Erin Gruwell, author of the New York Times bestselling book, “The Freedom Writers Diary,” which is the basis of the movie, “Freedom Writers,” was at the Westmoreland Central School District on May 17th and 18th to speak with students, staff and parents about the importance of words.
With her, three of her former students and original Freedom Writers, Latilla Cain, Antonio Garcia and Ty Banks. They began their visit speaking with a group of parents about their struggles as children. Latilla described her childhood as “a little girl having to be an adult too soon.” She told parents she never had the chance to experience what being a child was like. She brought them back to a time when her friend had invited her over to her house. Her friend’s mother offered to make her a bacon breakfast sandwich. She described how wonderful the bacon smelled. Latilla said this was the first time an adult offered to make her a meal.
Antonio Garcia was a child who came from a poor family. Because he was so smart, he transferred from an impoverished school to a wealthier one in a nice community. He said he didn’t feel like he fit in with all the other kids. His clothes, his lunch and his looks, were different. This made him feel insecure and his grades started to decline.
Ty Banks painted a horrific picture of his childhood. He started by telling parents about a time when a family member touched him inappropriately and considered it an “act of love.” Then he described how his father beat him almost daily and told him it was “because he loved him”. His father fed him rotten food and sent him to school with bruises. His message to parents-he was made to believe that love was violent. He didn’t know what love was supposed to feel like.
The movie, “Freedom Writers”, is based on Erin Gruwell and her 150 at-risk students, who many believed, wouldn’t be successful. She was determined to beat those odds by having them read and write to embrace history, humanity and hope. This helped them relate and write their own journals, becoming a form of solace. When the students anonymously read each other’s journals, division was replaced with unity and understanding. As a result, the “Freedom Writers” were born. One of her lessons in the movie brought her students together. Gruwell put a line of tape across her classroom floor. She divided the students in half, and asked a question. If they answered “yes”, they would step on the line. The purpose of the exercise was for the students to see they’re not alone. She wanted them to be aware of their reactions and body language when they stepped on the line. She did this same activity with students, staff and parents at the Westmoreland Central School District. Everyone showed compassion and love for each other.
The district also invited the community for a discussion with Gruwell. In a gymnasium full of families, she focused on the same message. Just like her students, she wanted the community to realize that despite struggles they may have faced while growing up, they can still succeed. She also reinforced that fostering a safe and nurturing learning environment, working together to be respectful and productive citizens in this world and being cognizant of the words we use and how we speak to others, can impact their lives and society. “I realize that if you can change a classroom, you can change a community, and if you can change enough communities, you can change the world,” said Upper Elementary School Principal, Trevor Haskell.
Thank you Erin and the Freedom Writers for taking the time to spread this very important message to our community.
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