Freedom writer Reference (ATTN CREATIVE INSTRUCTOR)

The film is centered around teenage/student violence that is fueled by racial segregation. Erin Gruwell, a new teacher is very excited to teach at Woodrow Wilson High in Long Beach. It should be noted that Gruwell left the safety and comfort of her own town (Newport Beach) to come to this other town characterized with youth violence and constant shooting. Wilson high, which is currently experiencing an integration program used to be an achieving institution back in the days but not anymore. The school had recently implemented a voluntary integration program where students from all ethnic backgrounds are brought together. Most teachers were not happy about the changed because it dropped the academic school rating. Even after all these problems Mrs. Gruwell will not be stop and stayed with the students all the way until they graduated high school on their way to college. They wrote their stories in their journals and called themselves “The Freedom Writers”. Their name came from the “Freedom Riders” a multiracial civil rights activist group in 1961.

The movie shows that these students are left to fend for themselves in order to make it through their gang infested life. But their teacher Mrs. Gruwell believes that she can bring these students together to learn the humanities ultimately increasing their chances at life. The movie leads to the realization that the parents, the school, and the State (government) are ultimately responsible for their exposure to the humanities.

The film Freedom Writers shows how the students in Mrs. Gromwells’ class were a

product of their environment. Many of the students in Mrs. Gs class were dealing with issues

regarding gangs, death, abuse, homelessness and drugs which were a major focus in their lives. It

also showed how the students when given an opportunity to attend a school which excelled in

learning was not taken serious because of their lack of social skills and learning level. The

students in Mrs. G’s class could not separate what they dealt with in their personal lives to focus

on their education or even becoming someone other than what they were exposed to on an

every day basis. This film showed how their environment played a major role in their social

skills, learning and their overall self-worth.

The film makes it clear that it is only members of society who can step up and help the adolescents exposed to the humanities. This is the role that Gruwell played in the film and eventually we see many young people even in the neighborhood denouncing violence and embracing integration and unison. In fact, towards the end of the film many students graduate and a number end up joining colleges thanks to Gruwell’s intervention. Therefore, unless the society intervenes, then the situation is not likely to get any better. It becomes clear that also the administration and systems of government should be involved in this matter as it is a sensitive one (Cummings 2010).

Borodzicz, E. P. (2005). Risk, Crisis and Security Management. Chichester: CGP books - Coordination Group Publications.

Cummings M. (2010). Human Hereditary: Principles and issues. Boston, MA: Routledge