Freedom Writers Discussion Guide.
1. Marcus tells Erin that gang members get to die with “respect.” What do you believe the term means. Why is “respect” so important? Does it have to be given before it is earned? Whose responsibility is it to start giving? How is respect given and earned over the course of this film?
This film has a poor example of respect, but in its term, the teacher trying to understand them, helping them by showing them is how she had earned the respect of her students.Respect should ALWAYS be given to everyone you meet. If they have respect for themselves, and others. Respect is only important, because no one likes or stands for being treated badly.
2. Are Erin’s students being “rewarded” for their bad behaviour, as some of her fellow teachers insist?
Yes, it can be taken that way, but it was Erin’s way of earning their trust and respect. As shown later on, they worked for the other things.
3.Do you think it is worthwhile or empowering to write about bad experiences, even if the experiences do not change or improve? Why or why not?
Writing changes nothing, the actions of one creates change. Sitting complaining in any form is their own problem. Everyone makes their own choice, if it’s to go for what they want and do what they need, or sit and drown in their own self-pity, and take it out on others for it, is again their own problem.
4.Is it worthwhile or empowering to read about someone else’s bad experiences? Why or why not?
No, it’s not worthwhile or empowering, time killer yes, enjoyable for leisure and enjoyment of reading, yes. How, in any sort of way could someone else’s experiences benefit, change or even make an impact on your own life? It doesn’t, that’s correct, you make your own choices which is what is worthwhile, and brings you power.
5.Do you think it was fair f Erin’s husband to ask who she would choose, him or her students? Why or why not?
It was completely fair; he shouldn’t have been placed in a position he had to make her choose. He shouldn’t be feeling second to anyone or thing.
6.How do you think you would have handled things differently, if you were Erin, or if you were her husband?
I would have certainly handled things differently, in each case. Husband, I’d have demanded she pulled her head out of her arse, or she could leave. As for Erin, I wouldn’t have given them slightest thing in return and made them pull their heads out of there arses before I give them a thing in return.
7.Was divorce inevitable?
It was inevitable, I’m sure they knew the script J but it could have been saved if they cared enough. Saying you care and showing it are two completely different things.
8.How did the students experiences in the Jewish museum alter their views on their current life that they find themselves in?
It made them feel better knowing others have suffered far worse. Human nature right.
This film has a poor example of respect, but in its term, the teacher trying to understand them, helping them by showing them is how she had earned the respect of her students.Respect should ALWAYS be given to everyone you meet. If they have respect for themselves, and others. Respect is only important, because no one likes or stands for being treated badly.
2. Are Erin’s students being “rewarded” for their bad behaviour, as some of her fellow teachers insist?
Yes, it can be taken that way, but it was Erin’s way of earning their trust and respect. As shown later on, they worked for the other things.
3.Do you think it is worthwhile or empowering to write about bad experiences, even if the experiences do not change or improve? Why or why not?
Writing changes nothing, the actions of one creates change. Sitting complaining in any form is their own problem. Everyone makes their own choice, if it’s to go for what they want and do what they need, or sit and drown in their own self-pity, and take it out on others for it, is again their own problem.
4.Is it worthwhile or empowering to read about someone else’s bad experiences? Why or why not?
No, it’s not worthwhile or empowering, time killer yes, enjoyable for leisure and enjoyment of reading, yes. How, in any sort of way could someone else’s experiences benefit, change or even make an impact on your own life? It doesn’t, that’s correct, you make your own choices which is what is worthwhile, and brings you power.
5.Do you think it was fair f Erin’s husband to ask who she would choose, him or her students? Why or why not?
It was completely fair; he shouldn’t have been placed in a position he had to make her choose. He shouldn’t be feeling second to anyone or thing.
6.How do you think you would have handled things differently, if you were Erin, or if you were her husband?
I would have certainly handled things differently, in each case. Husband, I’d have demanded she pulled her head out of her arse, or she could leave. As for Erin, I wouldn’t have given them slightest thing in return and made them pull their heads out of there arses before I give them a thing in return.
7.Was divorce inevitable?
It was inevitable, I’m sure they knew the script J but it could have been saved if they cared enough. Saying you care and showing it are two completely different things.
8.How did the students experiences in the Jewish museum alter their views on their current life that they find themselves in?
It made them feel better knowing others have suffered far worse. Human nature right.
Remember the Titans
1. Where was the movie situated? in what year?
1971, United States of America, Virginia, Alexandra
2.What happened in the town to cause tension between the two groups? What type of prejudice is the focus of this movie?
An African American was killed by a white foreigner, so the type of prejudice is focused on racism.
