Freedom Writers Analysis
INTRODUCTION
For the purpose of this assignment I have selected the film Freedom Writers (2007). As a teacher in a post-primary DEIS school, this film was of particular interest to me for its high-school setting and the disadvantaged socioeconomic backgrounds of the students.
Freedom Writers is a movie adaptation of Erin Gruwell’s non-fiction book Freedom Writers Diary: How a teacher and 150 teens used writing to change themselves and the world around them (1999). The film follows Erin Gruwell, a newly qualified and enthusiastic English teacher, as she navigates her way through school politics, prejudice, racism and personal circumstance to help a group of at-risk teens to fulfill their potential. Set in Woodrow Wilson High School, Long
…show more content…
A significant turning point in the film is represented by a change classroom layout, instead of a conventional layout, students are in rows teacher at top of room, Erin rearranges the desk so that the students are looking, and arguably learning, from each other. In this film M is an accompaniment rather than the a dominant aspect of Erin’s teaching approach.
Awareness:
What a teacher knows about their students: interests, talents, and concerns, personal histories, family backgrounds, previous results (Fenstermacher and Soltis’, 2004). Erin awareness of students is gained through department scores, discussions with teaching staff and student diary entries. Erin’s desire to learn about her students stems from her determination to engage them in learning and not as an exercise in awareness itself. The diaries are used to inform Erin’s teaching techniques but are not central to her approach as it would be to the facilitator.
…show more content…
Erin places a line of red tape along the center of the classroom floor, asking students to step on the line if the question asks applies to them. Initially the questions are lighthearted, questions on music and film, the questions develop into more serious question about correctional facilities, drugs, gang violence and death.
Cognate and sociocultural learning theories argue ‘that people construct new knowledge and understandings based on what they already know and believe’ (National Research Council, 2000, p.10). The students in this film are reinforcing racial stereotypes about each other that they believe to be true. In order to change these beliefs ‘preconceptions must be addressed’ (National Research Council, 2000, p.10 - 11). This is accomplished by acknowledging similar experiences between different ethnic backgrounds and creating a new common ground that can be build on.
Behavioural and cognitive perspectives focus on the solo learner. Whereas the socio-cultural perspective sees learning as a social activity and acknowledges how peer norms, social supports, knowledgeable people, and cultural and historical circumstances (Conway,
Summary Of Should Everybody Write? By Dennis Baron
300 Words | 2 PagesIn his essay, “Should Everybody Write?”, Dennis Baron focuses on the expansion of information due to the advancement of technology and the vast amount of unchecked writing available on the internet. Baron also goes into depth about the origins of writing and the impact it has had on readers, authors, and researchers. After he presents the origins and progression of writing, Baron answers the question of, should everybody write? In early era’s, according to Baron, “… in the 17th century England, a period known for the flowering of English letters, where even kings and queens composed poetry and the brand-new Royal Society promoted science writing, literacy in London remained a mere 10% for men, a shocking 1% for women” (845).
Lynda Day's Making A Way To Freedom Analysis
306 Words | 2 PagesIn Jill Lepore's New York Burning and Lynda Day's Making a Way to Freedom, both authors detail the varying political and socio economic realities that impacted the slave trade in New York, the growth of ruling powers and the every day lives of enslaved people. Day illuminates readers on slaves who left their impact during their time such as Elymas Reeve and Blind Betty. Both of whom, despite their status as enslaved people, were highly esteemed and recognized during their time. By shining light on lesser known historical figures, Day honors these unsung heroes. Day's reports on the 'triangular trade' are particularly enlightening.
Analysis Of Write For Your Life By Anna Quindlen
335 Words | 2 PagesSummary In the analysis, “Write For Your Life,” Anna Quindlen’s thesis is that in the movie “Freedom Writers,” and in our everyday life, physical writing is a necessary form of therapy and release. Quindlen describes the movie and then points out specific lines that express the situation of the children. She continues by explaining how physical writing is important to our wellbeing but how it has disappeared from our lives.
