In the beginning of the film you saw Ms. Gruwell's department head suggest that she not to wear her pearls to class. The English teacher commented on them as well. Later we notice that she wore them to class on the first day of school. Why do you think she was given the advice and why do you think she ignored it? Also, you heard Ms. Gruwell 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 almost none of the students had ever heard of the Holocaust? At one point she is having a conversation with her department chair about giving her students new books. What was the importance of that discussion? Finally, what do you think is the most important message of the film?
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The freedom writers was truly an inspirational story. Not only did these teens start from the bottom but people believed that they din't have what it takes to make it to the top. Instead of being themselves them became what other people assumed they were. They couldn't see outside what the world has built them to be. People start to make assumptions about a person based on race or skin color when really the world doesn't work that way. It's not something people do on purpose it just happens we judge one another like a sixth sense. Just because someone is from "were ever" that doesn't mean that they will be just like everybody else that's from there and who is to say you know what people from there are like. All you know about that place is what you see on the media and they lie. Not only that but it mostly shows bad stuff that happens how can you judge a place when you haven't even experienced it.Now how can you judge a person when you don't even know them. Sometimes all we really need is somebody to tell us we can and we will and that's what this teacher provided for these kids, a diffident opinion a chance, what else could we ask for?
I had never seen this movie before but now it is one of my favorites. It was such an inspiring and hopeful story and I was amazed at what those students were able to accomplish. The fact that the teacher never gave up showed that one person can really make a difference. The number one message that I was able to take from this movie is that people are so much more than what we judge them to be at a first glance.
I think Ms. Gruwell ignored the comments about her pearls and wore them to class anyways because she wanted to prove a point to them about herself and about the kids she was teaching. She wanted to prove to her fellow teachers that her kids were no thieves in the classroom, and that she could take care of herself even if she was a first year teacher, so she wore the pearls. I think that none of the students had heard about the holocaust because their teachers in the previous years had thought that they would not be able to comprehend or appreciate what they were learning. However, when the kids were taught about the holocaust and when they read Anne Frank’s diary, their perspective on prejudice completely changed, and they related greatly to Anne Frank. They saw the purpose in learning. I think Ms. G made an extremely important point when discussing the importance of books that are new to the children. She thought that with new books, the kids would finally be taken seriously, and would learn to respect the books since they weren’t already destroyed. By being taken seriously, the kids could then take the reading seriously, and that is what happened once Ms. G bought her kids books. I think that the most important message in the movie is that no matter who you are, where you come from, or what you look like, you can do anything you set your mind to. The children were obviously influenced and motivated by Ms. G to learn and to try harder, but they were the ones that took her seriously and agreed to put in effort and become more dedicated to school. They were the ones that finished high school in the end when no one said they could do it in the beginning. This movie was powerful and really uplifting, I loved it!
I agree with what Laryssa wrote. I think that without even realizing it, we judge people that we don't even know all the time. But someone's race or where they're from doesn't reflect who they are as a person.
Freedom Writers has a lot of meaning behind it and I think it plays an important role in some children’s lives. The advice to not wear pearls could have hinted at the impression what the students would have of her, for instance having a lot of money or living a good life. Also, some students could be desperate enough to steal the pearls. I believe she wore them to school because she did not care what they would think of her. The students have not been exposed to most of the major events in history, possibly because they did not care enough to learn, or because the teachers did not bother wasting their time teaching them about the Holocaust. Mrs. Gruwell wanted the children to be involved in class and by getting them new books, it could show that they are important and can be trusted, something they are probably not used to. It proves how the school is not willing to give them their trust and allow them to use the new materials for learning, believing they will only destroy them. The most important message to me is never give up. It is important to believe and do anything possible to push yourself farther; you don’t know what you’re capable of until you try.
I agree with Sarah Maybe Ms.Gruwell wore her pearls to prove something to herself
I think that she wore her pearls despite what the department head told her because she wanted to prove to the other teachers and the kids that she wasn’t treating them any different than she would treat others. I think that she was given the advice by the department head because she was prejudice towards black people and thought that they would steal them because they weren’t white kids. I think that most of the kids didn’t know about the holocaust because their previous teachers didn’t care to take the time to explain it to them because they probably thought that they didn’t care or that they wouldn’t be able to retain the information. I think that when she asked her department chair for new books it was important because she was trying to get her to understand that her kids weren’t going to want to learn if they were given things that were torn and old. She wanted to let her know that they were worthy of new books too and that they were capable of learning like all of the other kids in the school. I think that the most important message in the film is to stay true to yourself and not judge others just by the way that they look or mistakes that they made because there could have been a good reason for them doing what they did.
