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Education and the Taliban

Education and the Taliban: “Weapon of Mass Instruction” Title: Weapon of Mass Instruction. Artist, Cartoonist:Nick Anderson Pub. Date:Oct. 19, 2012 Medium: Editorial Cartoon, Electronic Image Number: 88944

Education and the Taliban Key Images One person stands holding a book The one person’s head is covered, suggesting female Many Taliban men with firearms shrink back together with mouths open, aghast as if in fear or horror

Education and the Taliban Key Phrase: historical reference The title “Weapon of Mass Instruction” Plays on the phrase “weapons of mass destruction” made famous by Presidents George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and George W. Bush “Weapons of Mass Destruction” has been widely used (and misused) to discuss threats of nuclear weapons, gasses, terror, etc. since The Cold War. Represents a shift in historically understood power (see next slide)

Education and the Taliban Key Phrase: “Weapon of Mass Instruction” “Instruction” replaces “destruction” – reversing the effect of power by countering terror with education. The title posits the powerful weapon as a singular book - a symbol of knowledge and education - that seems to make the Taliban afraid, perhaps afraid of their own “destruction” if education (of girls) actually occurs. In this way, education counters fear and replaces ignorance. Making “weapon” singular seems a simpler solution to empowering people (girls) against terrorism. Making “weapon” singular seems a simpler solution to empowering people (girls) against terrorism.

Education and the Taliban Attitude Nick Anderson situates one person at odds with the Taliban as a group, suggesting the power to destroy the Taliban by uplifting education over terror, ironically reversing terror through education. Anderson suggests that the Taliban fears general education and specifically education for girls. Anderson intends to reveal that education can frighten, resist, and/or destroy Talibani power.

Education and the Taliban What’s Missing The single person/girl does not say anything, nor do the Talibani men, suggesting that holding a book is enough to make a statement, and enough to be considered dangerous to the Talibani men. Controlling and enforcing ignorance, then, is the power of the Taliban to produce fear and destruction. The division between one and many is emphasized by blank space, highlighting a division between older Talibani men and education/female education.

Malala earns Nobel Peace Prize

Title: “Malala Yousafzai and Kailash Satyarthi share Nobel Peace Prize” Writer/Source: Laura Smith-Spark; CNN News Date: Friday, Oct. 10, Medium: Video, online taped recording; corresponding text news story.

Malala earns Nobel Peace Prize CNN reports on Fri. Oct. 10, 2014, that the youngest person ever, a 17 year old girl from Pakistan, has won the Nobel Peace Prize video embedded in online articlehttp:// peace-prize/ peace-prize/ peace-prize/ At 15, Malala was shot in the head by the Taliban in 2012, for her efforts to attend school and to promote education. Malala survived. Her courage, determination, and vision for educating girls survive, too.

Malala earns Nobel Peace Prize Key words and phrases Malala says, “a girl should have equal rights …this is the beginning... I want to see every child going to school… I did not wait for someone else (to speak up for my rights).” “I really had two options. One was not to speak and wait to be killed, and the second was to speak up and then be killed, and I chose the second one.” “This award is for all those children, the voiceless... They have a right to quality education … not to suffer… I stand up for all those children.”

Malala earns Nobel Peace Prize Key images Malala wears clothing of her Pakistani culture and uses calm and welcoming hand gestures. Malala is depicted alone on stage, recalling her brave, one-person resistance to the Taliban. Her voice emphasizes passion and conviction.

Malala earns Nobel Peace Prize Purpose The purposes of the video and article are to recognize one person’s resilient strength to stand up for a concept seemingly as simple as the right to learn, even if the consequence of learning is death. recognize one person’s resilient strength to stand up for a concept seemingly as simple as the right to learn, even if the consequence of learning is death. to celebrate Malala’s courage to stand up alone and to continue the task of educating herself while speaking up for educating others who have struggled to have access to education.

Conclusions Educating all people is threatening to those like the Taliban who want to control others. One person can make an enormous difference if she or he survives the difficulties of standing up for personal rights. The Nobel Academy represents a world voice and value, that education for all is important.

Conclusions for Both Media within Time Periods In an age of rampant terrorism, 1980-present day, education seems as important as militaristic weapons. Personal acts of bravery combat fear in The Nobel Academy represents an ongoing world voice and value, that education for all is important.

Works Cited Anderson, Nick. “Weapon of Mass Instruction.” The Cartoonist Group. Oct. 10, Online. id= id= id=88944 Smith-Sparks, Laura. “Malala Yousafzai and Kailash Satyarthi Share Nobel Peace Prize.” 2014 CNN News Network, Turner Broadcasting System. Oct. 10, peace-prize/. peace-prize/ peace-prize/