But last night I found out about a project of citizen journalism that is a decade old. Let’s call it “Citizen Journalism 0.5.” It started as a school project for troubled students at Wilson High School in Long Beach, California and over four years changed the lives of 150 students, then thousands more. I predict it is just getting started.

Last night, I had the privilege to “Know More” about the Freedom Writers when I attended an advanced screening of the Paramount movie, Freedom Writers. It was a moving experience and I am grateful to Kimberlee Morrison, one of our editors for inviting me to the screening. If you have been paying attention to Know More Media you have read her account and experience as a Freedom Writer. See Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3.

The Freedom Writers story is a remarkable true-life tale of lives that were changed by the inspiration and commitment of a young, new teacher, Erin Gruwell. Beginning in 1994, Ms. Gruwell turned a group of kids controlled by racial tension and hate into students seeking to find more in life through understanding and education. They responded to her challenge to record their thoughts, fears, and dreams in a daily diary. Writing their stories not only empowered the young Freedom Writers but the diaries were so compelling that Gruwell was able to publish them in a book in 1999, entitled “The Freedom Writers Diary: How a Teacher and 150 Teens Used Writing to Change Themselves and the World Around Them” Last night I traded a donation to the Freedom Writers Foundation for a signed copy of the The Freedom Writers Diary and was able to meet Erin Gruwell and many of the Kimberlee’s Freedom Writer friends and I saw their story portrayed realistically and honestly on the big screen.

The experience was like being a welcome guest at a large family reunion. There were Freedom Writers, family members, educators, a Holocaust survivor and those like me that were just there eager to learn about this inspiring story and the people that made it a reality. Several races were represented as well as socio-economic classes. But there was a unity of purpose and an enthusiasm that can only be felt to understand it. There was an obvious connection in this group that can only be obtained through the fire of adversity and mutual respect and love. Like survivors of a calamity or a championship team, the Freedom Writers shared the unique blood, sweat and tears that brought them to such great heights. I could respect it, try and understand it but would never totally get it.

Only the survivors, the Freedom Writers and their leader, Erin Gruwell will ever completely know of the magic that occurred among them from 1994 to 1998 and beyond. Ignoring society’s verdict that they were destined to fail, the Freedom Writers have achieved so much. The movie helped me see the “how” and “why” but meeting them let me understand and feel their purpose, unity and determination.

Writing their stories changed their lives. Reading their stories touched mine.

Related Entries:

•  Freedom Writers at Know More Media
•  Freedom Writers Movie Screening
•  Freedom Writers - Movie Review
•  Freedom Writers Opening
•  Freedom Writers Movie Weekend Wrap-up