Congratulations Joy!
The release of the novel Saving Sam by J.L. Campbell has been timed to coincide with National Heroes’ Day celebrations in Jamaica. Sam, the protagonist finds a hero—or heroine if you like—in his aunt and the mission of this blogfest is to write a maximum of 300 words about someone who has been a source of inspiration. So, Who’s Your Hero?
The release of the novel Saving Sam by J.L. Campbell has been timed to coincide with National Heroes’ Day celebrations in Jamaica. Sam, the protagonist finds a hero—or heroine if you like—in his aunt and the mission of this blogfest is to write a maximum of 300 words about someone who has been a source of inspiration. So, Who’s Your Hero?
WHO'S MY HERO?
Malala Yousafzai
Malala Yousafzai
Malala, the sixteen-year old Pakistani girl shot by the Taliban for insisting on the right for girls to attend school, is my current hero. I've been transfixed by her story. Imagine setting in motion such a sequence of events, accepting what has happened to her at the hands of the Taliban: "I was just one target for their violence", and continuing the fight for girls and education globally once she'd undergone medical treatment in Britain.
Education is something most of us take for granted, but literacy rates for girls (and boys, too) in countries such as Pakistan and Afghanistan are woeful, and who better to begin a campaign for "a world where everyone can go to school", than a young girl directly affected by the recently negative ruling which banned girls from attending school in Pakistan. (When the Taliban controlled Afghanistan, girls were forbidden to attend school, and teachers were executed for clandestine teaching activities.)
Malala has already been awarded the 2013 International Children's Peace Prize and some expected her to win this year's Nobel Peace Prize. She didn't, but I predict in the future she will if the Taliban don't make good their threats to kill her next time.
She has met President Obama and the Queen of England, but not eveyone thinks Malala is a hero -- In Pakistan reaction has been mixed, with many hailing her as a national heroine while others have criticised her for promoting a "Western" agenda. Hmm. Go Malala! I'm with you all the way!
read more...
Now to the blurb from Joy's latest:
J.L. Campbell
is a proud Jamaican and an award-winning writer, who is always on the lookout
for story-making material.She writes romantic suspense, women's fiction and young adult novels. She is the author of Contraband, Christine's Odyssey, Dissolution, Distraction, Don't Get Mad...Get Even, Giving up the Dream, Kicked to the Kerb, Retribution and Hardware (written under the pen name Jayda McTyson).
She blogs at
http://www.joylcampbell.com Feel free to connect with her on Facebook
or Twitter
or visit her Amazon
author page.
Now visit some more posts heralding Joy's new book.
There's still some time to sign up if you want to tell us about your hero.
Now visit some more posts heralding Joy's new book.
There's still some time to sign up if you want to tell us about your hero.
20 comments:
I understand culture differences, but not when it comes to the denial of the rights of women. And I don't believe any religion places women as just above a slave. Good for her for standing up for what is right.
Hey, Denise,
Some of the things I've heard about in the news continue to amaze and horrify me. Heard a story about a woman whipped after being raped. Haven't had the courage to even find out about the details.
I can't even imagine standing up with such courage as Malala if I'd been shot by those in authority. This little girl deserves every bit of recognition she gets. I hope she manages to stay safe.
Thanks for participating. This is another inspiring post showing what we can achieve if we stand behind what we believe.
When I first heard Malala's story seven or eight months ago, I had to check 2 or 3 sources to believe it. So much courage and fortitude from a little girl, vs. such evil... It shouldn't be hard to believe when we hear stories like this over and over, yet it somehow always seems to be a surprise.
Every time Malala gives a speech, writes an essay, or even reads a book, she is successfully fighting against those who don't want women to have a voice. Definitely a hero.
I just went and added both of Joy Campbell's sibling stories to my Amazon wishlist, they sound amazing, and they got awesome reviews. Wow. Congratulations, Joy.
She is an amazing, brave girl. There should be no need for a child to have to be this brave, sadly though, there is, and I'm so glad there are girls like Malala to show us how shameful some ideas are.
There are plenty of other heroes like Malala. Any little recognition is good. The only way this sort of terrorising can ever be overcome.
Yes, it seems too awful to be true, but there are so many stories like this, so many brave 'little people' out there who refuse to be silenced in the face of oppression. I'm glad you've bought Joy's books. You won't be disappointed.
I'm glad she's brave enough to shout out as it is much more powerful coming from someone who has suffered for her beliefs.
Hello Denise: Your blog is wonderful and I also love Malala, she is an inspiration. And thank you for visiting my blog, I appreciate your lovely message.
Kind regards,
Suzanne
A very brave thing indeed. A shame there is still oppression of anyone in our world.
.......dhole
Hello Suzanne. Thanks for visiting and your lovely comments.
It is a shame Donna.
Such a brave young woman - I hope she can go carry on her fight for justice. It must be awful knowing that somebody wants to kill you - very frightening stuff.
Hi Denise .. Malala is certainly very inspiring to one and all .. and exceptionally brave when all she wanted was to be schooled and educated .. somehow we have to help all under-privileged, ill-treated, down-trodden peoples ... particularly girls and women ...
Great choice of yours - Malala deserves a huge amount of support ...
Tomorrow 25th Oct Friday ... the BBC is doing a day of looking at 100 women from around the world and from all walks of life, who report, make music, save lives, educate ...
... I heard a snippet from a lady in Bolivia helping the indigenous women understand their bodies - the biology ... re birth and their husbands ... they had no understanding ... so I think we'll hear a great deal.
Link: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-24579511
What a great blog hop .. I shall visit some of the others ... cheers Hilary
Malala is an inspiration to all of humankind. I would like to share this post on Facebook if I may?
People are controlled through ignorance. She's an inspiration for fighting back.
Malala is a great choice for a hero. I shared her story on my blog for MG girls, Girls Succeed, pointing out that girls don't have to die for what they believe in, but to make girls who are fortunate to have the opportunity to gain an education to actually appreciate what they have. Perhaps they too will be inspired by Malala's actions to make the world a safer place filled with peace for everyone.
Congrats to Joy!
Malala is a worthy heroine for all of us - such an amazing story.
It is a shame kids have to lead, but the adults of today are in serious selfish mode and the taliban is no exception. That any woman or child in the world is so mistreated should be a number one priority for all governments - but for most running the world it's still their cash balances that rule. And the funny thing I'm not even talking about the politicians. Great choice for hero!
What a remarkable story. It fascinates me even more when a person has such great courage at such a young age. Thanks for highlighting Malala's plight. I'm in awe.
xoRobyn
Only 16 years old but possessing such courage and wisdom... an amazing and selfless young girl!
Can you imagine how terrifying it must have been for her? Actually, I don't think we can... yet she soldiered on...
She IS a true hero, especially in a world where the word hero is often over used!
Thanks for sharing this Denise.
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