A couple of years ago I saw a commercial for these movie that looked very depressing and motivating about teacher and kids who became a family in room 203. I didn’t get to see in the movie theater, but when it came out to DVD I rented “The Freedom Writers”. I knew it would be tear jerker for me, but nothing would have prepared me for all the crying I did during the movie, except of course for the reading the book. I cried throughout the movie, tears of sadness at the beginning and tears of joy at the end, I got up after it was over with a huge headache. However I was motivated to read the book, which I knew I would cry through too. By reading the book was so much more inspiring then the movie because they have the stories of 150 teens and Erin Gruwell in it.

The Freedom Writers Diary had all those teens about my age’s feelings and struggles to go through. I loved how they combined all their stories together in one book because every time I was done with one journal entry I was on to another. It took me a while to finish reading it because it was so painful for me to read and soon I very connected to the Freedom Writers even though I wouldn’t dare compare my problems with theirs. They are my heroes trying to change the world. I almost didn’t want their stories to end, when I finished I watched the movie again. I cried less then the first time but it still stings. My favorite part of the book contains poems by a Freedom Writer. They write poems against discrimination and about being proud of who you are no matter your race, size, or occupation.

I want to write down this poem by one of the Freedom Writers, since I don’t know his or her name I will refer their poem as Diary 88’s poem. The title of the poem is “Stand”.

Stay Black-Stay Proud

Stay White-Stay Proud

Stay Brown-Stay Proud

Stay Yellow-Stay Proud . . .

Don’t be afraid to be what you are,

‘cause all you can be, is you,

So be the best you, you can be.

Keep it real- by all means, at all times,

Whether a lawyer, a doctor, a football player, a toilet cleaner, a garbage handler- keep it real

And still be the best you can be.

Have pride, have dignity, stand!

Stand proud, talk proud, be proud!

Don’t lay down, back down, bown down, run away, sell out yourself, sell into criticism

Be real and realize the ones who criticize best recognize that you are you-take it or leave it.

It is very important to me that my friends and I be ourselves, especially around each other because if they couldn’t accept themselves for who they are then they probable can’t accept me for who I am. I love every word of this poem and I’m going to treasure it forever. I will send this message to my friends and make sure I spread the word around. I don’t want to be anybody but me. In high school, I think that people struggle to decide who they are and who they want to be. I know that I have before but know I know who I am and there’s no pretending to be someone I’m not.

If your inspired as I am than please check out their site and consider donating to the Freedom Writers Foundation. Every dollar counts! Thanks!

http://www.freedomwritersfoundation.org