Genre: Crime, Drama
1
00:00:33,400 --> 00:00:34,731
There have been shots fired.
2
00:00:34,834 --> 00:00:36,825
Total civil unrest is happening
throughout the Los Angeles area.
3
00:00:36,936 --> 00:00:37,567
Dozens of police
are running down the streets.
4
00:00:37,602 --> 00:00:38,199
Dozens of police
are running down the streets.
5
00:00:38,338 --> 00:00:39,464
Smoke reigned over the entire city.
6
00:00:39,606 --> 00:00:42,575
We're telling anybody
who's in downtown South Central...
7
00:00:42,709 --> 00:00:44,233
There are 38 dead and more than...
8
00:00:44,377 --> 00:00:46,504
The EMT are having
a hard time getting in...
9
00:00:49,349 --> 00:00:52,785
...where truck driver Reginald Denny
was pulled from his vehicle...
10
00:00:54,654 --> 00:00:56,417
The city resembles a war zone.
11
00:00:56,523 --> 00:00:58,150
Crowds gathered
at Parker Center downtown.
12
00:00:58,258 --> 00:01:01,250
...here in Hollywood, where
looters have struck many businesses.
13
00:01:01,361 --> 00:01:03,829
There have been 3,600 structural fires.
14
00:01:04,564 --> 00:01:06,361
Thick, black smoke rising
from the countless fires
15
00:01:06,466 --> 00:01:11,995
in Hollywood, downtown, Compton,
Watts and Long Beach...
16
00:01:30,890 --> 00:01:32,187
In America,
17
00:01:33,193 --> 00:01:35,457
a girl can be crowned a princess
18
00:01:36,362 --> 00:01:39,763
for her beauty and her grace.
19
00:01:43,436 --> 00:01:46,098
But an Aztec princess
is chosen for her blood...
20
00:01:46,473 --> 00:01:47,565
Eva?
21
00:01:51,077 --> 00:01:53,705
...to fight for her people,
as Papi and his father fought
22
00:01:53,813 --> 00:01:56,441
against those who say
we are less than they are,
23
00:01:56,549 --> 00:01:59,848
who say we are not equal in beauty
and in blessings.
24
00:02:07,627 --> 00:02:09,527
It was the first day of school,
25
00:02:09,629 --> 00:02:12,393
and I was waiting for my father
to take me to the bus.
26
00:02:12,499 --> 00:02:13,727
Roberto!
27
00:02:18,304 --> 00:02:19,271
Eva!
28
00:02:20,073 --> 00:02:22,701
And I saw the war for the first time.
29
00:02:23,643 --> 00:02:25,611
Eva! Eva!
30
00:02:25,912 --> 00:02:27,539
Police! Open up!
31
00:02:29,716 --> 00:02:32,014
They took my father for retaliation.
32
00:02:32,418 --> 00:02:33,817
He was innocent, but they took him,
33
00:02:33,920 --> 00:02:36,252
because he was respected
by my people.
34
00:02:36,356 --> 00:02:40,486
They called my people a gang
because we fight for our America.
35
00:02:40,793 --> 00:02:42,055
On your feet!
36
00:02:43,963 --> 00:02:46,329
When I got my initiation
into the gang life,
37
00:02:46,432 --> 00:02:48,559
I became third generation.
38
00:02:49,569 --> 00:02:51,969
They beat you so you won't break.
39
00:02:53,540 --> 00:02:55,303
They are my family.
40
00:03:01,181 --> 00:03:04,480
In Long Beach, it all comes down
to what you look like.
41
00:03:04,584 --> 00:03:07,417
If you're Latino or Asian or black,
42
00:03:07,520 --> 00:03:36,316
you could get blasted any time
you walk out your door.
43
00:03:36,351 --> 00:03:38,181
We fight each other for territory.
44
00:03:38,284 --> 00:03:41,776
We kill each other over race,
pride and respect.
45
00:03:43,056 --> 00:03:45,115
We fight for what is ours.
46
00:03:49,429 --> 00:03:51,795
They think they're winning
by jumping me now,
47
00:03:51,898 --> 00:03:54,196
but soon they're all going down.
48
00:03:54,934 --> 00:03:56,834
War has been declared.
49
00:03:58,304 --> 00:04:00,329
- Here's your coffee.
- Thank you.
50
00:04:04,077 --> 00:04:06,637
I brought my lesson plans.
I'd love it if you'd look them over.
51
00:04:06,746 --> 00:04:10,307
Yes, and these are the classes
you'll start with.
52
00:04:10,416 --> 00:04:14,876
Freshman English, four classes,
about 150 students in all.
53
00:04:19,592 --> 00:04:21,355
Some of them
are just out of juvenile hall.
54
00:04:21,461 --> 00:04:25,295
One or two might be wearing ankle cuffs
to monitor their whereabouts.
55
00:04:25,398 --> 00:04:28,367
And you see here,
we'll have to revise your lesson plans.
56
00:04:28,501 --> 00:04:32,335
And if you look at their scores,
these vocabulary lists
57
00:04:32,438 --> 00:04:36,340
and some of these, the books,
Homer's The Odyssey,
58
00:04:36,442 --> 00:04:38,034
they're gonna be too difficult for them.
59
00:04:38,177 --> 00:04:39,144
All right.
60
00:04:39,612 --> 00:04:41,170
Also, for most of them to get here
61
00:04:41,281 --> 00:04:43,545
it takes three buses,
almost 90 minutes each way.
62
00:04:43,650 --> 00:04:44,639
My God.
63
00:04:44,751 --> 00:04:46,480
So I wouldn't give them too much
of a homework load.
64
00:04:46,586 --> 00:04:49,350
You'll just be wasting a lot of time
following up on overdue work.
65
00:04:49,455 --> 00:04:51,252
All right. Thank you.
66
00:04:52,792 --> 00:04:55,659
- You're from Newport Beach?
- Yes.
67
00:04:57,697 --> 00:05:00,530
It's too bad you weren't here
even two years ago, you know.
68
00:05:01,034 --> 00:05:03,935
We used to have one of the highest
scholastic records in the district,
69
00:05:04,037 --> 00:05:07,598
but since voluntary integration
was suggested,
70
00:05:07,740 --> 00:05:14,009
we've lost over 75º/º
of our strongest students.
71
00:05:14,113 --> 00:05:17,571
Well, actually, I chose Wilson
because of the integration program.
72
00:05:17,684 --> 00:05:20,778
I think what's happening here
is really exciting, don't you?
73
00:05:20,887 --> 00:05:23,355
My father was involved
in the civil rights movement.
74
00:05:23,456 --> 00:05:26,892
And I remember when I was watching
the LA riots on TV,
75
00:05:26,993 --> 00:05:28,756
I was thinking of going
to law school at the time.
76
00:05:28,861 --> 00:05:30,590
And I thought, "God, by the time
77
00:05:30,697 --> 00:05:33,131
"you're defending a kid in a courtroom,
the battle's already lost. "
78
00:05:33,232 --> 00:05:36,861
I think the real fighting
should happen here in the classroom.
79
00:05:39,739 --> 00:05:42,037
Well, that's a very
80
00:05:43,042 --> 00:05:45,010
well-thought-out phrase.
81
00:05:47,513 --> 00:05:48,639
Erin,
82
00:05:49,449 --> 00:05:53,579
I think you're a lovely, intelligent woman.
83
00:05:54,520 --> 00:05:56,681
But you're a first-time teacher.
84
00:05:56,789 --> 00:05:58,984
As head of this department,
I have to be confident
85
00:05:59,092 --> 00:06:01,560
you're capable of dealing
with what we have to face here.
86
00:06:01,661 --> 00:06:02,855
I am.
87
00:06:03,429 --> 00:06:06,694
I know I have a lot to learn as a teacher,
but I'm a really good student.
88
00:06:06,799 --> 00:06:10,963
I am, and I really want to be here.
89
00:06:15,808 --> 00:06:20,336
- Those are lovely pearls.
- Thank you. From my father.
90
00:06:21,814 --> 00:06:23,509
I wouldn't wear them to class.
91
00:06:39,098 --> 00:06:40,395
Honey?
92
00:06:43,669 --> 00:06:44,761
What?
93
00:06:46,439 --> 00:06:48,134
Do I look like a teacher?
94
00:07:05,458 --> 00:07:06,516
Hey!
95
00:08:31,043 --> 00:08:33,273
Hey, Chris, yo, what up?
96
00:08:49,495 --> 00:08:51,520
- Hello.
- Hello.
97
00:08:52,765 --> 00:08:54,630
Hey, yo, let's sit right here, man.
98
00:09:00,973 --> 00:09:01,997
Hi.
99
00:09:32,038 --> 00:09:34,973
Hey, girl, you wanna give me
some fries with that shake?
100
00:09:42,848 --> 00:09:46,750
My name is Erin Gruwell.
Welcome to Freshman English.
101
00:09:47,553 --> 00:09:49,248
I give this bitch a week.
102
00:09:49,355 --> 00:09:50,379
Hi.
103
00:09:52,858 --> 00:09:55,725
Okay. Brandy Ross?
104
00:09:55,828 --> 00:09:57,557
Gloria Munez.
105
00:09:59,899 --> 00:10:02,026
Alejandro Santiago.
106
00:10:04,203 --> 00:10:06,000
Andre Bryant.
107
00:10:08,040 --> 00:10:09,701
Eva Benitez.
108
00:10:09,809 --> 00:10:13,472
Eva, not Eva.
109
00:10:15,881 --> 00:10:17,109
Eva.
110
00:10:18,985 --> 00:10:20,418
I have to go to the bathroom.
111
00:10:20,519 --> 00:10:22,749
- Okay, make sure that you take a...
