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Freedom Writers Film in Connection to Literacy

Introduction

Literacy shows the ability to write, read, and communicate in a given language. It represents a lifelong intellectual progression that is important for personal and community development. The movie “Freedom Writers,” depicts that the process of attaining literacy may be derailed by a number of factors affecting either the students or the teacher both at school or home.Summary of the Freedom Writers MovieThis movie focuses on Wilson Classical High School in long Beach, California. A female teacher Erin Gruwell leaves her safe hometown in Newport Beach to teach at Woodrow Wilson High School in Long Beach. The school recently came up with an integration plan despite formerly achieving. Teacher Erin starts her new job with great enthusiasm but her effort is challenged when she realizes that her class is composed of the students “at risk” or the “untouchables” not eager to join college as she was expecting. The students are segregated along racial groups, gang fights are common, and some of them stop attending classes. Furthermore, Erin does not only face opposition from the students, but also from her department head who deny her books to teach and urges her to focus on shaping the discipline and obedience of the students. Shooting is a normal occurrence; for instance, driving Paco attempts to kill Grant but misses, accidentally shooting Sindy’s boyfriend. In court, Eve intends to protect her “own.” At school, Erin teaches about Holocaust and starts to win students’ trust, she goes ahead to buy them composition books as their diaries. Her teaching dedication cost her, her marriage. However, the students become respectful as seen in Marcus. Erin goes ahead to invite Jewish Holocaust survivors to talk to the students and organizes for field trips. The second semester, Erin gives her students a “toast for change” and invites Miep Geis when “The Diary of Anne” is read in class.” Meip’s story touches Marcus who calls her heroes, but she denies that she was just doing the right thing. Eve is also touched and decides to witness only truth to the dismay of her family. Finally, most students graduate and join college to the surprise of the community.Writing in Journals Helps Transform the Lives of the StudentsWriting journals, first, give the students the autonomy to record their experiences and struggles both within and outside the school, which enables them to improve their communication skills. Secondly, the students gain writing skills that are the key pillar to literacy. Additionally, when teacher Erin Gruwell receives the journal, she organizes her teaching schedule in an attempt to address the grievances from the journals.Writing “Free” the Students from their PainLiterature writings make students talk about the hard times they go through, for instance being abused, friends killed, and evictions. When the writings are read in class, the students themselves sympathize or empathize with their fellows which, leads to moral transformations. Moreover, the literature works encourage the teacher to focus more on building respect and obedience amongst the students.The Classmates Learn to Trust one Another through Reading and Writing InitiateWriting and reading initiates trust because an environment of openness and honesty is created. The students gain confidence and talk about themselves in class. For example, Ann’s diary is read in class and touches the heart of many students, particularly, Marcus who describes Miep Geis as heroes by saving Anne from the hands of soldiers. Eve, who planned to lie in court about the death of Sindy’s boyfriend, is also emotionally touched and she, therefore, decides to speak against her family. These excerpts illustrate how a literacy mode of approaching situation builds trust among formerly diverse and self hating students.Students are not Motivated to Succeed in School and Outside Factors Affect their Ability to LearnThere is no motivation in students, especially the “untouchables.” Racial segregation creates hatred, fear, fights, deaths, and exclusions which create a situation unsuitable for learning. Also, some students are homeless, socially excluded and discriminated. Therefore, learning is not a priority to students, instead they fight for survival as their primary goal, and the integration plan in Wilson high school worsens the situation. Teachers are also not motivated to help the student succeed and graduate to college as seen when Erin Grewell colleagues oppose her hard work of making the students succeed.Honors English Students are Treated Differently from the “at Risk” Students.The students “at risk” are subjected to segregation in all aspects at personal and community levels. In the school, “untouchable” students do not discuss freely, which derail their learning process. Teachers, except Mrs. Gruwell do not care much about them as the “untouchables are denied books. Grant, who is “at risk,” is almost killed fortunately the bullet misses him. The Latinos hate Cambodians who hate the blacks and so on.

Work Cited

Freedom writers. Dir. Danny DeVito. Perf. Erin Gruwell. Paramount Home Entertainment, 2007. DVD.