Freedom Writers Summary

Summary of the Freedom Writers
The movie “Freedom Writers” was about Erin Gruwell, a young teacher who accepted a position teaching freshman and sophomore English at Woodrow Wilson High School in Long Beach, California. Mrs. Gruwell dramatically transformed a chaotic class of hardened inner city youths. This class was consisted of African Americans, Latinos, Asians, Juvenile Delinquents, gang members, one Caucasian, and underprivileged students from poor neighborhoods. At first, it was difficult for Mrs. Gruwell to relate to her class. The students brought their gang warfare from the streets into the classroom, the only thing they shared were their hatred for one another and the understanding that they were simply being warehoused in the educational system until they were old enough to disappear. Despite Mrs. Gruwell’s students’ refusal to participate in class, she attempted to engage them on a daily basis. Until, a racially motivated gang shooting witnessed by a Latino gang member Eva occurred, following an ugly racial cartoon; becoming the most unwittingly dynamic teaching aids. Mrs. Gruwell angrily started telling them about the Holocaust. However, only one student knew about the Holocaust. The teacher decided to take on two jobs, one as a lingerie salesperson and the other as a concierge at the local Marriot, in order to purchase supplies to reach the students in a different way. Her husband began to worry; she told him it was only temporary. She moved the students around, out of their racial divisions. She attempted to show the students that they were united by playing the “Line Game” with them. Her most effective form of teaching aid came in the form of a black and white composition notebook. She gave each student a notebook and asked them to write in it every day. They could write in any form they wish, as long as it was continuous. She told them that it was completely private and she would not read their journals unless they put them into the locked