Holocaust Graphic Novelist Art Spiegelman on "Maus" & Wave of Book Bans Sweeping U.S.
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- Опубліковано 14 жов 2024
- As a wave of book bans sweeps schools and libraries across the United States, we speak with the celebrated graphic novelist Art Spiegleman on a Tennessee school district's recent vote to ban his Pulitzer Prize-winning graphic novel "Maus" from its eighth grade language arts curriculum. The novel, which was targeted for profanity and nudity, tells the story of Spiegelman's parents who survived the Holocaust. Spiegelman says the bills put forth by conservatives are just a "displacement of their own anxieties" and warns of taking away "access to understanding a genocidal system built by fascists and authoritarians" for youth and adults alike. He also comments on ABC's recent suspension of Whoopi Goldberg for her comments that the Holocaust was "not about race," saying Goldberg deserves to stay on air in light of her apology.
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I did a book report on this in high school English class in the early 2000's. Maus had a strong impact in my life, not just learning about the Holocaust, but just as much so seeing how the medium of graphic novel / comics can be so powerful. I used to enjoy comics to escape the world but Spiegelman opened my world to understand that it can be used to connect to the past and relate serious issues. Art is art and many and all forms can be used to convey almost anything. Seeing the value in a nontraditional novel to convey such depth and power in the highest form of creativity. Many thanks and blessings to Art Speigelman.
That book in band or interest removed from curriculum???
I remember Barefoot Gen having a similarly profound impact on me. The comic/ graphic novel format can be such an evocative way to tell a story.
Wow what a great book to use to teach kids! Did you also read the book about 11 million Iranians starved and diseased and ignored to death by British invaders in 1917? MORE THAN HALF OF IRAN’S POPULATION WAS MURDERED. Prof Gholi Majd The Great Persian Famine
@@jilaansa - The "authorities" have ALWAYS clamped down on dissent and any information they disliked. Not much is said about the British putting the Boer's families in concentration camps in South Africa in the Boer Wars, where many of them died. And not many people know that it was the British who invented concentration camps. And the Republicans have been clamping down on education for decades - since the late 1960s. Remember that Tennessee is where the Scopes Monkey Trial was held. Scopes was a Tennessee "Haw Skew" teacher who was put on trial for teaching Darwin's Theory of Evolution. It's been made into a famous play and later a movie, called "Inherit the Wind." And - NEVER FORGET - that Scopes LOST. This is the same backwards Bible-Thumper state that convicted a high school teacher of a crime for teaching Evolution in a high school biology class.
Sure can be a fantastic art form. I highly recommend "Blankets," by I think Craig Thompson. Warning: it's about a religious kid growing up, but I loved it and I'm not even religious ... so that should tell you something in and of itself.
I first read Maus in the '90s. It's a masterpiece; by far the most powerful graphic novel I've read.
Kudos to Art Spiegelman, his father Vladek, and his mother Anna.
Maus is important. It would surprise me if it wasn't already in the Library of Congress.
As Spiegelman makes so obvious here, the school board who banned it understand it far less than the children who have spoken with Spiegelman over the years. That board may have the power to keep Maus out of "their" classrooms for the time being, but in doing so they've made fools of themselves, and pushed Maus onto the best seller list.
The First Amendment rocks. We in Australia don't have a codified protection of free speech. As far as -at least- books go, we haven't really needed one in my lifetime, and I hope we never do.
Thanks, DN and Amy Goodman.
Autocorrect struck out 'at least'. I meant to use hyphens as ellipsis.
Can just agree.
I haven't read it, but if it has sexual violence etc I dont blame them. Sounds like its more for adults who can handle that kind of emotional shock. Kids can't
Well said Sir thank you for the comment
@@deborahdean8867 By this logic both the Greek myths and the Bible are inappropriate for young people. And they aren't. They are essential and necessary to learning how to read well.
"Free speech" for themselves only, not for everyone else. Welcome to fascism. Ignorance is dangerous.
Well said
Yeah personally I'm a social conservative but I'm getting really sick of so many Hypocrites on this side of the social divide pretending they looove Freedom so much but turn into censor-happy Snowflakes themselves over the most ridiculous examples.
Free speech was a lie to even begin with
People are so naive to believe such thing
"Free speech" for themselves only. of course it is, can you allow the opposite of Maus, the promotion of nazi ideas, nowadays?
@@LHKKKing yea,you see conservatives promoting ultra nationalist nativist nonsense in the schools where they're in power all the time. Just look at the 1776 report and you'll see what conservative education looks like clear as day.
@@iller3 conservatives always were censor happy snowflakes, there are multiple examples of them censoring and getting leftists fired since the second red scare. Its a big reason why i laugh at conservatives acting reactionary to cancel culture cause they've been doing the same shit for decades.
I wonder if Mr. Spiegelman would consider releasing an audio compilation of the fascinating interviews with his Father that allowed him to write/draw Maus? A college friend told me about this book years ago and she said it was one of her favorite books. I read it and loved it and sent my copy to my brother. Thank You Art Spiegelman for this Masterpiece !!!
