The Freedom Writers - 1584 Words

Introduction Freedom Writers is a drama based on the book â€Å"The freedom writers’ diary† by Erin Gruwell and her students at the Woodrow Wilson Classical High School in California. The book is an agglomeration of the writings of these students, inspired by their teacher, to write about the experiences they had to undergo due to the racial tensions and violence existing in the society. The movie is an enrapturing representation of the way in which a teacher revolutionizes the process of classroom teaching to bring about integration among students divided in terms of colour and race. The movie also emphasizes the importance of social capital and associational or inter-communal form of civic engagement for harmony and development. The plot†¦show more content†¦In a classroom full of people from different race and backgrounds, where hatred reigned and a sense of insecurity dominated, prevailed now a sense of trust. This metamorphosis brought about by Erin was best summarised through the touching words of one of her students, â€Å"All my fears disappear when I enter this classroom. I am Home†. An important scene in the movie was the trip to the Simon Wiesenthal Center – Museum of Tolerance. There the students learned about the Holocaust. They were each given a picture of a child who was a victim of this dreadful event. The stories of these unfortunate children and the videos of the sufferings people had to undergo aroused their sentiments. The students also got a chance to interact with some survivors of the Holocaust. They realised that all the discrimination, the hatred, the pain is not worth it. The trip left a lasting impression on the minds of the students and helped them reform themselves. Key ideas and theories One of the key ideas presented early on in the movie was regarding the important role of government in building the social infrastructure and bring about equity in society. The integration program in the school, which brought students from varied races under one roof, was indeed a commendable step towards this goal. It was evident inShow MoreRelatedFreedom Writers1640 Words   |  7 PagesFreedom writers Question 1. Why are the students so unwilling to associate with anyone outside their ethnic/racial groups? Where does this intolerance come from? The students are so unwilling to associate with each other because they’re not used to getting along with the other group of people. Their used to having to run or shoot at the other ethnic/racial groups. This intolerance comes from growing up in hostile environments towards the other ethnic/racial groups. 2. What would youRead MoreFreedom Writers Essay733 Words   |  3 PagesFreedom Writers Essay In the movie, The Freedom Writers Mrs. Erin Gruwell (Hillary Swank) plays a role of a dedicated teacher who did all she could, to help her students learn to respect themselves and each other. She has little idea of what shes getting into when she volunteers to be an English teacher at a newly integrated high school in Long Beach, California. Her students were divided along racial lines and had few aspirations beyond basic survival. Mrs. Gruwell was faced with a big challengeRead MoreEssay On The Freedom Writers1977 Words   |  8 Pageschange harsh realities) are handled like problem children, they will grow to fill that role, because they will begin to believe what they are indoctrinated with at school. Both Cultural and Materialistic Determinism are central to both â€Å"The Freedom Writers† and â€Å"Precious Knowledge†. Material Determinism dates back to Early Marxist thinking, which structured society as a materialistic struggle between two class: The Proletariat (The Workers/The Poor) and The Bourgeoisie (The Capitalists/The Rich)Read MoreFreedom Writers Review1848 Words   |  8 PagesThe movie â€Å"The Freedom Writers† is based on the true story of Erin Gruwell’s English classes at Wilson High, an integrated school with students of all racial and cultural backgrounds. As a new teacher she is given the lowest achieving students. For safety and belonging most of these students belong to racial gangs and bring this social concept into the class by sitting in racial arrangements. Their morals and self concept are defined by these gangs, as shown by Eva’s statement of â€Å"we protect ourRead MoreFreedom Writers Critique1679 Words   |  7 PagesThe Freedom Writers   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Freedom Writers was released in 2007 on January 7. It was based on the book the Freedom Writers Diary by Erin Gruwell, who wrote the story based on a school name Woodrow Wilson Classical High School in Eastside Long Beach, California. This film tells a story about Erin Gruwell, who is a young teacher who just started her job as a freshman and sophomore English teacher at Woodrow Wilson High School. She is soon challenged by a group of Black, Latino and Asian gang membersRead MoreFilm Analysis on Freedom Writers2290 Words   |  10 PagesFilm Analysis Essay on Freedom Writers Main Credits Title: Freedom Writers Director: Richard LaGravenese Scriptwriter: Richard LaGravenese Adapted from: The Freedom Writers Diary by Erin Gruwell Actors/Main characters: Hilary Swank-Erin Gruwell, Patrick Dempsey-Scott Casey, Scott Glenn-Steve Gruwell, Imelda Staunton-Margaret Campbell, April L. Hernandez-Eva Benitez, Jaclyn Ngan-Sindy, Jason Finn-Marcus, John Benjamin Hickey- Brian Gelsord, Plot Summary The movie â€Å"Freedom Writers† is based on a trueRead MoreFreedom Writers Analysis Essay1069 Words   |  5 PagesFreedom Writers Director: Richard LaGravenese Brief outline of story: The storyline of the movie takes place between 1992-1995. Beginning with scenes from the 1992 Los Angeles Riots. Hilary Swank plays the role of Erin Gruwell, a new, excited schoolteacher who leaves the safety of her hometown, Newport Beach, to teach at Woodrow Wilson High School in Long Beach, a formerly high achieving school which has recently had an integration program put in place. Her enthusiasm is quickly challengedRead MoreMovies Such As The â€Å"Freedom Writers (Lagravenese, 2007)†1661 Words   |  7 PagesMovies such as the â€Å"Freedom Writers (LaGravenese, 2007)† and â€Å"Precious Knowledge (Palos, 2011)† both support the central theme of discrimination and race within a school system. The students in both movies come from backgrounds experiencing poverty, gangs, and violence experiencing discrimination and the lack of support for their education, but overcome the stereotypes and battles to gain access to receiving their education at their fullest p otential. Each movie involves students that were guidedRead MoreFreedom Writers : Film Review1085 Words   |  5 PagesFreedom Writers Film Review But even an ordinary secretary Or a housewife or a teenager Can, within their own small ways, Turn on a small light in a dark room. - Miep Gies Just like how Erin Gruwell (Hilary Swank) turned the lights on, in the dark room of 203. Freedom Writers is a film inspired by students of Woodrow Wilson High School as they experience the aftermath of LA riots. Los Angeles resembles a war zone back in the 1992. During this time in America, it all comes down to what a person lookRead MoreFreedom Writers Movie Analysis1054 Words   |  5 Pages The movie and the book called Freedom Writers talk mostly about the same story. They have similarities, but also have differences. The story talks about the cruel misfortunes in students lives everyday. It mentions how students are drug addicts, living in fear everyday, gangsters, get abused, and another things people go through. This story takes place in Los Angeles, Ca where Erin Gruwell is going to teach at Wilson High School. She is a new teacher at this school and ready to change these students