Medium Challenge: Watch the film: ‘Freedom Writers’
For this challenge, I was told to watch the film: ‘Freedom Writers’. It’s a highly anticipated film that is based on a true story. It’s about high school kids that live in Long Beach. Long Beach is a very diverse melting pot of different ethnicities. It’s a place where violence is a very common way of settling differences. Many describe living in Long Beach as if they are living in a war zone. A lot of students also refer to living in Long Beach as being at war with a dozen different armies.
It’s a story about a school where different ethnicities come together to learn. Groups quickly form, people with the same background and colour of skin join together. There is a very hostile ambience in the classroom and people scold each other for who they are. The fights and grudges that exist on the streets are also reflected in the classroom.
One day, a different teacher arrives at the school. This teacher has a white skin colour and wears a rather posh set of clothing. To top it off she wears nice pearl jewellery and looks very well aware of her appearance. The first reaction of the classroom is very hostile and disrespectful. They explain to her that life is tough for them and that they have to fight to survive. The teacher is very shocked about this reaction is set to do something about their attitude.
Over the course of the year, you see that these kids are very hurt. The teacher tries to come up with some creative ways to make the class more open to each other and have some respect. Tolerance is a word that is used very often in this film.
I don’t want to spoil the end for you guys, so I won’t go in on all the details. Go watch the movie yourself, it’s a real eye-opener.
What I found particularly interesting is how they describe the word ‘Tolerance’. I got the feeling that they mix tolerance with respect to this film. I think they are two completely different things.
The Netherlands is a country which is famous for it’s relatively great tolerance to different cultures and people that’s why I experience tolerance all the time. I think you can tolerate a lot without immediately respecting someone. To tolerate someone’s behaviour is to accept I and basically not make a fuss about it. To respect is to agree or be fond of something or someone. And I think that in this film those things got a bit confused.
I would love to know what you thought of the film and felt the same way about this subject. Leave a comment about what you thought! I would love to read them soon.