- Yeah, I know.
112
00:10:26,225 --> 00:10:28,022
Ben Samuels?
113
00:10:28,761 --> 00:10:31,127
That white boy hoping
he's in the wrong room.
114
00:10:31,230 --> 00:10:32,492
I gotta get out of here.
115
00:10:32,598 --> 00:10:35,658
- Sindy Ngor.
- Right here.
116
00:10:35,801 --> 00:10:37,063
Is that correct?
117
00:10:37,570 --> 00:10:40,266
- Jamal Hill?
- Man, what am I doing in here?
118
00:10:40,706 --> 00:10:42,503
This whole ghetto-ass class
has got people in here
119
00:10:42,608 --> 00:10:44,576
looking like a bad rerun of Cops
and shit.
120
00:10:44,710 --> 00:10:46,541
You know what I'm saying? It's true.
121
00:10:46,646 --> 00:10:49,206
- Are you Jamal?
- Yeah.
122
00:10:49,315 --> 00:10:52,079
Well, for some reason
they have you registered in this class.
123
00:10:52,184 --> 00:10:55,210
- Yeah, and that's some bullshit.
- It's the dumb class, coz.
124
00:10:55,888 --> 00:10:57,446
It means you're too dumb.
125
00:10:57,757 --> 00:11:00,692
- Man, say it to my face, coz.
- I just did.
126
00:11:00,726 --> 00:11:02,489
See what I mean? Dumb.
127
00:11:02,595 --> 00:11:04,927
- Man, I know you ain't talking to me!
- Okay...
128
00:11:05,031 --> 00:11:06,589
Look, homey,
I'll beat that ass, homeboy.
129
00:11:06,699 --> 00:11:07,757
Can you please sit back down?
130
00:11:07,867 --> 00:11:08,834
Look, I got your spot on the team.
131
00:11:08,968 --> 00:11:10,265
That's why you're over there
wagging your tongue.
132
00:11:10,403 --> 00:11:11,631
Please sit back in your seats.
133
00:11:11,771 --> 00:11:14,365
Look, your spot is good as gone. I don't
know why you keep wasting your time
134
00:11:14,507 --> 00:11:17,305
coming to practice with them
two-year-old Nikes on your feet!
135
00:11:17,410 --> 00:11:19,401
You don't know nothing about me, coz!
136
00:11:20,579 --> 00:11:21,705
Broke down my whole situation.
137
00:11:21,814 --> 00:11:22,872
Jamal?
138
00:11:22,982 --> 00:11:23,949
So, now you're in my face now, right?
139
00:11:24,350 --> 00:11:25,874
Sit your punk ass down!
Sit your punk ass down, homeboy!
140
00:11:25,985 --> 00:11:26,974
I will run that ass off the field.
141
00:11:27,086 --> 00:11:28,610
Shut your ass up. What's up, homey?
142
00:11:28,721 --> 00:11:30,279
I mean, what's up?
Sit your ass down, homey!
143
00:11:30,456 --> 00:11:32,356
Excuse me,
may I please get some help in here?
144
00:11:34,894 --> 00:11:36,589
So do something! Back up!
145
00:11:36,696 --> 00:11:37,685
You touching me now?
146
00:11:37,797 --> 00:11:40,231
Sit down, homeboy. Back up,
I'm not gonna tell you again.
147
00:11:40,332 --> 00:11:41,526
You gonna look at my face now, right?
148
00:11:41,667 --> 00:11:42,929
You ain't taking nothing
from me, homeboy!
149
00:11:43,302 --> 00:11:44,929
I will run your ass off the field!
150
00:11:45,071 --> 00:11:46,163
Boy, sit your ass back down.
151
00:11:46,305 --> 00:11:47,966
Don't even worry about it,
I'm gonna see you.
152
00:11:48,107 --> 00:11:49,369
Tell him. Sit his ass down.
153
00:11:49,475 --> 00:11:50,567
Sit your ass down.
154
00:11:50,676 --> 00:11:52,644
Thank you. Let him out of here, man.
That's some bullshit.
155
00:11:59,318 --> 00:12:00,376
Erin?
156
00:12:05,725 --> 00:12:08,193
Erin, this is Brian Gelford.
157
00:12:08,294 --> 00:12:11,092
He teaches Junior English
and the Distinguished Honors Classes.
158
00:12:11,197 --> 00:12:13,995
- Hi. Erin Gruwell. Nice to meet you.
- Hi. Nice to meet you.
159
00:12:14,100 --> 00:12:18,867
- You saw a little action today, I hear.
- Yeah. It happened so fast.
160
00:12:19,405 --> 00:12:20,895
Well, don't be discouraged.
161
00:12:21,040 --> 00:12:24,203
You put your time in, in a few years,
you'll be able to teach juniors.
162
00:12:24,310 --> 00:12:25,504
They're a pleasure.
163
00:12:25,611 --> 00:12:28,273
By then, most of your kids
will be gone anyway.
164
00:12:28,380 --> 00:12:33,113
- What do you mean?
- Well, eventually, they just stop coming.
165
00:12:34,920 --> 00:12:39,084
Well, if I do my job,
they might be lining up at the door.
166
00:12:39,692 --> 00:12:40,989
- Right?
- Yeah.
167
00:12:43,496 --> 00:12:46,795
- Nice pearls.
- Thank you.
168
00:12:59,812 --> 00:13:02,212
If it was up to me,
I wouldn't even be in school.
169
00:13:02,314 --> 00:13:04,214
My probation officer threatened me,
170
00:13:04,316 --> 00:13:06,841
telling me it was either school
or boot camp.
171
00:13:07,186 --> 00:13:08,312
Dumbass.
172
00:13:08,420 --> 00:13:10,320
He thinks that the problems
going on in Long Beach
173
00:13:10,422 --> 00:13:12,549
aren't going to touch me at Wilson.
174
00:13:13,526 --> 00:13:16,552
My PO doesn't understand
that schools are like the city,
175
00:13:16,662 --> 00:13:18,721
and the city is just like a prison,
176
00:13:18,831 --> 00:13:23,131
all of them divided into
separate sections, depending on tribes.
177
00:13:23,536 --> 00:13:25,299
There's Little Cambodia.
178
00:13:26,305 --> 00:13:27,738
The Ghetto.
179
00:13:28,007 --> 00:13:29,634
Wonder Bread Land.
180
00:13:30,042 --> 00:13:34,103
And us,
South of the Border or Little Tijuana.
181
00:13:34,413 --> 00:13:37,246
That's just the way it is,
and everyone knows it.
182
00:13:37,950 --> 00:13:41,442
But soon enough, you have little
wannabes trying to hit you up at school,
183
00:13:41,554 --> 00:13:43,852
demanding respect they haven't earned.
184
00:13:44,490 --> 00:13:48,688
It looks like this, one tribe drifting
quietly to another's territory
185
00:13:48,794 --> 00:13:52,423
without respect,
as if to claim what isn't theirs.
186
00:13:53,265 --> 00:13:57,668
An outsider looking in
would never see it, but we could feel it.
187
00:14:01,073 --> 00:14:02,802
Something was coming.
188
00:14:18,591 --> 00:14:19,751
Settle down.
189
00:14:19,859 --> 00:14:23,727
Let's go over the first name
on the list, Homer.
190
00:14:24,029 --> 00:14:26,725
Homer's The Odyssey.
191
00:14:26,832 --> 00:14:28,527
I know Homer the Simpson.
192
00:14:29,835 --> 00:14:32,497
No, this Homer was an ancient Greek,
193
00:14:32,638 --> 00:14:35,903
but maybe he was bald
just like Homer Simpson.
194
00:14:40,246 --> 00:14:41,372
Okay.
195
00:14:51,657 --> 00:14:53,022
What's up?
196
00:15:01,367 --> 00:15:03,358
Quietly, please.
197
00:15:05,337 --> 00:15:07,567
Mrs. Gruwell,
he just took my damn bag!
198
00:15:07,673 --> 00:15:09,004
Shut up!
Ain't nobody touched your damn bag.
199
00:15:09,108 --> 00:15:10,097
Yeah, I saw you.
200
00:15:10,242 --> 00:15:12,301
Jamal. Jamal. Get her backpack.
201
00:15:12,411 --> 00:15:13,742
I didn't do nothing anyway!
202
00:15:13,846 --> 00:15:15,006
- Jamal. Jamal.
- Okay.
203
00:15:31,563 --> 00:15:35,932
Wait! Wait! Please, stay in your seats!
Wait! Stay in your seats! Please!
204
00:15:51,383 --> 00:15:53,044
Slanty-eyed bitch!
205
00:15:57,957 --> 00:16:00,118
Return to your classrooms.
206
00:16:01,427 --> 00:16:04,021
Return to the classrooms immediately.
207
00:16:08,300 --> 00:16:09,892
That's all you got?
208
00:16:11,203 --> 00:16:15,037
Clear the school lawn
and the recreation field now!
209
00:16:19,411 --> 00:16:22,972
...classrooms, or you will be subject
to disciplinary action.
210
00:16:24,316 --> 00:16:27,479
You can best help yourself
and your fellow students
211
00:16:27,586 --> 00:16:31,215
and your school by returning
to your classrooms now.
212
00:16:31,457 --> 00:16:33,755
Please return to your classrooms.
213
00:16:33,993 --> 00:16:35,620
Get up, bitch!
214
00:16:36,628 --> 00:16:40,155
All students must return
to their classrooms immediately.
215
00:16:43,135 --> 00:16:44,193
Erin?
216
00:16:46,805 --> 00:16:47,863
Erin.
217
00:16:49,241 --> 00:16:50,538
Hey, baby.
218
00:16:52,544 --> 00:16:53,841
You okay?