He did with meta maus.
The “nude” woman is a corpse, not a Playboy centrefold. And it’s not a human but a mouse, mice are always “nude”
Extremely late but no. In the first book it includes Art’s “Prisoner on the Hell Planet” which does have a drawing of his mother in non-mouse form nude and deceased in the bathtub. It’s only about 3-4 pages of the first book but it’s there.
That being said it’s still no reason for a ban. This is incredible literature for that age group. I’m of Jewish descent so it was a bit more relevant in my family than some but I read it the first time in 5th grade only 10 years old.
Thank you and I'm sorry for your loss. I'm very grateful for your work, it's made explaining the unexplainable to others. Facts, data and truth aren't subjective, Maus' storytelling style may be subjective but it's facts, data and truth in storytelling aren't. These are very necessary to learning about what not to do is as important as what happens when you have no choice at all.
Navajo single Mom and former educator in Maricopa County Arizona.
I couldn't agree more.
Exactly; similar to how they do not want to teach the real truth about what was done to the Native American Indians, and black people brought to the USA. It's horrible how they massacred the Native Indians and stole their prized fertile lands and gave it all away to their own whites, then made the Natives live on the worst lands that were not fertile, very arrid--- areas they named "reservations." These are the horrors they do not want the former, current and future generations to be aware of. These were & are racist, hateful people to their cure - they will never ever change, yet go to church, kneel down and pray to their GOD. WHAT EVIL. They are the real evil doers of this country, trust and believe.
Whenever people show you WHO they are, BELIEVE them.
@@user-qc8vj3vp9v Absolutely. Religion is a scourge upon humanity.
Have you read about the greatest genocide of the century? 11 million Iranians genocided in 1917. More than half of Iran’s Population was murdered!
Book by Prof. Gholi Majd
@@user-qc8vj3vp9v slavery was a majority Jewish endeavor for centuries and the slaves brought to the US were brought by Jewish merchants and sold by them. There are dozens of books by Jewish authors documenting this fact. Look up slave trade and Jews.
the absurdity is beyond words, almost. like the holocaust. and why he made this a graphic novel. you have to see it, somehow. forced nudity and cursing happened. it's history, terrible terrible terrible. and everyone needs to know. as he says, it isn't written for young kids. so so glad people are rediscovering this amazing book.
The Streisand effect
Have you read about the greatest genocide of the century? 11 million Iranians genocided in 1917. More than half of Iran’s Population was murdered!
Book by Prof. Gholi Majd
Ironically, you can show shindler's list in class still.
The people Banning "Maus", are acting like those Cats, the Irony is Thick
The United States voted against a resolution condemning Nazism and racism
go figure
Depiction of horrific events is not promotion of those events. It's an attempt to educate.......which is what I thought schools were for. Removing this book from schools is a disservice to our youth. I'm doubtful the schools will notice if the book is unofficially added back to their libraries.
@Christopher Jacobs only to those who obsess over the wrong parts. No rational person sees Hitler as god-like
@Christopher Jacobs America is not obsessed with the holocaust, the Jews are. Many races were treated inhumanely, especially my race and, no reparations. Jews are still getting holocaust reparations and Hitler was wrong for what he did to them but maybe he was trying to tell us something.
Maus is an amazing book. it's outrageous that it's been banned in some USA schools. It's not been banned in the UK at all. you can buy it in my country UK with no trouble.
You can still buy it in the States. They've only banned it from middle school curriculum, not the free market.
@@globalwarmhugs7741 it's like literally one fucking school out of 100,000...get the fuck over it people. You can't bring anything you want to school.
@@G0DofRock more schools are following suit and were planning on similar bans before this happened. Educate youreself before saying such things. Maus is just one of many books being banned for portraying Nazism and ultra nationalist natvism in bad bad and accurate light.
@@G0DofRock They are passing a bill that 18 year olds can carry a concealed weapon to school. Get over it? No.
@@globalwarmhugs7741 Your country is a complete mess run by psychopathic corporations, doesn't shock me one bit..but that has nothing to do with elementary-middle school literature.
When I was in middle school, I read Maus for the first time. It was mind blowing. I had no idea humans could do such terrible things. I don't know if I'd have been as receptive to learning about history if it wasn't in a comic form. It was a catalyst for me.
Look what the State of Israel is doing to Palestinians.... after the history of those poor Jewish people you would assume they would be the last ones to conduct such atrocities.. Sad what people can do .. Alexander solzhenitsyn the gulag archipelago is another great example of the atrocities humans commit look at the Ukrainian starvation by the Communist Party.
See the film Hotel Rwanda
"I had no idea humans could do such terrible things"
That is exactly the point of erasing it from history. The fascists today are every bit as evil as their predecessors, and they have very successfully numbed the majority to their inhumanity and that which they have imposed on our whole society, today.
Just consider how the narrative is presented. Homelessness is not the problem, the problem is the homeless. The system that both creates and tolerates it is not the problem, its victims are the problem.
