Persepolis

"One can forgive but one should never forget."

The above quote is from the introduction of Persepolis, by Marjane Satrapi. As true as it is, the context in which she uses it is in the respect of remembering one's homeland, the people who have fought and died for it, the place that defines you. In that respect, lies the aspect of family. Throughout "The Story of a Childhood" we see that family plays a very important role, one that I was actually impressed by. I found it intriguing that everytime Marjane had a new thought or idea about who she wanted be her family was right there to back her up, to inspire her, to correct her, to inform and teach her. While some may consider that being the whole point of having a family I think it is a common misconception of the Iranian culture that just because people may come from Iran (or Iraq even given our current warefare) that people do not stem from loving and safe families. I think that some people may think they don't have families because of the assumption that everyone from the Middle East nowadays is out to get us. But what I got from Marjane's story and her relationship with her parents is that all the trials and tribulations her family has gone through in order to give her the life she has, be it in Iran or elsewhere. I think it is important that we all find a little piece ourselves to identify with within the arena of Marjane's family, within her life in Iran in order to take away what we should from this piece. So as the quote says, taken in a different context, one should always forgive (your family) for their possible short comings, their faults and mistakes, their efforts and strife to make a better life for their children. ..but one should never, ever, ever forget the road they have taken to get there.