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Freedom Writers en
00:00:33	There have been shots fired.
00:00:34	Total civil unrest is happening
00:00:36	Dozens of police
00:00:37	Dozens of police
00:00:38	Smoke reigned over the entire city.
00:00:39	We're telling anybody
00:00:42	There are 38 dead and more than...
00:00:44	The EMT are having
00:00:49	...where truck driver Reginald Denny
00:00:54	The city resembles a war zone.
00:00:56	Crowds gathered
00:00:58	...here in Hollywood, where
00:01:01	There have been 3,600 structural fires.
00:01:04	Thick, black smoke rising
00:01:06	in Hollywood, downtown, Compton,
00:01:30	In America,
00:01:33	a girl can be crowned a princess
00:01:36	for her beauty and her grace.
00:01:43	But an Aztec princess
00:01:46	Eva?
00:01:51	...to fight for her people,
00:01:53	against those who say
00:01:56	who say we are not equal in beauty
00:02:07	It was the first day of school,
00:02:09	and I was waiting for my father
00:02:12	Roberto!
00:02:18	Eva!
00:02:20	And I saw the war for the first time.
00:02:23	Eva! Eva!
00:02:25	Police! Open up!
00:02:29	They took my father for retaliation.
00:02:32	He was innocent, but they took him,
00:02:33	because he was respected
00:02:36	They called my people a gang
00:02:40	On your feet!
00:02:43	When I got my initiation
00:02:46	I became third generation.
00:02:49	They beat you so you won't break.
00:02:53	They are my family.
00:03:01	In Long Beach, it all comes down
00:03:04	If you're Latino or Asian or black,
00:03:07	you could get blasted any time
00:03:36	We fight each other for territory.
00:03:38	We kill each other over race,
00:03:43	We fight for what is ours.
00:03:49	They think they're winning
00:03:51	but soon they're all going down.
00:03:54	War has been declared.
00:03:58	- Here's your coffee.
00:04:04	I brought my lesson plans.
00:04:06	Yes, and these are the classes
00:04:10	Freshman English, four classes,
00:04:19	Some of them
00:04:21	One or two might be wearing ankle cuffs
00:04:25	And you see here,
00:04:28	And if you look at their scores,
00:04:32	and some of these, the books,
00:04:36	they're gonna be too difficult for them.
00:04:38	All right.
00:04:39	Also, for most of them to get here
00:04:41	it takes three buses,
00:04:43	My God.
00:04:44	So I wouldn't give them too much
00:04:46	You'll just be wasting a lot of time
00:04:49	All right. Thank you.
00:04:52	- You're from Newport Beach?
00:04:57	It's too bad you weren't here
00:05:01	We used to have one of the highest
00:05:04	but since voluntary integration
00:05:07	we've lost over 75º/º
00:05:14	Well, actually, I chose Wilson
00:05:17	I think what's happening here
00:05:20	My father was involved
00:05:23	And I remember when I was watching
00:05:26	I was thinking of going
00:05:28	And I thought, "God, by the time
00:05:30	"you're defending a kid in a courtroom,
00:05:33	I think the real fighting
00:05:39	Well, that's a very
00:05:43	well-thought-out phrase.
00:05:47	Erin,
00:05:49	I think you're a lovely, intelligent woman.
00:05:54	But you're a first-time teacher.
00:05:56	As head of this department,
00:05:59	you're capable of dealing
00:06:01	I am.
00:06:03	I know I have a lot to learn as a teacher,
00:06:06	I am, and I really want to be here.
00:06:15	- Those are lovely pearls.
00:06:21	I wouldn't wear them to class.
00:06:39	Honey?
00:06:43	What?
00:06:46	Do I look like a teacher?
00:07:05	Hey!
00:08:31	Hey, Chris, yo, what up?
00:08:49	- Hello.
00:08:52	Hey, yo, let's sit right here, man.
00:09:00	Hi.
00:09:32	Hey, girl, you wanna give me
00:09:42	My name is Erin Gruwell.
00:09:47	I give this bitch a week.
00:09:49	Hi.
00:09:52	Okay. Brandy Ross?
00:09:55	Gloria Munez.
00:09:59	Alejandro Santiago.
00:10:04	Andre Bryant.
00:10:08	Eva Benitez.
00:10:09	Eva, not Eva.
00:10:15	Eva.
00:10:18	I have to go to the bathroom.
00:10:20	- Okay, make sure that you take a...
00:10:26	Ben Samuels?
00:10:28	That white boy hoping
00:10:31	I gotta get out of here.
00:10:32	- Sindy Ngor.
00:10:35	Is that correct?
00:10:37	- Jamal Hill?
00:10:40	This whole ghetto-ass class
00:10:42	looking like a bad rerun of Cops
00:10:44	You know what I'm saying? It's true.
00:10:46	- Are you Jamal?
00:10:49	Well, for some reason
00:10:52	- Yeah, and that's some bullshit.
00:10:55	It means you're too dumb.
00:10:57	- Man, say it to my face, coz.
00:11:00	See what I mean? Dumb.
00:11:02	- Man, I know you ain't talking to me!
00:11:05	Look, homey,
00:11:06	Can you please sit back down?
00:11:07	Look, I got your spot on the team.
00:11:08	That's why you're over there
00:11:10	Please sit back in your seats.
00:11:11	Look, your spot is good as gone. I don't
00:11:14	coming to practice with them
00:11:17	You don't know nothing about me, coz!
00:11:20	Broke down my whole situation.
00:11:21	Jamal?
00:11:22	So, now you're in my face now, right?
00:11:24	Sit your punk ass down!
00:11:25	I will run that ass off the field.
00:11:27	Shut your ass up. What's up, homey?
00:11:28	I mean, what's up?
00:11:30	Excuse me,
00:11:34	So do something! Back up!
00:11:36	You touching me now?
00:11:37	Sit down, homeboy. Back up,
00:11:40	You gonna look at my face now, right?
00:11:41	You ain't taking nothing
00:11:43	I will run your ass off the field!
00:11:45	Boy, sit your ass back down.
00:11:46	Don't even worry about it,
00:11:48	Tell him. Sit his ass down.
00:11:49	Sit your ass down.
00:11:50	Thank you. Let him out of here, man.
00:11:59	Erin?
00:12:05	Erin, this is Brian Gelford.
00:12:08	He teaches Junior English
00:12:11	- Hi. Erin Gruwell. Nice to meet you.
00:12:14	- You saw a little action today, I hear.
00:12:19	Well, don't be discouraged.
00:12:21	You put your time in, in a few years,
00:12:24	They're a pleasure.
00:12:25	By then, most of your kids
00:12:28	- What do you mean?
00:12:34	Well, if I do my job,
00:12:39	- Right?
00:12:43	- Nice pearls.
00:12:59	If it was up to me,
00:13:02	My probation officer threatened me,
00:13:04	telling me it was either school
00:13:07	Dumbass.
00:13:08	He thinks that the problems
00:13:10	aren't going to touch me at Wilson.
00:13:13	My PO doesn't understand
00:13:16	and the city is just like a prison,
00:13:18	all of them divided into
00:13:23	There's Little Cambodia.
00:13:26	The Ghetto.
00:13:28	Wonder Bread Land.
00:13:30	And us,
00:13:34	That's just the way it is,
00:13:37	But soon enough, you have little
00:13:41	demanding respect they haven't earned.
00:13:44	It looks like this, one tribe drifting
00:13:48	without respect,
00:13:53	An outsider looking in
00:14:01	Something was coming.
00:14:18	Settle down.
00:14:19	Let's go over the first name
00:14:24	Homer's The Odyssey.
00:14:26	I know Homer the Simpson.