@@rickb3650 I hear you. They are always going on about "white privilege" and "whiteness" associating White people with problems and casting them all in a negative light which will no doubt turn to animosity and anger until there are train cars and camps for White people. Scary stuff.
@@eljerc5894 This book is about the genocide of six million Jewish people, not about Israel It's a shame that antisemitism can't be talked about without people like you trying to derail the conversation, which in itself is a form of antisemitism. Shame on you.
I'm glad that this ban has only made more people read Art's masterpiece.
It wasn't banned
@@mikepjersey At your age you're still an adolescent troll. Sad!
@@mikepjersey proudly wrong
What a lovely guy I could listen to him for hours. I don't know how hard it is to put captions on some sections but I found the recording of his father difficult to follow completely. On banning books, if you want a nation of thin-skinned vicious narcissists, fill your boots.
Book banning is the Nazi way!
THE BOOK WAS NOT BANNED FOR THE SHELFS, IT WA BANNED FROM KIDS SCHOOLS. Why you make it scream at you?
@@noisearchitect NO ONE SAID IT WAS BANNED FROM SHELVES.
Have you read about the greatest genocide of the century? 11 million Iranians genocided in 1917. More than half of Iran’s Population was murdered!
Book by Prof. Gholi Majd
Remember growing up and reading about 'banned books'.
Never thought they would return,
thankfully I have my copy of 'Maus' and No One is taking that one away from me.
Lmao no one is coming to take your books, this isn’t Fahrenheit 451.
@@mintvelvet3351 Not yet, but now I see premonitions of 1984.
I first read the first graphic novel when I was an older teenager, if I remember, some 25 years ago or so. I'd say it's easily within the 100 most essential works of modern culture. My grandparents and their then relatives went through similar. I remember hearing bits of memories from my mom's father who was a German immigrant to America. He wasn't Jewish, nor is my direct family, but his first wife at the time and her family was. He came to America to help them over, but it didn't work out and they ended up separating.
Luckily this had the positive outcome that it gave the book(s) publicity and people who never heard of it/them are buying it/them...
It's called the Streisand effect. It's much more likely now that kids will deliberately go and read this and other 'banned books'.
I'd like to recommend a fun parody song by Lauren Meyer called "Ban the Books", available on YT
Have you read about the greatest genocide of the century? 11 million Iranians genocided in 1917. More than half of Iran’s Population was murdered!
Book by Prof. Gholi Majd
Corporate media will never feel the amount of pain they deserve for what they've done on our society
That is debatable sadly
Well, well. Statist, nationalist propaganda machine for the imperialist war state. Plutocracy. Not bad kid.
When I look at the channels you prefer I do 100 % agree for the matter of your individual brain damage.
Have you read about the greatest genocide of the century? 11 million Iranians genocided in 1917. More than half of Iran’s Population was murdered!
Book by Prof. Gholi Majd
Such a great interview. Glad to be able to hear real voice of the author and his father.
We had Maus in our school library and some english (as a second language) teachers gave it as assigned reading for their class, I started reading it but unfortunately never got to finish it (also I love cats and seeing them depicted as nazis kinda hurt my heart lol) It's absolute insanity to believe these people want to hide the truth of history to their children
I am a cat lover 😻 also I have to tell myself it’s an artist choice cats are not Nazis people area!
@@gabrielmaroto18 yeah lol I know, but it still kinda hurts
did you really believe that book was banned from school?
and what part of the truth of history do you think that they are hiding now?
So you agree of the comic book been banned? Stop your sentimentalism, the book character is depicting that cats kill mouses, and that is a fact. If the cartoonist portrayed the Nazis as cats and the Jewish people as mouse, it's just depicting a symbolism of the situation in the war. There are thousands of comics out there which depict worst situations than this Maus comic and no body have ever complained before. What I believe is that this book has caused such commotion is because it relates to the Jewish people. That's all.
part of being a 'grown up' is 'hearing' knowing and dealing with the truth
Books like this are more interesting to read when you’re a kid. I remember being bored by a lot of books when I was young. This sounds like a book I wouldn’t have put down.
You should definitely get a copy and read it.
I read it in a weekend. My high school librarian recommended it. I couldn't stop talking about it for months
It's beautiful.
@@hizzlemobizzle I've ordered 2 copies for my grandkids. One lives in Floridumb
That's what these people want. Everything straight white and "normal". They are terrified of anything that doesn't fit that mold.
*U.S. Schools are quick to ban books, but not guns.*
You got that right
Have you read about the greatest genocide of the century? 11 million Iranians genocided in 1917. More than half of Iran’s Population was murdered!
Book by Prof. Gholi Majd
It wasn't banned. Hundreds of guns have been banned though
I have read your book and have been enlighten to what happened. Because I have family members who witnessed the camps first hand. What I was told what was seen by them made me cry. So when people still claim that it was lies is pure ignorance. Love you. Douglas
Have you read about the greatest genocide of the century? 11 million Iranians genocided in 1917. More than half of Iran’s Population was murdered!