219
00:16:54,113 --> 00:16:55,080
Come here.
220
00:16:58,183 --> 00:17:00,083
Are you sure about this?
221
00:17:00,252 --> 00:17:03,483
Well, it's not exactly how I pictured it.
222
00:17:05,791 --> 00:17:07,520
Don't tell my dad.
223
00:17:08,227 --> 00:17:10,354
Hopefully, he hasn't seen the news.
224
00:17:13,899 --> 00:17:16,493
- So, how's work?
- Dad.
225
00:17:17,102 --> 00:17:20,265
- I was asking your husband.
- It's good. I mean, for now.
226
00:17:20,406 --> 00:17:21,532
It's a good company.
227
00:17:21,673 --> 00:17:23,607
I pretty much run
the computer data department.
228
00:17:23,709 --> 00:17:27,008
- I thought you were an architect.
- He is. He's just taking a break.
229
00:17:27,112 --> 00:17:28,807
And the money's good for now.
230
00:17:28,914 --> 00:17:32,518
How much are you making,
$27,000 before taxes?
231
00:17:32,553 --> 00:17:34,213
If you know, why are you asking?
232
00:17:34,319 --> 00:17:36,150
So, what's everybody gonna eat?
233
00:17:36,255 --> 00:17:39,281
With your brains,
you could run a major corporation.
234
00:17:39,391 --> 00:17:42,087
Instead, I worry all night
because you're a teacher at Attica.
235
00:17:42,194 --> 00:17:44,162
Can you hear what you're saying?
236
00:17:44,263 --> 00:17:47,824
How many times have I listened to you
about walking civil rights marches?
237
00:17:47,933 --> 00:17:50,731
These gangs are criminals,
not activists. You read the papers?
238
00:17:50,869 --> 00:17:52,700
They said the same thing
about the Black Panthers.
239
00:17:52,838 --> 00:17:54,772
I'll lay odds your kids don't even know
240
00:17:54,873 --> 00:17:56,932
who Rap Brown
or Eldridge Cleaver were.
241
00:17:57,076 --> 00:17:58,737
You're gonna waste your talents
on people
242
00:17:58,844 --> 00:18:01,312
who don't give a damn about education.
243
00:18:02,781 --> 00:18:04,510
It breaks my heart.
244
00:18:04,883 --> 00:18:07,010
I tell you the truth.
245
00:18:07,419 --> 00:18:08,511
Well...
246
00:18:10,622 --> 00:18:13,557
I'm sorry. I can't help that.
247
00:18:17,830 --> 00:18:21,129
- You think this is good enough for her?
- Yeah, I do.
248
00:18:22,167 --> 00:18:23,634
Look, Steve,
249
00:18:24,236 --> 00:18:27,205
if Erin thinks she can teach these kids,
she can.
250
00:18:27,806 --> 00:18:30,741
You telling her she can't
is just gonna make her mad.
251
00:18:37,116 --> 00:18:40,711
So he doesn't like your job. So what?
Why do you let it get to you?
252
00:18:40,819 --> 00:18:43,922
I don't know, it just does.
I'm not used to disappointing him. I...
253
00:18:43,957 --> 00:18:45,150
Just let me know
when I can brush my teeth.
254
00:18:45,257 --> 00:18:47,316
- I hate that we don't have our own sinks.
- Come in. There's room.
255
00:18:47,426 --> 00:18:48,654
All right. Thank you.
256
00:18:48,760 --> 00:18:51,888
I can't believe he brought up my salary.
257
00:18:52,397 --> 00:18:53,762
What's happened to him?
258
00:18:53,866 --> 00:18:56,130
He was like Atticus Finch to me
when I was growing up,
259
00:18:56,268 --> 00:18:59,863
and now he's talking about salaries?
I think he's playing too much golf.
260
00:19:00,072 --> 00:19:02,506
In fact, I think he needs an intervention.
261
00:19:03,041 --> 00:19:05,009
Why isn't being a teacher
good enough for him?
262
00:19:05,110 --> 00:19:06,839
Honey, just calm down.
263
00:19:06,945 --> 00:19:10,210
You know, except for marrying me,
264
00:19:10,315 --> 00:19:12,875
you never seriously disappoint him.
He worships you.
265
00:19:12,985 --> 00:19:14,316
He likes you. He just doesn't...
266
00:19:14,419 --> 00:19:16,614
He just doesn't think
I'm good enough for you, which is fine.
267
00:19:16,722 --> 00:19:19,589
That's what fathers do.
I'm sure I'll be that way someday.
268
00:19:19,691 --> 00:19:24,151
Look, just, you know, stop worrying
about being his perfect daughter.
269
00:19:24,263 --> 00:19:26,823
You don't live in his house,
you live in ours.
270
00:19:26,932 --> 00:19:28,559
Or until we find one.
271
00:19:29,568 --> 00:19:31,729
- Or until you build us one.
- Yeah.
272
00:19:32,104 --> 00:19:34,197
With extra sinks.
273
00:19:41,013 --> 00:19:43,481
You're a teacher
because you say you are.
274
00:20:01,233 --> 00:20:02,894
I have this idea.
275
00:20:03,101 --> 00:20:06,901
We're gonna be covering poetry.
Who here likes Tupac Shakur?
276
00:20:07,005 --> 00:20:07,994
It's 2Pac.
277
00:20:08,140 --> 00:20:11,371
2Pac Shakur. Excuse me.
Raise your hand.
278
00:20:12,878 --> 00:20:15,574
Really? I thought there'd be more fans.
279
00:20:15,914 --> 00:20:18,314
I have the lyrics to this song printed out.
280
00:20:18,417 --> 00:20:21,147
I want you to listen to this phrase
I have up on the board.
281
00:20:21,253 --> 00:20:23,847
It's an example of an internal rhyme.
282
00:20:23,956 --> 00:20:28,450
What he does is
very sophisticated and cool, actually.
283
00:20:28,560 --> 00:20:31,495
"Man-child in the promised land
couldn't afford many heroes
284
00:20:31,597 --> 00:20:33,963
"Moms was the only one there
Pops was a no-show
285
00:20:34,066 --> 00:20:37,365
"And, no, I guess you didn't know
that I would grow to be so strong
286
00:20:37,502 --> 00:20:39,936
"You looking kinda pale, was it the ale?
Oh, pops was wrong
287
00:20:40,038 --> 00:20:42,404
"Where was the money that you said
you would send me?
288
00:20:42,507 --> 00:20:44,805
"Talked on the phone
and you sounded so friendly"
289
00:20:44,910 --> 00:20:47,879
- Think we don't know 2Pac?
- White girl gonna teach us about rap.
290
00:20:47,980 --> 00:20:50,005
No, it's not that.
See, what I was trying to do...
291
00:20:50,115 --> 00:20:52,982
You have no idea
what you're doing up there, do you?
292
00:20:53,919 --> 00:20:55,978
You ever been a teacher before?
293
00:20:56,722 --> 00:20:58,451
And teacher gets nailed, y'all!
294
00:20:58,557 --> 00:21:01,958
All right, Jamal, enough.
Jamal! That's enough!
295
00:21:02,494 --> 00:21:05,759
You know what? I want you to move
to this front seat right here now.
296
00:21:05,864 --> 00:21:08,162
- What?
- Come on.
297
00:21:09,368 --> 00:21:12,235
I am sick of these antics
in my classroom.
298
00:21:13,272 --> 00:21:15,240
Well, there you are.
299
00:21:15,340 --> 00:21:18,002
I was wondering when
you were gonna lose that damn smile.
300
00:21:18,110 --> 00:21:19,407
Switch with Ben.
301
00:21:19,511 --> 00:21:22,036
- Come on.
- I can't go back there alone.
302
00:21:22,147 --> 00:21:24,138
- It'll be fine.
- No, it won't.
303
00:21:24,249 --> 00:21:25,341
I'm not sitting near him.
304
00:21:25,450 --> 00:21:26,678
I ain't going up there without my homey.
305
00:21:26,785 --> 00:21:28,116
I'm not sitting back there alone!
306
00:21:28,220 --> 00:21:29,517
- All right.
- Shut up.
307
00:21:29,621 --> 00:21:30,713
All right, you know what?
308
00:21:30,822 --> 00:21:33,290
I want you all to move
to this side of the room.
309
00:21:33,392 --> 00:21:36,520
You in the back, up here.
Sindy and all of you, move to the back.
310
00:21:37,162 --> 00:21:39,790
Come on. Let's go. Now!
311
00:21:43,235 --> 00:21:44,998
Get your ass back to China, all of y'all.
312
00:21:47,706 --> 00:21:51,039
- You're all little midget-ass punks.
- Move before I stomp your peanuts.
313
00:21:57,983 --> 00:21:59,109
Boo!
314
00:21:59,851 --> 00:22:01,819
Get your ass to the back, boy.
315
00:22:23,809 --> 00:22:25,208
Get off my desk.
316
00:22:35,153 --> 00:22:36,916
So, everybody happy
with the new borders?
317
00:22:44,863 --> 00:22:46,160
Eva?
318
00:22:47,332 --> 00:22:48,959
Where are you going?
319
00:22:49,101 --> 00:22:50,432
Hey! Hey!
320
00:25:05,403 --> 00:25:07,462
This is bull! Come on, man! What the...
321
00:25:09,808 --> 00:25:11,776
What the hell? Damn!
322
00:25:13,578 --> 00:25:15,170
I want my money back!
323
00:25:17,582 --> 00:25:21,143
This shit took my damn money!
I want my damn money back!
324
00:25:22,053 --> 00:25:23,748
Look what you putting me through. Shit!
325
00:25:23,922 --> 00:25:26,652
Learn to speak the damn language!
