Christopher Rojas
11/8/13
2°
English II
Argumentative
Essay
Do you think, Persepolis, by Marjane
Satrapi should be banned from public schools? Johan Bennett, Chief Executive
Officer, from SMJUHSD thinks so. I very much disagree with banning Persepolis,
but as well agree with some points he has.
Bennett wants Persepolis banned, but
why? Because it has “crass language, graphic violence, torture, sexual content,
lewd humor, and an instance of suicide” (para 2). I agree with Bennett that
Persepolis is a inappropriate book, but “we”, tenth graders, are all exposed to
this in the real world. I disagree because an example would be teens watching
Rated R movies, or playing violent, bad-language, and sexual content video
games like the following: Ted, Kick-Ass, Medal of Honor, Call of Duty, Grand
Theft Auto, etc. So come on Bennett, whets your real point?
Bennett also says, “Throughout the books
she demonstrates her rebelliousness by going against her parents, teachers, and
government” (para 3). Yes! She is going against them because she is standing up
for what’s right, but officers shot anyone who demonstrates or goes against the
government or their rules. She still doesn’t care and does this because her
Grandma and Uncle Anoosh inspired her too. An example would be on pages 55-61.
She learns how her Uncle Anoosh stood up for what’s right, but he was imprisoned
for 9 years defending another man…..a true hero! She wants to follow her Uncles
footsteps, but along the way she has her bad and good decisions which she then
makes up.
The only reason why I agree with Johann Bennett, Yes!
Persepolis does have crass language, graphic violence, etc., but that doesn't mean it should really be banned. I think it should just say PG-13 or something.
But do you really think this is going to stop a “tenth grader” from getting a
hold of this book, Persepolis?
In conclusion, I don’t think
Persepolis should be banned from public schools. After all, these so called “tenth
graders” are now high school students, a closer step to the real world.
Persepolis is a great way to connect your much better, safer, and educational
life then having to be ruled, tortured, or even killed for talking bad about
the government. I bet parents out there who think this book is disrespectful, inappropriate,
or even a asinine waste of time, you might want to think again. This book,
Persepolis, is in the Top 100 Best Selling Graphic Novels which I think tells
me that it’s a great book to be read and discussed in World Literature classes.
