Thoughts on books Part 1
I have decided that I will put this blog to good use. By writing about books, I believe that it might actually motivate, not just for me to write but to read as well. Let's not let me dwell on how much I missed leisure reading and writing, (I might make one whole post for that) and get right into it.
Book #1 -- I Am Malala.
This book have been on my shelves for a number of years. I did start reading it when I first bought it but it was a bit too heavy for teen me, so I put it back onto the shelf with other stacked of unread books. Now that I am mature enough (I believe), and I have finally felt that I need to educate myself more on real pressing issues, I started reading the book again. Of course, I am late by 7 years (as it was published on 2013) but whatever has written in the book is still considered as history and if we don't learn from history, we would repeat them.
So what I gained from the book are a little bit of history of how Pakistan came into being, what's the issue they had with India (have been a question to me since I saw the movie Bajrangi Bhaijaan -- I was young when I watched this so I thought countries have wars and what difference does this one makes. Well, I was foolish to normalise wars, I realised that now because war is never okay, not in our land and never in anyone's lands), a little bit on important people and their contributions to Pakistan, and most importantly, how a young female voice is heard over all the chatters. Despite her background and her religion, Malala stood for herself and for her community. She has proven that women can be someone, not just wives and housekeepers. I could not fully comprehend how their state of living as their culture is so foreign for me. Here, in Malaysia, we see women roam freely, no women denied of education or career, no women was oppressed just by being a woman (of course, some would beg to differ but that will open up another discussion I am willing to have on another day as now I would like to emphasise that these were compared to how Pakistani women live in their country as to contrary of our way of living. I would say we have it way better).
Malala has made a name for herself, and of course all was by her own volition. However, I would like to note on how supportive her parents were. This type of parenting would push children far. This is what most people in our country lack of as parents believed that what they are doing is for the best for their children when in fact most if it were for them. As a mere spectator, of course I could not understand the struggle of bringing up a child, and much less on educating one. But I believe that when you put your trust in your child, they will return the trust. It is something I have witnessed in some of my friends (I wished I could say many but sadly, most have strict parents which only made them scared of their parents but not so much have respect in them). Most of those who were brought up with supportive parents, always encouraging them to experiment and do things that they love, proved they have a strong bond with their parents and family. They have confidence in themselves because no one doubted them and even if there are people doubting them, at least they have their family members who trust and believe in them. That's what Malala have and that's what have helped her to get to her place today.
I also believed that open conversations among family members is crucial and politics should be introduced to children early on. From the book, it seems that Malala was knowledgeable in various fields including politics. We don't really see this culture in Malaysia because politics are always for the elders but older generations forgot that we will becoming older and eventually will take their place someday. If we have been ingrained that politics is unsuitable for youngsters then when will we ever learn because at one point, we will believe that it was not meant for us and we could not care less. By then, it is too late to educate us because what's the point when none of our opinions mattered because "let's leave it to the elders who have more experience than you to do the talking". I know for a fact that if we are given the chance, we would surprise a lot of people, just as Malala has surprised the world by her courage and determination to trudge through her tragedy, recover and still think of her education and her cause while in recovery!
As most of the content of the book is on war, i.e., between Pakistan and India; between USA and Afghanistan; between the Taliban and what-the-Talibans-would-call-as-seculars, one thing that I could take away from is that people can switch sides in a blink of an eye. Not much I can say about this as I am afraid I might get the facts wrong and histories twisted, hence people should read it on their own and do their own research to better understand this subject matter. All I can say is that do not trust anyone, even those who swore they are your allies.
Of course, as everything in this whole world is, this book might be biased as it is a story told by one side. There may be another side (or sides) of the story but unless I found evidence of other sides of the story, I believe that all is written and narrated in this story is true. However, I do acknowledge that all stories are biased, all histories are biased, all historian are biased, all story-tellers are biased.
My real thoughts of the book is that it is a touching story of how an ordinary girl (though she does have a well-known father who has a school and a chairperson to all sorts of organisations) make a name for herself. Though it was accidental because the Taliban basically made her famous by shooting her, but I believe even without bullets flying through her eye and shoulder, she would still be someone today. The book is also an eye-opener to me who is still clueless of how heartless people can be and how dangerous the world can be. To a person who has never have to live in fear of a suicide bombers, or disastrous natural disasters that can hit any time on any day, or never have to physically experience a war, this book has tried to let me live it as gently as one can be.
I guess that is all for this entry. Before I go, this is my opinions which might/might not agreeable to you. I am open for conversations regarding this and would love to see other's opinions on matters however I am a hold fast to the principle of "agree to disagree" as I acknowledge and respect other's opinions, beliefs and stands. So, see you the next time I finished another book!