00:14:29	No, this Homer was an ancient Greek,
00:14:32	but maybe he was bald
00:14:40	Okay.
00:14:51	What's up?
00:15:01	Quietly, please.
00:15:05	Mrs. Gruwell,
00:15:07	Shut up!
00:15:09	Yeah, I saw you.
00:15:10	Jamal. Jamal. Get her backpack.
00:15:12	I didn't do nothing anyway!
00:15:13	- Jamal. Jamal.
00:15:31	Wait! Wait! Please, stay in your seats!
00:15:51	Slanty-eyed bitch!
00:15:57	Return to your classrooms.
00:16:01	Return to the classrooms immediately.
00:16:08	That's all you got?
00:16:11	Clear the school lawn
00:16:19	...classrooms, or you will be subject
00:16:24	You can best help yourself
00:16:27	and your school by returning
00:16:31	Please return to your classrooms.
00:16:33	Get up, bitch!
00:16:36	All students must return
00:16:43	Erin?
00:16:46	Erin.
00:16:49	Hey, baby.
00:16:52	You okay?
00:16:54	Come here.
00:16:58	Are you sure about this?
00:17:00	Well, it's not exactly how I pictured it.
00:17:05	Don't tell my dad.
00:17:08	Hopefully, he hasn't seen the news.
00:17:13	- So, how's work?
00:17:17	- I was asking your husband.
00:17:20	It's a good company.
00:17:21	I pretty much run
00:17:23	- I thought you were an architect.
00:17:27	And the money's good for now.
00:17:28	How much are you making,
00:17:32	If you know, why are you asking?
00:17:34	So, what's everybody gonna eat?
00:17:36	With your brains,
00:17:39	Instead, I worry all night
00:17:42	Can you hear what you're saying?
00:17:44	How many times have I listened to you
00:17:47	These gangs are criminals,
00:17:50	They said the same thing
00:17:52	I'll lay odds your kids don't even know
00:17:54	who Rap Brown
00:17:57	You're gonna waste your talents
00:17:58	who don't give a damn about education.
00:18:02	It breaks my heart.
00:18:04	I tell you the truth.
00:18:07	Well...
00:18:10	I'm sorry. I can't help that.
00:18:17	- You think this is good enough for her?
00:18:22	Look, Steve,
00:18:24	if Erin thinks she can teach these kids,
00:18:27	You telling her she can't
00:18:37	So he doesn't like your job. So what?
00:18:40	I don't know, it just does.
00:18:43	Just let me know
00:18:45	- I hate that we don't have our own sinks.
00:18:47	All right. Thank you.
00:18:48	I can't believe he brought up my salary.
00:18:52	What's happened to him?
00:18:53	He was like Atticus Finch to me
00:18:56	and now he's talking about salaries?
00:19:00	In fact, I think he needs an intervention.
00:19:03	Why isn't being a teacher
00:19:05	Honey, just calm down.
00:19:06	You know, except for marrying me,
00:19:10	you never seriously disappoint him.
00:19:12	He likes you. He just doesn't...
00:19:14	He just doesn't think
00:19:16	That's what fathers do.
00:19:19	Look, just, you know, stop worrying
00:19:24	You don't live in his house,
00:19:26	Or until we find one.
00:19:29	- Or until you build us one.
00:19:32	With extra sinks.
00:19:41	You're a teacher
00:20:01	I have this idea.
00:20:03	We're gonna be covering poetry.
00:20:07	It's 2Pac.
00:20:08	2Pac Shakur. Excuse me.
00:20:12	Really? I thought there'd be more fans.
00:20:15	I have the lyrics to this song printed out.
00:20:18	I want you to listen to this phrase
00:20:21	It's an example of an internal rhyme.
00:20:23	What he does is
00:20:28	"Man-child in the promised land
00:20:31	"Moms was the only one there
00:20:34	"And, no, I guess you didn't know
00:20:37	"You looking kinda pale, was it the ale?
00:20:40	"Where was the money that you said
00:20:42	"Talked on the phone
00:20:44	- Think we don't know 2Pac?
00:20:47	No, it's not that.
00:20:50	You have no idea
00:20:53	You ever been a teacher before?
00:20:56	And teacher gets nailed, y'all!
00:20:58	All right, Jamal, enough.
00:21:02	You know what? I want you to move
00:21:05	- What?
00:21:09	I am sick of these antics
00:21:13	Well, there you are.
00:21:15	I was wondering when
00:21:18	Switch with Ben.
00:21:19	- Come on.
00:21:22	- It'll be fine.
00:21:24	I'm not sitting near him.
00:21:25	I ain't going up there without my homey.
00:21:26	I'm not sitting back there alone!
00:21:28	- All right.
00:21:29	All right, you know what?
00:21:30	I want you all to move
00:21:33	You in the back, up here.
00:21:37	Come on. Let's go. Now!
00:21:43	Get your ass back to China, all of y'all.
00:21:47	- You're all little midget-ass punks.
00:21:57	Boo!
00:21:59	Get your ass to the back, boy.
00:22:23	Get off my desk.
00:22:35	So, everybody happy
00:22:44	Eva?
00:22:47	Where are you going?
00:22:49	Hey! Hey!
00:25:05	This is bull! Come on, man! What the...
00:25:09	What the hell? Damn!
00:25:13	I want my money back!
00:25:17	This shit took my damn money!
00:25:22	Look what you putting me through. Shit!
00:25:23	Learn to speak the damn language!
00:25:26	I want my money back!
00:25:28	I want my money back!
00:25:29	I want my money back!
00:25:53	Come on! Let's go!
00:25:58	Come on, come on, girl! Let's go!
00:26:23	Paco was scared.
00:26:25	In the car, he said,
00:26:27	"You can't go against your own people,
00:26:30	The same words
00:26:33	Only I saw Paco.
00:26:35	The others were turned away.
00:26:37	So when the police questioned me,
00:26:45	All right, everyone, we need to get
00:26:49	Principal Banning
00:26:51	in the light of last night's events.
00:26:53	I've spoken to the police.
00:26:55	As you might already know,
00:26:57	in last night's shooting
00:27:01	Grant Rice has been arrested
00:27:05	Ms. Gruwell,
00:27:06	apparently one of your students,
00:27:10	- Eva.
00:27:13	She's the prime witness in the case.
00:27:16	It is our policy not to discuss
00:27:20	- Thank you very much.
00:27:40	Hey, Tiny, check this out.
00:27:49	Hey. Hey!
00:28:08	Yes?
00:28:11	All right.
00:28:14	Gloria?
00:28:15	Please read the first sentence
00:28:17	Why me?
00:28:18	Because I know
00:28:20	Close the magazine.
00:28:25	"Odysseus had no sense of direction. "
00:28:28	Now, none of these sentences
00:28:30	I'd like you to rewrite these sentences
00:28:33	and spelling on page four
00:28:42	I don't have a page four. It got torn out.
00:28:45	Okay, why don't you just use
00:28:54	What's going on?
00:28:58	What is that? Give it to me.
00:29:17	- What is this?
00:29:26	You think this is funny?
00:29:29	Tito?
00:29:31	Would this be funny
00:29:34	It ain't.
00:29:45	Close the workbooks.
00:29:55	Maybe we should talk about art.
00:29:58	- Yeah, yeah.
00:30:02	You know something?
00:30:04	I saw a picture just like this once
00:30:08	Only it wasn't a black man,
00:30:12	And instead of the big lips,
00:30:15	like a rat's nose.
00:30:17	But he wasn't
00:30:19	this was a drawing of all Jews.
00:30:21	And these drawings
00:30:24	by the most famous gang in history.
00:30:27	That's us, dawg.
00:30:32	You think you know all about gangs?
