Riddle me this: can mayhem be controlled? Can it be curbed? Prevented? Even eradicated … or is the world just too damn big to exist without atrocity?
Originally published between 2011 and 2014, this post has been updated but preserves its original publish date as content is migrated from the archives of The Flavored Word.
Earlier this week, I attended a screening of Girl Rising. The movie tells the stories of nine girls from different parts of the world who face arranged marriages, child slavery, and other heartbreaking injustice. Despite these obstacles, the brave girls offer hope and inspiration. By getting an education, they’re able to break barriers and create change.
The movie, while it’s being hyped as a sort of “awakening” and call to action, does not (in my humble opinion) address the whole picture. While I agree with the majority of the free world that education plays a prominent role in a person’s success, and I’m not simply referring to the tangible, I also think it illogical to aspire to educate the entire population … there’s just too many people. And there are too many barbaric societies outside our reach.
But. Like Girl Rising suggests, something has to be done. We cannot afford to ignore the inequality placed on girl’s lives in certain parts of the world. But what can we do? Realistically, what can we do? Adopt all the unwanted and undervalued lives? Secretly put birth control in the water and put an end to conception where young girls are tossed aside like garbage? No. Of course not. That would be too Aldous Huxley for the conscious.
Sigh.
There is no right answer. No simple solution. But there has to be a doable resolution. Perhaps we should all recall the motto: Think Global, Act Local. Let us be the change we want to see in the world … let us address the wickedness in our country, our cities, our towns, our own families … then perhaps we can watch all of our girls rise too.
Cover image, screenshot of a promotional poster for the 2013 film, Girl Rising.
DISCLAIMER: I’m a writer and an editor. And I try my best to make sure every post is articulate and free from errors. However, being that I edit my own work—and it’s next to impossible to properly edit your own work—I admit, occasionally there may be an error or two I miss. But doing so doesn’t make me an idiot so don’t be mean. Just smile, pat yourself on the back for finding an error and be glad you’re not the only one who makes mistakes sometimes … xoxox
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