You're from this country, aren't you?
326
00:25:26,758 --> 00:25:28,555
I want my money back!
327
00:25:28,927 --> 00:25:29,905
I want my money back!
328
00:25:29,940 --> 00:25:30,884
I want my money back!
329
00:25:53,652 --> 00:25:55,119
Come on! Let's go!
330
00:25:58,823 --> 00:26:00,518
Come on, come on, girl! Let's go!
331
00:26:23,748 --> 00:26:25,375
Paco was scared.
332
00:26:25,617 --> 00:26:27,107
In the car, he said,
333
00:26:27,218 --> 00:26:30,187
"You can't go against your own people,
your own blood. "
334
00:26:30,288 --> 00:26:33,825
The same words
my father used so many times.
335
00:26:33,860 --> 00:26:35,452
Only I saw Paco.
336
00:26:35,760 --> 00:26:37,352
The others were turned away.
337
00:26:37,462 --> 00:26:41,660
So when the police questioned me,
I knew I had to protect him.
338
00:26:45,637 --> 00:26:49,073
All right, everyone, we need to get
started so classes won't be too delayed.
339
00:26:49,174 --> 00:26:51,108
Principal Banning
would like to say something
340
00:26:51,209 --> 00:26:53,177
in the light of last night's events.
341
00:26:53,311 --> 00:26:55,074
I've spoken to the police.
342
00:26:55,180 --> 00:26:57,808
As you might already know,
there were persons involved
343
00:26:57,916 --> 00:27:01,317
in last night's shooting
who are Wilson students.
344
00:27:01,486 --> 00:27:05,388
Grant Rice has been arrested
as a prime suspect.
345
00:27:05,423 --> 00:27:06,856
Ms. Gruwell,
346
00:27:06,958 --> 00:27:10,689
apparently one of your students,
Eva Benitez...
347
00:27:10,795 --> 00:27:13,889
- Eva.
... has identified him as the shooter.
348
00:27:13,999 --> 00:27:16,399
She's the prime witness in the case.
349
00:27:16,534 --> 00:27:20,664
It is our policy not to discuss
the subject inside the classroom.
350
00:27:20,805 --> 00:27:22,773
- Thank you very much.
- Thank you.
351
00:27:40,659 --> 00:27:42,286
Hey, Tiny, check this out.
352
00:27:49,267 --> 00:27:52,168
Hey. Hey!
353
00:28:08,119 --> 00:28:09,245
Yes?
354
00:28:11,156 --> 00:28:12,521
All right.
355
00:28:14,192 --> 00:28:15,250
Gloria?
356
00:28:15,860 --> 00:28:17,487
Please read the first sentence
on the board.
357
00:28:17,595 --> 00:28:18,584
Why me?
358
00:28:18,697 --> 00:28:20,562
Because I know
how much you love to read.
359
00:28:20,665 --> 00:28:22,394
Close the magazine.
360
00:28:25,370 --> 00:28:28,066
"Odysseus had no sense of direction. "
361
00:28:28,206 --> 00:28:30,174
Now, none of these sentences
are correct.
362
00:28:30,308 --> 00:28:33,766
I'd like you to rewrite these sentences
using the proper tenses
363
00:28:33,912 --> 00:28:36,380
and spelling on page four
of your workbooks.
364
00:28:42,353 --> 00:28:45,422
I don't have a page four. It got torn out.
365
00:28:45,457 --> 00:28:48,949
Okay, why don't you just use
the next blank page?
366
00:28:54,099 --> 00:28:55,726
What's going on?
367
00:28:58,670 --> 00:29:00,900
What is that? Give it to me.
368
00:29:17,789 --> 00:29:20,223
- What is this?
- Just leave it alone.
369
00:29:26,464 --> 00:29:28,432
You think this is funny?
370
00:29:29,300 --> 00:29:30,426
Tito?
371
00:29:31,436 --> 00:29:34,098
Would this be funny
if it were a picture of you?
372
00:29:34,472 --> 00:29:35,769
It ain't.
373
00:29:45,817 --> 00:29:47,580
Close the workbooks.
374
00:29:55,059 --> 00:29:58,586
Maybe we should talk about art.
Tito's got real talent, don't you think?
375
00:29:58,696 --> 00:30:01,597
- Yeah, yeah.
- Go, Tito.
376
00:30:02,534 --> 00:30:04,126
You know something?
377
00:30:04,269 --> 00:30:08,000
I saw a picture just like this once
in a museum.
378
00:30:08,973 --> 00:30:12,374
Only it wasn't a black man,
it was a Jewish man.
379
00:30:12,477 --> 00:30:15,241
And instead of the big lips,
he had a really big nose,
380
00:30:15,346 --> 00:30:16,938
like a rat's nose.
381
00:30:17,048 --> 00:30:19,073
But he wasn't
just one particular Jewish man,
382
00:30:19,184 --> 00:30:21,379
this was a drawing of all Jews.
383
00:30:21,786 --> 00:30:24,016
And these drawings
were put in the newspapers
384
00:30:24,122 --> 00:30:26,613
by the most famous gang in history.
385
00:30:27,959 --> 00:30:29,551
That's us, dawg.
386
00:30:32,230 --> 00:30:34,528
You think you know all about gangs?
387
00:30:35,900 --> 00:30:37,492
You're amateurs.
388
00:30:38,002 --> 00:30:40,129
This gang would put you all to shame.
389
00:30:40,271 --> 00:30:44,537
And they started out poor and angry,
and everybody looked down on them.
390
00:30:44,642 --> 00:30:47,577
Until one man decided
to give them some pride,
391
00:30:47,679 --> 00:30:51,137
an identity and somebody to blame.
392
00:30:51,883 --> 00:30:53,851
You take over neighborhoods?
393
00:30:54,853 --> 00:30:59,153
That's nothing compared to them.
They took over countries.
394
00:30:59,257 --> 00:31:00,656
And you wanna know how?
395
00:31:01,125 --> 00:31:03,616
They just wiped out everybody else.
396
00:31:03,795 --> 00:31:05,592
- Yeah.
- Yeah.
397
00:31:05,697 --> 00:31:08,097
Yeah, they wiped out
everybody they didn't like,
398
00:31:08,199 --> 00:31:11,327
and everybody they blamed
for their life being hard.
399
00:31:11,469 --> 00:31:14,097
And one of the ways they did it
was by doing this.
400
00:31:14,239 --> 00:31:16,730
See, they'd print pictures like this
in the newspapers.
401
00:31:16,875 --> 00:31:21,835
Jewish people with big, long noses.
Blacks with big, fat lips.
402
00:31:23,214 --> 00:31:25,580
They'd also publish scientific evidence
403
00:31:25,683 --> 00:31:29,915
that proved Jews and blacks
were the lowest form of human species.
404
00:31:30,855 --> 00:31:32,584
Jews and blacks
were more like animals.
405
00:31:32,690 --> 00:31:34,021
And because they were just like animals
406
00:31:34,125 --> 00:31:36,320
it didn't really matter
whether they lived or died.
407
00:31:36,427 --> 00:31:40,659
In fact, life would be a whole lot better
if they were all dead.
408
00:31:42,233 --> 00:31:44,531
That's how a holocaust happens.
409
00:31:44,769 --> 00:31:46,134
And that's what you all think
of each other.
410
00:31:46,237 --> 00:31:47,261
You don't know nothing, homegirl.
411
00:31:47,405 --> 00:31:49,873
No, I don't, Marcus!
So why don't you explain it to me?
412
00:31:50,008 --> 00:31:51,976
I ain't explaining shit to you!
413
00:31:53,611 --> 00:31:55,636
Do you even know how we live?
414
00:31:57,715 --> 00:31:59,273
We was here first, man.
415
00:31:59,884 --> 00:32:01,511
Just shut that shit up, homeboy.
416
00:32:01,920 --> 00:32:03,410
All right! All right! All right!
417
00:32:03,521 --> 00:32:05,819
So what you're saying is,
if the Latinos weren't here,
418
00:32:05,924 --> 00:32:08,950
or the Cambodians or the blacks
or the whites or whoever they are,
419
00:32:09,060 --> 00:32:11,688
if they weren't here, everything
would be better for you, isn't that right?
420
00:32:11,796 --> 00:32:13,263
Of course it'd be better!
421
00:32:14,165 --> 00:32:16,292
Lt'd be better if you weren't here.
422
00:32:17,368 --> 00:32:19,029
Right. Right.
423
00:32:20,405 --> 00:32:22,805
It starts with a drawing like this,
424
00:32:23,441 --> 00:32:26,569
and then some kid dies in a drive-by,
never even knowing what hit him.
425
00:32:26,678 --> 00:32:28,578
You don't know nothing!
426
00:32:30,248 --> 00:32:32,216
You don't know the pain we feel.
427
00:32:32,717 --> 00:32:34,412
You don't know what we got to do.
428
00:32:34,519 --> 00:32:36,646
You got no respect for how we living.
429
00:32:36,754 --> 00:32:39,279
You got us in here,
teaching us this grammar shit,
430
00:32:39,390 --> 00:32:40,516
and then we got to go out there again.
431
00:32:40,625 --> 00:32:43,116
And what are you telling me
about that, huh?
432
00:32:43,227 --> 00:32:46,924
What are you doing in here that makes
a goddamn difference to my life?
433
00:32:47,031 --> 00:32:50,262
You don't feel respected.
Is that what you're saying, Eva?
434
00:32:50,568 --> 00:32:54,004
Well, maybe you're not.
But to get respect, you have to give it.
435
00:32:54,138 --> 00:32:55,696
That's bullshit.
436
00:32:56,874 --> 00:32:57,841
What?
