Freedom Writers: Justice in Context
characters
context
Ideas about justice and injustice in the film
Injustice within a gang
The notion of your race determines the quality and content of your education
Racial tensions/devisions portrayed through gangs
In the film we see the racial devisions in everything the students do. The rivalry between black, Asian and Latino gangs affect their everyday lives, constantly making them potential victims in a war where only external appearances and group loyalty matters.
in the film we see the distinct borders from the gangs idea of justice compared to the law. The violence that has been adopted as a way to gain justice and the overruling of truths.
throughout the film it is evident that in an intergraded school the whites and blacks are still divided, and have different privileges.
The freedom writers, based on true events occurring after the LA riots in the 90’s displays the racial tensions in teens throughout the US. For the students at Woodrow Wilson School it is routine to embed themselves in racial and ethnic divisions that are occurring at this time. The competition between dark, Asian, and Latino gangs influence their regular day to day lives, constantly making them potential victims in a war where only external appearances and group loyalty matter. However, the new English teacher takes over room 203 in hope to educate the students about the detrimental consequences of race, ethnicity and tolerance to change their stereotypical future and mentality of an ongoing gang war concluding that there is only one race that matters: the united human race.
Eva Benitez:
Gangs as a collective:
Mrs Gruwell:
integration
segregation
Mrs Gruwell came from an affluent hometown to then be shocked by being the new teacher and not having any resources for her students. She had to work independently as the staff did not believe her students deserve anything and thought what she was doing was wrong. Erin Gruwell may be portrayed and weak and soft but throughout the film grows to become very tough, powerful and inspiring.
Eva is a 14 year old Latino gang member. She has been misguided and repetitively went through violence nearly everyday as a result of her race and beliefs. These situations have resulted in her strong and sensitive personality. Eva’s father was jailed for a crime he didn't commit. Eva then comes to a sudden hurdle when her boyfriend committed a crime she witnessed. Eva can’t say it was him but could blame a young innocent boy to cover for the real killer. She personally knows how something like that can affect others because the same thing happened to her father. So Eva can either do the right thing or lie.
For many of Mrs Gruwell's students, death and violence is such a common aspect in their lives so common some don't even expect to make it to the age of 18. This all falls back on the gang mentality and violence that emerges from the idea of gangs. Throughout the film there are three main gangs looked at: African American, Asians and Latinos. These gangs are so tight and will do anything to save their own even if it means death. Mrs Gruwell's students slowly come of age when they understand the repercussions of gangs so instead they begin to attempt breaking the cycles of violence
The film uses close up shots of ankle monitors, bags being dropped carelessly to the ground and the desks being moved inwards symbolises metaphorically closing of the borders within their gangs. This demonstrates the gang mentality of completely shutting off other ethnic races and portrays in a physical way the racial tensions between the students and their gangs.
In the beginning of the film Eva adopts the rule of three “We kill each other over race, pride and respect.” This shows Evas inclusivity with herself and her gang along with the other gangs as she uses “we” assuming she is speaking on behalf of the other gangs. This language technique conveys the racial divisions and tensions as it shows us how gang members think and react.
In the film we see the application of assertive language “You are dead to us for good. And one day you will know how a traitor suffers.” This emphasises the gang mentality of justice through revenge and proves that the justice between gangs are serious as the words in this statement are assuring and shouldn’t be taken lightly on Evas part.
The film technique being a tracking shot (erratic camera movement) shows Eva being chased from her house out into the street by her ex gang members before being threatened. This technique was used to demonstrate the fear and speed of the chase. It displays the length gangs are willing to go to gain their idea of justice which is revenge.
A filmic technique being closeups has been adequately used to show close up images of the students’ literacy levels/records to reveal their educational disadvantages and the teachers unwillingness to grant the black students a quality education as they don’t deserve it. These disadvantages prove the detrimental impact that these circumstances have on these students' education now and their futures as they aren't at the same level as the honour roll class (white students).
The film uses a juxtaposed high angle shot of Mrs Gruwell's classroom. The intent is to compare Mrs Gruwell's class to the honour roll classroom as it is where the more privileged white students are situated. The honours roll classroom looks clean and academic looking whereas Mrs Gruwell's classroom has broken window shades, graffiti and is messy. This high angle shot depicts the distinct difference of both classes, their approaches to learning and shows that your race does determine the quality and content of your education as it is evident which race is more respected.
LA Riots
"A school is just like a city, and a city is just like a prison – all of them divided into separate sections depending on tribes."
"Lady I'm lucky if I make it to 18, we in a war! We graduating every day we live because we ain't afraid to die, protecting our own. At least when you die for your own, you die with respect, you die a warrior."
“Don't let the actions of a few determine the way you feel about an entire group. Remember, not all German's were Nazis.”
integration in the US was an organized movement to break down the barriers of discrimination and segregation separating African Americans from the rest of American society. This leads to the hope of whites and blacks being equal.
The segregation of whites and blacks has dated way back in history. The spatial separation of specific races includes facilities, services, and opportunities such as housing, medical care, education, employment, and transportation. Whites would always come first over blacks and were respecting more highly than other races.
The LA riots in 1992 occurred after a trial jury acquitted four officers of the Los Angeles Police Department for usage of excessive force in the arrest and beating of Rodney King, which had been videotaped and widely viewed in TV broadcasts. Widespread assault, arson, and looting occurred during the riots after the verdict was announced.