MovieChat Forums > Freedom Writers (2007) Discussion > A Pearl-Clutching Liberal?

A Pearl-Clutching Liberal?


Um... was the writer schizophrenic? And before you say it was based on true events, I'll own it was "inspired by" true events, but it's clear that the teacher was meant to be an amalgam of all white people, from the champagne socialist, to the civil-rights marching liberal, to the pearl-clutching conservative (hint: pearl-clutching was code for "Republican" back in the 60s... did the writer not know this?) who dressed like Nancy Reagan and couldn't pronounce Tupac's name... this is just incoherent. I watched until after the shooting at the convenience store when the kids are all yelling at her for being white and I thought, you know, I don't really have to sit through someone else's confused, White Guilt Angst. It's just silly.

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Erin Gruwell, of who the story is based on, was very involved in the making of this film.
Here's a site for you to check out:
http://www.chasingthefrog.com/reelfaces/freedomwriters.php

The pearls weren't a symbol for anything. She actually did wear them. Her father was an actual civil rights activist and she picked up a lot of her traits from him, who she was very close to. Events in the movie really did happen, including the naivety of the young, fresh out of college, teacher. Read about the actual story before you make accusations of the film.

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