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The Freedom Writers Diary

by Erin Gruwell

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How does Erin Gruwell demonstrate persistence in The Freedom Writers Diary?

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In The Freedom Writers Diary, Erin Gruwell shows persistence through her belief system. Erin's philosophy embraces human dignity. She does not negotiate on this idea. It is what drives her to believe all students deserve the very best: "It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that if you tell kids they're stupid—directly or indirectly—sooner or later they start to believe it.” Her passion behind the idea of respecting every person is what motivates her teaching and her curriculum. This fervor makes her persistently ensure her beliefs are reality. Erin's tenacity resonates with her students. They realize she is not going to quit teaching them. They understand her authenticity.

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In The Freedom Writers DiaryErin Gruwell shows persistence through her belief system.

Erin's philosophy embraces human dignity. She does not negotiate on this idea. It is what drives her to believe all students deserve the very best: "It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that if you tell kids they're stupid—directly or indirectly—sooner or later they start to believe it.” Her passion behind the idea of respecting every person is what motivates her teaching and her curriculum. This fervor makes her persistently ensure her beliefs are reality. 

Armed with her worldview, Erin's persistence is shown in her teaching. When recognizing that prejudice is a part of her students' worlds, Erin directly challenges it.  She is persistent in getting her kids to recognize that “No matter what race we are, what ethnic background, sexual orientation, or what views we may have, we are all human." She is undeterred by the fact that "not all humans see it that way." This insistence is seen in the content she uses to instruct her students and in the way she connects with them. 

Erin's tenacity resonates with her students. They realize she is not going to quit teaching them. They understand her authenticity. As a result, they overcome their initial prejudices. Erin's students display persistence in how they view their own lives. When one of them writes that "historians say history repeats itself, but in my case I have managed to break the cycle because I'm going to graduate from high school and go to college," it shows Erin has successfully modeled her habit of persistence.

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