00:30:35	You're amateurs.
00:30:38	This gang would put you all to shame.
00:30:40	And they started out poor and angry,
00:30:44	Until one man decided
00:30:47	an identity and somebody to blame.
00:30:51	You take over neighborhoods?
00:30:54	That's nothing compared to them.
00:30:59	And you wanna know how?
00:31:01	They just wiped out everybody else.
00:31:03	- Yeah.
00:31:05	Yeah, they wiped out
00:31:08	and everybody they blamed
00:31:11	And one of the ways they did it
00:31:14	See, they'd print pictures like this
00:31:16	Jewish people with big, long noses.
00:31:23	They'd also publish scientific evidence
00:31:25	that proved Jews and blacks
00:31:30	Jews and blacks
00:31:32	And because they were just like animals
00:31:34	it didn't really matter
00:31:36	In fact, life would be a whole lot better
00:31:42	That's how a holocaust happens.
00:31:44	And that's what you all think
00:31:46	You don't know nothing, homegirl.
00:31:47	No, I don't, Marcus!
00:31:50	I ain't explaining shit to you!
00:31:53	Do you even know how we live?
00:31:57	We was here first, man.
00:31:59	Just shut that shit up, homeboy.
00:32:01	All right! All right! All right!
00:32:03	So what you're saying is,
00:32:05	or the Cambodians or the blacks
00:32:09	if they weren't here, everything
00:32:11	Of course it'd be better!
00:32:14	Lt'd be better if you weren't here.
00:32:17	Right. Right.
00:32:20	It starts with a drawing like this,
00:32:23	and then some kid dies in a drive-by,
00:32:26	You don't know nothing!
00:32:30	You don't know the pain we feel.
00:32:32	You don't know what we got to do.
00:32:34	You got no respect for how we living.
00:32:36	You got us in here,
00:32:39	and then we got to go out there again.
00:32:40	And what are you telling me
00:32:43	What are you doing in here that makes
00:32:47	You don't feel respected.
00:32:50	Well, maybe you're not.
00:32:54	That's bullshit.
00:32:56	What?
00:32:57	Why should I give my respect to you?
00:33:00	'Cause you're a teacher?
00:33:01	I don't know you.
00:33:03	How do I know
00:33:05	How do I know you're not
00:33:09	I'm not just gonna give you my respect
00:33:12	White people always wanting their
00:33:17	I'm a teacher.
00:33:20	It's all about color.
00:33:23	It's about people deciding
00:33:26	about people wanting
00:33:28	about whites thinking
00:33:30	You see, I hate white people.
00:33:34	- You hate me?
00:33:35	- You don't know me.
00:33:39	I saw white cops shoot my friend
00:33:42	His pocket.
00:33:44	I saw white cops break into my house
00:33:47	and take my father for no reason
00:33:50	Except because they can.
00:33:54	And they can because they're white.
00:33:59	So I hate white people on sight!
00:34:06	Ben, do you have anything to say?
00:34:08	Can I please get out of here?
00:34:10	Lady, stop acting like you're trying
00:34:13	and just do your little babysitting
00:34:15	- That's all you think this is?
00:34:17	When I look out in the world,
00:34:19	I don't see nobody that looks like me
00:34:21	unless they're rapping a lyric
00:34:24	So what else you got in here for me?
00:34:25	And what if you can't rap a lyric
00:34:28	- It ain't this. I know that much.
00:34:31	And you all think you're gonna make it
00:34:35	I made it to high school.
00:34:37	Lady, I'm lucky if I make it to 18.
00:34:40	We're graduating every day we live,
00:34:41	because we ain't afraid to die
00:34:44	At least when you die for your own,
00:34:48	That's right.
00:34:49	So when you're dead, you'll get respect?
00:34:52	- That's right.
00:34:53	- Yeah.
00:34:57	You know what's gonna happen
00:35:01	You're gonna rot in the ground.
00:35:03	And people are gonna go on living,
00:35:08	And when you rot,
00:35:11	do you think it's gonna matter
00:35:17	You're dead.
00:35:20	And nobody,
00:35:25	because all you left behind
00:35:47	You're raising your hand?
00:35:51	That thing that you said before,
00:35:54	- Holocaust, yes.
00:36:01	Raise your hand if you know
00:36:17	Raise your hand
00:36:19	if anyone in this classroom
00:37:28	What about this?
00:37:31	No, they won't be able to read that.
00:37:33	We can try.
00:37:36	Look at their reading scores.
00:37:38	And if I give your kids these books,
00:37:40	If I do, they'll be damaged.
00:37:42	What about these? Romeo and Juliet.
00:37:46	No, not the books.
00:37:50	It is Romeo and Juliet,
00:37:53	But even these,
00:37:55	See how torn up they are?
00:37:59	Ms. Campbell?
00:38:01	They know they get these
00:38:02	because no one thinks
00:38:04	Well, I don't have the budget
00:38:06	when these kids don't return them.
00:38:07	So, what do I do?
00:38:09	Well, that's up to you,
00:38:13	Is there someone else
00:38:16	- Excuse me?
00:38:20	I don't understand.
00:38:21	Does the Long Beach Board of Ed agree
00:38:23	that these books should just sit here
00:38:25	Let me explain.
00:38:28	It's called site-based instruction.
00:38:31	It means that I and the principal
00:38:34	to make these kinds of decisions
00:38:37	who have bigger problems to solve.
00:38:42	I'm sorry.
00:38:45	I would never do that. I just...
00:38:48	I don't know how to make them
00:38:51	You can't make someone
00:38:55	The best you can do is try to get them
00:38:59	That would be a tremendous
00:39:06	Since you know Margaret
00:39:08	if I could just get
00:39:11	I really think that the stories like
00:39:16	That they'd be so great for them,
00:39:18	and she doesn't seem to understand
00:39:22	considering all that they face.
00:39:23	Oh, of course. It's a universal story.
00:39:26	I mean, Anne Frank, Rodney King,
00:39:35	- Are you making fun of me?
00:39:37	God, listen to what you're saying.
00:39:39	How dare you compare them
00:39:42	They don't hide.
00:39:44	They drive around in the open
00:39:46	I'm the one living in fear.
00:39:50	And you blame these kids?
00:39:52	This was an A-list school
00:39:55	And look what they turned it into.
00:39:58	I mean, does it make sense
00:40:02	that kids who want
00:40:04	because their high school gets turned
00:40:07	Because kids who don't want to be here,
00:40:09	are forced to be here
00:40:11	by the geniuses
00:40:15	Integration's a lie.
00:40:16	Yeah, we teachers, we can't say that
00:40:20	So, please, stop your cheerleading,
00:40:23	You don't know the first thing
00:40:26	And you're not qualified
00:40:28	who have to survive this place.
00:41:11	We're gonna play a game, all right?
00:41:16	Look, you can either sit in your seats
00:41:18	or you can play a game.
00:41:20	Either way,
00:41:21	Okay. This is called the Line Game.
00:41:25	I'm gonna ask you a question.
00:41:27	If that question applies to you,
00:41:30	and then step back away
00:41:33	- Easy, right?
00:41:35	The first question,
00:41:37	how many of you have
00:41:48	Did you steal it?
00:41:50	Okay, back away.
00:41:55	Next question,
00:41:56	how many of you have seen
00:42:08	Okay. Next question.
00:42:10	How many of you live in the projects?
00:42:18	How many of you know someone,
00:42:23	who was or is in juvenile hall or jail?
00:42:30	How many of you have been
00:42:32	or jail for any length of time?
00:42:35	Detention don't count.
00:42:40	Does a refugee camp count?
00:42:42	You decide.
00:42:59	How many of you know
00:43:07	How many of you
00:43:18	How many of you are gang members?
