After Watching "Freedom Writers"

source: www.movieposter.com/

But even an ordinary secretary or a housewife or a teenager can, within their own small ways, turn on a small light in a dark room. (Miep Gies, Freedom writers, 2007)

I found this movie when I was in the midst of my reading slump and writing block that brought me nowhere near finishing my novel. Then, I was looking for some films about writing to get me away from my writer’s block. There it was. Some people on internet recommended it and I watched it. 

       Freedom Writers (2007) tells the story of an idealistic teacher in a classroom full of tough and antagonistic teenagers segregated into racial groups of Latinos, Afro-American, and Asian-American. Even it may be the same with Dead Poet Society in school-drama genre, it is different since the condition of the school and the students are really contrast. Erin as the teacher (Hillary Swank) is challenged to teach English literature for the students whose life full of gang violence and racial intolerance. As the time went by, she struggled her way by connecting the culture of the students with curriculum, such as Erin uses a Tupac Shakur song for analyzing poetry, using journal to tell their stories, even a toast for change that make them miraculously happy to learn with Erin. I recommend you to watch it, if a life-changing motivational film is one of the genres you’d like.

        What I’ve got actually, not only I found the way to expel my writing’s block with the monologue of students’ journal in the film, I found an inspiration in teaching. It is a school story with the main character as the teacher; of course, I would find it. I just… I did not expected that I would get something beyond my expectation. Well, after my graduation last year, having a degree in English education still makes me nervous about how to face my students with various unique characters. Even, I have experienced the atmosphere in some classrooms and actually have fun. I’m still having this anxiety that every classroom may not be the same. I am finding some real challenges out there.

        Setting aside the propagandas of depicting the hero in white clothing and the villain dressed in black that should be discussed in my reading class with my lecturer and my friends, I found this film has invite me to be as passionate as Erin Gruwell. Love your students and find the best way for them to learn. Most importantly, do not give up to your students.

I am not letting you fail. Even if that means coming to your house every night until you finish the work. I see who you are. Do you understand me? I can see you. And you are not failing. (Erin Gruwell, Freedom Writers, 2007)

        Since, the condition is same as me as the English teacher, I found that journal writing, once again, is a great means for students to learn to express their mind. Ah, I would love to find my students so content in reading, we would discuss what they've been reading, and they would always ask for more books. Is it just a dream?