437
00:32:57,942 --> 00:33:00,035
Why should I give my respect to you?
438
00:33:00,178 --> 00:33:01,770
'Cause you're a teacher?
439
00:33:01,879 --> 00:33:03,210
I don't know you.
440
00:33:03,247 --> 00:33:05,715
How do I know
you're not a liar standing up there?
441
00:33:05,817 --> 00:33:08,911
How do I know you're not
a bad person standing up there?
442
00:33:09,520 --> 00:33:12,580
I'm not just gonna give you my respect
because you're called a teacher.
443
00:33:12,690 --> 00:33:16,786
White people always wanting their
respect like they deserve it for free.
444
00:33:17,829 --> 00:33:20,855
I'm a teacher.
It doesn't matter what color I am.
445
00:33:20,965 --> 00:33:22,796
It's all about color.
446
00:33:23,601 --> 00:33:25,899
It's about people deciding
what you deserve,
447
00:33:26,037 --> 00:33:28,301
about people wanting
what they don't deserve,
448
00:33:28,406 --> 00:33:30,738
about whites thinking
they run this world no matter what.
449
00:33:30,842 --> 00:33:32,742
You see, I hate white people.
450
00:33:34,379 --> 00:33:35,778
- You hate me?
- Yeah.
451
00:33:35,880 --> 00:33:38,974
- You don't know me.
- I know what you can do.
452
00:33:39,083 --> 00:33:42,883
I saw white cops shoot my friend
in the back for reaching into his pocket!
453
00:33:42,987 --> 00:33:44,215
His pocket.
454
00:33:44,722 --> 00:33:47,122
I saw white cops break into my house
455
00:33:47,225 --> 00:33:50,854
and take my father for no reason
except because they feel like it!
456
00:33:50,962 --> 00:33:53,055
Except because they can.
457
00:33:54,565 --> 00:33:57,762
And they can because they're white.
458
00:33:59,303 --> 00:34:01,737
So I hate white people on sight!
459
00:34:06,377 --> 00:34:08,777
Ben, do you have anything to say?
460
00:34:08,880 --> 00:34:10,643
Can I please get out of here?
461
00:34:10,748 --> 00:34:13,717
Lady, stop acting like you're trying
to understand our situation
462
00:34:13,818 --> 00:34:15,251
and just do your little babysitting
up there.
463
00:34:15,353 --> 00:34:17,651
- That's all you think this is?
- It ain't nothing else.
464
00:34:17,755 --> 00:34:18,915
When I look out in the world,
465
00:34:19,023 --> 00:34:21,491
I don't see nobody that looks like me
with their pockets full,
466
00:34:21,592 --> 00:34:24,083
unless they're rapping a lyric
or dribbling a ball.
467
00:34:24,195 --> 00:34:25,526
So what else you got in here for me?
468
00:34:25,630 --> 00:34:28,064
And what if you can't rap a lyric
or dribble a ball?
469
00:34:28,166 --> 00:34:31,761
- It ain't this. I know that much.
- Damn right.
470
00:34:31,903 --> 00:34:34,997
And you all think you're gonna make it
to graduation like this?
471
00:34:35,139 --> 00:34:36,902
I made it to high school.
Ain't nobody stopped me.
472
00:34:37,008 --> 00:34:39,977
Lady, I'm lucky if I make it to 18.
We in a war.
473
00:34:40,078 --> 00:34:41,705
We're graduating every day we live,
474
00:34:41,813 --> 00:34:44,111
because we ain't afraid to die
protecting our own.
475
00:34:44,215 --> 00:34:48,549
At least when you die for your own,
you die with respect, you die a warrior.
476
00:34:48,653 --> 00:34:49,677
That's right.
477
00:34:49,787 --> 00:34:52,483
So when you're dead, you'll get respect?
Is that what you think?
478
00:34:52,590 --> 00:34:53,648
- That's right.
- That's right.
479
00:34:53,758 --> 00:34:55,282
- Yeah.
- Yeah.
480
00:34:57,962 --> 00:35:00,430
You know what's gonna happen
when you die?
481
00:35:01,399 --> 00:35:03,560
You're gonna rot in the ground.
482
00:35:03,634 --> 00:35:08,003
And people are gonna go on living,
and they're gonna forget all about you.
483
00:35:08,873 --> 00:35:11,341
And when you rot,
484
00:35:11,476 --> 00:35:16,436
do you think it's gonna matter
whether you were an original gangster?
485
00:35:17,748 --> 00:35:19,181
You're dead.
486
00:35:20,585 --> 00:35:24,954
And nobody,
nobody is gonna wanna remember you,
487
00:35:25,056 --> 00:35:29,186
because all you left behind
in this world is this.
488
00:35:47,311 --> 00:35:49,006
You're raising your hand?
489
00:35:51,082 --> 00:35:54,483
That thing that you said before,
the Holocause?
490
00:35:54,585 --> 00:35:57,145
- Holocaust, yes.
- What is that?
491
00:36:01,459 --> 00:36:04,690
Raise your hand if you know
what the Holocaust is.
492
00:36:17,408 --> 00:36:19,239
Raise your hand
493
00:36:19,911 --> 00:36:23,540
if anyone in this classroom
has ever been shot at.
494
00:37:28,312 --> 00:37:31,110
What about this?
We were discussing the Holocaust.
495
00:37:31,215 --> 00:37:32,682
No, they won't be able to read that.
496
00:37:33,818 --> 00:37:36,286
We can try.
The books are just sitting here.
497
00:37:36,387 --> 00:37:38,116
Look at their reading scores.
498
00:37:38,222 --> 00:37:40,486
And if I give your kids these books,
I'll never see them again.
499
00:37:40,591 --> 00:37:42,525
If I do, they'll be damaged.
500
00:37:42,893 --> 00:37:46,385
What about these? Romeo and Juliet.
That's a great gang story.
501
00:37:46,497 --> 00:37:50,126
No, not the books.
This is what we give them.
502
00:37:50,635 --> 00:37:52,865
It is Romeo and Juliet,
but it's a condensed version.
503
00:37:53,004 --> 00:37:55,029
But even these,
look how they treat them.
504
00:37:55,172 --> 00:37:58,232
See how torn up they are?
They draw on them.
505
00:37:59,577 --> 00:38:01,306
Ms. Campbell?
506
00:38:01,479 --> 00:38:02,571
They know they get these
507
00:38:02,613 --> 00:38:04,376
because no one thinks
they're smart enough for real books.
508
00:38:04,482 --> 00:38:06,450
Well, I don't have the budget
to buy new books every semester
509
00:38:06,550 --> 00:38:07,744
when these kids don't return them.
510
00:38:07,852 --> 00:38:09,581
So, what do I do?
Buy their books myself?
511
00:38:09,687 --> 00:38:12,815
Well, that's up to you,
but you'd be wasting your money.
512
00:38:13,190 --> 00:38:16,057
Is there someone else
I can speak to about this?
513
00:38:16,594 --> 00:38:19,154
- Excuse me?
- I'm sorry, but
514
00:38:20,164 --> 00:38:21,222
I don't understand.
515
00:38:21,332 --> 00:38:23,129
Does the Long Beach Board of Ed agree
516
00:38:23,267 --> 00:38:25,827
that these books should just sit here
and not be used at all?
517
00:38:25,970 --> 00:38:27,562
Let me explain.
518
00:38:28,639 --> 00:38:31,403
It's called site-based instruction.
519
00:38:31,509 --> 00:38:34,376
It means that I and the principal
each have the authority
520
00:38:34,478 --> 00:38:37,345
to make these kinds of decisions
without having to go to the Board,
521
00:38:37,448 --> 00:38:41,908
who have bigger problems to solve.
Do you understand how it works now?
522
00:38:42,553 --> 00:38:45,021
I'm sorry.
I didn't mean to overstep your authority.
523
00:38:45,122 --> 00:38:47,283
I would never do that. I just...
524
00:38:48,893 --> 00:38:51,521
I don't know how to make them
interested in reading with these.
525
00:38:51,629 --> 00:38:55,190
You can't make someone
want an education.
526
00:38:55,466 --> 00:38:59,527
The best you can do is try to get them
to obey, to learn discipline.
527
00:38:59,670 --> 00:39:02,400
That would be a tremendous
accomplishment for them.
528
00:39:06,277 --> 00:39:08,871
Since you know Margaret
better than I do,
529
00:39:08,979 --> 00:39:11,539
if I could just get
some backup from you.
530
00:39:11,649 --> 00:39:16,518
I really think that the stories like
The Diary of Anne Frank and...
531
00:39:16,620 --> 00:39:18,349
That they'd be so great for them,
532
00:39:18,456 --> 00:39:21,914
and she doesn't seem to understand
that they could relate to these stories
533
00:39:22,026 --> 00:39:23,653
considering all that they face.
534
00:39:23,761 --> 00:39:26,662
Oh, of course. It's a universal story.
535
00:39:26,764 --> 00:39:31,724
I mean, Anne Frank, Rodney King,
they're almost interchangeable.
536
00:39:35,506 --> 00:39:37,565
- Are you making fun of me?
- Yeah.
537
00:39:37,708 --> 00:39:39,869
God, listen to what you're saying.
538
00:39:39,977 --> 00:39:42,309
How dare you compare them
to Anne Frank?
539
00:39:42,813 --> 00:39:43,939
They don't hide.
540
00:39:44,048 --> 00:39:46,539
They drive around in the open
with automatic weapons.
541
00:39:46,650 --> 00:39:50,108
I'm the one living in fear.
I can't walk out my door at night.
542
00:39:50,721 --> 00:39:52,621
And you blame these kids?
543
00:39:52,723 --> 00:39:55,817
This was an A-list school
before they came here.