00:43:22	- Nice try.
00:43:25	Okay, that was a stupid question,
00:43:28	Yeah.
00:43:29	You're not allowed
00:43:31	I apologize for asking. My badness.
00:43:38	Okay, now I'm gonna ask you
00:43:43	Stand on the line if you've lost
00:44:13	Stay on the line if you've lost
00:44:23	Three.
00:44:38	Four or more.
00:44:50	Okay, I'd like us to pay respect
00:44:53	Wherever you are,
00:45:04	James.
00:45:10	Beatriz.
00:45:22	Thank you all very much.
00:45:25	Now, I have something for each of you.
00:45:31	Everyone has their own story,
00:45:33	and it's important for you
00:45:38	So, what we're going to do is
00:45:40	we're gonna write every day
00:45:44	You can write about whatever you want,
00:45:48	You can write it like a diary,
00:45:52	songs, poems, any good thing,
00:45:58	But you have to write every day.
00:46:01	Keep a pen nearby.
00:46:04	And they won't be graded.
00:46:06	How can I give an A or a B
00:46:10	And I will not read them
00:46:13	I will need to see that you've made
00:46:17	skim to see that you wrote that day.
00:46:19	Now, if you want me to read it, I have...
00:46:24	It has a lock on it.
00:46:28	and you can leave your diary there
00:46:31	I will lock this cabinet
00:46:36	Okay?
00:46:39	So, you can each come up,
00:46:52	Whenever you're ready.
00:47:18	Eva holds back,
00:47:21	She's so stubborn.
00:47:23	Who really surprised me was Brandy,
00:47:25	but she was the first to step up
00:47:28	Honey, here. Here, sit down.
00:47:30	- It's all right. No, it's all right.
00:47:31	I don't mind standing.
00:47:34	- How much longer are you gonna be?
00:47:37	- Want to help?
00:47:39	- You're an architect.
00:47:45	What's the matter?
00:47:46	No, it's nothing.
00:47:49	Well, it's just, you know,
00:47:53	It just...
00:47:54	I feel like
00:47:56	other than your job, in like forever.
00:47:59	I'm sorry.
00:48:01	- Well, what's going on at work?
00:48:03	I don't want to talk about that, either.
00:48:05	I just want to hang out.
00:48:10	And I want to be with my schoolteacher.
00:48:19	I've always had this fantasy
00:48:23	Well, I'm sorry I left
00:48:27	Do all the other teachers
00:48:30	I don't know.
00:48:33	And the other teachers don't really
00:48:35	- Honey, I don't want to think.
00:48:37	- I just wanna...
00:48:42	So, how much longer?
00:48:45	Not long. Promise.
00:48:51	Thank you so much for coming.
00:48:54	- Great to see you.
00:48:56	- Jim, thank you so much.
00:48:58	I appreciate you guys coming
00:49:00	Drive safe.
00:49:43	In every war, there is an enemy.
00:49:52	I watched my mother
00:49:56	and watched as blood and tears
00:50:00	I felt useless and scared
00:50:02	I felt useless and scared
00:50:05	Stay there, Brandy. Watch the kids!
00:50:07	- Get my money!
00:50:09	I can still feel the sting of the belt
00:50:14	One time, he couldn't pay the rent.
00:50:17	And that night he stopped us on
00:50:20	He said, "Pick a spot. "
00:50:34	Clive was my boy.
00:50:38	We was like one fist, me and him,
00:50:42	- That's heavy.
00:50:46	That's the real shit right here.
00:50:50	But we got to practice
00:50:53	You shoot it, it...
00:51:01	I sat there till the police came.
00:51:05	But when they come, all they see
00:51:10	They took me to juvenile hall.
00:51:17	Inmates banging on the walls,
00:51:19	throwing up their gang signs, yelling out
00:51:23	I cried my first night.
00:51:28	I spent the next few years
00:51:31	Every day I'd worry,
00:51:37	My brother taught me
00:51:40	Do what you have to,
00:51:44	Learn what colors to learn,
00:51:46	You can stay on one corner,
00:51:49	Learn to be quiet.
00:51:51	If you look in my eyes,
00:51:55	If you look at my smile,
00:51:58	If you pull up my shirt,
00:52:01	What did I do to make him so mad?
00:52:04	At 16, I've seen more dead bodies
00:52:08	Every time I step out my door,
00:52:13	To the outside world, it's just another
00:52:17	They don't know that he was my friend.
00:52:19	During the war in Cambodia,
00:52:21	the camp stripped away
00:52:23	He sometimes tries
00:52:26	I feel like I have to protect my family.
00:52:28	I was having trouble deciding what
00:52:33	I looked down to see
00:52:35	had blood coming out of
00:52:39	The next day, I pulled up my shirt
00:52:42	I found in an alley by my house.
00:52:44	I don't even know how this war started.
00:52:47	It's just two sides
00:52:50	Who cares about the history behind it?
00:52:53	I am my father's daughter.
00:52:55	And when they call me to testify,
00:52:59	Nobody cares what I do.
00:53:03	My friends are soldiers, not of war,
00:53:07	They fight for their lives.
00:53:09	I hate the cold feeling of a gun
00:53:12	It makes me shiver.
00:53:13	It's a crazy-ass life.
00:53:17	Every time I jump somebody in
00:53:18	and make someone a part of our gang,
00:53:22	They give us their life,
00:53:24	I've lost many friends
00:53:29	To the soldiers and me, it's all worth it.
00:53:32	Risk your life dodging bullets,
00:53:37	It's all worth it.
00:53:56	Rum and Coke.
00:53:57	Oh, man.
00:54:00	This is...
00:54:01	Mr. Gruwell? Your table is ready.
00:54:05	- Dad, I got them.
00:54:08	Dad, I don't know what to do with this.
00:54:11	I'm not a social worker.
00:54:13	Thank you.
00:54:14	These kids, they're 14, 15 years old,
00:54:18	and if they make it through the day
00:54:20	And I'm supposed to teach them?
00:54:25	Listen to me.
00:54:27	You're not responsible
00:54:32	- Just do your job the best you can.
00:54:35	The administration
00:54:38	no books, no support.
00:54:41	So, what should I do?
00:54:46	Fulfill your obligation
00:54:49	but line up another position.
00:54:52	Success follows experience.
00:54:55	So, get some more experience.
00:54:59	But no matter what,
00:55:04	If you're not right for this one,
00:55:11	You're gonna sell bras
00:55:13	Just part-time.
00:55:14	I'm having a little trouble
00:55:17	So, a little extra money
00:55:19	to do what I want.
00:55:20	And this way you can play tennis
00:55:23	Okay, let me get my head around this.
00:55:25	You're going to get an extra job
00:55:28	It's just temporary. I promise.
00:55:31	Once the kids' grades go up,
00:55:34	And I get an employee's discount.
00:55:37	- Want a new TV?
00:55:54	Excuse me, if I wanted to order
00:55:57	could I get some sort of a discount?
00:56:03	- These books are brand new.
00:56:06	Okay, guys, gals. Listen up.
00:56:09	The only problem with this book is
00:56:12	it's about a gang member
00:56:14	so you may not be able to read it
00:56:16	So, I'm going to try my best
00:56:22	It's been a little difficult
00:56:24	Up until recently, the only thing they
00:56:28	Well, you united them and that's a step.
00:56:33	What can I do for you?
00:56:36	I want to do more with them, and I need
00:56:41	You have to take this up with your
00:56:44	I can't get involved
00:56:46	My principal only listens
00:56:48	and she's not very supportive.
00:56:50	You'll have to find a way to deal with it.
00:56:52	No, I'd rather just deal directly
00:56:55	Ms. Gruwell, there's a system in place
00:56:57	based on years of running
00:57:00	- You have to follow that system.
