Living in the United States of America, the thing I value more than anything is my right to free speech. I can speak against injustice, peacefully protest, and worship or abstain from any religion I choose. In many nations across the globe, citizens are not as lucky as I am. People face violent and oppressive governments, which leads to poor quality of life. Recognizing my good fortune, I unyieldingly believe that the pen is mightier than the sword.
Malala Yousafzai, a young Pakistani girl who has been continually oppressed by the
Taliban, has made the importance of words evident through her life’s work. She, alongside her family, has been an advocate for educating females in a country where women are seen as much less than their male counterparts. Even after being shot in the head by a gunman, Malala continues to use words to empower young people. Malala has faced many obstacles and has not only survived, but has thrived through her ability to use words skillfully. In an interview, she stated “The best way to solve problems and to fight against war is through dialogue”, and she has proven it true. Malala Yousafzai overcame a bullet wound that could have been fatal, is now the youngest recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize, and is a highly successful advocate for education.
Through her speaking, she has demonstrated just how powerful the pen is.
Further exemplifying the weight of words is the fact that words leave an impact for longer than the sword ever does. Growing up with a younger but very large brother, I have been punched, slapped, kicked, and even pushed down the stairs. Those experiences were undeniably painful and upsetting, but no particular event stands out in my mind. My body healed those wounds just as quickly as I forgot the fights occurred. In contrast, I vividly remember being in kindergarten and hearing at recess that my nose looked like a pig’s snout. Every night for at least the next three weeks that followed, when I was in bed, I would flatten my nose with my hand and

count to thirty before releasing, hoping that my nose would gradually flatten. Kindergarten is mostly a blur for me, but that insult still makes me insecure today. Though I’m no longer impacted by the physical actions taken against me, negative words have had the power to influence me for more than a decade since they were spoken.
Recently, on a global level, we have witnessed a devastating attack based on words. On
Wednesday, January 7, Charlie Hebdo, a satirical newspaper in France, tweeted a picture poking fun at the ISIS leader. Mere minutes after the picture was posted on Twitter, gunman stormed into the newspaper office and