Book by Prof. Gholi Majd
Being raised by a parent who survived a year in Dachau, I have serious concerns about attempts to remove literature such as this. Considering the language and imagery that children are regularly exposed to on a daily basis, the reasoning put forward for the ban are extremely flimsy at best, and strongly suggest that there is far more in play behind such a decision.
They said it had graphic sexual violence. Kids can't process that shit. Stop being ine if those adults who want to drag kids through adult drama PLEASE. People act like the book was banned nationwide, not by schools. Kids dont need their faces pushed into adult drama. There are plenty of books meant to be read by adults, and let's hope that just " because kids are exposed to so much anyway " , yeah great idea to put more crap info into their heads. Lids wont understand the politics or the hate but they'll never be able to get the violent images out of their minds. It sounds damaging .
@@deborahdean8867 when we learn history, we don't repeat history.
@@skipfrontzjr.8540 well history tells us we do nothing BUT repeat history. So I guess history has taught me it repeats itself because human nature remains the same.
@@deborahdean8867 money buys influence, sadly.
@@skipfrontzjr.8540 you know why? Because people faun over others who have alot of stuff......people always benefit from the more successful ones, crumbs from the table. So even the little guy keeps it going. And nobody is a crook or evil doer alone. There's always somebody who knows something and covers it up. Our society even glamorizes opportunists. The only thing that matters is that you get what you want. You can be crooked, but still be admired and supported because you have lots of money.......or shoot the biggest deer. Its cool to get away with stuff especially if you get what you want. That's our society. Immature and self indulgent. Entitlement without a thought of excellence.
That's unfortunate because I read it as a teen, it is a great book, It's just too bad people want to hide history. Because its not for history sake.
It's not a history book, bud..it's a graphic novel depicting groups of people as rats/frogs and other stereotypical animals. Some people find it pretty offensive to see Jews as rodents when they could just read an actual history book or watch documentaries.
@@G0DofRock how braindead are you to not understand metaphors
@@Axza00 That one is long gone, braindead zombie.
Have you read about the greatest genocide of the century? 11 million Iranians genocided in 1917. More than half of Iran’s Population was murdered!
Book by Prof. Gholi Majd
@@jilaansa I havent, but it seems interesting.
Seems like all other historics are under the agreement on around 2 mil dead and this is like 5x that number.
Have you read it? If so, does it include sources for those numbers?
Terrific interview!
Art is amazing.
School is a good place to teach kids about the propaganda and rumors that happen in wartime, and the hearsay and unreliable witnesses that show up at trials. The graphic novel Maus is a good example of both.
The state of California has decided to do wholesale book banning in schools. To Kill a Mockingbird, and Huckleberry Finn, two of the most influential books in American history which brought attention to America's racial issues are now banned from public schools. It is just as wrong to ban those books as it is to ban Maus.
Agree
Except maus isn't banned, just removed from the curriculum for stupid reasons.
I agree it's incorrect to ban books. But something tells me you're just trying to say "both sides do it" to justify your fascist opinions. Make no mistake, it's bad to ban To Kill a Mockingbird and Huck Finn. But the reason they were banned was because parents were worried it was inspiring racism in school. Far different from the likely reason Maus was banned, which is to keep children ignorant of what can happen when those with racism and hatred in their hearts are given power.
@@leefairweather5772 Wasn't Maus banned, because there are swear words in the book? It's ridiculous ofc, but it's not about censoring history.
@@ten_tego_teges There are plenty of books with swear words that are still kept in libraries. You may be right, but I think it's unlikely that the book would come under fire just because of swear words.
I love this book. I read it in german. It is amazing how he uses the different accents etc to describe characters backgrounds etc... It's genius
I would love to read this book. Dont throw history under the carpet. NEVER FORGET!
I recommed you do. I don't know where you live, bu you should be able to find it in many places to borrow from a library or buy for really not that expensive a price in a bookshop.
I was (about) 17 when someone gave me the first volume in English. (I am a native German speaker from Switzerland whose English skills wouldn't have been good enough to read a regular book in English at that time). At a later point I bought the second volume. I was definitely capable of reading the first volume when I did and not "too old" for it when I re-read both volumes at about age 25.
It's written in quite simple language, and it doesn't lose its power when you read it as a proper adult.
Ooops, I am just past the part where Amy Goodman mentions that the book is hard to get.
Growing up a comic book geek I followed the natural path to more mature graphic novels and first read Maus in 8th grade shortly before my first trip to the Holocaust memorial. The recent ridiculous censorship in Tennessee led me to talking to my 11 year old daughter for the first time about the holocaust. I asked a few questions to get a baseline of her knowledge of the holocaust and what is being taught in school. I was suprised how little and feel it is important to pass this cultural memory forward. I plan to read Maus with her soon. Fortunately I still have my copies.
Congrats on being the newest/biggest best seller. You are flying off the shelves!
