The movie “Freedom Writers” is based on a true story. Hilary Swank as Erin Gruwell plays an inspirational teacher at Wilson High School. She is ready to take on the teaching world as she steps inside Wilson High School for her first day. Her class, varied with teenagers of different ethnic backgrounds, wants nothing more than to just get through the day. African Americans, Latinos, Asians, gang members, and much more are from poor neighborhoods, that all share a similar hatred for each other. On the first day of teaching she is very scared and unsure, but she knows she has to stop the racism in the class as well as their attitude towards life. Despite her students' persistent refusal to participate during class, Erin tries various ways to communicate with them on a daily basis.
The main situation of the movie is the gang violence and racial issues in Long Beach. This situation is shown within the classroom. Ghetto reality really steps in to focus, which is the main picture. Scenes from the movie such as: a racial gang shooting witnessed by a Ava (Latina gang member) in Erin's class, and an ugly racial cartoon that Erin discovers during class, becomes the teaching method to bring this kids together. They trigger a change in the classroom, and are all compelled to tell and listen to each others’ survival stories of the war they face on the streets. Erin begins to connect with them. She brings in music from the ghetto, and literature from another kind of ghetto, The Diary of Anne Frank, and with these ideas she opens her students' eyes to the experiences of those suffering throughout the world and the struggles of the people outside their communities.
After knowing that every one of her students has a story to tell, Erin encourages her students to keep a daily journal of their thoughts and experiences. After sharing their stories. These diaries transform become an important aspect to the students’ education and Gruwell's