00:57:04	Look, I'm just trying to do my job here.
00:57:07	What's the point
00:57:10	if the kids making it to high school
00:57:13	I enforced that program.
00:57:15	With all due respect,
00:57:16	all that program is doing
00:57:19	until they're old enough to disappear.
00:57:20	Look, I appreciate your intentions,
00:57:22	but there's nothing I can do
00:57:25	Dr. Cohn, why should they waste
00:57:28	when they know
00:57:31	We tell them, "Go to school.
00:57:34	And then we say, "Well, they can't learn,
00:57:38	I'm thinking trips.
00:57:40	Most of them have never
00:57:43	They haven't been given the opportunity
00:57:46	to expand their thinking
00:57:48	And they're hungry for it. I know it.
00:57:50	And it's purely a reward system.
00:57:52	They won't get anything
00:57:54	by doing their work
00:57:56	But if Ms. Campbell
00:57:57	because of budget restrictions,
00:57:59	she's not gonna approve school trips.
00:58:00	I'll raise the money.
00:58:01	I just need to know
00:58:05	See, I can't promise them anything
00:58:07	It only proves what they already believe.
00:58:11	All I'm saying is, Ms. Campbell
00:58:18	You're a concierge at the Marriott?
00:58:20	It's just weekends.
00:58:22	You play tennis with Evan on Saturdays.
00:58:24	And you can play golf
00:58:26	You want me to play golf?
00:58:27	And the bonus is I get employee rates
00:58:29	on Marriott hotel rooms
00:58:32	I've heard a lot of hyphenates,
00:58:33	but a bra-selling-English-teacher-
00:58:36	You told me your part-time job
00:58:39	It is. I just don't know for how long.
00:58:42	- What if I said no?
00:58:44	No, I don't want you working three jobs.
00:58:46	- But I can make it work, Scott.
00:58:49	You can do anything!
00:58:51	It's just that I... You...
00:58:55	You didn't even ask me.
00:58:58	- I'm just trying to do my job, Scott.
00:59:02	I don't understand, Erin.
00:59:05	Scott, this is our time
00:59:07	when we're young,
00:59:11	Maybe this is the perfect time
00:59:13	get your architect's degree.
00:59:15	Wouldn't that be great?
00:59:20	What?
00:59:24	Nothing.
00:59:32	So, I'll call you with a list of venues.
00:59:34	I've scheduled a PTA board meeting
00:59:36	So, it should be no problem.
00:59:37	- Thank you so much.
00:00:02	- Hi.
00:00:04	Principal Banning received a call
00:00:07	Apparently you're taking your students
00:00:10	Yes, but it's over the weekend,
00:00:13	I know how busy you are,
00:00:15	and since I'm paying for it myself,
00:00:41	I'll be right back.
00:00:42	Oh, no. No, no, no. Erin?
00:00:45	- Get back in the car.
00:00:48	I'll get him.
00:00:53	- What's his name?
00:00:56	Andre.
00:01:01	Since my pop split, my mom can't even
00:01:06	And with my brother in jail,
00:01:07	she looks at me and thinks
00:01:11	She doesn't see me.
00:01:13	She doesn't see me at all.
00:01:20	I'm going out.
00:01:27	- What up?
00:01:28	Where you going? I need you.
00:01:30	No, man, I can't now.
00:01:33	Tonight. I'll do it tonight.
00:01:35	I gotta go do something,
00:01:38	Forget it, man, I'll get somebody else.
00:01:40	I can't be waiting all day on you.
00:01:43	Hey.
00:01:46	Sorry about your brother, man.
00:01:49	They won't get it.
00:01:52	To who? Your brother?
00:01:55	Hey. You Andre?
00:02:09	- What up?
00:02:16	- What?
00:02:22	You, too, young lady.
00:02:27	You kids ever been
00:02:30	What? We went there last year
00:02:40	Paris.
00:02:46	It's good.
00:02:47	I brought you something.
00:02:53	It's a good book. I read it in school.
00:02:55	It's about a gang kid,
00:03:07	He told me what I had to say
00:04:06	At the beginning of the tour, they give
00:04:10	You could find out who they were
00:04:13	And at the end of the tour,
00:04:18	I got a little girl from Italy.
00:04:35	Tito, your hat.
00:05:07	Kristallnacht, they called it.
00:05:11	Hundreds of synagogues
00:05:13	More than 7,000
00:05:16	Over 100 Jews killed.
00:05:31	A small center for children in Isieux
00:05:37	Among the children deported that day
00:05:40	was 11-year-old Liliane Berenstein,
00:05:43	who, before leaving,
00:05:53	My little boy died.
00:05:58	I don't know why
00:06:01	I've seen death all my life.
00:06:03	But this little boy was only five.
00:06:28	Ms. G had a beautiful dinner for us
00:06:33	She invited real Holocaust survivors
00:06:38	There was Elisabeth Mann.
00:06:40	I had my parents,
00:06:45	Gloria Ungar.
00:06:46	If any of you have seen someone
00:06:49	these were the lucky people.
00:06:51	The people who,
00:06:54	when they tattooed the people
00:06:57	Not the others,
00:07:01	So, we ran away,
00:07:04	I was at that time
00:07:06	Eddie llam.
00:07:07	And where to go, I didn't know,
00:07:09	but I remember one place
00:07:13	So when I ran there,
00:07:16	I was in the worst camp.
00:07:19	And Renee Firestone.
00:07:20	When I arrived, my parents were
00:07:25	My little sister,
00:07:28	stayed with me for a little while.
00:07:31	And then later on,
00:07:35	She lost her whole family at the camps.
00:07:38	She came to this country with $4
00:07:43	I'll never forget these people.
00:07:46	And then she was killed
00:07:49	I can't believe Ms. G did all of this
00:07:59	Hi, honey, it's me.
00:08:01	Look, we're still at the restaurant,
00:08:03	We haven't even ordered dessert yet,
00:08:05	and the kids are having
00:08:08	You have to see them.
00:08:09	If you get in soon, come by.
00:08:14	Okay, I'll see you later. Love you. Bye.
00:08:50	How many times
00:08:52	Get your butt in here!
00:09:26	So, you had all summer
00:09:33	And you know,
00:09:37	to begin with Victoria
00:09:44	Victoria?
00:09:46	Do I have a stamp
00:09:49	"The National Spokesperson
00:09:51	How the hell should I know the black
00:09:55	That's it, if I don't change classes,
00:09:58	Teachers treat me like
00:10:00	for African-Americans.
00:10:02	What? Black people learn how to read,
00:10:04	and we all miraculously come
00:10:07	At that point, I decided to check out
00:10:10	- Good to see you, man.
00:10:12	- How was your summer?
00:10:18	You're still white, I see.
00:10:21	Okay, everybody. Ready?
00:10:23	- Hey, Ms. G.
00:10:24	- Hi, Ms. G.
00:10:35	Okay, guys, gals, listen up!
00:10:39	I want each of you to step forward
00:10:43	which contain the four books
00:10:46	All right!
00:10:48	They're very special books,
00:10:50	and they each remind me,
00:10:59	But, before you take the books,
00:11:03	I want you to take one of these glasses
00:11:07	and I want each of you to make a toast.
00:11:12	We're each gonna make
00:11:16	And what that means is,
00:11:21	every voice that told you
00:11:27	Every reason that tells you things
00:11:34	And the person you were
00:11:38	that person's turn is over.
00:11:42	Okay?
00:11:44	Okay, you ready to get
00:11:51	- What?
00:11:53	What's the dealio?
00:12:03	Man, I've had boyfriends since I was,
00:12:07	- I believe you.
