Iraila Mora

11B

Freedom Writers
11th grade
Answer the questions on separate sheets of paper. Do the project in a group

Tolerance
 Why does Erin compare this drawing of an African-American student to the
drawings of Jewish men during the Holocaust? Erin compares the drawing of an
African-American student to the drawings of Jewish men because it is the same thing. It
all started the same way, with one group of people hating another and then escalating
to something terrible. Granted, the Holocaust was a lot different than gang wars, but it is
the same concept, and the pictures prove it. It's a scary issue, therefore it's a
tremendous wake-up call for some individuals.
  Why do you think Erin refers to the Nazis as the most famous gang in history?
Why does this comparison make the students begin to listen to her? I believe Erin is
referring to the Nazis since they were the most well-organized and accomplished gang
in history. And that might show these guys how big a deal this kind of stuff is because
they think they're all big taking over neighborhoods and stuff like that, and looking back
in history to what actual gangs have done just makes them feel kinda weak inside and
might bring them down and calm them down a little bit. By doing so, they may realize
that despite everything the Nazis accomplished, they did not do much to make the world
a better place, implying that these gangs are not making the world a better place.
 Why are the students so unwilling to associate with anyone outside their
ethnic/racial groups? Where does this intolerance come from? The students were
unwilling to associate with anyone because in the movie they said that they were always
going to protect their own because there was always a battle with the ethnic groups
because they were so different. They aren't used to interacting with the other group of
people. They are accustomed to having to flee or shoot at other ethnic/racial groupings.
Growing raised in unfavorable settings toward other ethnic/racial groups contributes to
this intolerance.
 What would you do to break the ethnic and racial barriers in Ms. Gruwell’s
classroom? Explain
I'd mix the kids up, and gradually they'd grow used to it and start conversing with the
other students. Like the teacher eventually do. What I would do is try to talk to them
about their feeling like she did in the journal and try to make different things in the
classroom so they fell like home, make them learn different acivities and make the class
interactive as Ms.Gruwell did because she made the classroom unify.

Earning Respect and Trust

 Why do the students initially only trust peers from their own ethnic/racial
groups? They trusted their own since they were considered a family, which is why they
were separated into groups because it was their own ethnicity they thought the US
would be better without the other.
 Why is trust such an important component of a teacher-student relationship?
Trust is essential in the connection between a teacher and a student because it
allows the student know that if they need assistance, they may turn to someone.

 How are relationships healthier when the individuals involved have mutual
respect? When there is mutual respect in a relationship, everything in general improves.
You don't take each other for granted, you don't ignore courtesies, you are much closer
in friendship and love, you speak things out, you listen to each other and I mean truly
listen, and you respect each other's point of view or opinion, even if it differs from yours.
I feel that in order for a relationship to be long-lasting and healthy, there must be some
form of mutual respect. Even if you disagree on certain issues, which is natural, you can
work things out and have a successful relationship if you have overall respect for each
other. I can't fathom a partnership in which one or both sides lack respect. If one or both
sides in a relationship lack respect, I can't imagine it bringing much joy, happiness, or
developing together as a pair. A relationship, in my opinion, cannot continue and cannot
be pleasurable if both parties do not respect one other. The same is true for any type of
connection, whether it is a friendship, a business collaboration, or a romantic
engagement. Respect must be demonstrated on both sides.

Overcoming Adversity

 Why is Eva so affected by the ending of Anne Frank’s diary? She was so
affected by it because she expected the conclusion to conclude with Anne Frank
surviving and enjoying a happy life, but instead, Anne Frank is carried away by
Hitler's soldiers and slain.

 Have you ever had to overcome a significant problem? Who did you turn to for
support? Yes, I had to face a major problem, and I went to my grandmother, who helped
me to visualize things differently and handle the problem.

Family Relationships

 What makes Eva choose to “go against her people” in the courtroom? Do you
think this was a good decision? How do her family and friends react? Eva decides to go
against her people because she knew Grant was innocent, and I believe that the
teacher's support and security for her and her class influenced her decision, since she
views things differently. I believe it was a wise move since he chose to follow the truth
rather than convict someone who was innocent. She ruins her family bond by going
against her people. Despite the fact that she shatters that connection, she enhances her
familial ties with Ms.
 Do you think it’s more important to “protect your own” or do what’s right? Explain
 I believe that you should always defend your family, but if they did anything wrong, you
should let them face their penalty because if you don't, you're the one who is actually
harming them since they'll never learn their lesson.

 What are some of the qualities of a strong family? How do the students and
Ms. Gruwell provide these traits to one another? The students provided these traits
to become a strong family by the teacher showing that they are not different from
one another. They as a group became a family because outside of the school they
had different lives but inside of the classroom they were able to form a family and
have their place to call home were they did not feel judged.

Inequality of Education

 Why do Ms. Gruwell’s students hate and resent her at first? They disliked the fact
that she was white and believe she has not earned their respect.

 What are some of the inequalities among students and classrooms in Wilson
High School? Wilson High School exemplifies educational inequalities. For example,
when the black student was admitted to an honors program, it was clear that this was a
once-in-a-lifetime chance for an African American. It is an assumption that I made that
such children also receive better resources and a better education, which is unjust to
other students who require equal educational opportunities.
 Describe how the honors English students are treated differently from the “at
risk” students. Why? Honors English students have greater chances than "at risk"
students, as previously stated. For example, they would be given better literature, would
be regarded much more seriously, would be treated with more respect, and would be
provided better supplies in general. This is most likely due to their background, and the
fact that they are in an honors program indicates that those kids care about their
education, therefore they will be given additional possibilities. These students are not
predisposed to fail.

Group Project

 Plan and implement your own “Toast for Change” in which each person in your
group can speak about a difficult situation and make a resolution for change
 I toast for our return, after so long apart, we already have the opportunity to reconnect, I toast
for the union that I would like to create as peers this year.