Freedom Writers - Richard LaGravenese (2007) - Movie Discussion Questions

Extract

[...] We learnt that they see themselves as soldiers, what we find strange and unfair because when you are a teenager you should go to school and have fun, not to be able to kill and get killed at any time. We feel lucky to live where we live and to have a safe life. It's like we were born with a silver spoon in the mouth. We also feel sadness in front of a society fundamentally racist, with gang violence, police brutality and prejudices and which doesn't do anything to change it. Finally, we have felt moved to see, at the end of the movie, the evolution of the students and their progresses. [...]

[...] It becomes difficult to learn if he lives in a small space. 4. Why do some of Ms. Gruwell's students believe they won't live past age 18? Many of them have seen their friend, their family being killed whereas they are just 16. Therefore, they live in the fear because they know that each day, they can be killed by a member of an adversary gang. They see themselves as soldiers so they are convicted it will be their turn one day. [...]

[...] Finally, they consider that their lives will end early, so they don't see the point in learning and being motivated. 3. What outside factors affect their ability to learn? The first factor is the gang. Indeed, the gangs keep them in a warlike atmosphere, where they have to sell drugs for some, and fight other gangs. They are busy with other things and therefore do not think about learning but about staying alive. The second factor is their family. For example, for Marcus, his mother kicked him out because he was in a gang. [...]

[...] Freedom Writers - Richard LaGravenese (2007) - Movie Discussion Questions 1. Why are the students filled with such anger at the beginning of the movie? Do you think their anger is reasonable? The students are feeling with such anger at the beginning of the movie because of the racism between the different communities. The prejudices are everywhere even in the police. Police officers are violent with people who aren't white. This is also called police brutality, just like the unfair arrest of Eva's father who was beaten up with no explanation. [...]