TAKE ACTION

In Diary 94, a Freedom Writer argues that people should "rock the boat" and "speak out" when they witness an injustice.  Have you observed an unjust action or behavior?  What did you do?  If you could go back in time and revisit that moment, would you handle it differently?  Why, do you believe, is it sometimes difficult for people to speak out or act against wrongdoing?

After reading Anne Frank's and Zlata Filipovic's diaries, the Freedom Writers wrote letters and raised money to invite Miep Gies (the woman who helped hide Anne and her family during WWII) and Zlata to visit their school.  What activist or writer would you like to invite to your school?  Why?  What do you think you and your classmates would learn from him/her? 

READ & WRITE

The writer of Diary 36 asks, "Why should I read books about people that don't look like me?  People that I don't even know and that I'm not going to understand because they don't understand me!"  How would you answer this student's question if you were his/her teacher?  Why is it important to read books about different people?  What did the Freedom Writers learn from reading Anne Frank's and Zlata's diaries?

CHANGE

The Freedom Writers made a "Toast for Change" in which they freed themselves from the stereotypes and labels they felt had been placed on them because of their races, their ages, their family backgrounds, and their education and gave themselves a second chance to prove themselves.   What are the dangers of stereotypes?  What can people do to break free from stereotypes?  Why is this important?