NO NO NO. The last I heard of her, she was doing well! This is horrible. I hope things change, I hope so hard that things change, and that I could somehow make a difference to her.
She is an absolute inspiration - she may have no idea the impact that she can have on others just by doing what she has done. She is helping to break the chains that held her. Oh, Nujood, I hope that you find something that helps.
@Faster.Pussycat: yeah... i believe a woman should have a right to choose. if you want to show it off, i'm not going to judge you for it. if you choose to stay covered up to protect your modesty, i respect that. i think the real issue many americans have is when they feel women are forced to dress or act in a certain way.
I am uneasy with the implication that because her story got media attention, she should be getting tons of money. This is the world we have made?
I don't want to belittle her personal turmoil. She has been through some intense shit with more poise as a young child than I would show even now. That said, it was the right thing to do to put the money towards educating her. It kind of sucks that after not helping her in her abusive marriage, her family won't help her see that an education could be the life-changing force she wants.
How sad... she needs therapy and a loving environment, form the sound of things, she's unlikely to receive either. I wonder if she really refuses to go to school or if she's ashamed on some level, now that her story is so public of what she may face (judgement) outside of her home.
With so much criticism about the Gosselin children being exploited by the media and their parents, it's compelling to compare them to Nujood. Both cases seem to be different sides of the same coin.
The only silver lining I can see in Nujood's case is that it has the potential to spur some kind of social awareness or political action. I hope this can lead to something positive for her future.
@Mary McCarthyite: I don't think that Nujood and the Gosselin children are comparable at all. Nujood is the victim of a pedophile and also a legal system and a culture that not only condones but, basically, encourages the abuse of children. This is much larger than the question of media attention. Also, the desired impact of media attention was not just money but increasing awareness and seeking justice -- very, very different from the Gosselins.
@Misiula: Yes: you're right. You said it better than me but I guess what I was going for is that Nujood's case puts the Gosselin's "exploitation" into perspective. It is a more serious issue needing urgent attention.
Can you imagine telling your 8yo daughter, "Sorry, can't help you from your husband beating and raping you. He owns you." Barbarism. Respect for other cultures only goes so far. If you ask me, we -- that is, humanity -- is more "confused" than this little girl. If you'll excuse me, this atheist is going to go say a pray for Nujood and her ilk. Really.
P.S. Contrast this with how we worry that our kids in the US are over sexualized.
jesus. here, eight year old aren't responsible enough to walk themselves down the street to school or mature enough to see anything other than a G-rated movie. i can't imagine the kind of like, before and after her divorce that she has to live through.
08/28/09
She is an absolute inspiration - she may have no idea the impact that she can have on others just by doing what she has done. She is helping to break the chains that held her. Oh, Nujood, I hope that you find something that helps.
08/27/09
08/27/09
08/27/09
I don't want to belittle her personal turmoil. She has been through some intense shit with more poise as a young child than I would show even now. That said, it was the right thing to do to put the money towards educating her. It kind of sucks that after not helping her in her abusive marriage, her family won't help her see that an education could be the life-changing force she wants.
08/27/09
08/27/09
The only silver lining I can see in Nujood's case is that it has the potential to spur some kind of social awareness or political action. I hope this can lead to something positive for her future.
08/27/09
08/27/09
08/27/09
P.S. Contrast this with how we worry that our kids in the US are over sexualized.
08/27/09
08/27/09