Tuesday, April 12, 2011

The Freedom Writers Diary: How A Teacher and 150 Teens Used Writing to Change Themselves and the World Around Them

This story is one that began shortly after the HISTORIC 1992 LA Riots, where violence and racial tensions reached an all-time high. It was Woodrow Wilson High School where Erin Gruwell decided to take action after taking a job teaching those that were declared "unteachable".


Entries made through these diaries were hard to digest when it hits you that these kids' situations were successful if they just lived through the day alive.


But one day, things took a strange turn, when Erin thought she reached her limit and was about to give up, she found a drawing done by a student and explained, irately, that was how a Holocaust happened/started. Only to a surprise that NONE of these kids knew what the Holocaust was, but they were ALL succumbed to gang violence in some aspect. It was THEN & THERE that Erin changed the core of her curriculum  and teach them all tolerance of one another in/out of the classroom.


It was through books like  'Durango Street'  and stories like 'The Diary Of Anne Frank' that these kids found something they could FINALLY relate to! Reading books like 'The Diary Of Anne Frank'  gave these kids more than stimulation of the mind, it also gave them energetic excitement.When Erin had assigned for them to write a letter to a survivor of this story, Miep Gies, excitement doesn't begin to describe their reaction. Certain ideas flowed through the classroom, but initially having fundraisers and bake sales and what need be - to have the honor of having Miep Gies herself come and speak.


It was Junior Year, 1996, when the class had read the classic novel 'The Color Purple' by Alice Walker and MANY of the female students felt and understood the story of Celie, because many of them suffered abuse or seen it all the same.  While there were some students who didn't have a choice to transfer out of Woodrow, remember there were some MADE THE CHOICE TO STAY!! and seen the difference it made.

Through the Freedom Writers as a group and as individuals, seeing what they've overcome, it was the first with a choice, a choice to graduate. For some it was the first of their families to go to college.


Meanwhile newspaper articles started flowing from the success of the Freedom Writers after Erin had submitted any entry to win 'The Anne Frank Spirit Award' and from there - things exploded!
Amid their surroundings, the work and determination these kids had was indescribable when graduation came.

Erin Gruwell and the REAL Freedom Writers


The End Result:


I LOVED This Book!
The REAL Erin Gruwell


The odds these kids had to face was something insurmountable. What Erin gave these kids was something they could live and pass on! Throughout these stories, it's PROOF that your surroundings DO NOT have to make who you are or become!!


In 2007 a movie was made featuring the many experiences shared through both Erin and the students of Room 203 titled 'Freedom Writers' starring two-time Oscar winner Hilary Swank as the remarkable teacher Erin Gruwell.






53 comments:

  1. Every time i watch the movie freedom writers it motivates me to keep trying to do what other people think i CANT do. It takes only one person to make a change and Ms. Gruwell made a change not only to those students but to their families, friends and everyone around them. I wish i had a teacher like that when i was going through high school, i know my life would've been different

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. IT IS NEVER TOO LATE, YOU CAN ALWAYS START ALL OVER AGAIN. YES YOU CAN

      Delete
  2. juan i wish that your expectations will come true. And Ms. Gruwell you are a daemon.

    ReplyDelete
  3. This moviie is amazing ... when i watch it i just think by myself what about if a was like those kids ... is amazing how a person that you dont even know can change your life... living in a life of danger ... This movie makes me realize that i can be better and do things that i thought i couldn't do... It inspired to become someone better and making my parents proud of me... I wish i could have a teacher like Ms. Erin that motivate me every single day not to giv3e up... Im in high school and i really wish i could i teacher like that... im gonna a junior and i know the last two years are gonna be hard and difficult but i believe in myself and i think i can do good this two last years...


    Jessica Acedo

    ReplyDelete
  4. i love the movie im goin to get the book and read all day long , im 12 years old and i know that we all have a dream GO FREEDOM WRITERS !!!!!!!!!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  5. i lovee thee movie i really want to read thee book it seem very intrestinqq :)

    ReplyDelete
  6. Lesson like this movie doesn't exist better. In my last job, my boss gave for teachers and administrative staff notebooks for describing how was our day, our feeling and else. Today, i understood her intention, it was to create an big family among those people whose, each one, had a dream to be accomplished. Thank all freedom writers and Ms. Gruwell for having given for the world this great story.

    ReplyDelete
  7. i just want to know, how are the kids doing now? the ones who has been to miss erin's class?

