In the beginning of the film,
The Freedom Writers, you saw Ms. Gruwell's department head suggest that she not to wear her pearls to class. We noticed later that she wore them anyway. Why do you think she ignored the advice? Also, you heard the teacher ask her students if they were aware of the Holocaust after she saw an ugly picture being passed around the class. Why do you think she asked her students if they had ever discussed the Holocaust? Did you think it was important for her to have asked her students that question - if so why?You will make a reflective comment to these questions and then make a comment on at least one other student's comment. Remember to use your First Name and your Last Name!
30 comments:
I believe the teacher refused to not wear the pearls because she wants to be different. She wants to be able to prove herself as a person who can change even the worst of kids. With her wearing her pearls she is showing the rest of the teachers that she will do whatever it takes to win these kids over, and that she actually believes in them. Also, when she brought up the holocaust, i think in her mind she was showing the students that what they do as gangs and how they try to prove themselves, is so little compared to what others have done. And if she can show them that what these different gangs are doing is so little and not a big, then she might be able to get them to stop there drive for the dominant gang, because none of them are actually dominant in the first place.
I think she wore her necklace because she wanted to show the head of her department that these kids could change, therefore she was going to put faith in them right away by wearing her necklace. This showed that she believed that they wouldn't steal it from her. I think she brought up the Holocaust because she wanted to know if the kids in the class really understood how dangerous racism and prejudice can really be. With a full understanding of the horrors of something like the Holocaust maybe the kids in the class would think twice about doing something just because a leader of a group they are appart of tells them to, especially something involving racism.
I agree with Sam's comment about the necklace. She wants to show the rest of the teachers that she will do what it takes to change these kids. Although it is a small act it has huge symbolic value.
I love this movie! It needed to be made. I can't wait to see more. Enough said.
Sam Nichols, you bring up a great point about being confident in your own identity and trusting others.
I think that Ms. Gruwell decided to leave her pearls on to show that she was not afraid of the students and because they were special to her. She thought so highly of her father and the pearls being a gift from him perhaps she felt they would be a some what of security blanket for her while she tried to walk in his footsteps. The high school was like a microcosm of the world, all different ethnic groups fight each other for the same thing in this case it was respect. When Ms. Gruwell bring up the Holocaust and relates it to them I think her reasoning behind it was to show them what their fighting can represent but also how they don’t understand how they will never get respect for killing people they hate when they are innocent.
I agree with Sam's comment about wanting to protect her own identity and the necklace was a huge part of that.
I believe that the teacher wore he pearls in order to show that she had hope for her students and also to prove that she did not agree with the principle that the students could not change. She wanted to show people that she could change the lives of these "bad" kids through an education. The teacher brought up the Holocaust to prove that the violence and racism is what starts things such as the Holocaust. She wanted to show the students that the gangs they were apart of were only making matters worse. Her hope was to get the students to come together as one and see that they are all the same no matter what race or color they are.
I agree with Sam that the teacher wanted to introduce the Holocaust to the students as a way to show how big of an impact racism can have on one's life as well as to show how they are nothing compared to the other gangs in the past.
I believe the teacher wore the pearls because she was not aware of the situation at the high school. I completely disagree with Sam. I do think her intentions are to change the kids and show them it is ok to be different, but I honestly do not think that she wore them just to be different or to stand out. And I do think it is very important that she asked about the Holocaust. At the beginning of the movie we saw that many had 5th grade reading levels so that means maybe they missed a ton of education. She can not just throw an event out there and hope that they understand it. To fully show her students that gangs are worthless and gangs are just another prejudice movement like the Holocaust, she needs to start from the very beginning and thoroughly explain her point.
I think she wore the pearls because she didn't want to judge the kids in her class before she even met them. By not wearing the pearls she would have come into the classroom already being pessimistic about the kids. I thought it was interesting when she brought up the holocaust. I think she used the analogy to show the kids that what they were doing was racist and a dangerous path. She wanted to show them that it wasn't okay to do what they did with the drawing.
The holocaust reference was interesting in that it really showed that the mentality of a militant fascist and that of gang member is really very similar. Anyone who puts themselves in a tribe, and sees the world in terms of tribe members and the 'other' is really making the same mistake. People are naturally social tribal creatures, evolution has bred that mentality into us. But throughout history it seems to be the route cause of every major atrocity. What people don't seem really understand is that a lot of the Nazi's were good people. It's just the doctrine of their tribe that was evil.
I agree with Gabe's reasons for why she wore the neckless
I think Ms. Gruwell decided to wear her pearls to class even though she was told not to to prove to the department head that she can make a difference. I think she kind of wanted to test the students to see what they would do. She wanted to believe they wouldn't steal them and she had faith in them. I think it was a good idea of the teacher to bring up the Holocaust with the students. She definatly had a good reason to and good intentions to prove how one picture can turn into a much bigger problem. Even though the students didn't like her example I'm sure they could see where she was coming from.
I agree with Sam Klefstad's point that the teacher wore the pearls to try to prove to the other teachers she can make a difference and she does believe in them. However i feel like she brought up the Holocaust more to show them how just a little picture and small gang fights can turn into something much bigger like what happening in the Holocaust.
I think that Ms. Gruwell wore her pearls because she truly believed she could make a difference in her students' lives and that they wouldn't steal from her. Taking them off would mean that she didn't have faith in herself or her students. I agree with what Sam Nichols said how the Holocaust was brought up to see if these kids understood that a holocaust is started from racism and prejudice and that is exactly what that picture was promoting, so it was a very important question to ask her students.