3.Who was Coach Boone? Why did he get the job?
An African American coach from another school, he was given the job, as coach, to give the African Americans a fair go, and show they have rights.
4.How did the black community view Boone?
As a role model, a hero. A sign of hope for them.
5.What were some of the names given to the African Americans?
Coon and Refrences to animals, eg. Monkey.
6.As the students are getting on the bus to go to camp what do you notice about the two groups? How does coach Boone deal with the situation? Why did he do this?
They all seperate, a bus for each race. Coach Boone then paired them up, white with a black, to force them to get along with each other.
7.'Attitude reflects leadership'-Gerry. What did Julius mean by this?
That he wasn't being a leader to the whole team, he was still treating the whites better then the blacks. A clear statement Gerry had taken.
8.How do the main charaters of Bertier and Campbell change throughout the movie? What was Gerry's explanation for his attitude at the start of the movie?
They went from not knowing one another, dislike and common hate towards one another. They then became close friends "That's my brother." has Bertier states at the end. Gerry's explanation was he didnt know who they were, he was scared of them.
9."Each one of you will spend time every day with a team mate of a different race. You will learn about him and his family, his likes, his dislikes" Why did he get them to do this?
So they can see they aren't much different from one another, that the colour of their skin is all the difference is.
10.What were some critical times within the movie when you started to see the two sides come together?
The "mama" jokes, on the football field in training were Bertier and Juilus start the chant. Where the two critical points, where they come together, become toleriable towards each other.
11.Which character/s do you think played an important roll in the success of the team?
Louie Lastik, was one who played an important roll, he was one of the people fine with getting to know others of another race, showing his team mates how easy it is.
12.When in the movie was there evidence of; Intergroup contact;
- Sustained Contact - They grew together at the training and continued to stand together when they got back to what was still happening there.
- Mutual interdependence - They are one team, and need to support each other to win the game, without each other they'd lose.
- Superordinate goals - Not just winning a game, but winning every game and the championships was their greatest goal, to show they can work together, that race didnt matter.
- Equality of status - Coach Boone tells them it doesnt matter what race, what colour they are, it only matters who can play, if they could play they were in, each and all of them were equal as people.
1971, United States of America, Virginia, Alexandra
2.What happened in the town to cause tension between the two groups? What type of prejudice is the focus of this movie?
An African American was killed by a white foreigner, so the type of prejudice is focused on racism.
3.Who was Coach Boone? Why did he get the job?
An African American coach from another school, he was given the job, as coach, to give the African Americans a fair go, and show they have rights.
4.How did the black community view Boone?
As a role model, a hero. A sign of hope for them.
5.What were some of the names given to the African Americans?
Coon and Refrences to animals, eg. Monkey.
6.As the students are getting on the bus to go to camp what do you notice about the two groups? How does coach Boone deal with the situation? Why did he do this?
They all seperate, a bus for each race. Coach Boone then paired them up, white with a black, to force them to get along with each other.
7.'Attitude reflects leadership'-Gerry. What did Julius mean by this?
That he wasn't being a leader to the whole team, he was still treating the whites better then the blacks. A clear statement Gerry had taken.
8.How do the main charaters of Bertier and Campbell change throughout the movie? What was Gerry's explanation for his attitude at the start of the movie?
They went from not knowing one another, dislike and common hate towards one another. They then became close friends "That's my brother." has Bertier states at the end. Gerry's explanation was he didnt know who they were, he was scared of them.
9."Each one of you will spend time every day with a team mate of a different race. You will learn about him and his family, his likes, his dislikes" Why did he get them to do this?
So they can see they aren't much different from one another, that the colour of their skin is all the difference is.
10.What were some critical times within the movie when you started to see the two sides come together?
The "mama" jokes, on the football field in training were Bertier and Juilus start the chant. Where the two critical points, where they come together, become toleriable towards each other.
11.Which character/s do you think played an important roll in the success of the team?
Louie Lastik, was one who played an important roll, he was one of the people fine with getting to know others of another race, showing his team mates how easy it is.
12.When in the movie was there evidence of; Intergroup contact;
- Sustained Contact - They grew together at the training and continued to stand together when they got back to what was still happening there.
- Mutual interdependence - They are one team, and need to support each other to win the game, without each other they'd lose.
- Superordinate goals - Not just winning a game, but winning every game and the championships was their greatest goal, to show they can work together, that race didnt matter.
- Equality of status - Coach Boone tells them it doesnt matter what race, what colour they are, it only matters who can play, if they could play they were in, each and all of them were equal as people.