    ReplyDelete
  8. never seen something i could relate to so well

    ReplyDelete
  9. This book has inspired me so much that looking at my school has shown me that these kids and myself have so much in common. It has shown me so much that this life has to offer. I know just being a freshman high school student is a difficult task for anyone. This book made me realize that no matter my cercumstances, i should never settle for less.

    ReplyDelete
  10. This restores my faith in mankind. Thank God for people like this lady I pray that all kids in these situations meet a person who can show them the light!!

    ReplyDelete
  11. this movie is inspiring...to me and motivates me to move forward in life...

    ReplyDelete
  12. this story motivates us and gives us hope as human beings.
    i loved the moved and i and going to read the book.
    it tells us never to give up and that people with always try to stomp on you but as a human being never care what any other person say just try to move forward.
    P.S. i hoped after watching the movie that i had a teacher like Ms. Gruwell and i hope where she is now to keep on her good work.

    ReplyDelete
  13. we need more teachers like ms g

    ReplyDelete
  14. Hier soir j'ai vu pour la premiére fois le film sur mbcMAx, vraiment c'est une piéce d'art, c'est une histoire trés motivante, et elle nous donne de l'espoire malgré toutes les difficultés quand les vivre chaque jour. Bravo les freedom writers et j'espére qu'on soit tous des écrivains de la liberté un jour chaqun à sa façon et chaqun à sa place :))

    ReplyDelete
  15. wow .. i saw the movie manytime and i still want to watch it again and again.. it's amazing how a teacher change this lives..
    i keep asking myself what's happend now with those kids..
    im a big fan of this movie and this amazing story and ms G.

    ReplyDelete
  16. wooowooo .. Jag såg filmen många gånger och jag fortfarande vill titta på det igen och igen .. Det är fantastiskt hur en lärare ändra på detta liv ..
    Jag frågar mig själv vad som hände nu med de barnen ..
    im ett stort fan av filmen och denna fantastiska berättelse och ms G

    ReplyDelete
  17. Thanks to that student of mine ... for the piece of advice ...A nice present to me, really !

    ReplyDelete
  18. this movie iis nspiring to me..especially i'm a future tcher smedy...like..!

    ReplyDelete
  19. i watched this movie today, and was the first time i could see something so strong, you know, how can someone leave theyre own life to help the others? we really needded more people like Erin. she could change many teenagers lifes. God bless you all for this atitude!!!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  20. I've watched this movie last night. I did not know anything about this story. I was touched by it. amazing. That teacher reached the most precious thing from those students, their heart. Thanks God for these kind of people that believe in a human being.

    ReplyDelete
  21. je viens juste de finir de regardé le film,c'est un très bon film. cet histoire est touchante cruelle a la fois et fascinante.jamais un film ma fait couler des larmes jusqu’à ce jour

    ReplyDelete
  22. I watched the movie and I'm amazed. A deep bow to the real Erin Gruwell, to actors and filmmakers. Be blessed.

    ReplyDelete
  23. omg! this is really good

    ReplyDelete
  24. I watched this movie once and loved one of them is like me going throw depression and watin to kill myself but now I changed who i am

    ReplyDelete
  25. You are the best teacher Erin.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Today i watch this movie it's a very good story. Erin you are the best teacher and many thanks for the thing that you do.

    ReplyDelete
  27. amasing powerfull story
    the world would be a better place if all teachers could teach like her

    ReplyDelete
  28. If you like the book Freedom Writer Diary or the 2007 movie Freedom Writers Starring Hilary Swank then you will love Diary of A Freedom Writer "The Experience" by Darrius Garrett. He is an author/actor/motivational speaker and Original Freedom Writer. Darrius is one of the Original Freedom Writers that co-wrote the book as well as if you seen the movie Freedom Writers starring Hilary Swank the heart wrenching character "Marcus" that was homeless as well as his friend shot himself in the film that is about Darrius Garrett as well but now he tells his full story of change,hope and redemption in his NEW book Diary of A Freedom Writer "The Experience.

    Here is a link I found to a chapter to give a feel of the book

    www.freado.com/book/12796/diary-of-a-freedom-writer-the-experience

    ReplyDelete
  29. Have you ever thought about adding a little
    bit more than just your articles? I mean, what you say
    is fundamental and all. However imagine if you
    added some great pictures or videos to give your posts
    more, "pop"! Your content is excellent but with pics and clips, this blog could definitely be
    one of the most beneficial in its field. Awesome blog!


    Feel free to surf to my page: Replica Christian Louboutin

    ReplyDelete
  30. Great post. I will be dealing with some of these issues as well..


