The Freedom Writer: Racism In America

Racism, A Dark and Long History in America

The Freedom Writer tells a story that taken place among a first year teacher and a group of different students that own all kinds of origin, color of skin and background. Erin Gruwell came from Newport Beach while the students came from East Los Angeles. In the movie, racism is a problem that cannot be neglected. It is the root cause of hatred, as well as a global issue.

For blacks, this is a disaster. In the U.S, racism has existed throughout history; differ from other area, the highlighting racial problem was largely color of white and black. In 1961, the first batch of Negro slaves arrived in Virginia, since then the tough life of blacks began in the U.S. The conflict between blacks and whites seems never stop. The climax of the history of racism came in the twentieth century in the rise and fall of what might be called overtly racist regimes. In the American South, the passage of racial segregation laws and restrictions on black voting

rights reduced African Americans to lower caste status. [1]

Racial discrimination has brought different kinds of harm to people. A few hundred years later, this problem has not solved, but more serious. For example, on April 30, 1992, a most serious riot broke out in Los Angeles which caused 59 people dead and 2300 injured. The cause of the accident is that four white policemen beat a black .Nevertheless, the court pronounces them not guilty. As Eva said, a girl can be crowned a princess for her beauty and her grace, but an Aztec princess is chosen for her blood…” [2] in this environment, the students of 203 room be treated unfairly. They became sensitive and did not believe anyone except themselves. When they first set foot in the classroom, they separated themselves from others, which behavior seems to say: “Don’t close to me! You are my enemy.” Ben Samuels, the only white guy in the class, always lower his head and afraid of talking with other classmates. He knew he is special and undesirable to the classmates own different color of skin.

There are some improvements in society and other field.

The blacks have been devoting to fight for their rights. In 1963, Martin Luther King gave a speech—I have a dream, which let the world heard the blacks and inspired black people continue to struggle for freedom and justice. And in 2008, Barack Hussein Obama became the first black president in America history. There is legislation and memoranda against discrimination in its many forms. Affirmative action has been used as an attempt to ensure individuals are given equal opportunity for employment, housing, and other types of advancement.[3] In 2001, the Kaiser Family Foundation, in conjunction with the Washington Post, conducted a survey called, "Race and Ethnicity in 2001: Attitudes, Perceptions and Experiences." The study found that, on a whole range of issues, whites are more sympathetic to the realities of African Americans in U.S. society–and they also have closer contact and relationships with Blacks–than 35 or 40 years

ago.[4]

In order to make the world more colorful, god granted human beings different colors. So, it makes no sense to treat anyone with discrimination on the basis of physical traits. No matter what race, nation, color of skin, should be treated equally and all deserve freedom and respect. But the face is, many people tried to deny or prevent the change, they want to maintain these unfair situations for keeping their interest. The will of people is the greatest power, there can still be no improvement unless many individuals work towards it. Racism is a history, and one day it will become history.