Malala is getting flak after speaking up for the ‘Black Lives Matter’ movement
On May 25, a 46-year old black man, George Floyd, was arrested and pinned to ground for allegedly buying cigarettes with a counterfeit $20 bill in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA. The police officer put a knee to his neck for nine whole minutes even after George became unconscious. This unfortunate event led to the death of the black man. The news was not received well by people in the US and now that anger over persistent police brutality has also spread across the world.
People from around the world are coming in solidarity to join the cause for “Black Lives Matter” and that racism needs to end
— Martin Luther King III (@OfficialMLK3) June 1, 2020
Mass public protests have been observed in UK, Germany, Canada, Ireland, China, France, Italy, Zealand, Australia and in other countries. The chants “I can’t breathe” can be heard by the protestors all over the world.
Even big companies have been asked to speak up and join the cause or their silence would be understood as being complicit
Twitter has added the slogan #BlackLivesMatter to its official bio and is vocal about the discrimination against black people.
Racism does not adhere to social distancing.
Amid the already growing fear and uncertainty around the pandemic, this week has again brought attention to something perhaps more pervasive: the long-standing racism and injustices faced by Black and Brown people on a daily basis. 🧵 pic.twitter.com/8zKPlDnacY
— Twitter Together (@TwitterTogether) May 29, 2020
Netflix, too, has taken it to twitter to express its solidarity with the black people.
To be silent is to be complicit.
Black lives matter.We have a platform, and we have a duty to our Black members, employees, creators and talent to speak up.
— Netflix (@netflix) May 30, 2020
Nike has also been vocal about the injustice and discrimination against the black lives.
Let’s all be part of the change.#UntilWeAllWin pic.twitter.com/guhAG48Wbp
— Nike (@Nike) May 29, 2020
Even celebrities are also extending their support with the matter because not speaking up for the right thing is not an option anymore.
Desi celebrities have also stepped forward to join in the global cause
While everyone around the world is offering their unwavering support, Malala Yousafzai, too, issued her support for ‘Black Lives Matter’
I stand with the Black community's fight for justice for Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, George Floyd and many, many others before them. We cannot accept injustice at any cost. #BlackLivesMatter
— Malala (@Malala) June 1, 2020
However, people were quick to call out Malala for not speaking up for her own national issues
From time to time, Malala Yousafzai has tried to speak up for Muslims, and for Kashmir, repeatedly. However, it still does not seem like Pakistanis have come to terms with her. They still have their doubts which has led to this outrage over Malala supporting the cause of Black Lives Matter. People believe that by extending her support for black lives, she is playing a hypocrite by staying silent at the brutality shown towards minorities in Pakistan.
Your lengthy silence in terms of the crimes being performed by the Pakistani state is tragic! You as an icon of human rights would show your reaction against all the deeds of violence towards the innocent common people as in Khyber Pakhtunkwa and Balochistan.
— Rahmat Katawazai (@rahmatkatawazai) June 2, 2020
Why don’t u stand with Kashmiri people as they r suffering from last 8,9 months, the biggest human rights violations r going on in Indian occupied Kashmir.
— Aziz Gohir (@AzizGohir) June 2, 2020
When are you going to stand with Kashmir? "🤔
— Afreen Yousaf (@afreen_yousaf) June 1, 2020
People questioned her for not speaking for the lives of marginalized communities of her own home country in a similar way
Amazing
Malala is cornered and worried about the #BlackLivesMatter, but remained completely silent on #PashtunLivesMatter in Pakistan. I think, she doesn’t want to annoy Pakistani military.— Rahim Nasari (@RahimNasari) June 2, 2020
For real girl? Yet you can’t ever stand for your own people back home. Pashtuns are targeted everyday, yet not to speak about enforced disappearances, extra-judicial and targetkillings, landmines etc etc.. And madam is pretty upset about black community. I’m amazed!!
— Aryana Pashtana (@AryanaAfghanB) June 2, 2020
I think pashton’s live doesn’t matter 😶 … haven’t heard from you since then a word that stop killing innocent pashton!!!!
— Sameera Noori (@NooriSameera) June 2, 2020
Malala Yousafzai !
When you will stand for your pashtun afghan brothers and sisters killed on daily bases in our Soil ,
Our Pashtuns are killed in millions and are missing on daily bases .
Will you bother tweet for justice for us?— Zohra (@Zohrakhan1222) June 2, 2020
How about #Pashtuns in South Asia which are kidnapped and killed by Pakistan. #PashtunLivesMatter #stop_pashtungenocide @Malala
— Loy pukhtoon (@IbrahimArmanAf1) June 2, 2020
They pointed her out for not speaking about the minorities in Pakistan
Does Hindu / Christian lives in PAKISTAN matter? Do you stand by them. Have not heard a single word from you while yes I agree BlackLivesMatter.
— Dev – Hindu (@WagleDevadas) June 1, 2020
Raju bhai , activist on hire hai. She is silent even on persecution of minorities in her own country let alone ur country.
— बार्नी स्टिंसन (@howimeturmom0) June 1, 2020
Of course, people also took this opportunity to criticize her for not living in her own country
Aik taraf uss bechari ko apnay mulk anay ke liye kehte ho aur doosri taraf uss ko maarnay ki koshish kartay ho!
Look who is saying …. Person who couldn't live in her own country rather stand for #Floyd … Think about it at least one 🙏
— Pannah Alee (@Aleeeee26307712) June 1, 2020
Pakistan kab jaana hai ?
— Mahadev Vijay (@abcasanov) June 2, 2020
People, thus, called her a hypocrite for only speaking up for black lives because the matter is a popular narrative globally while staying silent about the prevailing injustice in her own country
u r just playing in the hand of Hypocrites. u r not on the benefit of urs Nation.
— KamalShah (@MiskinShah1) June 2, 2020
Seriously?? You are such a hypocrite. Pakistan Army & ISI kill Pashtuns and Balochs daily, you never talk about "JUSTICE FOR THEM" in your own country. Why???
— Ajmal N. Safi (@AjmalNSafi1) June 1, 2020
However, some people are glad that Malala has spoken about this matter in time, as ending discrimination is a great cause and can be helped by the privileged speaking about it
Thank you for taking a side. #BlackLivesMatter
— Lisa 🌹 (@philisaphy) June 1, 2020
I adore you and you’re an inspiration. Thank you for supporting the BLM movement.
— Leilani 🐍| BLM (@YoitsLeilaniii) June 1, 2020
Humanity must prevail.
— Wasim Ali Turi (@wasim_turi) June 1, 2020
Proud of you malala!
— Raham Dil Yousufzai (@12Dilyousafzai) June 1, 2020
What do you think about this incident? Let us know in the comments below.
Cover image via: @MalalaFund via Twitter / redbubble.com