Examples Of Social Injustice In My Forbidden Face

Social injustices are everywhere. They stem from unfair biases and stigmas and cause rifts in society. In “My Forbidden Face” which is a true story written by a 16 year old girl named Latifa, Latifa’s life is turned completely upside down when a stringent group known as the Taliban takes over her hometown. While in power the Taliban usurped many rights women had previously had and enforced malevolent punishments to those who did not agree. Another historical example of an injustice is the apartheid. Which was where white people pared away the rights of indigenous Africans in South Africa. In both cases a group of people claimed superiority of another group of people over another group unjustly. In “My forbidden Face” The Taliban striped the
women of all their rights then proceeded to cover them up in heavy clothing. They also “ massacred thousands of people because of their ethnic and religious affiliations in what can only be called a program of ethnic cleansing” (Latifa). People have a basic hierarchy of needs that need to be met. Social injustices prevent the people affected from meeting these and living a fulfilling life. Injustices lead to depression and sickness like in Latifas case and poverty and racial tension in the case of the apartheid. Many tensions and bans were already in place before the apartheid officially began. Things like “The Great Depression and World War 2.... convinced the government to strengthen its policies of racial segregation”. (History of the Apartheid) White supremacists believed that by separating the races it would solve the all problems. They were disillusioned by the fallacy that one race or gender could be superior to another. The Taliban also believes in this false notion. There is a common thread between the two injustices and the two groups behind them. Both believe that their actions are just and both are uneducated on the groups they are discriminatory to. Also in both cases outside parties had to get involved to help end the apartheid and the Taliban occupation. Which says a lot on how to combat social injustices. Knowledge and educating people on the injustices will lead to more involvement. The more people know about other people and what their dealing with the more they will get involved. Although gender and race injustices still exist and countries are still struggling with the Taliban, positive strides are being made and more will be made through education. Religion, Heritage, or biases from a young age are no excuse to treat people like they are any lesser. In the end no party truly benefits.