Who's afraid of Persepolis?*

Marjane Satrapi, on the Persepolis brouhaha in Chicago:

TO THE administrators I would say: Find your brain again. Stop lying, stop being hypocritical, and trust the young people. Read the book first and don't just be shocked by one picture. Read it first, and then, if you really are shocked, don't teach it. But I'm sure these people didn't even read it.

I would say to the children that I trust them--and I really trust that they will make a better world. I think they are very intelligent, and I really believe in young people.

To the teachers, I would say that I respect them more than anyone in the world because this is really not an easy job to do. Thanks to people like them--they saved my life.

*Post title pulled from the interview, obvs.

Comments

[Dan Kleinman]

The school found this was inappropriate for the seventh grade. I haven't read the book, but I really don't see the sin here. Schools get to decide what is appropriate for their students, and they should not be attacked for making a decision. A proper response is acceptable, but attacking is not. The attacks are designed to force somebody's way. As Dan Gerstein said, "The ... elites have convinced themselves that they are taking a stand against cultural tyranny. .... [T]he reality is that it is those who cry 'Censorship!' the loudest who are the ones trying to stifle speech and force their moral world-view on others."

Oh wait, the bigger the "brohaha", the more books sold. Well that explains things.

[Leila]

Thanks for catching the typo! I fixed it.

[Hope]

Dan,

Below is a quote. If you follow the link you will see the image of an email printed on CPS letterhead. They took the books out of every junior high and high school library. Only because of the outcry have they backed off. I've said before that I think teachers should go very carefully when they assign required reading. Not every kid is ready for a book no matter how good the book is. On the other hand, taking books out of libraries, denying children an opportunity to read a book because it makes YOU uncomfortable? That's inexcusable.

http://preaprez.wordpress.com/2013/03/14/cps-book-banning/

"Yesterday afternoon, one of the Network Instructional Support Leaders stopped by my office and informed me (per a directive given during the Chief of Schools meeting on March 11) that all ISLs were directed to physically go to each school in the Network by Friday (3/15) to:*Confirm that Persepolis is not in the library,*Confirm that it has not been checked out by a student or teacher,*Confirm with the school principal that it is not being used in any classrooms,*And to collect the autobiographical graphic novel by Marjane Satrapi from all classrooms and the Library.I was not provided a reason for the collection of Persepolis. If I learn more I will inform all staff."