I believe that the reason she ignored the advice, was because she was trying to make a point that she was going to try and make a difference in how things were done at the school, and she wasnt going to be afraid. I also think that she asked her students if they knew about the holocaust because they were being recist towards the black kids, just like the nazis where racist towards the jews. She wanted them to realize how serious something like the drawing was, and the impact it can have. It was extremely important that she point that out to them.
I agree with sam klefstads analysis of why she tells them about the holocaust as well, and i thihnk that he is very correct. None of them are doing any good except hurting eachothers friends and family, no one will ever win.
Ms.Gruwell probably ignored the department head's advice because she was confident she could change the students. She probably didn't want to believe that the pearls could get stolen or something, either... She mentioned the Holocaust because the picture (piece of "propaganda") reminded her of exactly what had happened years before. She saw groups of people fighting because of their differences and because they thought they were better than the other groups. (Nazis vs. Jews, gays, and handicapped, anyone?) She knew that unless humans learn from their mistakes, history will repeat itself. She thinks that by asking the question she's making the students rethink their choices and beliefs.
Awesome movie. I've been meaning to rewatch it and finally got my chance!!
I agree with Joe's statement: that taking off the pearls "would mean that she didn't have faith in herself nor her students." After all, she came to the school to make a difference, didn't she?
I also like Mike K.'s point about the drawing -- Someone's decision to draw that picture could have had a pretty big impact on a lot of people's lives. This is an example of how everyone's decisions can impact the world.
It was very important that the teacher wore the pearls because in order for her to expect the students to change their way of thinking, she had to change hers. I also thought it was interesting that Ms. Gruwell compared the picture of the black student to the propaganda used against the jews during the holocaust. The students needed to understand that all it takes to take over a nation is a scapegoat, propaganda, and others willing to follow.
I agree with Gabe that another reason she chose to wear the pearls was because she didn't want to pass judgements on the students before she met them. By doing this, she then made it unjust for them to judge her before getting to know her.
The way that the teacher was trying to get through to the kids was trying to relate their experiences to the ones in the past. she thought that she could change the way they viewed eachother by bringing down the barrier between all of them.
The holocaust reference was interesting in that it really showed that the mentality of a militant fascist and that of gang member is really very similar. Anyone who puts themselves in a tribe, and sees the world in terms of tribe members and the 'other' is really making the same mistake. People are naturally social tribal creatures, evolution has bred that mentality into us. But throughout history it seems to be the route cause of every major atrocity. What people don't seem really understand is that a lot of the Nazi's were good people. It's just the doctrine of their tribe that was evil.
I agree with Gabe's reasons for why she wore the neckless
That last post was mine. I thought I had entered my name but evidently I was wrong.
I believe that the teacher continued to wear her necklace to class because she did want to just fall into the social norm with the other teachers that the school. The other teachers have already accepted that fact these kids have no hope and soon will stop coming to class. She is hoping to make a change in these students lives even though she may have underestimated her situation. I also think that she brought up the holocuast in class because it was a good way to grab her students attention. Even though she got a negative response it was a good attempt in trying to show her kids what the true dangers of racism and gang violence are.
I agree with Sam how these kids don't understand that it is just a cycle that they are putting themselves through with gang violence.
I saw her wearing the pearls anyway as a sign that she doesnt judged anyone and that she feels safe. She asked about the Holocaust because one person asked what it was, and this made her aware that most of them might also not know what it was. It was very important to ask, if she didnt it would have been ignorant and if she didnt it would apear she didnt care if they did.
Shady... i disagree with her not knowing the situation because she went to this school to make a change. i just thought she feels that even though this is a tough class shes about to go to they are all probably good kids inside.
Ms. Gruwell kept wearing the pearl necklace so that she could show that she wasn't just some ordinary teacher teaching because it was just her job. She wanted to teach her students that they are better than what they can show by wearing these pearls. She asked her students if they ever discussed the Holocaust because on a smaller scale they were experiencing in some way what happened before the Nazi's came to total power within Germany.
I think that the teacher continues to wear her pearls to show the department head that she isn't intimidated by the kids that she is going to have to teach. She also does it to send the kids the sane message. I think it was very important for her to discuss the holocaust, especially the way she did, because many of those kids probably didn't even know what the holocaust was. By discussing it in their terms it helps them to understand how their actions effect others and might help them to realize who they are emulating.
I agree with Sam Nichol's comments concerning the teacher trying to horrify the students with the history of the holocaust in an attempt to change their ways.
I think that Ms. Gruwell wore her pearls because even though it showed she may have money, they were a symbol of who she was because her father gave them to her. They symbolized a special bond that she has with a close person in her life. She brought up the holocaust to show that these kids may think they're big now, but wait until something of the magnitude of the holocaust happens and then they'll see who's really tough. I do agree with Sam saying how she was wearing the pearls as a message to say that she won't back down just because someone said no.
I think that the teacher continued to wear her pearls mainly to prove a point and set an exmple. That being that she was different from the teachers and did not feel threatened by the students in the school. Mrs. Gruwell is trying to prove to thwe students and teachers that she is willing to take a risk to help fix these probls in there high school.
I think that she wore her pearls to class to show that her students are not as troubled as everyone percieves them to be. By bringing up the holocaust i think that she was trying to show them how minewt there gangs really are in comparison to the rest of the world.
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I think the reason why Mrs. Gruwell didnt take her pearls off was because she wanted to prove a point. she wanted to prove that she could make a difference in the students lifes even when the head of the department didnt believed her. her wearing the pearls shows that she is not afraid of anything that this school and these students have to offer, and this determination was the reason as to why she was able to make these students succeed.
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