@@f554uv1 Well if we actually learned from such events and what led to them, maybe these books would not be as relevant.
Have you read about the greatest genocide of the century? 11 million Iranians genocided in 1917. More than half of Iran’s Population was murdered!
Book by Prof. Gholi Majd
As a middle school kid I read Leon Uris from the school library. WTH is the world coming to? I’m 63 btw.
you go art spiegelman!!!! \m/
Tyranny on the loose is not specific to a language, religion or race... This book is important!.. It maybe be about Jews and the death camps, but its deeper message is that it can happen to anyone and anywhere and today we find ourselves dangerously susceptible.
Not "can" but "did". Let's also never forget the millions of non Jews who were brutally murdered. They went after disabled, elderly , homosexuals, anyone who opposed them. Millions of innocent people died because of the sick and twisted ideology of one man.
@@Xelee1 Agreed!
@@Xelee1 yes but the main focus is Jewish people. Anti semitism is still rampant like a virus and people diminishing the Holocaust with this talking point is offensive.
I have not read this book, but I'm guessing that it's not promoting hangings of people and killing of children. But actually telling the facts of what happened during that black time in our history. If we don't learn how we made mistakes/ terrible desisions whether actively or by doing nothing. How will we learn not to let these things happen again?
@@danialhillmann5374 comparing the holocaust to vaccine policy is vile.
Please read about the greatest genocide of the century. 11 million Iranians genocided in 1917. More than half of Iran’s Population was murdered!
Book by Prof. Gholi Majd
My best friend told me I should read this book back in '93, we were in seventh grade. I always felt I was a better person for having read it. If the school board got some perverted sexually thing from the illustration of Art finding his naked mother with her wrist cut in the bath tub, well that says more about them now doesn't it? If anything the comic shows people how suicide impacts the friends and family left behind.
Y’all should have Glenn Greenwald back on and ask him why he’s only mad about cancel culture when the people canceled are White, Male, Christian, Straight and Conservative. I’m sure the answer will be illuminating!
It could be because he grew up listening to horrifying stories of the Holocaust. He's white he's male he's and he is Jewish, what do you want from the man.
@@laurayoung8001 Glenn Greenwald is a CryptoFascist and a Kapo. Always has been, always will be.
greenwald has obviously been compromised. I'm sure you can go back to his interviews and find the exact week it happened. Jimmy Dore as well, in fact I heard him on one of his vids before his change quickly mention that "they" are trying to get him for child porn, he hasn't been the same since
Greenwald was always like this. He was further to the right of Turker back in the early/mid aughts, and his old blogspot is still up to attest to his virulent xenophobia. Of course, the Tuck eventually caught up, but the case reminds that there are loads of people who promote and praise Glenn who are similarly due some damnatio memorae.
@@GrimLocke161 I feel like I've followed Greenwalds career and never remember him being right wing. I was sad to see him take that turn. But if you listen to him closely he still puts his jabs in.
I'm still convinced that he is comprimised, a person doesn't do a 180 like that unless.
I love that sales of this beautiful book skyrocketed everywhere. I've had my copy since it was first published. Stupid Amurikkkah just gave it extra fame. These kids can read it at home instead.
Excellent Interview! Thank you Amy and Art!
I read Maus in summer school, and it for sure amazed me how Spiegelman not only told a narrative on the survival experience of the Holocaust but the psychological and generational effects on the families of the survivors such as his parents. It's baffling that our country bans and even goes to the extreme to turn such books, given that the Nazis did the same thing. These politicians need to understand the context of these books, especially graphic novels since they end up classified as simple "comic books".
Wow. As a kid I read this. I never realised how eloquent this guy was. I could listen to this guy for hours.
Those who don't know history are doomed to repeat it.
Those who don't know history right are just doomed.
As Mr. Spiegelman said "not [...] stupid Nazis, just stupid".
MAUS is a most amazing graphic novel !!
I was glad to hear Mr. Spiegelman. One of the things we learned from Maus and Maus II was that his father destroyed his mother's diaries. I'd like to know, did he ever tried reconstructing his mother's experiences from interviews with her friends and fellow survivors who knew her?
Everyone she knew in the camps died -- except Vladek. Maus is what you suggest he should do.
The Republican culture war is infuriating.
The side that hates "snow flakes". Has to shield their children from feeling bad.
Your side is bent on destroying free speech by going after Dave Chappelle, Joe Rogan...etc.
You do understand it wasn't banned, right?
You think you can nicely explain graphic sexual violence? Or is it ok to just screw with their minds to make you feel superior ?
@@deborahdean8867 I was shown Schindler's List in school. Way more graphic. Children are aware of the World. You need to provide more context to kids.
@@patrickrkruger sounds like this is alot worse. Why not leave kids minds skins? Why pollute them with adult fashionable perversions? That's just perverted itself. Like I said, there are plenty of books , documentaries and movies. Interviews with survivors. If your point is to teach history how many despicable scenes do we need? But the actual point now isnt to teach history. It's to ensure that certain people can do whatever they want because they want to. Their ' principle of the thing' is that they should be able to do what they want. They just want to prove they can get thrir way, not what's good for the kids. Another case of our dysfunctional adult population dragging the children into our drama that we thought up, not them. Our issues, not theirs, but we conscript them into our mental moral mess just like we do for war.
