Freedom Writers: White Teacher to the Rescue

Freedom Writers is about Erin Gruwell, a white teacher who works with mostly Black and Brown students dealing with serious challenges like violence, racism, and poverty. The movie shows her connecting with the students by teaching them about the Holocaust and encouraging them to share their own stories. It’s inspiring, but also kind of problematic in how it tells that story.

Listen, I liked the movie. I've watched Freedom Writers many times in my life. I always thought it was so cool that Ms. G wanted to help her students and cared so much. In my head I was like "wow, look at her making a difference." The problem isn't having people that want to help and make a difference. The fact of the matter is this: the more I think about it, the more I realize there’s a lot that movie, and others like it, don’t tell us.

The big issue? The movie puts Ms. G at the center as the “hero” who saves the day, while the students, their families, and their communities mostly get pushed to the sidelines. It’s a classic example of what people call “white saviorism." This is when a white person is made out to be the one who rescues people of color, erasing their own voices and strengths in the process.

What really stuck with me is how the movie makes it seem like the problems of racism and poverty can be fixed just by one teacher’s hard work and passion. Ms. G works crazy hours and sacrifices a lot, and while that dedication is impressive, it’s not realistic or fair to expect that from every teacher. Real change doesn’t come from just working yourself to exhaustion, it comes from changing the system that creates these problems in the first place.

And another thing: the students connect with the Holocaust lesson plan and reading "The Diary of Anne Frank," but why aren’t their own histories and struggles given the same attention? Their experiences are just as important and deserve to be at the center, not just filtered through a white perspective. And why don't we have many movies about teacher of color making a difference? Delgado touches on this when she says "We can’t talk about a teacher of color “saving” her students because, apparently, it’s only exciting to watch white people suddenly become aware of race and start a crusade. "

At the end of the day, Freedom Writers tells a story about changing one classroom, not the whole education system. And real change? It’s so much bigger than that. It needs resources, policy shifts, and community support.

So yeah, watch Freedom Writers; it’s a good movie! But don’t fall for the idea that one white teacher’s success means racism and inequality are fixed. Like the author says; "Watch Freedom Writers. Enjoy it for what it is. But afterward, take away the message of continuing to struggle against racism in education. Don’t be fooled into thinking the short-lived triumph of one savior in one classroom is enough." Real progress happens when we listen to the people living these experiences, support their communities, and push for real, systemic change. It’s easy to get inspired by passion and dedication, but it’s even more important to stay clear-eyed about what it really takes to make a difference.