Brianne Ries

Assistant editor

During the holiday season, people take into consideration what they are thankful for. Whether you’re thankful that you survived Thanksgiving with your family or thankful for all of the holiday sales, chances are you’re focusing on the positives in life.

If this is a relatively easy task now, why is it difficult to be thankful for the smaller things in life throughout the year? You know, to be thankful for a roof over your head, food on your table, the fact that you don’t have to worry about acid being thrown on your face and body on the way to classes?

As a collective whole at Linfield, we are lucky and blessed, especially us women. A few weeks ago, I was sickened to read about 15 young women in Afghanistan who were targeted by militants on their way to an all-female school. They had acid thrown on them by their attackers, and many were left permanently scarred; two were even blinded. Reading the article left me with many questions and a lot of anger.

It is quizzical to me how, in 2008, women around the world still face such adversity. The fact that women are even allowed to have an education in Afghanistan is a huge feat, seeing as until 2001, only men were allowed to go to school. So why do women have to fear education and Taliban militants who are often paid to carryout such heinous attacks?

I know American culture is extremely different than that of Afghanistan and many other countries, but shouldn’t everyone have a right to education? Shouldn’t everyone have a right to health care, food and a roof over her head? At the very least, shouldn’t women have the same rights to these necessities as men do?

We live in a world where women are attacked with acid for seeking a better life, a world where women are killed for marrying someone of a different religion, a world where a woman’s strength and importance are severely undermined. What is wrong with this picture? A lot, if you ask me.

What makes it even worse is how few people, men and women alike, are aware that these terrible events are occurring. We are more concerned with consumerism, holiday sales and selfishness and take for granted everything we have access to.

This morning while listening to the news, I heard a very interesting message delivered by a pastor from California. He urged people who where feeling down about their life to go out and help someone who is struggling more than themselves. Taking this step will not only help us realize what great things we have going for us in our life, but it will also allow us to reach out to those who need help.

We are all guilty of having the “woe is me” moments in life, when we are certain that nothing is going right and that there is some conspiracy against us. But how often do we stop and think about all of the people in our own
backyard that are going hungry or the women around the world who face life and death situations to go to school?

We have the power to make a
difference, even if it is simply by being aware of the horrible events that take place on a global level. Sure, thinking about it is not going to put you in the holiday spirit, but reaching out to those in need will.

Be thankful this holiday season for the safety we have and for those who ensure we can walk around our city streets without fear of being attacked.