Ignorance and Michael Jackson

Until children begin learning how to make their own decisions, they have a tendency to adopt their parents view on most topics. The funny thing is that most adults adopt other people’s views on politics and other matters because they are ignorant on the subject. Rather than educate themselves and formulate their own opinions, they listen to the people around them and simply agree. At the beginning of this assignment I did not feel I had enough knowledge about Iran to write a full paper about the subject. I have very general knowledge about the country. My first thoughts were religious extremism, oil, and links to terrorist groups. They say that ignorance is bliss and I can honestly say that I am guilty of being ignorant. From the very beginning of the book, Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi, I realized that the story is about more than just a country at war. The story is about a child with ideals. It is easy to stereotype someone of a different culture. I say this because it is the truth. It is much easier to allow yourself to believe a stereotype than it is to see every person as an individual. I should be ashamed to say that I have viewed Iran as a “country of fundamentalism and terrorism.” Satrapi challenges this by portraying Marji and her family in a way that readers can relate to. They simply want the freedom to choose, something most of us take for granted. Marji is a young and inquisitive girl beginning to create an identity of her own. She struggles to conform to what society tells her is right. She wears Nike sneakers, denim jackets, and listens to Iron Maiden and Michael Jackson. I don’t believe that one American 80’s child can say they did not do the same. Marji’s parents, Taji and Ebi, are portrayed as loving parents that only want the best for their child. Her father, Ebi, works hard to provide a life of luxury for his family and her mother, Taji, does the best to make sure Marji gets the education she needs to be successful. I could see Taji and Ebi