00:12:10	Okay, well, I was always the person
00:12:13	that was gonna get pregnant
00:12:17	Like my mom.
00:12:23	Ain't gonna happen.
00:12:24	Nobody ever listens to a teenager.
00:12:27	Everybody thinks you should be happy
00:12:31	They don't see the wars
00:12:35	And one day, my war will end.
00:12:37	And I will not die.
00:12:40	And I will not tolerate abuse
00:12:47	I am strong.
00:12:49	My moms kicked me out
00:12:53	But I'd like her to see me graduate.
00:12:57	I'd like to be 18.
00:13:03	Ms. G?
00:13:07	That'd be great.
00:13:12	Who is he?
00:13:14	Man, he's been with us
00:13:16	- What's his name?
00:13:21	"This summer was the worst summer
00:13:26	"It all started with a phone call.
00:13:29	"My mother was crying and begging,
00:13:31	"asking for more time as if she were
00:13:37	"She held me as tight
00:13:40	"Her tears hit my shirt like bullets
00:13:46	"She kept apologizing to me.
00:13:50	"'I should have asked for something
00:13:54	"On the morning of the eviction,
00:13:58	"The sheriff was there to do his job.
00:14:02	"I looked up at the sky,
00:14:07	"My mother has no family to lean on,
00:14:11	"Why bother coming to school
00:14:15	"The bus stops in front of the school.
00:14:19	"I'm wearing clothes from last year,
00:14:25	"I kept thinking I'd get laughed at.
00:14:27	"Instead, I'm greeted
00:14:30	"who were in my English class last year.
00:14:32	"And it hits me, Mrs. Gruwell,
00:14:35	"my crazy English teacher
00:14:38	"is the only person
00:14:41	"Talking with friends
00:14:45	"I began to feel better.
00:14:48	"I receive my schedule and the first
00:14:53	"I walk into the room and feel as though
00:14:56	"all the problems in life
00:15:00	"I am home. "
00:15:04	Yes, you are.
00:15:26	But you're an honors student.
00:15:28	If you transfer to Ms. Gruwell's class,
00:15:30	think how that will reflect
00:15:32	It doesn't matter to me.
00:15:35	Look, Ms. Campbell.
00:15:37	When I first transferred to the school,
00:15:41	But when I applied for advanced
00:15:45	I was told it would be better for me
00:15:48	Now, when I did get in, my teacher said,
00:15:51	"Victoria, it's not every day one finds
00:15:54	"in A.P. And honors courses. "
00:15:58	And when I asked
00:16:01	why we don't read more
00:16:04	"We don't read black literature
00:16:06	"drugs, cussing and fornication!"
00:16:10	I thought a simple "It's inappropriate"
00:16:19	Erin can't do that!
00:16:21	Distinguished Honor Students are mine.
00:16:24	She's not allowed to teach them.
00:16:27	The student requested it.
00:16:29	And Gruwell has got Cohn
00:16:32	What gets me is they're violent, they
00:16:38	and in the end we make them special.
00:16:43	I just don't see what that teaches them.
00:16:46	Hi! Sorry I'm late.
00:16:49	Did you eat? I'm ordering in.
00:16:51	What question do you want me
00:16:53	Did I eat or am I hungry?
00:16:56	Something really cool happened today.
00:16:59	- Congratulations.
00:17:01	She actually requested my class.
00:17:03	Can you teach an honors student?
00:17:05	What do you mean?
00:17:07	Well, I mean, you're used
00:17:10	Can you teach somebody who's smart?
00:17:13	Of course I can.
00:17:14	Yeah, but it's not like you have, right?
00:17:16	I mean, you don't really teach
00:17:21	My kids' grades are up to B's.
00:17:23	Yeah, but the point is,
00:17:25	It's not like they're really learning
00:17:28	Normal kids? Yes, they are.
00:17:30	They're reading
00:17:31	They're learning vocabulary,
00:17:34	All right. Okay, I apologize. Sorry.
00:17:37	Congratulations.
00:17:47	What is wrong with you?
00:17:48	You know, at Deb's party,
00:17:50	that I was an architect
00:17:53	I want you to stop that, all right?
00:17:56	Fine.
00:17:58	You're the one who said
00:18:00	Yeah, four years ago,
00:18:02	What, I'm gonna go back to school now
00:18:04	for two years and intern for three?
00:18:06	I'll be over 40.
00:18:07	All right. I thought you still wanted it.
00:18:10	It doesn't matter if I want it, Erin.
00:18:16	Why not?
00:18:26	"Writing in a diary is a really strange
00:18:30	"I mean, not only because
00:18:33	"but also because
00:18:36	"neither I nor anyone else
00:18:39	"in the musings
00:18:41	"Terrible things are happening outside.
00:18:43	"At any time of day,
00:18:44	"poor helpless people
00:18:47	"Families are torn apart. "
00:18:48	"If only I can be myself, I'll be satisfied.
00:18:51	"I know that I'm a woman
00:18:53	"and a great deal of courage.
00:18:54	"If God lets me live,
00:18:58	"Anti-Jewish decrees followed
00:19:02	"Jews must wear a yellow star.
00:19:07	"Jews are banned from trams
00:19:09	"Jews are forbidden to visit theaters,
00:19:11	"cinemas and other places
00:19:13	"Jews may not take part
00:19:16	"Swimming baths,
00:19:19	"and other sports grounds
00:19:22	"I can't tell you how oppressive it is
00:19:27	"Also, I'm very afraid
00:19:33	"No one can keep out of the conflict.
00:19:38	"And even though the Allies
00:19:40	"the end is nowhere in sight. "
00:19:44	Hi.
00:19:46	When is Anne gonna smoke Hitler?
00:19:49	- What?
00:19:52	Eva, this is The Diary of Anne Frank,
00:19:58	Keep reading.
00:20:02	"We talked about
00:20:04	"but we haven't yet touched upon
00:20:08	"I still can't make heads
00:20:10	"Is he superficial?
00:20:12	"Or is it shyness that holds him back,
00:20:21	- Are Anne and Peter gonna hook up?
00:20:26	"It's utterly impossible for me
00:20:29	"of chaos, suffering and death.
00:20:33	"I see the world being
00:20:37	"I feel the suffering of millions,
00:20:41	"I somehow feel that everything
00:20:49	- Eva, what's wrong?
00:20:53	Why you didn't tell me she gets caught
00:20:56	I hate you and I hate this book.
00:20:58	Eva.
00:20:59	If she dies, then what about me?
00:21:04	- Anne Frank died, but she...
00:21:07	That ain't supposed to happen
00:21:10	- 'Cause it's true?
00:21:12	You're talking around me.
00:21:15	See, to me, she ain't dead at all.
00:21:16	How many friends did you know
00:21:19	Too many to count.
00:21:21	How many have you read a book about?
00:21:23	Have you seen them on TV
00:21:26	That's why this story's dope.
00:21:28	She was our age, man.
00:21:30	Anne Frank understands our situation,
00:21:34	And that Miep Gies lady,
00:21:37	I like her.
00:21:38	I got all these other books
00:21:41	Wow. You used your library card?
00:21:45	No.
00:21:49	Okay, listen up.
00:21:54	Instead of doing a book report on
00:21:58	for our assignment I want you
00:22:02	the woman who helped shelter
00:22:04	She's still alive and she lives in Europe.
00:22:08	In the letter, I want you to tell her
00:22:11	Tell her about your own experiences.
00:22:13	But I want the letters to be perfect,
00:22:15	so be prepared to do more
00:22:18	Is she gonna read the letters?
00:22:20	Well, right now it's
00:22:22	We should get her to read them.
00:22:24	- Yeah, you can do that, right, Ms. G?