I agree with layrssa, I think that these kids needed a figure in their life that could tell them to believe in themselves and that they have potential to do anything that they put their mind to.
The beginning comments about her pearls implied the rough nature of the class she was assigned; I agree with Sarah and believe she wore them to class because she wanted to show her confidence, to not be paralyzed by the fear and disdain that had affected almost all of the remaining faculty. To hide them would be to be suspicious of the kids from the very beginning, a move that would have surely alienated the already bitter and resentful teens; similarly, the argument about the books represents an unfortunate downward spiral of attitude versus treatment in that the attitude towards the students by the staff causes the allocation of sub-level books, which in turn leads the students to become disgruntled at how lowly they're considered. As a result, they deface the books and end up justifying the teachers' attitudes, thus continuing the spiral. It's a terrible and very real way of thought in a highly emotionally ruled society; despite all of the distancing we attempt to do, major civil rights issues take much too long to be resolved because of the errant and irrational thought processes (or lack thereof) on the part of the oppressors, and that attitude tends to persist even afterwards. The spiteful tone when speaking of the school's integration is one such indicator.
I believe the students hadn't heard of the Holocaust because they themselves had always been subjected to deprivation, leaving little time or opportunity to learn about the oppression of the Jews; being shot at and chased by thugs does not a quality history education make. In such situations it can be judged to be more practical to be well-versed in the here and now, to be "street smart" so to speak. In addition, resentment-based prejudice against whites may have played a part; the possibility that even some whites had been oppressed in a similar fashion might have been seen as laughable.
I agree with Laryssa in that giving people a chance is really one of the most important things to do in education; assumptions about their character before even meeting them, solely based off of their socioeconomic background, will only heighten any tensions between them. Understanding the "enemy" may very well make a friend out of one.
I personally loved everything about watching this movie. It was so inspirational to see all of these kids who go from gang fights and almost dying every single day to being truly nice people who can make a difference in their community and in the world. Ms.Gruwell showed these kids that they have the potential to do anything that they want to, and it really shows how a lot of people in life don't take what they are given for granted, they just see it as a waste of time. But when it is forced upon you in most cases you learn how great it really is.
I agree with what Emily said. This movie is now one of my favorite movies, and it leaves the viewers with such an inspirational message to take from what they have seen. The story is amazing.
The freedom writers showed me just what it means to survive day to day and fight for what you want. Mrs. Gruell started off going to class wearing her pearls, i believe, to prove her point that she was not going to let anyone or anything bother her or tell her what she could and could not wear. she didn't think that these kids were going to do anything. she wanted to see them for who they were first. I agree with Laryssa that people make assumptions and judgements based on where they are from and what they look like. The department head wouldn't give the class any good books because she thought since they hadn't been given the resources before and were not as smart as other kids, that they didn't deserve to be taught and that they couldn't. She didn't bother to get to know them or try. Mrs. Gruell did. She sacrificed her free time and marriage to give these kids the resources they needed to succeed and learn and learn to love one another. This movie uplifted me so much because it shows me that no matter what your life is like, you can succeed if you are brave enough to try. These kids risked their lives to fight for what they knew they deserved and to finally have peace together. These kids are my heroes.
I was absent today
I thought this was a very inspirational movie. I think that the kids in the class had never heard of the holocaust because their previous teachers never thought they would be able to understand it. Also none of their previous teachers bothered to even try to teach them and help them reach their full potential. I also think Ms. Gruwell made them feel like the school cared about them when she got them the new books. They were shocked that their books were brand new and they were excited to have them. I think getting the new books made them feel like someone cared and wanted to help them and that Ms. Gruwell that they were important unlike all their previous teachers.
I agree with Kara that this movie really showed that Ms. Gruwell showed the kids that they could do anything and they have the potential to do anything.
