Diversity In Joe Clark's Lean On Me

Lean On Me was a dramatic, action movie made in 1989 that was based on a true story. This is a story about a school in Paterson, New Jersey. This school has less-than-average basic skills test scores and it faces the possibility of being taken over by the state. The mayor asks the school superintendent for help. He suggests that they hire Joe Clark as the school principal. Clark agrees to be the principal. When he arrives, he realize that the school is about to go under. He shakes things up by reassigning teachers and expelling misbehaved students. A lot of people want him out, but at the same time, he gains the respect of some of the teachers and most of the students.
In this movie, there are clear sources of diversity. The school was mainly

an all African-American School. During the start of the movie, Joe Clark expels a good number of students. These students were in gangs, started fights, and were all around poor students. These expelled student represent the stereotype African-American men. To the state, they look at the high school as a school full of gangs. As we learn, there are some students who are serious about their education. We learn a about a girl whose mother had her at 15. She is very smart girl and Joe Clark said she is going to go to college and achieve much better things. WE also meet a boy who was expelled during the start. He begged Mr. Clark to come back. He granted is wish and he was one of Joe Clark's’ closest student. Overall, there is a lot of diversity in this movie.
In the movie, Joe Clark changed the school and the students in it.

The students are showing more respect for the principal throughout the movie. Joe Clark creates a school song, which teaches the students respect and how to be an active member in the community. Joe realizes that he is getting through the students when he makes a group of students to sing the school song he is astounded by how talented and gifted his students are. The inside of the school has changed. The walls had graffiti and some of the lockers didn’t have any doors. The school now is very decorative. The school has color on the walls and beautiful murals. There are signs and words to motivate the students. For example, there is a painting that says how many days until the state exam. Another way he has changed the school is that he has created bonds with his students. He knows all the students names and greets them in the hallways. He also makes sure that if a student has any problems than he should come to him. Lastly, he has changed the teachers. He made the teachers realize that they need to care more about the students and get the help that they need. They need good teachers to make an impact in their learning. In summary, Joe Clark has turned the school around and totally changed the cultural and climate of the

school.
In conclusion, Lean on Me is an excellent movie that inspires teachers, administration, and students. A school can change for the better if the right person shows power, strength, integrity, and kindness. All of these qualities were shown in Joe Clark. That is why East Side High dramatically changed for the best.