    Also visit my web blog motivational speaker

    ReplyDelete
  31. Wonderful site you have here but I was wondering if you knew
    of any community forums that cover the same topics talked about here?
    I'd really like to be a part of community where I can get comments from other
    knowledgeable people that share the same
    interest. If you have any suggestions, please let me know.
    Kudos!

    My homepage :: Carola

    ReplyDelete
  32. Fantastic web site. Plenty of useful info here. I'm sending
    it to a few friends ans also sharing in delicious. And of
    course, thank you on your sweat!

    Review my web blog minecraft.net

    ReplyDelete
  33. Thanks for sharing your thoughts about reviews.

    Regards

    Stop by my web blog ... ClairULucious

    ReplyDelete
  34. Spot on with this write-up, I truly think this site needs a lot more attention. I'll probably be back again to see more,
    thanks for the info!

    Here is my page KenethLShehata

    ReplyDelete
  35. I don't even know the way I finished up right here, however I assumed this put up
    was once great. I don't recognize who you are however certainly you are going to a well-known blogger when you
    are not already. Cheers!

    My blog ... CletusTTilleman

    ReplyDelete
  36. Hi I am so happy I found your website, I really found you by mistake, while I was researching on Bing for something else, Regardless I am
    here now and would just like to say many thanks for a fantastic post and a
    all round thrilling blog (I also love the theme/design), I don't have time to read through it all at the moment but
    I have saved it and also added your RSS feeds, so when I have time I will be back
    to read a great deal more, Please do keep up the great job.


    Feel free to visit my blog :: DanialJCerdan

    ReplyDelete
  37. If you desire to get a great deal from this piece of writing then you have to apply
    these techniques to your won web site.

    Also visit my page ... EmmittJReinhold

    ReplyDelete
  38. Wow that was odd. I just wrote an extremely long comment but after I clicked submit
    my comment didn't show up. Grrrr... well I'm not writing all that over again.
    Anyway, just wanted to say excellent blog!

    Here is my webpage ... DomoniqueQChamorro

    ReplyDelete
  39. I every time spent my half an hour to read this website's articles every day along with a cup of coffee.



    Review my web-site :: DamionFMaliska

    ReplyDelete
  40. Hi colleagues, pleasant paragraph and nice arguments commented at this place, I am actually enjoying by these.


    Here is my page ... DarrelVBlatchley

    ReplyDelete
  41. Hi, of course this post is truly good and I have learned lot of things from it regarding blogging.
    thanks.

    Also visit my site :: EarlieMDies

    ReplyDelete
  42. Hello, after reading this remarkable article i am too happy to share my
    know-how here with colleagues.

    Also visit my webpage ... BasilPRamero

    ReplyDelete
  43. Hello my loved one! I want to say that this article is amazing, nice written and come with approximately all vital infos.
    I'd like to look extra posts like this .

    Also visit my website :: TomikaKHuntzinger

    ReplyDelete
  44. Hi there! This is my 1st comment here so I just wanted to give a quick shout out and tell you
    I really enjoy reading through your posts. Can you recommend any other blogs/websites/forums
    that go over the same subjects? Thanks a ton!

    My webpage; LuciaYCaneer

    ReplyDelete
  45. Hey! I know this is kinda off topic however ,
    I'd figured I'd ask. Would you be interested in exchanging links or maybe
    guest writing a blog article or vice-versa? My blog covers a lot of the same topics
    as yours and I feel we could greatly benefit from each other.
    If you're interested feel free to shoot me an email.
    I look forward to hearing from you! Wonderful blog by the
    way!

    Feel free to surf to my page - AshelyQGuill

    ReplyDelete
  46. Hi there, I read your blog like every week. Your humoristic style is witty, keep up the good work!


    Here is my webpage ... AshelyGPounders

    ReplyDelete
  47. We stumbled over here different web address and thought I may as well
    check things out. I like what I see so now i'm following you.

    Look forward to checking out your web page for a second time.


    Also visit my web blog - quest bars

    ReplyDelete
  48. Heya i'm for the primary time here. I came across this board and I in finding It really useful & it
    helped me out a lot. I hope to present one thing again and help others like you aided me.


    Check out my website ... quest bars

    ReplyDelete
  49. Greate post. Keep posting such kind of info on your page.

    Im really impressed by your blog.
    Hey there, You've done an excellent job. I will certainly
    digg it and in my view suggest to my friends. I'm confident they will be benefited
    from this website.

    My blog lasertest

    ReplyDelete
  50. Hi mates, how is the whole thing, and what you would like to say regarding this paragraph,
    in my view its in fact remarkable in favor of me.

    ReplyDelete