00:22:27	Maybe we should get her
00:22:28	Yeah, and have a big dinner again.
00:22:32	Wait. Guys.
00:22:37	Guys! Everyone! Listen! She's elderly!
00:22:41	I don't know how to contact her.
00:22:43	And it would be really expensive.
00:22:45	We could raise the money.
00:22:48	Ms. G?
00:22:49	When Miep Gies come,
00:23:13	Five.
00:23:27	Hi, I'm trying to get the number
00:23:29	for the Anne Frank Foundation
00:24:46	Come in, Margaret.
00:25:34	Ms. G sent our letters all the way
00:25:37	to Miep Gies, herself.
00:25:39	When Ms. G made up her mind
00:25:42	there was no stopping her,
00:25:51	And after we raised the money to bring
00:25:58	But, damn,
00:26:20	The bounty on a Jew was about $2.
00:26:25	Someone desperate for money
00:26:28	On August 4th,
00:26:33	and a man pointed a gun at
00:26:40	"Not one word. "
00:26:42	And then they went straight upstairs
00:26:45	I felt so helpless.
00:26:48	I could hear Anne screaming,
00:26:51	So, I ran back to my house.
00:26:54	I looked for an earring
00:26:56	anything I could take back with me
00:26:59	So I took this back with me,
00:27:03	and the soldier there took out his gun
00:27:08	and put it against my head.
00:27:14	You could be shot for hiding a Jew
00:27:20	So, another soldier
00:27:24	He was Austrian, and so was I,
00:27:28	but I had been adopted
00:27:31	So, he told the soldier with the gun
00:27:37	There isn't a day
00:27:42	and I think about Anne Frank.
00:27:49	Yes?
00:27:58	I've never had a hero before.
00:28:01	But you are my hero.
00:28:03	Oh, no. No, no, young man, no.
00:28:07	I am not a hero. No.
00:28:09	I did what I had to do,
00:28:16	That is all.
00:28:20	You know, we are all ordinary people.
00:28:23	But even an ordinary secretary
00:28:32	can, within their own small ways,
00:28:40	in a dark room.
00:28:42	Ja?
00:28:48	I have read your letters,
00:28:51	and your teacher has been telling me
00:28:58	You are the heroes.
00:29:02	You are heroes every day.
00:29:13	Your faces are engraved in my heart.
00:29:36	You hungry?
00:29:42	You know what you're gonna say
00:29:45	I know what I have to say.
00:29:49	Yeah.
00:29:51	- You know how that is.
00:29:54	And that man that put your father
00:29:57	he knew he was sending
00:30:00	But, you know,
00:30:03	he was just
00:30:07	protecting his own.
00:30:15	What the hell does everybody
00:30:44	Hey, Mama. Mama.
00:30:52	What the hell are you doing here?
00:31:01	I want to come home.
00:31:05	I'm sorry.
00:31:09	I want to change. I can't do it alone.
00:31:14	I need you, Mama.
00:31:17	I need you.
00:31:56	And what time was that?
00:31:59	I told you, 9:00, 9:30.
00:32:02	And you had a clear view
00:32:03	Grant Rice, in the store?
00:32:06	I told you he was playing
00:32:09	Then what happened?
00:32:12	Well, he got all whacked
00:32:14	and then he started shouting and all,
00:32:18	He threatened everyone?
00:32:22	No. The guy who ran the store.
00:32:25	He wanted his money back
00:32:27	And what did the store owner do?
00:32:30	He shouted back.
00:32:34	Then he, the defendant, knocked
00:32:38	And then what happened?
00:32:45	I saw...
00:32:59	I saw...
00:33:16	Paco did it.
00:33:21	Paco killed the guy.
00:34:49	My father won't talk to me anymore.
00:34:53	And I have to lay low for a little while
00:35:00	So I'm gonna be living with my aunt.
00:35:04	See, my aunt lives even further away,
00:35:11	so I was just wondering if I could, like,
00:35:19	stay here late with you
00:35:20	stay here late with you
00:35:24	so I can get my homework done,
00:35:31	You can stay as late as you want.
00:35:35	And I can even drive you to your aunt's,
00:35:42	Ms. G, let's not get nuts.
00:36:20	I think I got your color.
00:37:09	Just come by the concierge
00:37:11	I'll have the directions for you.
00:37:21	Stop! That's it! Now, now! Hey!
00:37:26	You get an extra three seconds. Go!
00:37:35	...enraged them and provoked them
00:37:37	In 1961, an interracial civil rights group
00:37:42	to challenge segregation.
00:37:43	Blacks sat in the front,
00:37:47	They were attacked, firebombed,
00:37:51	In Montgomery, Alabama, Jim Zwerg
00:37:55	knowing there was a mob
00:37:58	He was almost beaten to death
00:38:01	That kind of courage
00:38:04	I was afraid of just being in this class,
00:38:08	because I've always been the dumb kid
00:38:12	But not anymore.
00:38:13	And I must have some kind of courage,
00:38:15	because I could have lied
00:38:20	I stayed.
00:38:21	Hi, I'm home!
00:38:23	Sorry, it got late. I drove the kids home.
00:38:29	You're never gonna believe
00:38:33	I'm so tired.
00:38:35	It's so cute, though.
00:38:38	We have such a good time together.
00:39:01	If you have another glass,
00:39:05	Your bags are packed and you think
00:39:11	Why are you doing this?
00:39:13	Because I don't
00:39:17	No. That's not it.
00:39:21	I just... I feel like I'm living a life
00:39:27	Erin, it's just...
00:39:30	It's too hard.
00:39:32	Your life is too hard?
00:39:35	I think what you're doing is noble.
00:39:38	And it's good. And I'm proud of you.
00:39:42	I am.
00:39:46	I just want to live my life
00:39:49	- I'm not trying to make you feel bad.
00:39:53	I didn't plan on becoming responsible
00:39:56	- Well, who asked you to?
00:39:58	They're not even your kids!
00:39:59	Why do I have to be asked? Scott...
00:40:07	I finally realized what I'm
00:40:12	When I'm helping these kids
00:40:17	everything about my life
00:40:23	How often does a person get that?
00:40:29	- Then what do you need me for?
00:40:33	Why can't you stand by me and be part
00:40:38	Because I can't be your wife.
00:40:47	I wish I could make that
00:40:52	Erin?
00:40:55	You know,
00:40:59	and the class,
00:41:02	who would you pick?
00:41:06	If you love me,
00:41:10	Erin, look at me.
00:41:15	This is all there's ever been to me.
00:41:18	This is it. I'm not one of those kids.
00:41:24	See? You don't want to be here either,
00:41:26	'cause if you did, would you be
00:41:30	That's not true. I want to be here.
00:41:36	You love the idea of me.
00:41:44	But it's such a great idea.
00:41:50	I know.
00:42:19	Dad? Hi.
00:42:23	You know, I was actually trying
00:42:27	and I automatically dialed you. I'm sorry.
00:42:29	Look, I'm gonna call you tomorrow,
00:42:31	I need to make this call. I love you.
00:42:48	Ms. G made us read Twelve Angry Men.
00:42:50	It's all about how this one juror
00:42:54	It made me feel hopeful.
00:42:56	At 2:00 today, my brother
00:43:00	No O.J. Dream Team,
00:43:03	who probably thought
00:43:05	And I realized Twelve Angry Men
00:43:09	My brother got 15 years to life.
00:43:12	Justice don't mean
00:43:14	It just means somebody
00:43:22	So, you got time now?
00:43:31	Anyone know where Andre's been?
00:43:33	I haven't seen him on the bus.
00:43:34	Yeah, I haven't talked to him either.
00:43:44	Ms. G?
