In the reading, The Complete Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi, suppression of self-expression and freedom were a few themes that were spoken about and referenced throughout this story. At the beginning of the story, we observe the country of Iran from the perspective of a 10-year-old. This allows us to visualize the background of this story in Iranian history where schools became segregated by gender and women needed to wear veils, also known as hijabs. Throughout the time period of 1979, the Islamic revolution took place, then in 1980, the veil became mandatory for all women, all bilingual schools were closed down, and Satrapi was placed into an Islamic school for all girls.
BBC News article states “Iran’s new Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini decreed that all women had to wear the veil – regardless of religion or nationality.” During this period, the hijab became a symbol of resistance and protest against the monarchy of Mohammad Reza Shah, who was the Former Shah of Iran. Although many people may have supported the political symbol of the veil, many citizens were against it. Looking more in-depth at these themes that were displayed throughout the book, an article from CBC states, “By 1981, it became compulsory for all women in Iran above the age of 9 to wear the veil. Other changes also followed: gender segregation in the workplace, schools, and sporting events.” This message portrays that women were being suppressed of their freedom and self-expression by Khomeini, the Iran leader. This quote also compares the experiences that Satrapi and her mom had gone through including the veil mandate as well as Satrapi being separated from her friends.
Some events that have occurred recently that relate to the suppression of freedom and self-expression within the book could be COVID vaccinations. Requiring vaccinations for all people within a work environment around the world could be seen as suppressing their right to self-expression as well as freedom of religion. The Cornell Law States, “Government adopts and enforces many measures that are designed to further a valid interest but that may restrict freedom of expression.” This shows that although government mandates may be valid, they do suppress citizens’ right to self-expression and freedom. There are many examples of suppression of freedom and self-expression that can relate back to the experiences that Satrapi endured as a child during the Islamic revolution.
BBC. (2019, February 8). Iranian women – before and after the Islamic revolution. BBC News.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-47032829 , September 29, 2021
Legal Information Institute. (n.d.). Particular governmental regulations that restrict expression.
Legal Information Institute.
https://www.law.cornell.edu/constitution-conan/amendment-1/particular-governmental-r
egulations-that-restrict-expression , September 29, 2021
“The Stolen Revolution: Iranian Women of 1979 | CBC Radio.” CBCnews, CBC/Radio
Canada, 9 Dec. 2019,
https://www.cbc.ca/radio/ideas/the-stolen-revolution-iranian-women-of-1979-1.504832
October 1, 2021
Hi!
As I do believe we should have freedoms to live our life and do what we want, I feel that medical things should be different. I am a person of science and I have looked into vaccine requirements and people who are anti-vax. I feel that if there is this amount of research done on these vaccinations, and they are here to protect us as well as others, it should be more mandated. Its our health as well as others so I do agree we should have freedoms but people not getting especially certain vaccinations such as the Covid vaccine, you are simply putting others at risk. I understand if it is something you cannot transmit so easily it should be your right to choose, but if it is something potentially deadly and easily transmitted, it should be something more mandated. It simply is my opinion and I know everyone has there own opinion.
I completely agree that the veil being mandatory for all women is definitely a suppression of freedom and took away certain rights that women and everyone should have. Whether it’s explicitly stated or not things such as what to wear and where you can wear them should be a decision made by each women herself, not by somebody else. Especially since it was mentioned that the mandate started at age 9 for girls. Relating it back to Marjane’s life was a very good idea, because she did experience it first hand and her storytelling helped to go along with both your point of suppression of freedom and her real life experiences with it. The way it was related to the COVID vaccine was a very good choice because it is a heavily debated topic as was the veil mandate was in Iran. There are many people who think of these issues in different ways and can see many different viewpoints for them. There are also the people who take very strong arguments for just one side. In my opinion the COVID vaccine can definitely suppress peoples religious freedoms in some cases and that should be respected seeing as religious freedom is one of our amendments. I am also able to see the other side of where it could be necessary for protection of people. This is where the argument of the veils in Marjane’s life seems as though it should have been left up to each single woman because it was not going to either protect people or harm them.
The fact that these women were not able to choose for themselves if they wanted to wear veils, means that their self expression was suppressed. These days, many women happily wear veils and hijabs as way to empower themselves, but in this situation, the power is taken away as these was a government enforced rule. It made it clear that they were not the same or equal to their male counterparts who were able to do as they please. I see how this can be related to Covid-19, but I do not see how getting the vaccine or not relates to self-expression. I can see how it could suppress peoples’ religious freedoms, but only if they were against all vaccines in general and not this one specifically.
It makes me extremely disheartened to hear about women who were treated poorly and not able to express themselves. Whether it’s their culture, religion, sexuality, appearance, etc., they should be able to be who they want to be without worrying about consequences. Being forced to look or act a certain way is belittling. I also enjoyed the quotes you referenced and how you tied them into your argument. However, I don’t agree that the Covid-19 vaccine is suppressing someone’s freedom. It is a safe vaccine meant to keep you and others safe! Especially for those who are at high risk. I don’t think this is comparable to the veil because wearing or not wearing a veil didn’t affect anyone and it was truly just taking freedom away from women.
I completely agree with the idea that the introduction of the veil to Middle Eastern society was a violation of women’s rights and hindered their ability to express themselves. It takes away their freedom of speech too, as it suppresses the idea of individuality in society. Women should be able to wear whatever they want and have their own beliefs. Because they are very limited in their access to education in Iran, it allows men to overpower them. Overall, I think what the Iranian government did by implementing those changes set a horrible tone on other parts of the world, as women everywhere still struggle with gender inequality today. However, I do not think the requirement of COVID vaccines hinders people’s ability of self-expression. I think that the government is doing it to keep everyone safe and allow for more places to open back up without restrictions.
I agree everyone should have the freedom to express themselves without oppression and objection. Is like you’re enforcing a veil onto someone because you heavily agree that the right way to practice the religion. Is more of saying my laws are to be followed with no room for freedom. No one should live this way. I also like how you mentioned the mandating of the vaccine and how it obstructing some people’s viewpoints and beliefs. If one doesn’t want to get the vaccine therefore they shouldn’t be forced to get and afflict their employment. Is part of our constitution to have the ability of freedom of expression.