Fouzia Azeem, known popularly as “Qandeel Baloch,” was murdered in her Multan, Pakistan, residence on July 15, 2016. Her brother, Waseem Azeem, was the murderer. Qandeel Baloch’s life is a story of a girl rising above preconceptions and stereotypes - a story that ends in death. Holistically, her death was a community effort.

Whether it was for her bold selfies or her unwavering affection towards Pakistani politician Imran Khan, the outspoken and patriotic Qandeel Baloch was a social media mogul in Pakistan. She lived on her own terms and died as a consequence. Baloch claimed to be a modern-day feminist; on July 14, 2016, she posted the following to her widely followed Facebook account: “I believe in equality. I need not to choose what type of women should be. I don't think there is any need to label ourselves just for sake of society. I am just a woman with free thoughts free mindset and I LOVE THE WAY I AM”. Hours later, she would die.

Qandeel Baloch was growing, not just in prominence but also as a person. As her social media following broadened, so did her mindset. The 26-year-old was becoming socially and politically aware and was attempting to use her platform to show the Pakistani community that it’s alright to have opinions and to not conform. However, she was ridiculed; judgments were passed on her character and approach. These judgments came from the community at large, not just conservative households. Even the self-proclaimed liberals openly disrespected her and shamed her for being bold. Qandeel Baloch had a huge following but very little support. Her attempt failed, and she was silenced.

After she was strangled to death by her brother to save the Azeem family’s honor, hypocrisy arose in the Pakistani community. Many grieved her death on social media and spoke against her killer, unaware that they were complicit in her murder. In his statement, Waseem Azeem claimed that family honor is important and said, “I was determined to either kill myself or kill her.”

Qandeel Baloch’s mistake was that she stayed true to herself; she was a woman who chose not to conform. In response to her social media posts, people threatened and mocked her. Her photos were shared widely by people in disgust and dismay. The Pakistani community sentenced her to death and her brother must have thought the same.

Today, the same community that once shamed her mourns her death. I do not understand the hypocrisy and intolerance in my community. I hope Qandeel Baloch’s story teaches the next generation of my community not to judge and label someone. I hope the next generation of my community is not filled with intolerance. I hope the next generation of my community understands that actions have consequences.