Persuasive Essay On Persepolis

The graphic memoir Persepolis, written by Iranian native Marjane Satrapi, explores her experience growing up during the Iranian Revolution in the 1970s. Told through images along with a written narrative, Persepolis gives insight on Middle Eastern politics and a young woman’s journey simultaneously. Since 2003 when it was first released in English, the novel has been banned by a number of public schools across America. With proper evidence and valid arguments for both sides of the controversy in mind, this paper will provide reasoning as to why this story is an important one for American children to read. Along with explaining the current debate, a history of banned books will be provided, as well as reasoning from education professionals and first amendment specialists. Past and present debate about this novel is strictly opinion-based, and rooted in how much

According to the ALA’s Library Bill of Rights, parents and only parents have the right to prohibit or control what their children read; this is not the government’s responsibility. Practicing the banning of books also teaches children that ideas that are unconventional or alien are invalid, and therefore have no merit. Similarly, Supreme Court Justice William J. Brennan, Jr. in Texas v. Johnson states: “If there is a bedrock principle underlying the First Amendment, it is that the government may not prohibit the expression of an idea simply because society finds the idea itself offensive or disagreeable.” This reaffirms that the first amendment protects the individual’s freedom of speech, and therein lays the freedom to read and write what you want. Undeniably, banning books is generally looked down on my educational professionals and definitely by first amendment specialists protecting citizens’