The department head suggests to Ms. Gruwell that she not wear her pearls to class because she thinks they will get stolen. The department head is afraid of the children she teaches because she judges them by where they come from and not who they are. Ms. Gruwell wears them anyway because she beleives in the kids and thinks they are better than that. The movie highlights over the fact that the students do not what the holocaust was because it is trying to show that the students have never had a dedicated teacher to inspire them and make them learn. The department chair not giving Ms. Gruwell new books is also used to show how the kids have not had the opportunity to succeed because their teachers do not believe in them. The most important scene in the film is to never let anyone tell you you can't do something.
I agree with what Amanda said about how the kids finally felt what it was like to have someone care about them in school when Ms. Gruwell got the students new books.
I think that Mrs. Gruwell ignored the comment about her pearls on the first day, because she wasn't going to let anybody else influence her decision. She wasn't doing it to be disrespectful, but instead to be her own person. She wanted to be true to herself and resist conformity. By wearing the pearls, she was forcing the students to see that yes, it is okay to be different. I believe that the students were so caught up in the tragedies of their own lives that nobody gave them the dignity and respect or time of day. People treated them poorly and expected the worst from them, such as the department chair who would not even help them with the supplies they needed. If the students are not treated with respect, they will not get it. They believe respect is something that one must earn, as demonstrated by them calling Mrs. Gruwell "ma" at the end of the film. This film was about the power of expression and understanding; it was a truly inspirational movie and I hope to make an impact on others' lives, just like Mrs. Gruwell.
I agree with Sarah Connors. I liked how the students began to take a genuine interest in learning, because it was something they could relate to and they were given respect. I also was very glad to know how much of an impact Mrs. Gruwell had on the students and was happy to know that she was able to continue teaching them throughout the rest of their high school career.
I think that “Freedom Writers” was an incredible film that effectively showed the attitudes towards discrimination in troubled teenagers, but ones that have great potential.
Ms. Gruwell ignored her department head and fellow teacher’s advice because she wanted to believe that her kids would not take advantage of her and steal the pearls, as the pair suggested they would do. On a more figurative level, she wanted to think that they shouldn’t be stereotyped as thieves because of their ethnic backgrounds.
Her students were never truly educated about historical events because they either had never been to school, or never actually cared enough to pay attention in other classes. Specifically, the event such as the Holocaust is one that they never heard of because it is something that was never commonly spoken of in their culture.
The discussion between Ms. Gruwell and her department chair about giving the students new books served a great importance, because it shows the difference of both trusting and not trusting the students of the class.
I believe that the most important message of this film is to be accepting and respectful towards one’s peers, and teachers. Throughout the film the class became more and more united, but that was not forced by Ms. Gruwell but on their own accord based on her teachings of respect and dedication. And even though they are very reluctant towards her in the beginning just because she’s white changed once she began showing them what it means to accept one another. By the end of the film, they were a family, and even though Ms. Gruwell was still white, they had a huge amount of respect for her because she aided in their change.
Overall, the film served as a symbol for hope, and acceptance.
I completely agree with Kara. I believe it was so amazing how these kids, who were involved with gangs and other forms of violence, were able to change so much for the better. I think it's especially amazing for Ms. Gruwell, because she stood up for her own obligations as a teacher to help her students, even though her husband wasn't being supportive at all. This film was very enlightening and it really showed me how amazing it is that teachers can have that much of an impact on their students.
I agree with what Michayla said in her blog. I feel that another important message the movie conveyed was the importance of respecting and especially accepting your peers and teachers for who they are. I feel that the acceptance of yourself and of others is the first step of any success. I also think that the movie is definitely a symbol for hope for other students as well as anybody in need of motivation to keep trying.
After having seen this movie over five or six times, it still never gets old. It still has the same uplifting message everytime. I think it is an incredible movie and really shows the reality of racism in today's modern world. Mrs. G was told not to wear her pearls because they were of great value and didnt want them to be stolen. She ignored this advice because she wanted to show the department that she can do this, after being doubted that she can't take on the challenge. I believe hardly any of the students ever heard of the holocaust because of the lack of education and focus they might have had throughout their life. The importance of the conversation of serving the kids new books is to see if the kids would treat "new" books with respect rather than destroy old books that they are usally given. They aren't used to getting new materials, so Mrs. G wanted to give them that feeling of new materials. Lastly, the most important message this film serves is to be accepting and open minded of other races. You will never truly know where somebody has been in their life unless you've walked in their shoes. Overall, this film has always been a favorite of mine and i think it represnts a very important message to young students across America.