The comment I made on Colbert's UA-cam Whoppi interview:
I lost family members in the Holocaust. I was also raised (liberal) Jewish, but no longer claim to be Jewish; I do not however deny or reject my Jewish heritage. I am anti-Zionist, in that I do not believe in any state being founded or centered on a religion; this does not make me anti-Semitic. In the discussion of "race," it is worth noting that the distinction "Semites" includes a broad array of predominantly Mid-Eastern peoples, including many Mid-Eastern Jews and Muslims. Depending on how I'm dressed, you might stereotype me as affiliated with either religion. My aunt, who was a Zionist (as are several other of my close relatives), once argued that if another Hitler came along, I would be counted among those to be exterminated regardless of my denial of being Jewish. I agreed with her, but then presented this counter-argument: Because I'm an atheist, if a Hitler-like mad person came on the scene with the intent and capability of killing off atheists, do you (my aunt) think you would be spared simply because you deny being an atheist? Crazy people do what they do without normal logic or reason, because they are crazy. To allow others to dictate who you are is to deny one of the most valued components of what it is to be human.
Please read about the greatest genocide of the century. 11 million Iranians genocided in 1917. More than half of Iran’s Population was murdered!
Book by Prof. Gholi Majd
God bless Mr. Spiegelman.
I was absolutely furious when I heard about the ban on Maus, but I’m totally ecstatic that it’s having the “Streisand Effect” in the marketplace. I hope it sells so many copies it returns to the bestseller list. ✌🏻🇺🇸
It was a very touching interview. We need more light on what's really going on here with these book bans. Assume it's all part of their specious CRT strategy.
People who have been raised my traumatized parents, regardless of specifics, can relate to this experience. Don't complain, just be better
As a somewhat traumatized person myself, I find it strange what people pretend is normal because it's easier to just go along for the ride.
NO!! Complain like hell and get your story told. That is the only way to ensure it does not happen to others. Your way is no better than sticking your head in the sand waiting to kiss your ass goodbye.
@@stephenirving1737 I was assuming they were saying, "Don't complain, just be better.," ironically from the perspective of the kid(s) and what they'd hear. Regardless, there is a difference between complaining and doing and having a voice and reason for it. But also, you have to see and find good things in life too, if you're to be a healthy, stable person, not just dwell on negativity.
A letter to Art: my name is Bren Cukier and I am the granddaughter of 4 Polish-Jewish Holocaust survivors. I moved from NYC to Warsaw 2 years ago to work on a film I wrote and am directing, though I’ve visited Poland numerous times before (mostly for projects related to the Holocaust).
A friend here whose family is from Sosnowiec told me about MAUS.
I just finished reading it and I can’t tell you how much of an impact it has had on me - some of the stories are IDENTICAL to what my family went through, but up until now I have never allowed myself to have an emotional or vulnerable response to anything related to their history. Something about your book made me feel safe enough to feel. I’ve sobbed so much while reading and reflecting on my own family’s stories and i just wanted to thank you for opening this door for me.
This comic book (or graphic novel) is a pure marvel full of great ideas ! The storytelling in it is simple and yet so powerful.
Read it when I was young... will definitely keep recommending it ! Censorship is always sign of dangers ahead...
This is why I watch Democracy Now. Thank you Art Spieglman, Amy and Juan.
I bought this book for my daughter about 5 years ago and we unfortunately lost in a fire 2 years ago a fatal fire
I'm so sorry, peace,strength, love and many blessings 💜
I'm sorry for your loss.
"The best weapon of a dictatorship is secrecy, but the best weapon of a democracy should be the weapon of openness."
~Niels Bohr
My father was Germanized and was tortured by Nazi medical experimentation. Ugh
Shocking. It just goes to show how horribly underrepresented the Jewish people are in education, politics, publishing, journalism and finance.
!!
do you live in North Korea or Pakistan?
can I just hang out with this guy for an afternoon ?
I'm from first generation Jewish immigrants. My parents had to flee the Nazis and came to America. Upon becoming an American citizen my father than enlisted and went to fight in the U.S. infantry in Europe. Each family member I knew had their own story. I have relatives who perished in the camps. Everything my family had was stolen by Nazis and they started over from nothing in New York. Anyone who says this did not happen is a liar complicit with neo-Nazi and right wing white nationalism. Thank you, Mr. Speigelman, for your work of genius. You have brought more light to this dark planet.
Please read and teach about the greatest genocide of the century. Please. We are asking for your help to let the world know.
11 million Iranians genocided in 1917. More than half of Iran’s Population was murdered!
Book by Prof. Gholi Majd
why did your parents choose america rather than mexico? are they racist?
