Inquiry Post #1

The Friday Everything Changed

Inquiry Questions:How does inequality get perpetuated? Why is stability often chosen over taking a risk? How does a fear rejection stop individuals from expressing their true selves? What motivates us in the face of despair and oppression?

Primary Source: The Friday Everything Change

Secondary Sources: Malala Marches Towards the Nobel Peace Prize

The Friday Everything Changed is a short story of the past, where society’s expectations and stereotypes are unalike to the ones we have in the twentieth century. Protagonist, Alma Niles, made ripples in her small class as she challenged a tradition of carrying a water bucket normally done by boys. In the 1900’s gender rolls were nearly set in stone, men were given the ‘important’ tasks while women were to remain at home or to tend to meaningless work. One of the girls wanted to see a change, and when the boys started to torment her for doing so, the girls united and stuck together for the first time. In our modern society we are constantly letting gender inequality perpetuate. We are aware of the discrimination that happens, yet we do nothing. We are as good as Donald Trump and the gun issues in America. Malala Yousfzai, a children education activist, went against the rules of her community and the Pakistani Taliban to fight for her right to go to school. Malala remained strong and determined, even when the Taliban shot her. In a way it’s a modern-day version of what happened in The Friday Everything Changed. Through the hardships they were forced to face, both girls persevered, and they never lost sight of what they had in mind. The world is an ever-changing place. With all our progression of modernization and the changing of our society and culture, some have been left behind. Fortunately, in first world countries such as America and Canada, the gap of inequality has lessened; Women are gaining more and more rights. Third world countries such as Pakistan still view women as less, expecting them to stay in a prison like house and mainly reproduce. Maybe we need more people like Alma Niles. Thankfully we have had those few amazing people who’ve tried to solve our problems, put in the effort to change the world for the better. Andree Geulen, Malala Yousfzai, Jade Hamiester all empowering women who have impacted the world in a positive outcome. One part of The Friday Everything Changed that I really admire Alma for, is when her cousin tries to talk her out of trying to carry the water bucket. “I’m sorry, Arnold.” she said. “but I’m used to the cold weather. In winter I walk to school the same as you.” That simple line proves that the reason we have limits is because we create them. We all perform the same task relentless of gender at one point or another. It is because we choose to set these rules and limits that gender inequality exists. If we were to all work together we can make it cease to exist.