544
00:39:55,926 --> 00:39:57,826
And look what they turned it into.
545
00:39:58,763 --> 00:40:01,129
I mean, does it make sense
546
00:40:02,099 --> 00:40:04,192
that kids who want
an education should suffer
547
00:40:04,268 --> 00:40:07,237
because their high school gets turned
into a reform school?
548
00:40:07,338 --> 00:40:09,829
Because kids who don't want to be here,
and shouldn't be here,
549
00:40:09,974 --> 00:40:11,236
are forced to be here
550
00:40:11,342 --> 00:40:13,310
by the geniuses
running the school district?
551
00:40:15,012 --> 00:40:16,775
Integration's a lie.
552
00:40:16,881 --> 00:40:20,578
Yeah, we teachers, we can't say that
or we lose our jobs for being racist.
553
00:40:20,684 --> 00:40:23,778
So, please, stop your cheerleading,
Erin. You're ridiculous.
554
00:40:23,888 --> 00:40:26,448
You don't know the first thing
about these kids.
555
00:40:26,557 --> 00:40:28,582
And you're not qualified
to make judgments about the teachers
556
00:40:28,692 --> 00:40:30,785
who have to survive this place.
557
00:41:11,001 --> 00:41:14,732
We're gonna play a game, all right?
It's a lot of fun. I promise.
558
00:41:16,373 --> 00:41:18,807
Look, you can either sit in your seats
reading those workbooks,
559
00:41:18,909 --> 00:41:19,898
or you can play a game.
560
00:41:20,044 --> 00:41:21,636
Either way,
you're in here till the bell rings.
561
00:41:21,745 --> 00:41:25,647
Okay. This is called the Line Game.
562
00:41:25,749 --> 00:41:27,307
I'm gonna ask you a question.
563
00:41:27,418 --> 00:41:30,615
If that question applies to you,
you step onto the line,
564
00:41:30,721 --> 00:41:33,349
and then step back away
for the next question.
565
00:41:33,457 --> 00:41:35,152
- Easy, right?
- Yeah, whatever.
566
00:41:35,593 --> 00:41:36,924
The first question,
567
00:41:37,161 --> 00:41:40,426
how many of you have
the new Snoop Dogg album?
568
00:41:48,472 --> 00:41:49,564
Did you steal it?
569
00:41:50,374 --> 00:41:51,841
Okay, back away.
570
00:41:55,045 --> 00:41:56,137
Next question,
571
00:41:56,247 --> 00:41:59,739
how many of you have seen
Boyz n the Hood?
572
00:42:08,425 --> 00:42:10,393
Okay. Next question.
573
00:42:10,494 --> 00:42:13,395
How many of you live in the projects?
574
00:42:18,202 --> 00:42:23,162
How many of you know someone,
a friend or relative,
575
00:42:23,307 --> 00:42:26,276
who was or is in juvenile hall or jail?
576
00:42:30,214 --> 00:42:32,375
How many of you have been
in juvenile hall
577
00:42:32,483 --> 00:42:34,747
or jail for any length of time?
578
00:42:35,185 --> 00:42:36,152
Detention don't count.
579
00:42:40,024 --> 00:42:41,719
Does a refugee camp count?
580
00:42:42,860 --> 00:42:44,225
You decide.
581
00:42:59,276 --> 00:43:02,006
How many of you know
where to get drugs right now?
582
00:43:07,284 --> 00:43:10,151
How many of you
know someone in a gang?
583
00:43:18,462 --> 00:43:21,158
How many of you are gang members?
584
00:43:22,366 --> 00:43:24,061
- Nice try.
- Nice try.
585
00:43:25,436 --> 00:43:28,234
Okay, that was a stupid question,
wasn't it?
586
00:43:28,339 --> 00:43:29,306
Yeah.
587
00:43:29,440 --> 00:43:31,408
You're not allowed
gang affiliations in school.
588
00:43:31,508 --> 00:43:33,908
I apologize for asking. My badness.
589
00:43:38,682 --> 00:43:42,448
Okay, now I'm gonna ask you
a more serious question.
590
00:43:43,354 --> 00:43:48,155
Stand on the line if you've lost
a friend to gang violence.
591
00:44:13,684 --> 00:44:16,619
Stay on the line if you've lost
more than one friend.
592
00:44:23,460 --> 00:44:24,654
Three.
593
00:44:38,475 --> 00:44:40,272
Four or more.
594
00:44:50,988 --> 00:44:53,115
Okay, I'd like us to pay respect
to those people now.
595
00:44:53,223 --> 00:44:55,748
Wherever you are,
just speak their name.
596
00:45:04,802 --> 00:45:05,769
James.
597
00:45:10,574 --> 00:45:11,541
Beatriz.
598
00:45:22,619 --> 00:45:24,416
Thank you all very much.
599
00:45:25,756 --> 00:45:28,384
Now, I have something for each of you.
600
00:45:31,195 --> 00:45:33,356
Everyone has their own story,
601
00:45:33,464 --> 00:45:37,992
and it's important for you
to tell your own story, even to yourself.
602
00:45:38,135 --> 00:45:40,695
So, what we're going to do is
603
00:45:40,838 --> 00:45:43,807
we're gonna write every day
in these journals.
604
00:45:44,141 --> 00:45:48,703
You can write about whatever you want,
the past, the present, the future.
605
00:45:48,812 --> 00:45:52,714
You can write it like a diary,
or you can write
606
00:45:52,816 --> 00:45:58,220
songs, poems, any good thing,
bad thing, anything.
607
00:45:58,322 --> 00:46:01,018
But you have to write every day.
608
00:46:01,191 --> 00:46:04,683
Keep a pen nearby.
Whenever you feel the inspiration.
609
00:46:04,728 --> 00:46:06,787
And they won't be graded.
610
00:46:06,897 --> 00:46:10,560
How can I give an A or a B
for writing the truth, right?
611
00:46:10,667 --> 00:46:13,431
And I will not read them
unless you give me permission.
612
00:46:13,570 --> 00:46:17,301
I will need to see that you've made
an entry, but I'll just do this,
613
00:46:17,407 --> 00:46:18,931
skim to see that you wrote that day.
614
00:46:19,076 --> 00:46:24,343
Now, if you want me to read it, I have...
Excuse me. A cabinet over here.
615
00:46:24,448 --> 00:46:28,111
It has a lock on it.
I will keep it open during class,
616
00:46:28,218 --> 00:46:31,051
and you can leave your diary there
if you want me to read it.
617
00:46:31,155 --> 00:46:34,784
I will lock this cabinet
at the end of every class.
618
00:46:36,026 --> 00:46:37,118
Okay?
619
00:46:39,129 --> 00:46:44,999
So, you can each come up,
one by one, and take your own journal.
620
00:46:52,442 --> 00:46:54,307
Whenever you're ready.
621
00:47:18,969 --> 00:47:21,437
Eva holds back,
but I know she wants to be involved.
622
00:47:21,538 --> 00:47:23,005
She's so stubborn.
623
00:47:23,140 --> 00:47:25,472
Who really surprised me was Brandy,
who never says a word,
624
00:47:25,576 --> 00:47:28,306
but she was the first to step up
and take a journal. I...
625
00:47:28,412 --> 00:47:30,243
Honey, here. Here, sit down.
626
00:47:30,347 --> 00:47:31,871
- It's all right. No, it's all right.
- I'll move this.
627
00:47:31,982 --> 00:47:34,212
I don't mind standing.
Food goes straight down.
628
00:47:34,318 --> 00:47:37,253
- How much longer are you gonna be?
- I don't know.
629
00:47:37,354 --> 00:47:39,822
- Want to help?
- Not really, I'm a terrible drawer.
630
00:47:39,923 --> 00:47:43,791
- You're an architect.
- All right, I just don't want to.
631
00:47:45,229 --> 00:47:46,753
What's the matter?
Is something wrong?
632
00:47:46,864 --> 00:47:48,491
No, it's nothing.
633
00:47:49,566 --> 00:47:53,093
Well, it's just, you know,
I want to hear all this, I do.
634
00:47:53,604 --> 00:47:54,662
It just...
635
00:47:54,805 --> 00:47:56,534
I feel like
we haven't talked about anything,
636
00:47:56,640 --> 00:47:59,700
other than your job, in like forever.
637
00:47:59,843 --> 00:48:01,071
I'm sorry.
638
00:48:01,912 --> 00:48:03,607
- Well, what's going on at work?
- Nothing.
639
00:48:03,647 --> 00:48:05,274
I don't want to talk about that, either.
640
00:48:05,382 --> 00:48:08,180
I just want to hang out.
I want to be home.
641
00:48:10,621 --> 00:48:13,112
And I want to be with my schoolteacher.
642
00:48:19,730 --> 00:48:22,893
I've always had this fantasy
about being kept late after school.
643
00:48:23,000 --> 00:48:27,664
Well, I'm sorry I left
my dirty erasers at work.
644
00:48:27,804 --> 00:48:30,170
Do all the other teachers
put in this much extra effort?
645
00:48:30,274 --> 00:48:33,072
I don't know.
I'm kind of making it up as I go along.
646
00:48:33,176 --> 00:48:35,838
And the other teachers don't really
talk to me. I mean, Brian and Margaret...
647
00:48:35,946 --> 00:48:37,880
- Honey, I don't want to think.
- I'm sorry. Okay, don't think.
648
00:48:37,981 --> 00:48:40,108
- I just wanna...
- I'm almost done, okay?
649
00:48:42,085 --> 00:48:43,882
So, how much longer?
650
00:48:45,155 --> 00:48:47,453
Not long. Promise.
651
00:48:51,528 --> 00:48:54,656
Thank you so much for coming.