Compare And Contrast Alcoff's Theory Of Ethnorace
1415 Words | 6 PagesIn such an environment, it becomes easier for people to identify themselves and easily resolve issues affecting them using strategies that are better suitable for them. Ethnorace also proves to be effective because it allows all members of society to start learning more about the other different types of ethnicities that exist in societies around the world, from those that are different that theirs and even from their own. In doing so, they will not only start to appreciate the different cultures that exist, but also learn about their own biases against others and explore their own views about others, and how they can change any of their own behaviors, attitudes or beliefs that may be harmful or disrespectful towards others. Therefore, the theory of ethnorace also proves to be a learning opportunity for all members of
Little Rock Central High: 50 Years Later Analysis
1023 Words | 5 PagesThe teacher asks whether or not black students still care about racial justice and the boy responds by saying, “In the fifties we still had something to prove so we had a reason to fight”. The teacher asks, “you don’t think black students are competing now?”. His response: “No.” Maybe the filmmakers took this exchange out of context or maybe the student was trying to say something else, but it saddened me to think that there might be children who already feel a sense of defeat. The recent media campaigns surrounding police violence against black individuals, something that has been going on for decades just without media coverage, is showing the public that there is far more that needs to be done in order to make America equal for all races.
Effective Use Of Pathos In The Freedom Writers
462 Words | 2 PagesIn the Freedom Writers Diary, the authors focus on the topic of the reality of what they have to deal with in their everyday world. Their teacher Mrs. Gruwell inspired them throughout their high school years by teaching them that it is possible for each and every one of them to change. They write with an uplifting and hopeful outlook on the world even if it not realistic in their present circumstances. In their writing, they establish an effective use of pathos by writing about their own lives and how they connect to others and us by using the selection of detail, metaphors, and allusions. Through these devices, we come to the idea that even though teenager’s in today’s world are faced with many hardships, they do not have to succumb to them.
1992 Los Angeles Riots
1072 Words | 5 Pages1992, a difficult year for citticens living in Los Angeles, California because of the riots, civil disturbances and lootings caused in the streets from April 29th to May 4th called The 1992 Los Angeles Riots, also known as the Rodney King Riots. These riots were caused because Police Officers of L.A arrested and physically miss-treated Rodney King, wich made the people of the L.os Angeles areas to start rioting, as the Los Angeles Police Department could not stop these events, they had to call in the Army and the Marines to stop these riots, of course there was a lot of people that got hurt, as well as a lot of property damage, and a lot of people were traumatized or left with no one, either because they were sent to jail, or killed. The story “Freedom Writers” takes place two years after the Rodney King Riots, on a place called Long Beach California, it tells the struggles of the young teacher named Erin
Analysis Of Absolutely True Diary Of A Part-Time Indian By Sherman Alexie
1121 Words | 5 PagesThe decision to attend a white school is a tough one and Junior understands that for him to survive and to ensure that his background does not stop him from attaining his dreams; he must battle the stereotypes regardless of the consequences. In this light, race and stereotypes only makes junior stronger in the end as evident on how he struggles to override the race and stereotypical expectations from his time at the reservation to his time at Rearden. How race and stereotypes made
Summary Of Paper Tigers
1085 Words | 5 PagesFor this assignment I chose to watch the documentary, “Paper Tigers”. This documentary followed various students that attended Lincoln High Alternative School, along with the teachers and administration of Lincoln High Alternative School. Through following the various students chosen for this film who had experienced adverse childhood experiences, also known as ACE’s, it allowed the viewers to see the perspective from the teenagers point of view and what they were experiencing outside of school, that could have caused the behaviors demonstrated in the school setting. Paper Tigers was very eye opening for me to watch and in a way made me feel convicted, after seeing the side of these teenagers, that most do not see. Paper Tigers allowed the
Analysis Of A Stranger In Strange Lands By Lucille Mccarthy
454 Words | 2 PagesThrough trial and error, college students are having to figure out what constitutes as acceptable writing for every one of their separate classes all on their own without their ethnic backgrounds taken into consideration. While although Dave was considered privileged because of his years of experience in classrooms that consisted of teachers and students who shared similar social backgrounds, “students from diverse communities may need… teachers in the disciplines… [to] provide them with assignments and instructional support appropriate for first steps in using the language of their community” (262) McCarthy’s findings contribute to the notion, “learning to write… is not only a developmental process that occurs within an individual student, but also as a social process, that occurs in response to particular situations” (236). Although McCarthy only documents Dave as he takes this “journey across the curriculum”, her study is addressing the college student body as a whole. She declares that the success of a student is determined not only by their intelligence, but also their ability to adapt to a wide range of social and academic settings without any negative interference towards their
And Still We Rise Analysis
652 Words | 3 PagesIn the novel “And Still We Rise: The Trials and Triumphs of Twelve Gifted Inner-City Students” written by Miles Corwin demonstrates how Inner City Los Angeles is not just full of gangbangers and drug dealers, but also full of success and diversity. Corwin, a reporter, spent a year at Crenshaw High School to document the lives of the students as they manage to fight the obstacles in Advanced Placement English, inside and outside of class. Toni Little, an AP English teachers, also struggles this year due to the fact of discrimination for being the only white teacher. Corwin also spent the year with another AP English teacher, Anita Moultrie, who is Little’s “nemesis.” After taking several beatings of discrimination from Moultrie, the school
Stereotypes In The Film Imitation Of Life
418 Words | 2 PagesMoreover, demonstrate consequences are taken to oppress racial and ethnic minorities to keep them in a subservient position. Overall, this film has provided me with a visual depiction of how stereotypes are a mental tool that enforces racial segregation and self-hate. The label of “White” became a necessity for Sarah Jane to achieve in society. To attain it she needed to move to a new city, change her name and deny her mother.
