Writers Block .. "Write for Change" || Susrita

"I never believed in writing. I mean whats the point in writing down something when you change your mind the next instant. And who is reading? People love to criticize. Why should I take hate for free? Writing is not important!"

My thoughts reflect a basic prejudice in the society. As humans we love oral communication. Many people resent the power of writing as they believe it will go unread. Or what they write will be subject to criticism. But have you ever noticed that when people become serious about communication, they want it in writing. Guess writing still is in more power than other forms of communication. The power of writing is accessible to anyone who desires. It requires no special talent, skills or experience -- only a willingness to explore moments of ecstasy and moments of despair, critical illness and crucial life choice, psychological healing and spiritual discovery.

I recently saw a movie on a real life education project. An amazing true story of strength, courage, and achievement in the face of adversity. In the fall of 1994, in Room 203 at Woodrow Wilson High School in Long Beach, California, an idealistic twenty-four-year-old teacher named Erin Gruwell faced her first group of students, dubbed by the administration as "unteachable, at-risk" teenagers. The class was a diverse mix of African-American, Latino, Cambodian, Vietnamese, and Caucasian students, many of whom had grown up in rough neighborhoods in Long Beach. In the first few weeks of class, the students made it clear that they were not interested in what their teacher had to say, and made bets about how long she would last in their classroom.

Erin however realized that her students were all too familiar with violence. She introduced each student to keep his or her own anonymous diary, recording tormenting stories of drug use, struggles with physical and mental abuse, and reactions to Erin and her unconventional teaching methods. From the moment they named themselves "The Freedom Writers," in honor of the Civil Rights leaders, the Freedom Riders, the students of Room 203 changed from a group of apathetic, frustrated students to a closely knit, motivated family. Many Freedom Writers were the first in their families to graduate high school and go to college.

The Freedom writers Diary was published in 1999. Erin and her Freedom writers started the Freedom Foundation. Writing reinforced the Freedom Writers' beliefs that voices can be heard, change is possible, and that their words have the power to affect people throughout the world.

Erin Gruwell & The Freedom Writers

Posted in: Freedom Writers,Susrita Sen,Week 1,Write for Change,Writers Blog