Voices are used all throughout the movie Freedom Writer's as the viewer meets the characters. The piece reasons that to survive, we must break down barriers us as humans have with one another to open doors and new possibilities.
In the film, new and eager teacher Erin Gruwell begins to work with a very unprivileged
group of students at Woodrow Wilson High School in Long beach, California. The class is exceedingly segregated in racial groups. There is constant violence. She attempts to warm up to them by speaking out her opinions of the importance of trust in the class and involving them in activities to voice their feelings about racial tensions. "I'm a teacher, it doesn't matter what color I am" is her simple but great response to a student named Eva when she says white people think they deserve respect. Gruwell's response
shows that she wants to be heard and trusted by her students.
Gruwell hands out composition notebooks to the class to express themselves by writing person stories in it. They are allowed to share with the class. Student Brandy goes up in front of the class. She shares a part of her story. "In every war, there is an enemy. I watched my mother being hlaf-beaten to death, and watched as bloodand tears streamed down her face. I felt useless and scared, and furious at the same time. I can still feel the sting of the belt on my back and my legs. One time he couldn't pay the rent. That night he stopped us on the street and pointed to the concrete. He said, "pick a spot." She reads this aloud with an expressionless face. Everyone listens to her story. Brandy's deep story makes the viewer think about her reality.
I have viewed this film several times. Though there are many themes and messages, this movie focuses on using your voice to connect with others. We can learn respect from hearing all of the heartbreaking and triumphant stories of the students. Freedom Writer's is a great example of the idea that everyone wants to be share their story and be heard.
