Freedom Writers

I just watched the movie Freedom Writers. It's amazing. That is the type of teacher I want to be. I want to listen to kids, they all have something to say.

I teared up several times during the film. And then I've been watching the special features and all the kids who played the real Freedom Writers have had similar struggles has the characters they played. And that was just by happenstance.

It takes so much courage to speak up and be heard. And I wish there were more people around who would listen to the kids of today.

There was a kid in Las Cruces who I caught stealing from my work. I gave him and his friend the benefit of the doubt, and greeted them and then chose not to follow them around the music department. And sure enough, they did exactly as I thought and stole a rap CD. I was so mad that I went out in the mall and found both of the kids, brought them back to the store. They both were questioned by the police, and then the one who stole was taken out in handcuffs, and taken down to juvie to wait for him mom. It was one of the saddest things I had seen. He was a registered runaway, and was still in the clothes that they last saw him in. He wasn't even 18. I was so mad about the fact that I chose not to put a stereotype on them, and then they go a prove me right. I asked "Why did you do it? Are you bored?" And he nodded, sheepishly. Then I hollered "You need a hobby!" What he really needed was someone to listen. Someone to care. And maybe something constructive to put his energy in wouldn't hurt either.

I need to read the book The Freedom Writer's Diary. I've been wanting to pick it up since it first came out. And I need to look into going back to school for my education degree. I should've done that in the first place. Shoulda coulda woulda. But I can do it now.