I think Amanda makes a good point that maybe the students never heard of the holocaust because their previos teachers may not have thought they would understand it. I never thought of that, but that is probably true.
I agree with Catie, in that Mrs. Gruwell was not going to take off her pearls just because someone made a comment about it. This is the perfect movie to demonstrate that one person can make a difference and she managed to change the minds of a lot of students and made them appreciate everything they have and reach for something better
I thought that Freedom Writers was truly an inspirational story. I thought it was amazing that Ms. G was able to get through to all those kids when no one ever thought that they could amount to anything. They themselves didn't believe that they would finish school and she helped them overcome that. Ms. G probably ignored the teachers' advice on not wearing pearls to class because she believed in the kids more than they did. She didn't think that it would be a problem, but the other teachers warned her not to do so because they thought badly about the students. The discussion with the department chair on getting new books was important because she wanted the kids to be able to learn like other students do, and not be treated differently because of how they were judged. I think the overall message of the film is that one person can make a difference. Also, you can do anything as long as you work hard and believe in yourself.
The ignored advice from her department head about the pearl necklace, I think, is the first glimpse that we get of Erin Gruwell's determined and hopeful character. The fact that she still wore her valuable pearl necklace to school demonstrates that she is set in her ways, and also that she is determined to seek out the best in her students, rather than highlight their worst qualities as the department head does.
I think that almost none of her students were aware of the holocaust simply because they were not taught the history of the holocaust in school. I am aware of some school curriculums that omit that particular event because of the sensitive and graphic nature of the topic. In particular, I think that these students were not taught the holocaust because of its stark similarity to their own lives, living in rough areas with gang violence, racism, and social upheaval.
The importance of the discussion about books is that the department head felt the students were not worthy of the books because they would disrespect and destroy them - that they were not aware of the importance of books simply because of their own youthful ignorance. But Erin provided a strong counterpoint in saying that the students were not worthy of the books because they were taught that they were not worthy; they were taught that they were too disrespectful, too unintelligent, and too ignorant to treat books with love and care. But her plan was to use these untouched books to teach the students otherwise - that they are worthy and intelligent and able to learn and grow through reading challenging material.
I think that the most important message of the film is that everyone is worthy of a valuable education, no matter what their social, financial, or familial situation. It hearkens back to the old messages of "don't judge a book by its cover" and "treat others how you would want to be treated" in saying that all people are able to exist peacefully if we highlight the common threads between them, and teach them not to take judgement from others to be true, but to stay true to themselves and use their own judgements in the way that they define themselves.
I was absent for this assignment.
I agree with Emily. I think that it was a really important part of this movie that Ms. G was able to prove that one person can make a difference. No one ever expected the students to amount to anything and she was able to completely change their lives and change how they saw themselves, so that they were able to accomplish things for themselves. I also agree with the message in that the students were so much more than what everyone judged them to be at first.
I thought that this movie was one that was really inspirational to others wanting to pursue a career they have been told they couldn't numerous times. It's important for this message to be heard so that others do not give up on their goals and ambitions. With that being said, I agree with Sam when she says the overall message of the film is that it takes just one person to make a difference in not only their life but in the lives of others as well.
I think she wore the pearls to show that he trusted the students and she didnt want them to feel as though she was only there wasting her time. She wanted to give them respect to gain theirs. I think the students hadn't heard of the holocaust because no one had bothered to teach them because they were "incapable of learning". When she is discussing giving the kids new books the department head shuts her down because the students will ruin the books so the books go year after year unused. The department head would rather let the books rot than let the kids feel like hey are worth something. I think that the most important message from this film is to believe in yourself and not the let what others say get you down, everyone is equal and deserves a chance in this world.
I was absent for this assignment.
I was absent
I was absent for this assignment.
The discussion with regards to the pearls was most likely intended to indicate to Ms. Gruwell that they would make her a target for her students. Ms. Gruwell wore them to indicate she was not intimidated by the task she faced nor did she accept the assumption that her students were violent brutes. The lack of knowledge about the holocaust is indicative of the incredibly poor education offered by American schools to the disadvantaged. Her conversation with the department chair was important as it revealed how little the school system actually cared about its students beyond a perfunctory minimum. The most important message of the film was the abandonment of the disadvantaged by the American school system – Mrs. Gruwell’s efforts, while laudable, are the exception that proves the rule. The film reinforces the necessity of building a new mass movement to combat racism and poverty.
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