Book #1 -- I Am Malala.
This book have been on my shelves for a number of years. I did start reading it when I first bought it but it was a bit too heavy for teen me, so I put it back onto the shelf with other stacked of unread books. Now that I am mature enough (I believe), and I have finally felt that I need to educate myself more on real pressing issues, I started reading the book again. Of course, I am late by 7 years (as it was published on 2013) but whatever has written in the book is still considered as history and if we don't learn from history, we would repeat them.
So what I gained from the book are a little bit of history of how Pakistan came into being, what's the issue they had with India (have been a question to me since I saw the movie Bajrangi Bhaijaan -- I was young when I watched this so I thought countries have wars and what difference does this one makes. Well, I was foolish to normalise wars, I realised that now because war is never okay, not in our land and never in anyone's lands), a little bit on important people and their contributions to Pakistan, and most importantly, how a young female voice is heard over all the chatters. Despite her background and her religion, Malala stood for herself and for her community. She has proven that women can be someone, not just wives and housekeepers. I could not fully comprehend how their state of living as their culture is so foreign for me. Here, in Malaysia, we see women roam freely, no women denied of education or career, no women was oppressed just by being a woman (of course, some would beg to differ but that will open up another discussion I am willing to have on another day as now I would like to emphasise that these were compared to how Pakistani women live in their country as to contrary of our way of living. I would say we have it way better).
Malala has made a name for herself, and of course all was by her own volition. However, I would like to note on how supportive her parents were. This type of parenting would push children far. This is what most people in our country lack of as parents believed that what they are doing is for the best for their children when in fact most if it were for them. As a mere spectator, of course I could not understand the struggle of bringing up a child, and much less on educating one. But I believe that when you put your trust in your child, they will return the trust. It is something I have witnessed in some of my friends (I wished I could say many but sadly, most have strict parents which only made them scared of their parents but not so much have respect in them). Most of those who were brought up with supportive parents, always encouraging them to experiment and do things that they love, proved they have a strong bond with their parents and family. They have confidence in themselves because no one doubted them and even if there are people doubting them, at least they have their family members who trust and believe in them. That's what Malala have and that's what have helped her to get to her place today.
I also believed that open conversations among family members is crucial and politics should be introduced to children early on. From the book, it seems that Malala was knowledgeable in various fields including politics. We don't really see this culture in Malaysia because politics are always for the elders but older generations forgot that we will becoming older and eventually will take their place someday. If we have been ingrained that politics is unsuitable for youngsters then when will we ever learn because at one point, we will believe that it was not meant for us and we could not care less. By then, it is too late to educate us because what's the point when none of our opinions mattered because "let's leave it to the elders who have more experience than you to do the talking". I know for a fact that if we are given the chance, we would surprise a lot of people, just as Malala has surprised the world by her courage and determination to trudge through her tragedy, recover and still think of her education and her cause while in recovery!
As most of the content of the book is on war, i.e., between Pakistan and India; between USA and Afghanistan; between the Taliban and what-the-Talibans-would-call-as-seculars, one thing that I could take away from is that people can switch sides in a blink of an eye. Not much I can say about this as I am afraid I might get the facts wrong and histories twisted, hence people should read it on their own and do their own research to better understand this subject matter. All I can say is that do not trust anyone, even those who swore they are your allies.
Of course, as everything in this whole world is, this book might be biased as it is a story told by one side. There may be another side (or sides) of the story but unless I found evidence of other sides of the story, I believe that all is written and narrated in this story is true. However, I do acknowledge that all stories are biased, all histories are biased, all historian are biased, all story-tellers are biased.
My real thoughts of the book is that it is a touching story of how an ordinary girl (though she does have a well-known father who has a school and a chairperson to all sorts of organisations) make a name for herself. Though it was accidental because the Taliban basically made her famous by shooting her, but I believe even without bullets flying through her eye and shoulder, she would still be someone today. The book is also an eye-opener to me who is still clueless of how heartless people can be and how dangerous the world can be. To a person who has never have to live in fear of a suicide bombers, or disastrous natural disasters that can hit any time on any day, or never have to physically experience a war, this book has tried to let me live it as gently as one can be.
I guess that is all for this entry. Before I go, this is my opinions which might/might not agreeable to you. I am open for conversations regarding this and would love to see other's opinions on matters however I am a hold fast to the principle of "agree to disagree" as I acknowledge and respect other's opinions, beliefs and stands. So, see you the next time I finished another book!
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