Six Degrees of Separation...?

"It is a small world" is a statement that we may hear on a daily basis, but this cliché seems to be one that is growing in truth with the passing of time. Due to technology, social media, and overall globalization -- our world is becoming more and more connected and thus "smaller" in a metaphorical sense. Middle-eastern countries that use to seem so mystical and out of this world now seem to be in the center of international debate. A day does not go by that we do not hear about some tragedy or misfortune in the middle-east. This is not to say that only tragedy and misfortune exist, but it seems to be all we hear about.

A recent tragedy that hit home was the shooting of the 14 year old Pakistani girl who was known for her work on women's rights, specifically in regards to education. In this case, the "six degrees of separation" rule was shortened to two...

Through my work, I have the opportunity to meet people from around the world, particularly students from underserved and underrepresented areas. With that, I work very closely with three men from Pakistan who are all here studying in areas that will enable them to return home and implement systems of education. In particular, one student has a strong interest in women's educational rights. At first, I was a little intrigued by his interest in this subject, but after talking to him and hearing where he comes from I can better understand. In fact, he comes from a village so close to the 14 year old Pakistani girl, that he actually knows her. He came in to the office once the news broke and he was obviously affected emotionally. He too has horror stories of the Taliban as he and his family were displaced for a prolonged period of time.  Something tells me too that something happened to spark his interest in the need for implementing women's education. Please take a moment to read the following story about the young girl and as I read...I appreciated my very right to blog freely.  http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/taliban-says-it-shot-infidel-pakistani-teen-for-advocating-girls-rights/2012/10/09/29715632-1214-11e2-9a39-1f5a7f6fe945_story_1.html