Sunrise
I hover over the send button and press it down. I imagine her
delight as she reads my message of hope and shows it to her
friends. It makes this risky and sometimes dangerous role that
I have taken on all worth it. With a contented smile on my
playing at my lips, I prepare to read the next piece of mail.
Sunrise Abdullah
This is a warning. Stop your campaigning or you will suffer the
consequences. What you are doing is forbidden. We will stop
you because you are a disgrace to us all. How could you
abandon our ancient ways for the ways of the West?
Empowering women is wrong.
I sit back, my face shocked and expressionless, and stare at
the screen. I take a deep breath and scroll down to see the
sender. Nothing. Email address? Security protected.
“Arrghhhh!” my mood changes to angry and confused.
How can people say that? How can they not see that all
people should be equal? Education is a chance that all people
should have. A chance to escape poverty and oppression.
When you’re educated it makes it easier to change the world.
And believe me, there are a lot of things that need changing.
In my frenzy of mad and blind rage, I hit Reply once again.
To Whom It May Concern
You are wrong. A rule might be ancient, but that doesn’t make
it right. If you truly believe that empowering women is wrong
then tell me why. Now. I demand an answer. Because I am,
like you, passionate. I won’t give up without a fight. I don’t care
for your threats and promises, I am a peace-maker and I make
peace through education.