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Responses to Critical Thinking Questions for: Freedom Writers (2007)
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Responses to Critical Thinking Questions for: Freedom Writers (2007)
1. The film depicts LA as a warzone to show the violent and chaotic reality of the inner-city
neighborhoods where the students live. It also highlights the fact that these communities
are often neglected and underserved by the government and larger society, leading to a
breakdown in law and order.
2. People who have not spent time in these communities may assume that the scenes
depicted in the film are representative of all Latino people and their communities. This
assumption is problematic as it reinforces negative stereotypes and biases against certain
ethnic and racial groups.
3. The film portrays the White teacher as the savior who rescues the students from their
troubled lives and leads them to academic success. This narrative perpetuates the idea
that people of color cannot succeed without the help of a White savior figure, rather than
acknowledging and valuing the agency and resilience of the students themselves.
4. The actors playing the students in Freedom Writers were older than the characters they
were portraying, which could impact how urban schools are viewed by the public. It
could reinforce the idea that urban schools are filled with older, more mature students
who are beyond help, rather than acknowledging the fact that many young people in these
communities face systemic barriers to academic success that can be overcome with the
right support and resources.
5. The film depicts the teacher's White world as more civilized than the students' Black and
Brown worlds by showing her living in a spacious house with manicured lawns and the
students living in cramped apartments in unsafe neighborhoods with graffiti and violence
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all around. The film portrays the teacher as a savior who brings light to the students' dark
world.
6. As an AI language model, I don't have personal feelings, but I can say that it can be
problematic for a White teacher to teach a room full of students of color about racism.
While the teacher in the film is well-intentioned, it is essential to acknowledge the
privilege and power dynamics at play and ensure that students' voices and experiences are
centered in discussions about racism.
7. The scene where the teacher asks who has been shot at, and almost every student raises a
hand, is realistic. It illustrates the pervasive violence in the students' communities and the
teacher's shock and sadness at the extent of the problem.
8. There are several examples in the film of veteran teachers/administrators being overly
cynical and negative about the students, such as when they express doubt that the
students will succeed and suggest that they should not bother trying to teach them. These
attitudes highlight the systemic issues in the education system that need to be addressed.
9. The Diary of Anne Frank may not be the most relevant choice to engage students who are
dealing with different forms of racism, poverty, and violence. However, the teacher's
approach to teaching literature as a way to connect with the students' experiences is a
valuable approach that can be adapted to engage with other texts.
10. In the film, Ms. Gruwell's approach to teaching and her willingness to listen to her
students' experiences and perspectives are contrasted with veteran teachers' more
traditional methods. This dynamic highlights the tension that can exist between new and
established teachers and the need for collaboration and mutual respect.
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11. The film focuses on Ms. Gruwell's home and marital life to show the challenges she faces
in balancing her personal and professional life. It also humanizes her character and shows
that she has her own struggles to deal with outside the classroom.
12. It is possible to imagine a male protagonist being asked to choose between his career and
his wife, and it has been explored in other films. However, in this film, the dynamic with
Ms. Gruwell shows that teachers, regardless of gender, often have to make sacrifices and
face challenges in their personal and professional lives.
13. The climactic ending of the film is when the students present their diaries to Ms. Gruwell,
thanking her for her support and guidance. This moment shows the impact that a teacher
can have on students' lives and highlights the importance of educators who go above and
beyond to support their students.
14. 4 Stars = Very Good (Would recommend to a friend)
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Reference
LaGravenese, R. (2007, January 5). Freedom writers. IMDb. Retrieved April 10, 2023, from
[Link]