Freedom Writers by Erin Gruwell - Book Report/Review Example

I believe that the most important fact that she has raised is that students ‘at risk’ is not only a misnomer but displays the inability of the system to understand the more complex nature of man. I believe that the most important fact that she has raised is that students ‘at risk’ is not only a misnomer but displays the inability of the system to understand the more complex nature of man. Education serves as the most effective platform to introduce changes within the social fabric of countries across the world.

The 21st century epitomizes increasing nature of pluralistic society and brings in its wake the huge challenges that must be met collectively. Development of a new social order, which would not only embrace multicultural values but help forge a universal bond to transcend national and religious boundaries, has become vital for peaceful co-existence. Consequently, academia across the world, especially the educational curriculum needs to undergo a far-reaching transformation so that our children can effectively meet the needs of the changing times.

 Entry 6 Gruwell in the entry speaks of her beliefs and trust in her students. Her innovative philosophy of learning and learning modalities have taken the teaching from the classroom to the real life arena of human life which is full of adversities and hope to surmount them. To teach compassion, tolerance, love, and understanding, she took her children to Museum of Tolerance in Los Angeles and also showed them the place where the courageous Anne Frank had hidden from the Nazi soldiers in Germany.

She had brought them face to face with Holocaust survivors. The tremendous effort put by Gruwell to inculcate hope and zest for life amongst her ‘at risk’ students is an example of exemplary leadership that thrives on challenges and who takes them as opportunities to transform the world. All her 150 students, who were once considered ‘special’ and ‘at risk’, have gone on to become successful in different spheres of life. Gruwell’s philosophy, though nothing new in content, is amazing in its application of putting theory into practice.

Very few educational leaders are able to challenge the authority and stand firm against the rigidity of the system to incorporate a more purposeful and dynamic strategy of teaching. I agree with Gruwell that we need to evolve a more empathetic curriculum that is able to connect with the students in the contemporary dynamics of changing values.