I love the comics. Fantastic to hear from the man himself on this subject.
Relative to whoopi goldberg: I suggest the books of Primo Levi. Who suffered and survived the camps writing of his experience. He wrote in a technical manner ( he was by education a chemical engineer not a writer) meaning he expressed in his writing these atrocities exposed " man's inhumanity against humanity. His goal was to express that point , not to inform of the brutality perpetrated upon him, himself personally or a so called race. ( well yes the human race) and He himself not recognized as a jew by other jews in the camp because he did not speak Yiddish. Born in Torino Italy and his companion from Greece are liberated by the Russians . The journey back to italy is an Incredible story in and of itself. Hitler's camps were not only intended for the jews. Certainly they recieved the majority of his attention but not exclusively.
Have you heard of The Final Solution?
Read book by Prof Gholi Majd. The great Persian genocide of 11 million Iranians
@@jilaansa I am sure it is interesting but genocide is part of recent American history and happened long before. I am not focused on man made ideas of race. It appears Jewish people are. For me I would read Primo Levi as he writes about these atrocities as inhumanity against humanity. Contrary to Jewish opinion there are no races. just one .the human race. Not the indigenous peoples of America nor the blacks have been able to use these injustices to their advantage as the Jewish religion. Just look at Palestine and what horrors t
Perpetrated upon these indigenous people by European immigration.
I read this book when I was a kid, it’s an amazing piece of work. I love this book every one should read it if you never did.
Never read it in school. But now I want to, the subject matter and the art interest me. I hope this makes his novel even more known and sought out 👍🤘🙌
Same. I can’t find it besides NYU website, but they may need for school so I wouldn’t buy it from there in case
Have you read about the greatest genocide of the century? 11 million Iranians genocided in 1917. More than half of Iran’s Population was murdered!
Book by Prof. Gholi Majd
@@jilaansa the Persian Famine, yes I know of it. There exists much evidence for The Armenian Genocide my family endured yet many deny it, I wish luck getting that acknowledged. Very sad
Art, may God bless you and your family. Thank you for sharing your story with the world.
They banned the book because they know they're the cats.
It's only banned by the freaking school, not by the state. If it has sexual violence etc I get it. Kids can't process emotions like that. Its for adults ir old teens
Please read and teach about the greatest genocide of the century. Please. We are asking for your help to let the world know.
11 million Iranians genocided in 1917. More than half of Iran’s Population was murdered!
Book by Prof. Gholi Majd
@@deborahdean8867 '' If it has sexual violence etc I get it''- you don't cause it doesn't, another thread where you talk out of your ass.
The obsessive and repetitive use of the word 'banned' does not make it so. The removal of material from a school class curriculum is just that; nothing more.
Thank you.
Please read about the greatest genocide of the century. 11 million Iranians genocided in 1917. More than half of Iran’s Population was murdered!
Book by Prof. Gholi Majd
they hate you because you give kids a key. ❤❤❤
THANK YOU. ❤❤❤❤❤
Please read about the greatest genocide of the century. 11 million Iranians genocided in 1917. More than half of Iran’s Population was murdered!
Book by Prof. Gholi Majd
@@jilaansa why do you make such a recommend?
what makes you assume i would need your plea?
As a Jewish woman I will never forget reading Night in 12th grade and when we watched the shoa foundation video of Holocaust survivors talking about their experiences and my classmates laughed, they were laughing at these people who saw such horrors and were brave enough to share their stories. People can be so evil even as children but it’s a reflection of their parents doing a horrible job raising them.
The father of a classmate was a military journalist present at liberation of at least one of the camps in '45. He pitched a presentation to our class when we were in 4th grade - complete with his personal photos. It was quite moving. Several years later I toured Dachau. Since then I have personally known three survivors of "the camps," as well as two additional vets who were present at the liberation of at least one of them. As far as I'm concerned, the topic is important on many levels.
I personally own Maus I and II and have encouraged my son to read them.
Incidentally - In another interview, Spiegleman points out that only 30% of the students in the McMinn county school system are able to read at grade level. Indicative of deeper issues...?
Book bans erase history unnecessarily. How can we learn from the mistakes of the past when we do things like this? I’m so glad I’ve purchased a copy before this craziness.
I’m in tears after hearing the interview with the father and the description of the showers. It hit me hard.
Have you read about the greatest genocide of the century? 11 million Iranians genocided in 1917. More than half of Iran’s Population was murdered!
Book by Prof. Gholi Majd
I could have listened to that man talk for hours. Hearing his dads voice was surreal after hearing it in my head for so long.
Go see a doctor.
@@russkydrussky8850 😂
We read this book as a class in 9th grade English. I have to wonder how my teacher would’ve responded, had she been told that 8 years down the line, schools across the country would be cracking down on denying young people of such a significant reading experience. Heartening as it is to see the people push back by sweeping up copies of their own, this whole thing still gives me a deeply heavy feeling. What an egregious step backwards.
Have you read about the greatest genocide of the century? 11 million Iranians genocided in 1917. More than half of Iran’s Population was murdered!
