Inquiry Post #1 FEC
Inquiry questions: Why do some people choose to accept their fate while others try to create their own? Why do we only focus on the tangible in our culture? When is it acceptable to challenge the values of society?
Original text: The Friday Everything Changed
Secondary Sources: Malala Marches Toward the Nobel Peace Prize (from Ms. Shong’s Blog) and Miss Representation Trailer (also from Ms. Shong’s Blog)
The Friday Everything Changed- Shifting the disregard for gender equality
Malala Marches Toward the Nobel Peace Prize Article
The Friday Everything Changed is a short story about one girl standing up for what she believes in, gender equality. A tangible object such as a water bucket, determines the level of capability from boys and girls, men and women. The Friday, when Miss Ralston is picking students to carry the water bucket, Alma Niles suggests that two girls should carry the bucket. The lash backs and cruelty from the boys is apparent and is not taken down a notch until Miss Ralston hits a home run in their daily softball game. Ideas about gender inequality can seem so distant, yet sometimes can also be found right in front of us. Convincing facts that men are stronger or faster than women and stereotypes that cannot be broken down no matter what are the reasons why stories as such are written. They allow us to bust through the barriers and look reality right in the face. Malala Marches Toward the Nobel Peace Prize, a young woman who stood up for what she believes in only to get shot. Miss Representation, a trailer where women speak up about the inequality found in today’s world. In The Friday Everything Changed, girls had accepted the fact that they were less important. They had accepted their fate. I wonder if it was because they knew no better or if being left in the dark all the time took the fight out of them. Either way, today the fire is lit. Women much like Malala and the women in Miss Representation know how to fight and are willing to put everything on the line for a win against society. In my mind, there is no such thing as a good time for change. Women have to make the time to start and continue pushing until there is success. This is unfortunately easier said then done. “They’ll never take away that water bucket,” said Alma, though she wasn’t all that sure. “They don’t care who carries the water as long as it gets carried.” As Alma tried to prove her point, the boys continued turning against her once by one. They certainly cared who carried the water and were not quiet when expressing it. By changing the views on society, Alma not only accomplished her goal allowing girls to carry the water, but also reminded many girls of their worth. People like Alma, Malala and the strong women speaking in the video have created a path for us, the next generation, to follow. They have not always had it easy but never did that stop them. Without standing up for women’s rights and gender equality, I truly do not believe I would have half as many amazing opportunities that I take for granted everyday.