Around Town: The Zapwater Team Heads to the Movies
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Last week, the Zapwater team took a field trip to AMC River East for an inspirational screening of He Named Me Malala, a film that documents the events before and after the Taliban’s attack on a young Pakistani schoolgirl (Malala Yousafzai) for her spirited support of girls’ education. Not only does Malala continue to champion education post-attack, she later becomes one of the foremost voices in the campaign for human rights and even becomes the youngest-ever winner of the Nobel Peace Prize in 2014 ‘for her struggle against the suppression of children and young people and for the right of all children to education.’
“The terrorists thought they would change my aims and stop my ambitions, but nothing changed in my life except this: weakness, fear and hopelessness died. Strength, power and courage was born – I am not against anyone, neither am I here to speak in terms of personal revenge against the Taliban or any other terrorist group. I’m here to speak up for the right of education for every child. I want education for the sons and daughters of the Taliban and all terrorists and extremists.” – July 12, 2013 speech to the United Nations
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Much of the world’s population, especially in underdeveloped regions, is made up of children and young people. To achieve a peaceful world, it is crucial that the rights of children and young people be respected – injustices against children contribute to the spread of conflict to future generations. Although Malala just turned 18 this year, she already serves as an inspiration to those who believe in something greater than themselves. Malala has been named one of Time magazine’s Top 100 Most Influential People in the World in 2013, 2014 and 2015, and this honor is because of her commitment to fearlessness in the face of oppression – a lesson that is easily translated into everyday lives and is one I hope to emulate in the future.
He Named Me Malala is based on the memoir, I Am Malala: The Story of a Girl Who Stood Up for Education and was Shot by the Taliban – available now.
Allie Duncan, Publicist