Susan's a terrific student. Thank you.
652
00:48:54,765 --> 00:48:56,392
- Great to see you.
- Good night. Take care.
653
00:48:56,500 --> 00:48:58,434
- Jim, thank you so much.
- Thanks, Brian.
654
00:48:58,568 --> 00:49:00,661
I appreciate you guys coming
to Parents' Night.
655
00:49:00,871 --> 00:49:02,236
Drive safe.
656
00:49:43,113 --> 00:49:45,604
In every war, there is an enemy.
657
00:49:52,756 --> 00:49:55,725
I watched my mother
being half beaten to death
658
00:49:56,093 --> 00:49:59,290
and watched as blood and tears
streamed down her face.
659
00:50:00,464 --> 00:50:02,365
I felt useless and scared
and furious at the same time.
660
00:50:02,400 --> 00:50:04,267
I felt useless and scared
and furious at the same time.
661
00:50:05,235 --> 00:50:06,964
Stay there, Brandy. Watch the kids!
662
00:50:07,104 --> 00:50:08,469
- Get my money!
- Watch the kids!
663
00:50:09,940 --> 00:50:13,671
I can still feel the sting of the belt
on my back and my legs.
664
00:50:14,277 --> 00:50:17,007
One time, he couldn't pay the rent.
665
00:50:17,114 --> 00:50:20,550
And that night he stopped us on
the street and pointed to the concrete.
666
00:50:20,650 --> 00:50:22,777
He said, "Pick a spot. "
667
00:50:34,564 --> 00:50:38,227
Clive was my boy.
He had my back plenty of times.
668
00:50:38,368 --> 00:50:42,065
We was like one fist, me and him,
one army.
669
00:50:42,873 --> 00:50:44,670
- That's heavy.
- Yeah.
670
00:50:46,410 --> 00:50:50,369
That's the real shit right here.
Nobody'll jump us now.
671
00:50:50,814 --> 00:50:53,544
But we got to practice
'cause this, this got power.
672
00:50:53,650 --> 00:50:55,379
You shoot it, it...
673
00:51:01,725 --> 00:51:04,091
I sat there till the police came.
674
00:51:05,262 --> 00:51:10,131
But when they come, all they see
is a dead body, a gun and a nigga.
675
00:51:10,634 --> 00:51:14,570
They took me to juvenile hall.
First night was the scariest.
676
00:51:17,274 --> 00:51:19,071
Inmates banging on the walls,
677
00:51:19,176 --> 00:51:23,306
throwing up their gang signs, yelling out
who they were, where they're from.
678
00:51:23,713 --> 00:51:27,740
I cried my first night.
Can't never let nobody know that.
679
00:51:28,652 --> 00:51:31,177
I spent the next few years
in and out of cells.
680
00:51:31,288 --> 00:51:34,086
Every day I'd worry,
"When will I be free?"
681
00:51:37,694 --> 00:51:40,561
My brother taught me
what the life is for a young black man.
682
00:51:40,664 --> 00:51:44,100
Do what you have to,
pimp, deal, whatever.
683
00:51:44,234 --> 00:51:46,634
Learn what colors to learn,
gang boundaries.
684
00:51:46,736 --> 00:51:48,931
You can stay on one corner,
you can't stay on another.
685
00:51:49,072 --> 00:51:51,768
Learn to be quiet.
A wrong word can get you popped.
686
00:51:51,875 --> 00:51:54,969
If you look in my eyes,
you'll see a loving girl.
687
00:51:55,078 --> 00:51:57,945
If you look at my smile,
you'll see nothing wrong.
688
00:51:58,582 --> 00:52:01,813
If you pull up my shirt,
you'll see the bruises.
689
00:52:01,985 --> 00:52:04,112
What did I do to make him so mad?
690
00:52:04,154 --> 00:52:08,056
At 16, I've seen more dead bodies
than a mortician.
691
00:52:08,725 --> 00:52:12,422
Every time I step out my door,
I'm faced with the risk of being shot.
692
00:52:13,096 --> 00:52:17,226
To the outside world, it's just another
dead body on the street corner.
693
00:52:17,801 --> 00:52:19,769
They don't know that he was my friend.
694
00:52:19,870 --> 00:52:21,201
During the war in Cambodia,
695
00:52:21,304 --> 00:52:23,295
the camp stripped away
my father's dignity.
696
00:52:23,440 --> 00:52:25,908
He sometimes tries
to hurt my mom and me.
697
00:52:26,042 --> 00:52:28,203
I feel like I have to protect my family.
698
00:52:28,311 --> 00:52:33,305
I was having trouble deciding what
candy I wanted, then I heard gunshots.
699
00:52:33,416 --> 00:52:35,247
I looked down to see
that one of my friends
700
00:52:35,352 --> 00:52:38,378
had blood coming out of
his back and his mouth.
701
00:52:39,122 --> 00:52:42,285
The next day, I pulled up my shirt
and got strapped with a gun
702
00:52:42,392 --> 00:52:44,656
I found in an alley by my house.
703
00:52:44,761 --> 00:52:47,059
I don't even know how this war started.
704
00:52:47,164 --> 00:52:50,190
It's just two sides
who tripped each other way back.
705
00:52:50,300 --> 00:52:52,791
Who cares about the history behind it?
706
00:52:53,603 --> 00:52:55,036
I am my father's daughter.
707
00:52:55,138 --> 00:52:59,507
And when they call me to testify,
I will protect my own no matter what.
708
00:52:59,809 --> 00:53:03,370
Nobody cares what I do.
Why should I bother coming to school?
709
00:53:03,847 --> 00:53:07,476
My friends are soldiers, not of war,
but of the streets.
710
00:53:07,584 --> 00:53:09,415
They fight for their lives.
711
00:53:09,519 --> 00:53:11,953
I hate the cold feeling of a gun
against my skin.
712
00:53:12,055 --> 00:53:13,352
It makes me shiver.
713
00:53:13,456 --> 00:53:17,187
It's a crazy-ass life.
Once you're in, there's no getting out.
714
00:53:17,294 --> 00:53:18,886
Every time I jump somebody in
715
00:53:18,995 --> 00:53:22,192
and make someone a part of our gang,
it's another baptism.
716
00:53:22,299 --> 00:53:24,733
They give us their life,
we give them a new one.
717
00:53:24,868 --> 00:53:28,167
I've lost many friends
who have died in an undeclared war.
718
00:53:29,439 --> 00:53:31,907
To the soldiers and me, it's all worth it.
719
00:53:32,442 --> 00:53:36,105
Risk your life dodging bullets,
pulling triggers.
720
00:53:37,514 --> 00:53:39,141
It's all worth it.
721
00:53:56,466 --> 00:53:57,455
Rum and Coke.
722
00:53:57,567 --> 00:53:58,829
Oh, man.
723
00:54:00,103 --> 00:54:01,195
This is...
724
00:54:01,338 --> 00:54:04,705
Mr. Gruwell? Your table is ready.
Follow me.
725
00:54:05,475 --> 00:54:07,033
- Dad, I got them.
- Okay.
726
00:54:08,645 --> 00:54:11,079
Dad, I don't know what to do with this.
727
00:54:11,181 --> 00:54:13,615
I'm not a social worker.
I'm barely a teacher.
728
00:54:13,717 --> 00:54:14,684
Thank you.
729
00:54:14,784 --> 00:54:17,981
These kids, they're 14, 15 years old,
730
00:54:18,088 --> 00:54:20,784
and if they make it through the day
alive, that's good enough.
731
00:54:20,890 --> 00:54:22,858
And I'm supposed to teach them?
732
00:54:25,762 --> 00:54:27,252
Listen to me.
733
00:54:27,364 --> 00:54:31,357
You're not responsible
for their lives outside that classroom.
734
00:54:32,636 --> 00:54:35,605
- Just do your job the best you can.
- How?
735
00:54:35,705 --> 00:54:37,969
The administration
doesn't give me any resources,
736
00:54:38,074 --> 00:54:39,905
no books, no support.
737
00:54:41,711 --> 00:54:43,338
So, what should I do?
738
00:54:46,683 --> 00:54:49,277
Fulfill your obligation
till the end of the school year,
739
00:54:49,386 --> 00:54:51,752
but line up another position.
740
00:54:52,155 --> 00:54:55,556
Success follows experience.
741
00:54:55,659 --> 00:54:57,957
So, get some more experience.
742
00:54:59,796 --> 00:55:03,926
But no matter what,
you gotta remember, it's just a job.
743
00:55:04,768 --> 00:55:08,704
If you're not right for this one,
get another job.
744
00:55:11,007 --> 00:55:13,032
You're gonna sell bras
at a department store?
745
00:55:13,176 --> 00:55:14,370
Just part-time.
746
00:55:14,477 --> 00:55:17,002
I'm having a little trouble
getting books and things for the kids.
747
00:55:17,113 --> 00:55:19,240
So, a little extra money
will give me a little more freedom
748
00:55:19,349 --> 00:55:20,577
to do what I want.
749
00:55:20,684 --> 00:55:23,084
And this way you can play tennis
with Evan after work.
750
00:55:23,186 --> 00:55:25,211
Okay, let me get my head around this.
751
00:55:25,322 --> 00:55:28,553
You're going to get an extra job
to pay for your job.
752
00:55:28,958 --> 00:55:31,392
It's just temporary. I promise.
753
00:55:31,494 --> 00:55:33,985
Once the kids' grades go up,
I'll get a little more help from the school.
754
00:55:34,097 --> 00:55:37,294
And I get an employee's discount.
Isn't that great?
755
00:55:37,434 --> 00:55:40,528
- Want a new TV?
- Yeah.
