Hajar AL-Dirani (response prep.)

Hajar AL-Dirani

Professor Dania Adra

English 203-section46

24 September 2015

 The Social Perspective:

     The article “Brand Malala”: Western exploitation of a schoolgirl was written by Carol Anne Grayson. The writer clearly presents in her article an obvious social contrast; as it debates the dilemma of a courageous schoolgirl who was supported by Edelman the world’s biggest PR Company based in US with a branch in UK, and by the former British Prime Minister Gordon Brown who doesn’t care for gender justice in the UK. “He is known as a misogynist by his former work colleagues”. Grayson describing Gordon Brown. Moreover, she considers that this selective hypocrisy serves the western’s objectives in justifying the war led on terror by the US. 

“What press usually fails to mention however is how Britain and its allies are failing miserably on “gender justice” back home?”

    For these reasons Grayson believes that Malala was “branded” and used as a commodity now by the western politicians and media.


The Emotional Perspective:

      If we consider the article from an emotional perspective, it is obvious that the writer supports Malala and sympathies her but at the same time she suspicions the real reasons lying underneath this acquisitive propaganda.  She raises many inquiries: Why only Malala!!  Meanwhile there are other women who had passed by more difficult calamitous events and yet they still suppressed without any help or protection. As Grayson said;

 “I wonder how many people can name the other girls injured when Malala was shot. What quality of care and support did they receive? Are they represented by PR companies?” 


 In addition, the overall tone of the writer is particularly one of disappointment and suspicion. She not only cares for Malala but she also criticizes the western’s interests. For example Grayson complains that;

“Let’s face it an entire war was waged according to some to “save” Afghanistan’s females from the Taliban. (Let’s hope Malala’s story will not be used to keep occupation going a little longer)”.

The Rhetorical Perspective:

    The article is an argumentative nonfictional essay. It highlights doubts and concerns about the extreme focus of western politicians and media upon Malala. The writer expresses her personal point of view and she defends it by logical questions and evidences. As she stated:“My issue is not with Malala, I support and respect her wish of education for all, however (and it shames me to say this being British) I doubt she fully realizes the extent to which she is being exploited by her new “mentors” in the UK”.

Besides, the writer blends description and narration in her essay so that the reader can experience the events and at the same time becomes aware of the setting. Furthermore, the writer uses a language that moves forward unevenly and smoothly from one sentence into another. In addition, the style is conversational “less formal” because it has the varied rhythms and loose structure of everyday speech.

 “As an intelligent young role model, I don’t imagine Malala would want this. I would think all she wants to do is knuckle down and get on with her education and hopefully will be allowed to do so in peace”.

The Logical perspective:

     The essay debates the dilemma of that Pakistani young schoolgirl who was manipulated by the western interests. Grayson has many concerns towards this dilemma, as to why this story was picked up so strongly by the world’s media.

 “Since the shooting of Malala, western politicians and media alike have seized upon a very profitable “alliance” with the young Pakistani schoolgirl”.

 Then Grayson states that this focus on Malala creates a “double standard on how terrorism is reported.” They use her as a tool to justify their objectives on waging that terrible war against the “bad east”.  Grayson demands that all the victims of the war and terror should be treated well too, why they only defend Malala and take her as an “alliance”. To support her argument, the writer provides a lot of illustrations and logical evidences from current life experiences. As when she mentions:“Malala should not be used as a diversion to distract away from other women that have been fighting in British courts for years to highlight injustice and the wrongdoing of government”.

 Moreover, Grayson’s essay is in a large part a work of inductive reasoning, she boosts her hypothesis about the western hypocrisy by surveying and presenting past experiences and specific facts, for instance, she mentions “Rigoberta Menchu’s story” that was “thrust into the limelight pressurized by others.” Finally the writer ends her argument by hoping that the western would let Malala live peacefully her life as any normal schoolgirl. Her wish is;

  “As an intelligent young role model, I don’t imagine Malala would want this. I would think all she wants to do is knuckle down and get on with her education and hopefully will be allowed to do so in peace”.

The Ethical Perspective:

     If we consider “Brand Malala” ethical issues, the essay carries within it a strong moral weight. Grayson stresses the importance of duty and responsibility. She admonishes her reader to be aware of what is really going on, and  to be cautious about the social injustice and gender discrimination. She objects and opposes the way in which Malala was abused by others immorally. Grayson doubts that:

“I doubt she fully realizes the extent to which she is being exploited by her new “mentors” in the UK”
.

Further more, Grayson calls for justice asking about the special shed lights upon Malala and neglecting others. She assures on the people’s right to question and investigate issues concerning their rights as human beings.