Erin Gruwell

In this CNN video, Connie Heermann was suspended from teaching at the Perry Township School for providing her students with Erin Gruwell's book, "The Freedom Writers Dairy".

Nothing could have prepared Erin Gruwell for her first day teaching at Long Beach High School. Many of her students from this tough, racially divided school were deemed "unteachable," and written off by the education system. Shaken, but undeterred, Gruwell leveraged the power of education to deliver an academic miracle.
Finding her classroom a safe haven, the Freedom Writers transcribed their stories on paper, transforming their lives one word at a time. Through Gruwell's efforts, these stories were published in the book Freedom Writer's Diary: How a Teacher and 150 Teens Used Writing to Change Themselves and the World Around Them. Her enthusiasm and fierce determination galvanized her class, and eventually all 150 of her students went on to graduate from high school and attend college.

For more information on Erin Gruwell, please visit http://www.apbspeakers.com/speaker/erin-gruwell

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[shmotownlola06]

If the parents said it was okay for their children to read the book, then there shouldn't be a problem. Sure there's certain language used in it but over time, you see how the students evolve to becoming headstrong scholars who are in control of their own future. Also, as for the language, that's how the students express the situation. In my opinion, they're saying that if Anne Frank wrote like that, then the students wouldn't be allowed to read her book either.

[SSW8040]

That is Fucked up that they did that to that book. Its one of my favorite books.

[tntbsyht]

Im going to Perry Meridian High School next year

[AtheismWorldWide]

Fuck! Where do I begin!? This is exactly what NEEDS to be taught! Where in the world has CHANGE occurred by not saying FUCK, SHIT, MOTHER-FUCKER, etc. etc.??? My ex-wife is a teacher and I kind of wish I would have paid more attention to her, to me (early in my life - but I wouldn’t have met her), to life, etc., but I can’t go back and change my life but KIDS, IF I COULD I WOULD GO BACK AND DO IT ALL OVER FOR THE BETTER!!!

[JYoder]

White Trash School Board! I hate them - they are racist! The book and movie is wonderful and inspiring. I'm sure there are worse things on TV and in the movie theaters that kids these days are watching. This book was presented as a educational resource - how can the school board be so stupid!

[JtotheLSNSDLover]

The freaking bord at school is so freaking stupid!!!

[wwedxfan]

@SSW8040 kids.need.it.just cause they arnt from the city dosnt mean they dont go through things that Freedom Writers did

[gordolove1988]

I LOVE her answer and her face expression at 1:55 to his question about the "graphic" language in the book. "It's the way they talk" lol I had a cool, understanding, very interactive English teacher like this in high school. Very understanding of the world around her and very inspirational. we need more teachers like this if schools want to keep there students in class rooms.

[marycol024]

I wonder if any of the opposers ever even read it.

[passionsung]

If you raise your children without using foul language, they will learn it on the school bus anyway! So just because it is in a book, that does not mean that it is going to make them start saying it. The child makes a choice period. The movie was truely inspirational for me and the real world happens everyday whether we like it or not. So be strong and be a positive example to others who have no hope or optimism. Go Connie - You asked the parents 149 agreed and they are who SHOULD have they say

[NintendoDSVampire]

ALways found that asian girl soo hot. 

[google2com]

schools are suppose to teach children about all walks of life...including the ones that are not from rich white communities who apparently never uses the f** word.