honestly it’s less about marjane satrapi and persepolis and more about how that’s the only narrative the western world views as factual or even worth reading
same thing with authors like khaled hosseini. their works show one perspective, a perspective in a sea of different experiences, one that conveniently paints western imperialist agendas in a positive light and even more conveniently becomes the only narrative ever published for western audiences
you can acknowledge someone’s experiences, but you should always ask yourself why, for example, books like this became required reading in many schools alongside other writings meant to shape your opinion a certain way about a certain region and religion
marjane satrapi was an open zionist and khaled hosseini was welcomed by george w. bush at the white house. Hosseini wrote in his fictional book Kite Runner:
"There are only three real men in this world, Amir," he'd say. He'd count them off on his fingers: America the brash savior, Britain, and Israel. "The rest of them--" he used to wave his hand and make a phht sound "--they're like gossiping old women."
In Baba's view, Israel was an island of "real men" in a sea of Arabs too busy getting fat off their oil to care for their own. "Israel does this, Israel does that," Baba would say in a mock-Arabic accent.
