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‘Persepolis’ reportedly removed from Chicago Public Schools

Started by Comicopolis,

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Comicopolis

Comicopolis

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For those not in the know:

 

"Persepolis is a French-language autobiographical graphic novel by Marjane Satrapi depicting her childhood up to her early adult years in Iran during and after the Islamic revolution. The title is a reference to the ancient capital of the Persian Empire, Persepolis. Newsweek ranked the book #5 on its list of the ten best fiction books of the decade.[1]

 

Drawn in black and white, the comic found great popularity following its release, and was translated into several languages. The English edition combines the first two French books and was translated by Blake Ferris and Satrapi's husband, Mattias Ripa. The French editions of Persepolis 1 and Persepolis 2 were combined into a single volume, Persepolis 1, for the United States market, and "Persepolis 3" and "Persepolis 4" were combined into a single volume, "Persepolis 2". In the U.S., the Persepolis series is published by Pantheon Books.

 

In 2007, an animated film adaptation of the comic was created, with author Satrapi co-directing with French comic artist Vincent Paronnaud. The film utilized the same style of the comic, although there are a handful of scenes in the present day that are shown in color, while the rest of the flashback events are illustrated in black and white, as in the novel. The film opened in various countries to critical acclaim and received an Oscar nomination for Best Animated Feature at the United States Academy Awards."

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dupont2005

dupont2005

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I can see why they would want to remove it, since it encourages the reader to view Iranians as human beings like themselves, with hopes and dreams and individuality. Can't have that.
I thought it was removed more because it might teach a kid that authority isn't always right.
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ChrisInBaltimore

ChrisInBaltimore

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As an English teacher, these kind of things are always concerning. Comics/Graphic novels can really appeal to students- especially struggling readers. Comics are what got me and my dyslexic brain reading and loving English.

 

Now on the flip side, being placed on the ban book list usually brings a lot of attention to a book and it can really propel the novel. Huck Finn had kind of disappeared off reading lists until a few years ago someone attempted to make a copy of the book that replaced the n word with slave. It really brought the book back because of the controversy. So while this seems a bad thing it may end up being a plus in the long run.

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Ken Aldred

Ken Aldred

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As an English teacher, these kind of things are always concerning. Comics/Graphic novels can really appeal to students- especially struggling readers. Comics are what got me and my dyslexic brain reading and loving English.

 

That's a good point. A friend has a son who was falling a long way behind in his reading ability through suffering from epilepsy, and he taught him to read and catch up with his peer group by using comic books. Actually ended up with a science PhD - can't recall what, specifically.

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originalisbest

originalisbest

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As an English teacher, these kind of things are always concerning. Comics/Graphic novels can really appeal to students- especially struggling readers. Comics are what got me and my dyslexic brain reading and loving English.

 

That's a good point. A friend has a son who was falling a long way behind in his reading ability through suffering from epilepsy, and he taught him to read and catch up with his peer group by using comic books. Actually ended up with a science PhD - can't recall what, specifically.

 

Nonsense. Everyone knows comics are terrible for you, and make one depraved.

-- Dr. FW

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Ares

Ares

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http://robot6.comicbookresources.com/2013/03/chicago-public-schools-told-not-to-remove-persepolis/

Chicago Public Schools told not to remove ‘Persepolis’

Chicago Public Schools have been told to disregard an earlier order to remove Marjane Satrapi’s acclaimed 2000 graphic novel Persepolis. Instead, the Chicago Tribune reports, CEO Barbara Byrd-Bennett has asked that the autobiography no longer be taught to seventh-graders. It will, however, remain in libraries.

 

Word of the initial order spread quickly following the removal of copies of the book Wednesday afternoon from Lane Tech College Prep, one of the largest schools in the city. The move sparked outcry from teachers, parents and students, who had organized a protest for later this afternoon.

 

Although Persepolis in included in the district’s curriculum for seventh-graders, Byrd-Bennett said in a letter sent to principals this morning that it may not be appropriate for that age group. According to the Tribune, the district released images from the graphic novel depicting a man being whipped, burned with an iron and urinated on.

