Andre My brother taught me what the life is for a young black man. Pimp, deal, whatever. Learn what colors to wear. Gang banners. You can sell to one corner, but you can't sell another. Learn to be quiet. The wrong word can get you popped.
Played by Mario 
Freedom Writers (2007) · 36 quotes
Freedom Writers (2007) · 36 quotes
2nd most-quoted character in Freedom Writers (2007): in 8 of its 36 quotes
Most scenes with: Erin Gruwell (4), Marcus (2), Eva (2)
Justice doesn't mean the bad guy goes to jail, it just means that someone pays for the crime.
More lines from Andre
2 quotes Andre Andre She can't even look at me because I look like my dad.
Scenes with Andre
5 scenes
The evaluation assignment was to grade yourself on the work you're doing. You gave yourself an "F". What's that about?
Andre 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.
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.
Andre That's bullshit.
What?
Andre 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!
[after a short silence, turns to Ben, the only white student present]
Ben, do you have anything to say?
Ben
[quietly, awkwardly]
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?
Andre It ain't this. I know that much.
Damn right.
And you all think you're gonna make it to graduation like this?
Andre 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.
Andre No, that's not what it means.
It's a sign of respect... for you.
Does anyone know Homer's the Odyssey?
Andre I know Homer the Simpson.
Andre It's the dumb class cuz. It means you too dumb.
Man, say it to my face cuz.
Andre I just did. See what I mean? Dumb?
