make sure people follow their rules. They use violence by killing people and flogging people. The people living in Pakistan feel fear of the Taliban. I would not want to live in Pakistan under the rule of the Taliban because I wouldn't be able to watch movies. I feel going to school could be dangerous in Pakistan. I feel happy about living in the Unites States because I can watch television and go to the movies, and I can go to school without worrying about danger.
Happy New Year Everyone!
*With assistance from the teacher.
