Maybe we should talk about art. Tito's got real talent, don't you think? You know something? I saw a picture just like this once, in a museum. Only it wasn't a black man, it was a Jewish man. And instead of the big lips he had a really big nose, like a rat's nose. But he wasn't just one particular Jewish man. This was a drawing of all Jews. And these drawings were put in the newspapers by the most famous gang in history. You think you know all about gangs? You're amateurs. This gang will put you all to shame. And they started out poor and angry, and everybody looked down on them, until one man decided to give them some pride, an identity... and somebody to blame. You take over neighborhoods? That's nothing compared to them. They took over countries. You want to know how? They just wiped out everybody else. Yeah, they wiped out everybody they didn't like, and everybody they blamed for their life being hard. And one of the ways they did it was by doing this: see, they print pictures like this in the newspapers. Jewish people with big, long noses, blacks with big, fat lips. They'd also published scientific evidence that proved that Jews and blacks were the lowest form of human species. Jews and blacks were more like animals. And because they were just like animals, it didn't really matter whether they lived or died. In fact, life would be a whole lot better if they were all dead. That's how a holocaust happens. And that's what you all think of each other.
Most-quoted character in Freedom Writers (2007): in 14 of its 36 quotes
Most scenes with: Andre (4), Marcus (3), Eva (3)
So when you're dead, you'll get respect, that what you think? [murmurs of "yeah" from the class] You know what's gonna happen when you die? You're gonna rot in the ground, and people are going to go on living, and they're going to forget all about you. And when you rot, do you think it's gonna matter whether you were an "original gangster"? You're dead. And nobody, nobody is gonna want to remember you, because all you left in the world is this. [holds up Tito's drawing]
More lines from Erin Gruwell
4 quotesYour bags are packed and you think the wine will give me a headache?
An "F"? What, are ya trippin'?
All right, guys and gals, listen up!
Scenes with Erin Gruwell
9 scenesThe evaluation assignment was to grade yourself on the work you're doing. You gave yourself an "F". What's that about?
It's what I feel I deserve, that's all.
Oh really? [pause] You know what this is? This is a "**** You" to me and everyone in this class. I don't want excuses. I know what you're up against. We're all of us up against something. So you better make up your mind, because until you have the balls to look me straight in the eye and tell me this is all you deserve, I am not letting you fail. Even if that means coming to your house every night until you finish the work. I see who you are. Do you understand me? I can see you. And you are not failing.
That Miep Gies lady, the one that help hide her, I like her. I got all these other books about her from the library.
Wow, you used your library card?
Nah...
What's a holocaust?
Who here knows what the Holocaust is? [All keep their hands down except Ben, the only white kid, who sheepishly raises his] Who here has ever been shot at? [All raise their hands except Ben, who lowers his]
You don't feel respected, Eva, is that what you're saying? Well, maybe you're not. But to get respect, you have to give it.
That's bullshit.
What?
Why should I give you my respect to you, lady? Because you're a teacher? I don't know you. How do I know you're not a liar standing up there? How do I know you're not a bad person standing up there? I'm not just gonna give you my respect because you're called a teacher.
White people wanting their respect like they deserve it for free.
I'm a teacher, it doesn't matter what color I am.
It's all about color. It's about people deciding what you deserve, about people wanting what they don't deserve! About whites thinking they own this world, no matter what. You see, I hate white people.
You hate me?
Yeah.
You don't even know me.
I know what you can do. I saw white cops shoot my friend in the back for reaching into his pocket, his pocket! I saw white cops break into my house and take my father away for no reason except because they feel like it! Except because they can! And they can, because they're white. So I hate white people on sight!
Ben, do you have anything to say?
Can I please get out of here?
Lady, stop actin' like you tryin' to understand our situation, and just do your little babysittin' up there.
That's all you think this is?
It ain't nothing else. When I look out in the world I don't see nobody that looks like me with their pockets full unless they're rapping a lyric or dribbling a ball, so what else you got in here for me?
And what if you can't rap a lyric or dribble a ball?
It ain't this. I know that much.
Damn right.
And you all think you're gonna make it to graduation like this?
I made it to high school, ain't nobody stop me.
Lady, I'm lucky if I make it to eighteen. We in a war! We graduatin' every day we live because we ain't afraid to die protecting our own. At least when you die for your own, you die with respect, you die a warrior!
No, that don't fly Ma.
First of all I'm not anybody's mother.
No, that's not what it means.
It's a sign of respect... for you.
Who has been to jail or a juvenile hall?
Does a refugee camp count?
You decide. [Sindy stands on the line]
Does anyone know Homer's the Odyssey?
I know Homer the Simpson.
So when's Anne Frank gonna smoke Hitler?
Keep reading.
I love you.
You love the idea of me.




