Freedom Writers

This is one powerful and eye-opening movie. At first I thought I would like this simply because it would be a sappy, teacher-changing-the-world, type movie like "Dead Poet's Society" (which is still on my top 5). But within a few minutes, I knew there was more to this movie than sentimentality.

The incredible piece about this movie is that it is based on a real group of students and a teacher who put her entire self into her vocation as a teacher. And even though there is still the "happy ending" - this "happy ending" is not just a Hollywood invention. Through the work of this teacher and her students, there is a foundation ( www.freedomwritersfoundation.org) and the writing and reflections of these students and their teacher are now documented in a book, and the recently released movie.

Sure, teaching is about some strategies, and knowledge - but the essence and life of teaching is about passion and committment.

Another important aspect of this film is the truth telling that takes place regarding the life of too many students in our communities. These students were written off, like many, many before them on account of their context, their race, their language, or their responses to all of these. This adds to the struggle and only causes further continuance of the cycle of pain and seperation from society. It is unacceptable that there are kids who go through and endure the pain, struggle, abuse, neglect, violence, etc... We need to step up and see this, offer an ear and a shoulder - as we commit to living in true community and living with each other as sisters and brothers.

In the end, I was taken by two things. First, I was reminded that Jesus is with all of those that we forget, write-off, or neglect - holding them up, loving them, all the while calling us to step up to our call as fellow human beings. Second, one of my friends who saw the movie with me said as we were driving home, "I feel like such a slacker." And I truly don't think that this is the intention of the movie, but rather to remind us of our power as human beings, as one person. No, we may not ever affect the lives of that many kids (or people) in such a profound way, but being disciples of Christ we, through our ture and just living, will impact others around us. God's at work amidst us when we are with each other, and when we are real about who we are, as forgiven children of God, the image of Christ is what is seen.

So....go check it out. Let me know what you think.