In 1979 a revolution took place. It was later called ‘The Islamic Revolution.’
(Satrapi, 2004 pg. 3)
In Marjane Satrapi’s graphic novel, Persepolis, the story takes place during the time of the Islamic Revolution. The Islamic Revolution was also known as the Iranian Revolution. The Islamic Revolution involved a series of events overthrowing the monarch of Iran, Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi. Because he was not a very good ruler to his people and was greedy, people wanted to overthrow him. He only focused on the oil production and trade of his country. the people of Iran did not think he was fit to rule since he did not do anything to help his country prosper. He only ruled to make money from the oil production. Violence increased in the streets during revolts and protests. Once he was overthrown/exiled, the country was in a state of confusion. Soon, Iran was named an Islamic Republic. Many people do not know the history of Iran and how the country became one of the most war affected country. Although we are taught the history of other countries in the world, Iran or Persia is rarely talked about. Many people in the united States do not know that the Islamic Revolution was when asked about it. So that the history is not forgotten, The Iranian story should be put in the light for other people to know about and learn from
Marjane Satrapi wrote her graphic novel based of personal experience. Through her experience, she is able to share and show people the history of her country. She writes “the Arabs never liked the Persians. Everyone knows that. They attacked us 1400 years ago. They forced their religion on us (Satrapi, 2004, pg. 81). Even in her story, Satrapi was able to use her knowledge of her country to show that the revolution was violent and wrong. Due to the lack of understanding and knowing the history of Iranians, Satrapi draws her novel to show people her perspective of when she was young during the revolution. Without Satrapi’s story and insight on the revolution, there was be less people unaware of the history of the Iranians. We should be taught more about other countries other than our own. Our public school system should focus on a large array of the worlds history in order to prevent it from happening. We are often taught what happens in the United States, which is important, but we are not taught other important history in other parts of the world. I took AP World history sophomore year and I do not think we once talked about Iranians and their history. We knew where it was located and where it is. We also know how the country was at war or was a war zone at one point but that was it. We need to be more exposed to other crucial history.
Why do you think some history is not told as clearly as American history? Do you think people would care about other country’s history?
Satrapi, M. (2004). Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood. New York, NY: Pantheon Books
Women of Color in Literature : Phun’s Experience 
America should not be focusing not only on our own history but also other country’s history as well. Important revolutionary changes happen to other countries that can impact us and we should know about it.
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In the U.S., we neglect other nations’ problems and history, however, there is valuable lessons to be learned outside of our borders. Being exposed to other history will grant us knowledge and awareness to solve our own problems.
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Many Americans knew very little about the Islamic history such as the Islamic Revolution. That is why in order to remember other historical events that occurred outside the United States, we should expand world history.
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