00:43:46	Are we gonna have
00:43:49	I don't know.
00:43:53	What do you mean?
00:43:55	Well, I teach freshman
00:43:58	You mean,
00:44:04	Well, I...
00:44:07	I don't teach juniors.
00:44:11	What? What are you talking about?
00:44:14	You don't wanna be our teacher
00:44:16	Of course I do. I can't.
00:44:19	- Why not?
00:44:21	It's regulations.
00:44:26	Ms. G hasn't been here long enough
00:44:29	Who cares about seniority?
00:44:30	Shit! They can't do that!
00:44:35	- Ms. G, this is our kick-it spot.
00:44:38	Everybody's cool with everybody.
00:44:42	This is the only place
00:44:45	There's no place like this
00:44:47	That's true.
00:44:49	I'm not allowed
00:44:52	You're not allowed?
00:44:55	Ms. G, we can fight this, you know,
00:44:59	Yeah, yeah,
00:45:01	Only this time, they try and bust us up,
00:45:03	we bust a few of them
00:45:05	Marcus.
00:45:06	Or we can go to the newspapers,
00:45:10	Or we can paint
00:45:12	with the word "assholes"
00:45:16	Hey, it's something. We can do this.
00:45:23	What?
00:45:24	These are my books, not Scott's.
00:45:28	Honey, take a break.
00:45:33	Sit down.
00:45:38	I can't believe I'm getting divorced.
00:45:42	I never thought this would happen.
00:45:49	What do I do now?
00:45:52	Next year, I won't even have my kids.
00:45:55	You think you should stay with them?
00:45:58	Or is it better they move on?
00:46:00	I don't know.
00:46:06	It's just a job, like you said.
00:46:08	Yeah, it is.
00:46:11	But is the job finished?
00:46:15	Listen to me now.
00:46:17	What you've done with those kids...
00:46:22	I don't even have words for it.
00:46:26	But one thing's for sure,
00:46:33	Special.
00:46:35	You have been blessed with a burden,
00:46:41	And I envy you that.
00:46:46	And I admire you.
00:46:50	And how many fathers ever get
00:46:54	and really mean it?
00:47:00	What she is suggesting
00:47:03	She may not move on with her students
00:47:06	She's only been here two years.
00:47:09	There are teachers here
00:47:11	who have worked and committed
00:47:13	to attain a position of seniority.
00:47:15	Not to mention their experience
00:47:19	The Distinguished Scholars Program
00:47:22	I don't want to replace
00:47:25	I just want to stay
00:47:27	She can't. I have the juniors.
00:47:29	The Board of Education
00:47:32	Teaching rotations will be disrupted,
00:47:34	retirement schedules
00:47:36	disrespecting teachers
00:47:40	and who focus on the classroom,
00:47:42	not on public relations
00:47:45	I didn't ask for those articles
00:47:47	She's in the middle of a divorce.
00:47:48	Note, they stay late in her class,
00:47:51	All right, let's all just take a breath here.
00:47:56	Now I had hoped
00:47:58	maybe come to some kind
00:48:00	- There is no arrangement...
00:48:03	Carl, look.
00:48:05	Putting aside all obvious resentments
00:48:08	even if an arrangement were made
00:48:10	and she could teach them as juniors,
00:48:14	in the curriculum for her to teach.
00:48:17	Unless Brian trades one of his
00:48:21	No.
00:48:24	Then there's nothing I can do.
00:48:29	So that's it?
00:48:32	Believe it or not, Ms. Gruwell,
00:48:33	there are other capable teachers
00:48:36	If you've made the progress
00:48:38	your students should be ready
00:48:40	They might even gain something
00:48:43	You can't teach them.
00:48:46	What does that have to do
00:48:48	I've been an educator for over 30 years.
00:48:51	I have students that still remain
00:48:53	I know what it is to be loved
00:48:56	You have no idea
00:48:59	fighting to be a better teacher,
00:49:00	and now, what, suddenly I'm incapable
00:49:04	You know, if they move on
00:49:07	it'll be because they weren't prepared!
00:49:09	Lt'll be because you failed, not them!
00:49:30	Andre? Wait a minute before you go in.
00:49:46	I heard about your brother's conviction.
00:49:49	Is that why you've missed class
00:49:51	I had things to do.
00:49:56	About this.
00:49:58	The evaluation assignment
00:50:00	was to grade yourself
00:50:01	You gave yourself an F.
00:50:04	- It's what I feel I deserve. That's all.
00:50:09	You know what this is?
00:50:11	This is a "Fuck you" to me,
00:50:15	I don't want excuses.
00:50:18	We're all of us up against something.
00:50:22	So you better make up your mind,
00:50:25	to look me straight in the eye
00:50:28	I am not letting you fail,
00:50:30	even if that means coming
00:50:32	until you finish the work.
00:50:34	I see who you are.
00:50:36	Do you understand me?
00:50:39	I can see you.
00:50:43	And you are not failing.
00:50:48	So, take a minute.
00:50:54	I want a new evaluation.
00:51:01	An F. What, are you tripping?
00:51:10	I want you all to know that
00:51:16	But it's been decided we can't continue
00:51:19	- What?
00:51:21	You... Wait.
00:51:24	Wait. Guys. Everyone.
00:51:27	No! That don't fly, Ma!
00:51:32	Look, first of all,
00:51:35	No, it doesn't mean mother.
00:51:38	It's a sign of respect for you.
00:51:55	Listen to me.
00:51:56	All of you.
00:51:58	Don't use me as another excuse
00:52:05	You made it to your junior year.
00:52:09	Think about how you did that.
00:52:13	Everyone in this room
00:52:18	For some,
00:52:21	The first with a choice to go to college.
00:52:24	Some may move faster than others.
00:52:29	But you'll each have the chance.
00:52:32	And you did that. Not me.
00:52:42	Now, I have one
00:52:48	final project in mind.
00:52:50	- Ms. G.
00:52:54	Ms. G wanted us to put our diaries
00:52:59	She got this businessman, John Tu,
00:53:02	to donate 35 computers
00:53:09	She told us we have something
00:53:13	We weren't just kids
00:53:14	We weren't just kids
00:53:16	We were writers with our own voices,
00:53:19	And even if nobody else read it,
00:53:22	the book would be something
00:53:26	this is what happened, we mattered.
00:53:29	Even if it was just to each other.
00:53:35	Ms. G didn't promise
00:53:38	but we could get it out there ourselves.
00:53:41	She asked us to come up with a title,
00:53:44	something to call ourselves.
00:54:04	I just received a call
00:54:06	at the Board of Education.
00:54:07	There's to be a meeting
00:54:09	- Do you know anything about this?
00:54:20	These students, this class,
00:54:27	To who? To you?
00:54:29	To each other.
00:54:32	Room 203 is a kind of a home for them.
00:54:35	Their trust is all wrapped up
00:54:39	Once they're out of her class,
00:54:40	believe me they'll slip back
00:54:43	Their reading scores, their writing
00:54:47	On paper. But what has
00:54:51	What about new students
00:54:52	Can she repeat
00:54:55	Her methods are impractical,
00:54:56	impossible to implement with regularity.
00:54:59	What if every teacher
00:55:02	We have millions of children
00:55:03	to get through the education system
00:55:05	and we need a means
00:55:07	which allows as many students
00:55:10	not just special cases.
00:55:13	And you honestly think you can create
00:55:17	for every grade,
00:55:25	I don't know.
00:55:32	Thank you.
00:55:54	Hey, there go Ms. G.
00:56:06	What happened?
00:56:08	So? Are we gonna be together
00:56:18	No.
00:56:20	- What?
00:56:26	We're gonna be together junior
00:56:31	Yes!

Freedom Writers