Argumentative Essay

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.