Review of a Film titled "Freedom Writers" by A'yuni Fatkhi Fajriyati

-Freedom Writers-

Freedom Writers is a film that adapted from the diaries of the students of Room 203 Woodrow Wilson H.S. A true story of teacher’s struggle in New Port Beach, United States to reviving spirit of her students to study.

Erin Gruwell, an idealist highly educated woman, came to Woodrow Wilson High School as an English teacher to special class which contains victims of racial gangs’ fights. Her mission is very noble, she wants to give normal education for troubled students whose there is no senior teachers want to teach them.

On first day she taught them, she just realized that gangs’ fights which happened in that city brought to class. In the class, they sat by their each race. A bit of misconception can make a fight.

Nobody notice her. Even they insult Ms. Gruwell. All busy with their own race.

At Woodrow Wilson High School, a fight so easy to happen. Like when a nigger cross other race’s territorial. Eva, a black girl saw a nigger cross their gang’s territorial. She mad. Then she invited her gangs to make a fight with nigger race’s gang. All students trickled out. Ms. Gruwell confused with what was occur. After school, Ms. Gruwell only could tell the incident to her husband.

Next day, Ms. Gruwell made new concept in class. She taught with playing music. There was like the music, but there was dislike the music too. But, when Ms. Gruwell teach them about Tupac Shakur, some students make a noise. Ms. Gruwell was angry. She was sick of them. And which resulted in their seats were randomized. The students didn’t like it, so they left the class one by one. But, they come in again because they were forced by other teacher.

One day, a student draw a caricature that full of racism about nigger with big lips. The picture up on Jamal’s hands. He so sad because of it. Jamal is a nigger. Ms. Gruwell knew it, then she discuss it in class. She was so disappointed about what was drawn. After that, she told a story about real gang is. All was silent.

Day by day passed, Ms. Gruwell always make new innovations in order to unify students. Such as made a game with a line and gave questions. Which one though experience what’s in questions have to come forward to line. After game was end, Ms. Gruwell gave each students a book to write anything what students want to write. That book also can be diary.

Originally, none want to take the book. But, unpredictable, all students take one book. Then they write anything occur to them every day.  Ms. Gruwell check her students’ book which save in desk. Ms. Gruwell so excited with her students’ life. Evidently, her students had so much sad story in their life. Horrific, sad, full of fight, racism, and bloody.

Freshman year 1^st semester, Ms. Gruwell keep trying to conquer the students to make them unity. She asked to museum of tolerance and met the victims of Holocaust. It’s success! This method made the students closer.

After that, Ms. Gruwell made a little party to toast their closer. Before they start the party, Ms. Gruwell requested them to tell their story. All students told their story, a student told story about what was happen in class till now. He thankful to Ms. Gruwell to anything she did to them.  All affected.

Students so closer, no more racism. After they read about Anne Frank, they want Anne Frank come to the school. So, they did many way to earn much money. And finally, Anne Frank came.

Nowadays, everybody know everybody. Nobody want to be separated. They were like a family. And room 203 was like a house. Even Ms. Gruwell divorced with her husband and choose her students. But, in next year. They can’t together again. Because Ms. G doesn’t allow to teach them in Junior. They were so upset. Then Ms. G was negotiated with school. Fortunately, Ms. G allowed to teach them till senior. How happy they are!

Ms. G can’t do anything. She only can gives them the final project. That is type their diary to make a book. “The Freedom Writers”

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