 

Depicting Satrapi’s experience is a child and young adult in Iran during the Islamic revolution, Persepolis has received almost universal acclaim. The 2007 animated adaptation directed by Satrapi and Vincent Paronnaud was nominated for an Academy Award.

 

After directing principals to have seventh-grade teachers remove the book from their classroom, Byrd-Bennett said that “due to the powerful images of torture,” she has asked the Office of Teaching & Learning to develop guidelines so educators “can be trained to present this strong but important content.” The district will also decide whether, “after appropriate teacher training,” Persepolis should be included in the curriculum for grades eight through 10.

 

“These are not photos of torture. It’s a drawing and it’s one frame,” Satrapi told the newspaper. “I don’t think American kids of seventh grade have not seen any signs of violence. Seventh-graders have brains and they see all kinds of things on cinema and the Internet. It’s a black and white drawing and I’m not showing something extremely horrible. That’s a false argument. They have to give a better explanation.”A CPS spokeswoman told the newspaper the initial directive was sent by district staff following concerns raised by teachers at Austin-North Lawndale, but it didn’t reflect the intent of the administration.

 

“The message got lost in translation, but the bottom line is, we never sent out a directive to ban the book,” spokeswoman Becky Carrolll told the Tribune. “We want to make sure there’s an appropriate way to teach it to students given the graphic nature of the novel. [...] We’re not saying remove these from buildings altogether.”

 

Chicago Public Schools has provided ROBOT 6 with the full text of Byrd-Bennett’s letter to principals:

 

I am writing to clarify an email you received from Network Chiefs earlier this week about the graphic novel, Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi. First, let me be clear – we are not banning this book from our schools.

 

Persepolis is included as a selection in the Literacy Content Framework for seventh grade. It was brought to our attention that it contains graphic language and images that are not appropriate for general use in the seventh grade curriculum. If your seventh grade teachers have not yet taught this book, please ask them not to do so and to remove any copies of the book from their classrooms.

 

We have determined Persepolis may be appropriate for junior and senior students and those in Advance Placement classes. Due to the powerful images of torture in the book, I have asked our Office of Teaching & Learning to develop professional development guidelines, so that teachers can be trained to present this strong, but important content. We are also considering whether the book should be included, after appropriate teacher training, in the curriculum of eighth through tenth grades. Once this curricular determination has been made, we will notify you.

 

Also, please be reminded that central school library collections are governed by the New Collection Development Policy For School Libraries. We are not requesting that you remove Persepolis from your central school library. Therefore do not remove this book or any other book from the central school library, unless you have complied with the policy.

 

Thank you for your patience and understanding in this matter. We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused you and your staff.

 

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lizards2

lizards2

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According to the Tribune, the district released images from the graphic novel depicting a man being whipped, burned with an iron and urinated on.

sounds like second grade in the U.S. - what are these puzzies complaining about? :shrug:
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catrick339

catrick339

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Free publicity. Good.

 

With any luck the 700 club or something of similar ilk will raise the banner cry to ban it EVERYWHERE and sales will then shoot through the roof!

 

It may be time to dig out my "I Read Banned Books" pin again and wear it proudly.

 

 

 

 

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Not*Sure*

Not*Sure*

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Free publicity. Good.

 

With any luck the 700 club or something of similar ilk will raise the banner cry to ban it EVERYWHERE and sales will then shoot through the roof!

 

It may be time to dig out my "I Read Banned Books" pin again and wear it proudly.

 

 

 

 

I miss you Catrick..

 

 

 

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catrick339

catrick339

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Free publicity. Good.

 

With any luck the 700 club or something of similar ilk will raise the banner cry to ban it EVERYWHERE and sales will then shoot through the roof!

 

It may be time to dig out my "I Read Banned Books" pin again and wear it proudly.

 

 

 

 

I miss you Catrick..

 

 

 

All right-thinking cutiepoos do, dear.

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