Book by Prof. Gholi Majd
I just hope the Palestinians in Garza and the West Bank are given the opportunity to tell their story freely on Democracy Now also.
The school board did vote to remove the book from the 8th grade ELA curriculum. What isn't noted is that there was never any issue about removing the book from the high school curriculum.
WAIT A MINUTE....WHO ARE THE CATS AND THE MOUSE IN THE CURRENT ISRAEL-PALESTINIAN PROBLEM?
A wonderful voice. Thanks
"Those Who Do Not Learn History Are Doomed To Repeat It."
~George Santayana
This book is a must read for any age. I had the pleasure of finding it on Goodreads back in 2015, via banned/controversial book list. Located it at the public library and later at an Animal Humane Society thrift shop, but gave it up to a lady looking for a gift for her nephew. Lately, I have a copy of the box set from another library book shop. :) I never took this writing as kid-friendly, more so high school to college/post-college age due to certain imagery and messaging. To silence history and life lessons is cruel and foolish. Prost to this very man having the courage and bite to do what he has done. You sir are a treasure.
The violence on prime time tv is much worse then this. funny how they show people being shot but not nudity
So.... they aren't banning the book.... they just voted to remove it from mandatory curriculum... so... they ARENT??? banned....
Art Spiegelman book was not banned, it was reomoved from children schools. Accoding to the author - Art Spiegelman, the book was not writen for children - "it is a long comic book for grow ups (time stamp 6:35). for what I see, 99% of the people that are commenting on this video do not watch the interview and just post commennts because of the title of the video. I have not read the book, but I will, then I will post comments about the book.
Please read about the greatest genocide of the century. 11 million Iranians genocided in 1917. More than half of Iran’s Population was murdered!
Book by Prof. Gholi Majd
Did you...listen to the man for an additional two minutes ?
My father, a son of a British ex-pat and quite conservative in the agnostic, Australian political sense, deplored and was disgusted by the Nazis. He drilled into us children from an early age how evil Nazism and fascism was. He told us about the holocaust, and the London bombings. I read Maus at fifteen. I was riveted and finished it in a day. I never know just how evil humans could be, how deep hatred and be taught and how scars can echo through time for generations. Thank you, Art. I have never forgotten the names Vladek and Anja.
You can’t be conservative and anti-fascist because fascism is the inevitable result of capitalism
"it's all under attac".
By the potatoeheads.
10 to 0.
Incomprehensible.
They are removing books like this and probably rewrite that history with a lie. I have never ever heard of it and gonna purchase.
All that's in video games his book is fine especially if it's true.
Honestly I remember glimpsing at this book when I was in High School, and I didn't want to see it because it looked graphic and disturbing. I now understand how important of a book this novel is, and it's a complete shame how unknown it is to so many others.
One of us in chains, none of us are free. End religious bigotry. Solidarity for the Palestinian state!
I remember learning about the Holocaust in 6th grade. we actually saw images. It is important to learn and understand.
A inhumane act and my heart goes out to those who suffered from the holocaust.
Thank you, Democracy Now Team, and Art Spiegelman. This resonates particularly with me, because I’m also an immigrant of that generation, albeit “of the wrong side”. - a bourgeois / aristocratic old Prussian of Nemetes ancestry; a family that had battled the Nazi Scourge on both sides, vehemently, but usually quiet as mice.
Our Mom’s Surgeon-General Dad very nearly got himself cashiered and executed “for defeatism” near the end of the War! Our Dad barely talked about the period (Zhukov’s thugs had murdered his parents in Sorau/Zary), but I recollect memorable fights with him in my teens (1960s). It took me years to understand those were due to terminological differences: he’d been subjected to the mandatory Hitler-Youth indoctrination of Hitler’s Reich.
A polyglot of our common region of origin, I believe we understand Maus on a deeper, emotional level, than most Americans do, Sir.
Neil Young and Joni Mitchell want to cancel Joe Rogan off of Spotify!
No wrong! They want him to stop the misinformation and lies about Covid. It’s killing people. You need to learn a few things
Art Spiegelman sounds like a very wise man. His response to being asked about Whoopi Goldberg's comments was incredibly inciteful and had a way of acknowledging the complexities and nuances of the situation, rather than jumping on some band-wagon. I also appreciated his comments on free speech.
Censorship is always wrong! You can’t have selective censorship. It has NO place in our culture! Long live “Maus”!
Early 40s National Geographics had photographs of the holocaust. I still remember those photos and am glad I had access to them. Some of the best, truest education I experienced.
We're all Palestinians now.
Hope Amy asked him about Israel apartheid treatment of the Palestinians.
I find it very ironic that America land of the free would ban this book. America who thinks they're so far ahead of everybody America you need to travel more there's more to the world than just America
Only the freaking SCHOOL !! Do you really think kids should be expected to digest sexual graphic violence? I mean hustler magazine isnt banned but you dont see it in schools.
Thankfully Colorado has not banned this book.