This week in our ASTU class we read Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi. This graphic narrative illustrates a child growing up during the Iranian revolution and how she feels about the events that occurred. Prior to reading this book, I had never been exposed to the Iranian revolution. This showed me how little I have learned about world history.

Coming from an American school, first year we take world history. Yet, most of the class is based on European history. We never address the matters of the middle east or even major other countries like Australia or India. No wonder Americans have the reputation of being terrible at geography, we simply aren’t taught it. Our view of the world is skewed by our textbooks only teaching us about countries that have influence and money. Coming to university and meeting so many international students, shows me how much I don’t know about the world.

During class we discussed what it means to be a global citizen. Our group started looking into how we see the world as a globalized place. This idea is getting muddled into thinking that we are becoming “westernized” rather than globalized.  The major countries in the world have the ability to further their ideals onto weaker countries, is this what globalization has become? The American school system is built upon the idea of America being the best country out there. This becomes an issue when we are learning about other countries who may not believe that. We have shaped our minds into believing that other countries want our help with their issues. Yet, when did we find it necessary to indulge ourselves in everyone else’s business? Is this what we call globalization? The powerful American and European countries patronizing the smaller states.

In Persepolis, Marjane references this idea in The Water Cell chapter. Her uncle is telling her about how Iran became a republic. She illustrates panels of “the very influential British” (Satrapi, 20) scheming to use the new Iranian leader as their puppet. Again, we see the unwanted tampering of western governments in foreign politics. We must critique our actions on foreign policy from different perspectives before we act, or we run the risk of intruding on others. The only way we can strive to become globalized citizens is through actively learning about other countries in different perspectives than the one we were taught. This procedure will lead to a less conflict consumed world.