A Sociological Analysis Of Aladdin
2599 Words | 11 PagesThey support this claim by using the matrix of domination in relation to gender, race and class, then advise the reader to look at an issue through a broad perspective- realizing both the oppressor and the oppressed, and finally distinguish between recognizing and understanding diversity and not just acknowledging it. Andersen and Collins’ purpose is to have students think about race, class and gender as systems of power, how the three categories matter in shaping everyone lived experiences, and to understand race, class, and gender are linked experiences. Furthermore, Anderson and Collins adopt an unbiased, and assertive yet friendly tone for his/her audience, the readers and others interested in the topic of race, class and gender. By doing this, the readers can relate to the struggles that the issues bring up, however the authors can still get their point or message across
Reflection Of IEP
1024 Words | 5 PagesIDEA lists three ways of being culturally skilled in the classroom. This includes the teacher being culturally alert in the class to connect the gap of learning about other ethnicities, learning to communicate to students in unwritten and non-vocal styles, and know the different views of the cultures, for example, skin-to skin contact, no communication, the clothing of the student, and simple gestures. This is important in my eyes because my school alone is very diverse, and I had my share of teachers that did not respect a certain students religion or culture. This upset me and made me want to learn more about different cultures and religions. It also leads me to want to work harder to become more culturally aware, and diverse for my future students and willing to do what I can to break down barriers that may be created by students of different cultures or religions.
Emotive Language
965 Words | 4 PagesIntroduction Freedom Writers is based on a true story set in America in 1994, where a first time teacher, played by Hilary Swank, faces a group of students who have been considered by the government as “un-teachable and at–risk” teenagers. These students represent street kids who have all witnessed street fights as well as the murder of their friends and family. The movie demonstrates the way non-white Americans are over represented in teenage homicides, incarceration, unemployed, poverty and poor educational outcomes, but also the way they are viewed in the media. The film also has several references to ghettos, street life, drug busts and continual involvement with the police. The target audience for this film is teenagers.
More about Freedom Writers Analysis
Summary Of Should Everybody Write? By Dennis Baron
300 Words | 2 PagesLynda Day's Making A Way To Freedom Analysis
306 Words | 2 PagesAnalysis Of Write For Your Life By Anna Quindlen
335 Words | 2 PagesCompare And Contrast Alcoff's Theory Of Ethnorace
1415 Words | 6 PagesLittle Rock Central High: 50 Years Later Analysis
1023 Words | 5 PagesEffective Use Of Pathos In The Freedom Writers
462 Words | 2 Pages1992 Los Angeles Riots
1072 Words | 5 PagesAnalysis Of Absolutely True Diary Of A Part-Time Indian By Sherman Alexie
1121 Words | 5 PagesSummary Of Paper Tigers
1085 Words | 5 PagesAnalysis Of A Stranger In Strange Lands By Lucille Mccarthy
454 Words | 2 PagesAnd Still We Rise Analysis
652 Words | 3 PagesStereotypes In The Film Imitation Of Life
418 Words | 2 PagesA Sociological Analysis Of Aladdin
2599 Words | 11 PagesReflection Of IEP
1024 Words | 5 PagesEmotive Language
965 Words | 4 Pages