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The Freedom Writers

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Introduction
Freedom Writers is a drama based on the book “The freedom writers’ diary” by Erin Gruwell and her students at the Woodrow Wilson Classical High School in California. The book is an agglomeration of the writings of these students, inspired by their teacher, to write about the experiences they had to undergo due to the racial tensions and violence existing in the society. The movie is an enrapturing representation of the way in which a teacher revolutionizes the process of classroom teaching to bring about integration among students divided in terms of colour and race. The movie also emphasizes the importance of social capital and associational or inter-communal form of civic engagement for harmony and development.
The plot …show more content…

In a classroom full of people from different race and backgrounds, where hatred reigned and a sense of insecurity dominated, prevailed now a sense of trust. This metamorphosis brought about by Erin was best summarised through the touching words of one of her students, “All my fears disappear when I enter this classroom. I am Home”.
An important scene in the movie was the trip to the Simon Wiesenthal Center – Museum of Tolerance. There the students learned about the Holocaust. They were each given a picture of a child who was a victim of this dreadful event. The stories of these unfortunate children and the videos of the sufferings people had to undergo aroused their sentiments. The students also got a chance to interact with some survivors of the Holocaust. They realised that all the discrimination, the hatred, the pain is not worth it. The trip left a lasting impression on the minds of the students and helped them reform themselves.
Key ideas and theories
One of the key ideas presented early on in the movie was regarding the important role of government in building the social infrastructure and bring about equity in society. The integration program in the school, which brought students from varied races under one roof, was indeed a commendable step towards this goal.
It was evident in

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