Election Day Reflection

Afghan Peace Activist Malalai Joya Speaks on "Crisis and Resistance"

A year ago, Obama stepped in as President of the U.S., with a fanfare characterized by the slogans "Change" and "Hope."

What hope for change do we have?! I certainly do not have hope with the current president, whose foreign policy reminds me more and more of that of his predecessor.

I'm angry. I feel upset about the constant, oppressive backdrop of U.S. occupations in Afghanistan, Iraq, the Palestinian territories, and now Pakistan.

I like what Malalai Joya has to say about the situation in Afghanistan and the role of the U.S. Regarding Obama's recent honor: "[Obama receiving the Nobel Peace Prize is like] giving the peace prize to the President of War."

Listening to Malalai made me feel more angry, but also made me feel more hopeful. With people like this speaking out, and more people listening and acting, we'll get done what the President won't do. "Democracy is not made with bombs and guns." "One country cannot liberate another country."

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Malalai Joya is one of Afghanistan’s leading democracy activists. In 2005, she became the youngest person ever elected to the Afghan parliament. She was suspended in 2007 for her denunciation of warlords and their cronies in government. She has just written her memoir, “A Woman Among Warlords: The Extraordinary Story of an Afghan Woman Who Dared to Speak Out.”

She spoke in New York at the Northeast Socialist Conference on October 23, 2009.