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Friday, March 15, 2013

Persepolis. It wasn’t just a bureaucratic mistake. Byrd-Bennett really banned the book. On purpose. | Fred Klonsky

Persepolis. It wasn’t just a bureaucratic mistake. Byrd-Bennett really banned the book. On purpose. | Fred Klonsky:


Persepolis. It wasn’t just a bureaucratic mistake. Byrd-Bennett really banned the book. On purpose.

A reporter from a national publication called and asked why I thought this was all happening.
Echoing the views of many CPS teachers, I said that it is so dumb that it must be the typical bureaucratic crap that goes on in CPS all the time.
But I was wrong.
CPS CEO Barbara Byrd-Bennett actually banned the book.
On purpose.
With intent.

Chicago Public Schools CEO Barbara Byrd-Bennett said Friday that the book “Persepolis” should not be used with seventh graders because it contains “graphic language and images.”

Byrd-Bennett’s statement comes after Lane Tech College Prep Principal Christopher Dignam sent out an email about Marjane Satrapi’s autobiographical graphic novel, saying he was directed by CPS officials to remove the book.

Teachers, parents and students had called for a protest at the North Side high school Friday afternoon.

“Persepolis,” described by Time magazine as a memoir of girl growing up in Iran 



CPS. No libraries. Banned books.