The plight of 14-year-old Pakistani girl gives parents a teaching moment. AP
There is no better lesson for American students to understand the fight young people wage internationally than in Malala Yousufzai.
This is the 14-year-old Pakistani girl who was shot last week by the Taliban after speaking out for equal education for women.
She grew up in a region often controlled by the Taliban, which bans girls from attending school.
Malala blogged about her experience under Taliban rule for the BBC and the New York Times picked up her story.
She appeared several times on television and in news stories for her advocacy for equal education.
For this, Taliban gunmen found her while she was returning from school and shot her in the head. They specifically asked for her.
Malala is in critical condition in a hospital in Birmingham, England.
The aftermath has led to outrage, among people of all faiths, including Muslims.
While the Taliban has repeated its intent to kill the girl and her father, at least 50 Islamic clerics in Pakistan have issued a fatwa against those who tried to take her life.
For me, this is worth sharing with American children, who often don't understand the privileges they have.
My 8-year-old watched the news with me when this happened.
He had a hard time understanding why a group of men would not want a girl in school.
For a boy who grumbles about reading "boring" books, I asked how it would feel to not be allowed books.
Or, to be denied a chance to learn art, math, science or music. Or, to be left out of sports.
He started connecting the dots between this girl and why as a country we care, and should care more, about what happens in other places.
Even an 8-year-old understands the moral responsibility to take care of those without a voice or power.
He also views school a little differently, with much less complaint. At least for now.
It's a tragic story as parents we sometimes try to shield from our kids.
But this one got to me. This one needs to shared.
