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Freedom Writers
By Ericka Clarke, Staff Writer
Freedom Writers is the story of the students of Room 203, Ms.
Gruwell's class. Each student tells of the hardships their families
have endured, whether gang-related or financial. Many of the
students that attended the school felt that they had to join gangs
to be safe in their city, but Ms. Gruwell showed them other
alternatives. She did for the students what nobody in their school
system had ever done before, make them feel important.
Many of the students felt as if they
did not mean much to the world and that no one knew how they felt.
They joined gangs, not to kill and harass other people, but to
defend the honor of their families, Fights broke out at school,
because different cultures disagreed on the respect they should have
for each other. The teachers at the school, with the exception of
very few, believed that the students had little potential in life.
They joked to each other about how the students very seldom
graduated and continued on to have a career; instead they would be
killed in a drive by or a gang related accident. Ms. Gruwell
believed in them and showed this in her efforts to teach them what
they needed.
The students complained of how no one
knew ho they felt. Erin Gruwell searched for books and
demonstrations that were similar to the students' lives. She worked
multiple jobs to purchase books, field trips, and rewards. One of
the most influential examples that she introduced to the students
was the Holocaust; many students had never heard of the Holocaust.
Erin taught the suffering and sadness that Jews in Germany endured.
As they learned more of the perils that Hitler induced, they came to
love and appreciate Ms. Gruwell, who in the process faced
complications with her marriage.
When the movie stated, I thought that
the actions of gang violence were a gross exaggeration of how they
lived. I was also offended by the appearance of African American,
Latino, and Asians that were being shown. However, as the film
continued on, I understood the message that was trying to be
reached. The writers and directors worked together to make what I
think was one of the best movies I have ever seen. Hilary Swank
(Erin Gruwell), Patrick Dempsey (Scott Casey), and April L.
Hernandez (Eva) didn't just act their parts they were their parts.
Hilary Swank plays the perfect sweet teacher who wants everything
for her students. Patrick Dempsey, Hilary's husband, is a somewhat
prejudiced man who, ultimately, just wants to spend time with his
wife. April L. Hernandez is Eva, a misunderstood gangster, is faced
with many important decisions, including whether to confess that her
friend committed a serious crime. This movie is one of the most
amazing films created in a long time. This comedy-drama was
hilarious, but sent the point across.
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