Name : Jessica

Student Number : 1606883064

Faculty & Class : Engineering & S 501

Film : The Freedom Writers

Question :

1. Describe the racial situation!

There was tension in interracial relationship. People only hanged out and grouped
with other people from same racial background. They made gangs and frequently went
into fight. Non-white people always felt threatened because of the discrimination and
gang war. Theyre not safe on street becuase they could be shot out of the blue. They also
didnt receive same justice treatment in Long Beach.

2. What insight have you gained from the film?

I learn how to connect with people starts by overcoming all the background barrier. It
means the ability to see people in new perspective and respect them as equal human
being.

I also learn to try to understand people and their struggle. In the film, Miss Gruwell
gave each students a journal, a symbolism of chance and freedom to share their
experience and speak their mind.

Other insight that Ive gained is education is most effective when someone can relate
their experience in real life with the education they receive at school. Education become
reasonable and they can enjoy the process.

3. Who among the characters impressed you most? Why?

Of course its Miss Gruwell. She reminds me of Koro Sensei from Assassination
Classroom. They share the same ideal that everyone has potential and deserves to be
treated well. They work hard to prove it and show persistency in their belief. They dont
doubt to approach student individually. For example, Miss Gruwell even accompanied
her students home to ensure their safety. She also tried to understand them one by one
through the journal.

4. Which part/ episode of the film you like the best? Why?

The best part maybe when Eva and other students read Anne Franks Diary. There
was also funny scene during the process, how Eva insisted to know when Anne would kill
this Hitler and whether she would date Peter. It was hilarious whenever Miss Gruwell
turned down all her begging for spoiler action, thus made her proceed the reading. I like
this part for several reasons. First, it is funny. Second, Miss Gruwell managed to force
her students, whom were labeled too stupid for heavy reading, to read. Third, this was a
turning point for the students to gradually changed their mindsets.
Name : Jessica
Student Number : 1606883064
Faculty & Class : Engineering & S 501
Second favorite scene is when Eva revealed the real culprit of the accidental murder
case, that is a Latino friend of her. It indicates a drastic change of Eva. Eva who had been
told all her life to protect her kind finally fought for what is right. Shes no longer
belong in certain group, she belongs to humanity and tolerancy.

5. What can you infer from the film that in line with the statement in the text The
nature of prejudice?

In the text The Nature of Prejudice, the teachers gave lower score for Non-White
American because they have previously formed opinion that Non-White American dont
speak English well. Meanwhile in the film Freedom Writers, several teachers refused
Miss Gruwell ideas to make the students read heavy literature like The Odyssey and Anne
Frank because they thought the students were too dumb to understand that. The students
are not expected to be part of civilized society since theyre troubled children.
Furthermore its interesting that despite the students were actually transforming for better,
the school still insisted that theyre troublesome and making scene in newspaper.

Its as elaborated in the text that prejudice was not only associated with insufficient
knowledge but persisted even after they know the evidence. In my opinion, this
persistence in the film is related with self-defense and pride. Its shown when Margaret
Campbell(who is played by Imelda Staunton, that Dolores Umbridge from Harry Potter)
refused Gruwells teaching method as she knew better for she had more experience. She
was unable to accept Miss Gruwells teaching method and admitted that she actually
failed to educate the students from class 203. Her self justification made her prejudice
toward those students was unwavering. In addition, both Brian Gelford and Margaret
Campbell also hold prejudice to Miss Gruwell as an inexperience teacher who was not
capable to handle both junior and senior class.