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The Freedom Writers Diary

by Erin Gruwell

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Student Question

Why was The Freedom Writers Diary banned?

Quick answer:

The Freedom Writers Diary has never been widely banned. However, there was a teacher who was suspended for teaching it in 2008. Her school board objected to the book's use of foul language and its sexual content.

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There was never any widespread ban of The Freedom Writers Diary. In fact, this book is widely included in high-school curricula in many schools across the United States. As a work of nonfiction detailing the struggles and triumphs of a group of inner-city students, this book is often considered a great resource and teaching tool about how disadvantaged teenagers can overcome adversity.

However, some years ago, there was a localized instance of controversy when it was effectively banned in one school district. This instance occurred in 2008. A teacher in Indianapolis went against the wishes of the school board and distributed the book to her high-school English classroom. Although the teacher received written support for the teaching of the book from nearly one hundred fifty parents and the school's principal, members of the school board objected over the use of curse words, the inclusion of sexual content, and racial slurs in the book.

The school board stated that the book was not explicitly banned and could still be in the school library. However, they still objected to its use in the classroom. When the teacher distributed The Freedom Writers Diary to her class, she was suspended for a year and a half and nearly fired for insubordination.

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