MALALAI JOYA and Personal Conviction

I've been asked many times over the years which three people I would invite to supper if I could speak with anyone living or dead. My answer has always been the same, but I find myself expanding the party a little bit these days.

I have always named Harriett Tubman and Corrie Ten Boom and Joan of Arc. Three people who stepped forward with a conviction stronger than their fear of death.

Harriett Tubman was safely in the North and returned to danger that exceeds understanding... because no human being should be held captive.

Corrie Ten Boom and her family hid families and were very active in the underground railroad in Amsterdam. She was eventually imprisoned with her sister (her father died in transit and her sister died while in the concentration camp). She knew that hiding Jews could cost her family everything, including life.... But her conviction to the dignity and rights of all human beings exceeded her concern over death or loss.

Joan of Arc held a conviction that she was to free her homeland from a state of terieny from the English hold on France. She believed that message came from God and she knew her life was forfeit if she followed what she felt led to do. And yet... she sacrificed her life for her country.

In more recent times I find that I have as many heroic symbols. My heart aches sometimes with the strength, courage and conviction present in our fellow human beings.

Immacculee Ilibagiza wrote a book called "Left to Tell". It is the most incredible journey of a very young woman surviving the unending slaughter in Rwanda. With nearly all her family dead and any illusions to the safety of this world of ours shattered, she emerged from the bathroom she'd hidden in for 90 days with seven other women WITH MORE HOPE. Hope and Forgiveness are threaded in her message. It reminded me of Corrie Ten Boom.

Malalai Joya reminds me a little of the conviction of Joan of Arc coupled with the sheer Chutzpa of Harriet Tubman. Joya is a YOUNG 28 year old woman from Afghanistan. She is probably the most famous Afghan woman. She was suspended from her appointment on the Afghan Parliament for calling into question the ethics of other members..... in particular the drug czars and warlords that govern and influence the parliament. Her life became endangered. Prior to this, she was an outspoken opponent to the Taliban when they were in power. She's survived four assassination attempts. She had said this:

"Never again will I whisper in the shadows of intimidation. I am but a symbol of my people's struggle and a servant to their cause. And if I were to be killed for what I believe in, then let my blood be the beacon for emancipation and my words a revolutionary paradigm for generations to come."

This past year, this is what she has had to say:

"They will kill me but they will not kill my voice because it will be the voice of all Afghan women. You can cut the flower, but you cannot stop the coming of Spring."

I stand in awe of the conviction and integrity of people who are able and willing to do the hard work. To hold to what they believe - in the face of death. How many of us are willing to stand by our convictions when they prove inconvenient. Forget about deadly... just inconvenient?

What do you value that you wish to honor with a greater voice or with actions that are in alignment with those values?

HEY FOLKS.... after posting this blog I received a message from someone and I wanted to update and post it here for you. I am jazzed that this film will be shown and want to invite others to join me in watching on the 11th. Here was her message:

Hi Jill,

I thought you might want to know about an extraordinary doc on Malalai Joya that is airing next week on the PBS series WIDE ANGLE. I'm providing details below, please tune in and forward widely!!

A WOMAN AMONG WARLORDS, a program based on Eva Mulvad's award-winning documentary, ENEMIES OF HAPPINESS, follows outspoken Afghani women's rights activist Malalai Joya during the final weeks of her riveting campaign for a seat in the newly formed democratic parliament of Afghanistan.

Women Make Movies is proud to be distributing ENEMIES OF HAPPINESS and we invite you to tune in on September 11th for the national broadcast premiere of A WOMAN AMONG WARLORDS on the acclaimed PBS series WIDE ANGLE!

We'd also like to ask for your help in spreading the word about Malalai Joya's remarkable story!

Here's how you can help:

» Tune in to the broadcast premiere on PBS, Sept 11th at 9pm
(check local listings).
» Forward the announcement below to your colleagues and friends.
» Post a link to the announcement on your website or blog.
[Link to: http://www.wmm.com/enemiesofhappiness/]
» Forward this e-mail to other discussion groups or listservs.

» Learn more about the film: http://www.wmm.com/filmcatalog/pages/c702.shtml
» Learn more about Malalai Joya: http://www.malalaijoya.com/index1024.htm

With the broadcast approaching so quickly, we're doing all we can to solicit support from as many diverse constituencies as possible. Thank you so much in advance for your attention to this request!

Feel free to contact me if you have any questions or suggestions.

Sincerely,

Sarah Reynolds
Educational Sales & Marketing Coordinator WOMEN MAKE MOVIES

462 Broadway, Suite 500
New York, NY 10013
tel 212.925.0606 ext. 312 | fax 212.925.2052 sr@wmm.com | www.wmm.com