Is Freedom Really Free?

America is supposed to be the nation of the free. We are allowed to protest, to speak, to believe, but what happens when all this is taken away? How can one survive in this country when there are wars that occur every day? These wars are unknown to most. They occur on the streets were rape, drugs, murder and kidnap could be found. There is one way to survive in this country where hate is found that is to find freedom within thyself and within others who accept you. This was accomplished through 150 students who believed strongly that barriers were meant to be broken. In 1994, Erin Gruwell became a teacher to 150 students at Wilson High located in Long Beach California. It was made clear that she was to receive a freshmen class due to “seniority”. What most people are not aware is that Ms. Gruwell had done many amazing things before teaching, when she was a student teacher. The wonderful field trips shown in the movie “Freedom Writers” actually began before she met the students that would change lives forever. The interesting thing is Ms. Gruwell was prepared for the worst going into the setting. As the students were introduced to this “white lady who knew nothing ‘bout the ‘hood” they began to bet on how long she would even stay. Gruwell however did not want to give up, knowing these students needed the taste of true freedom. The beginning chapter “Freshmen Year: Fall 1994” began to show the insight of these students’ minds. They were all different, but they all came to the same place. “Diary 6” began to describe the feeling of the streets. This person described the feeling of losing a friend to “the war”. They proceed to describe an event he had witnessed at a liquor store. He stated there was a person who was purchasing items as he heard a gunshot ring, the bullet pierced the consumers face, killing him instantly. A sister knelt by the side of the victim, a mother stood in horror. Images like these do not leave a person’s head so easily. “When his

Cited: The Freedom Writers and Erin Gruwell. The Freedom Writers Diary. United States, New York: Broadway Books, 1999 Print.