756
00:55:54,484 --> 00:55:56,975
Excuse me, if I wanted to order
any books in bulk,
757
00:55:57,087 --> 00:55:59,248
could I get some sort of a discount?
758
00:56:03,460 --> 00:56:05,485
- These books are brand new.
- I know.
759
00:56:06,796 --> 00:56:09,560
Okay, guys, gals. Listen up.
760
00:56:09,966 --> 00:56:12,059
The only problem with this book is
761
00:56:12,202 --> 00:56:13,897
it's about a gang member
and there's violence in it,
762
00:56:14,037 --> 00:56:16,198
so you may not be able to read it
as part of the curriculum.
763
00:56:16,339 --> 00:56:20,139
So, I'm going to try my best
to get permission, all right?
764
00:56:22,579 --> 00:56:24,740
It's been a little difficult
getting their attention.
765
00:56:24,848 --> 00:56:28,579
Up until recently, the only thing they
hated more than each other was me.
766
00:56:28,852 --> 00:56:32,117
Well, you united them and that's a step.
767
00:56:33,757 --> 00:56:35,315
What can I do for you?
768
00:56:36,025 --> 00:56:40,928
I want to do more with them, and I need
the support of someone in power.
769
00:56:41,030 --> 00:56:43,863
You have to take this up with your
department head and your principal.
770
00:56:44,483 --> 00:56:46,443
I can't get involved
in inner school policy.
771
00:56:46,523 --> 00:56:48,723
My principal only listens
to my department head,
772
00:56:48,883 --> 00:56:50,843
And she's not very supportive.
773
00:56:50,923 --> 00:56:52,683
You'll have to find a way to deal with it.
774
00:56:52,763 --> 00:56:55,563
No, I'd rather just deal directly
with someone in power.
775
00:56:55,683 --> 00:56:57,803
Ms. Gruwell, there's a system in place
776
00:56:57,923 --> 00:57:00,723
Based on years of running
an educational facility.
777
00:57:00,923 --> 00:57:04,003
- You have to follow that system.
- No. I won't.
778
00:57:05,043 --> 00:57:08,003
Look, I'm just trying to do my job here.
779
00:57:08,083 --> 00:57:11,003
What's the point
of a voluntary integration program
780
00:57:11,083 --> 00:57:13,883
If the kids making it to high school
have a 5th grade reading level?
781
00:57:14,003 --> 00:57:15,803
I enforced that program.
782
00:57:15,883 --> 00:57:17,003
With all due respect,
783
00:57:17,083 --> 00:57:19,443
All that program is doing
is warehousing these kids
784
00:57:19,603 --> 00:57:21,003
Until they're old enough to disappear.
785
00:57:21,083 --> 00:57:22,723
Look, I appreciate your intentions,
786
00:57:22,883 --> 00:57:25,443
But there's nothing I can do
on a class-by-class basis.
787
00:57:25,563 --> 00:57:29,083
Dr. Cohn, why should they waste
their time showing up
788
00:57:29,203 --> 00:57:31,923
When they know
we're wasting our time teaching them?
789
00:57:32,003 --> 00:57:34,723
We tell them, "Go to school.
Get an education. "
790
00:57:34,843 --> 00:57:38,963
And then we say, "Well, they can't learn,
so let's not waste resources. "
791
00:57:39,323 --> 00:57:40,803
I'm thinking trips.
792
00:57:40,923 --> 00:57:43,803
Most of them have never
been outside of Long Beach.
793
00:57:43,883 --> 00:57:46,363
They haven't been given the opportunity
794
00:57:46,483 --> 00:57:49,003
To expand their thinking
about what's out there for them.
795
00:57:49,083 --> 00:57:50,483
And they're hungry for it. I know it.
796
00:57:50,603 --> 00:57:52,723
And it's purely a reward system.
797
00:57:52,883 --> 00:57:54,643
They won't get anything
they haven't earned
798
00:57:54,803 --> 00:57:56,883
By doing their work
and upping their grades.
799
00:57:57,043 --> 00:57:58,323
But if Ms. Campbell
won't give you books
800
00:57:58,443 --> 00:57:59,483
Because of budget restrictions,
801
00:57:59,643 --> 00:58:00,763
She's not gonna approve school trips.
802
00:58:00,923 --> 00:58:02,323
I'll raise the money.
803
00:58:02,443 --> 00:58:05,083
I just need to know
I won't meet resistance.
804
00:58:05,483 --> 00:58:07,563
See, I can't promise them anything
I can't deliver.
805
00:58:07,683 --> 00:58:10,123
It only proves what they already believe.
806
00:58:12,043 --> 00:58:15,883
All I'm saying is, Ms. Campbell
doesn't need to be bothered.
807
00:58:19,403 --> 00:58:21,163
You're a concierge at the Marriott?
808
00:58:21,283 --> 00:58:22,403
It's just weekends.
809
00:58:22,523 --> 00:58:24,443
You play tennis with Evan on Saturdays.
810
00:58:24,603 --> 00:58:26,483
And you can play golf
with my dad on Sundays.
811
00:58:26,603 --> 00:58:27,603
You want me to play golf?
812
00:58:27,763 --> 00:58:30,043
And the bonus is I get employee rates
813
00:58:30,123 --> 00:58:32,403
On Marriott hotel rooms
all over the world.
814
00:58:32,523 --> 00:58:33,483
I've heard a lot of hyphenates,
815
00:58:33,643 --> 00:58:37,083
But a bra-selling-English-teacher-
hotel-concierge has gotta be a new one.
816
00:58:37,203 --> 00:58:39,683
You told me your part-time job
was temporary.
817
00:58:39,803 --> 00:58:42,163
It is. I just don't know for how long.
818
00:58:42,883 --> 00:58:44,803
- What if I said no?
- No, what?
819
00:58:47,443 --> 00:58:49,483
- But I can make it work, Scott.
- No, that's not the point.
820
00:58:49,603 --> 00:58:52,003
You can do anything!
We know that already.
821
00:58:52,083 --> 00:58:55,123
It's just that I... You...
822
00:58:55,803 --> 00:58:57,563
You didn't even ask me.
823
00:58:58,683 --> 00:59:02,083
- I'm just trying to do my job, Scott.
- By getting two more jobs?
824
00:59:02,883 --> 00:59:04,563
I don't understand, Erin.
825
00:59:05,683 --> 00:59:08,243
Scott, this is our time
to go after what we want,
826
00:59:08,323 --> 00:59:11,643
When we're young,
before we have a family.
827
00:59:11,883 --> 00:59:14,083
Maybe this is the perfect time
for you to go back to school,
828
00:59:14,163 --> 00:59:16,323
Get your architect's degree.
829
00:59:16,403 --> 00:59:18,323
Wouldn't that be great?
830
00:59:21,403 --> 00:59:22,843
What?
831
00:59:24,523 --> 00:59:25,803
Nothing.
832
00:59:32,603 --> 00:59:34,483
So, I'll call you with a list of venues.
833
00:59:34,603 --> 00:59:36,683
I've scheduled a PTA board meeting
for next week.
834
00:59:36,843 --> 00:59:37,843
So, it should be no problem.
835
00:59:37,963 --> 00:59:39,043
- Thank you so much.
- You're welcome.
836
00:59:39,053 --> 00:59:39,693
I can't get involved
in inner school policy.
837
00:59:39,703 --> 00:59:40,383
My principal only listens
to my department head,
838
00:59:40,393 --> 00:59:40,893
And she's not very supportive.
839
00:59:40,903 --> 00:59:41,523
You'll have to find a way to deal with it.
840
00:59:41,533 --> 00:59:42,293
No, I'd rather just deal directly
with someone in power.
841
00:59:42,303 --> 00:59:42,883
Ms. Gruwell, there's a system in place
842
00:59:42,893 --> 00:59:43,593
Based on years of running
an educational facility.
843
00:59:43,603 --> 00:59:44,283
- You have to follow that system.
- No. I won't.
844
00:59:44,293 --> 00:59:44,893
Look, I'm just trying to do my job here.
845
00:59:44,903 --> 00:59:45,613
What's the point
of a voluntary integration program
846
00:59:45,623 --> 00:59:46,503
If the kids making it to high school
have a 5th grade reading level?
847
00:59:46,513 --> 00:59:46,953
I enforced that program.
848
00:59:46,963 --> 00:59:47,373
With all due respect,
849
00:59:47,383 --> 00:59:48,093
All that program is doing
is warehousing these kids
850
00:59:48,103 --> 00:59:48,683
Until they're old enough to disappear.
851
00:59:48,693 --> 00:59:49,243
Look, I appreciate your intentions,
852
00:59:49,253 --> 00:59:50,003
But there's nothing I can do
on a class-by-class basis.
853
00:59:50,013 --> 00:59:50,743
Dr. Cohn, why should they waste
their time showing up
854
00:59:50,753 --> 00:59:51,473
When they know
we're wasting our time teaching them?
855
00:59:51,483 --> 00:59:52,163
We tell them, "Go to school.
Get an education. "
856
00:59:52,173 --> 00:59:53,103
And then we say, "Well, they can't learn,
so let's not waste resources. "
857
00:59:53,113 --> 00:59:53,503
I'm thinking trips.
858
00:59:53,513 --> 00:59:54,223
Most of them have never
been outside of Long Beach.
859
00:59:54,233 --> 00:59:54,823
They haven't been given the opportunity
860
00:59:54,833 --> 00:59:55,603
To expand their thinking
about what's out there for them.
861
00:59:55,613 --> 00:59:56,183
And they're hungry for it. I know it.
862
00:59:56,193 --> 00:59:56,713
And it's purely a reward system.
863
00:59:56,723 --> 00:59:57,353
They won't get anything
they haven't earned
864
00:59:57,363 --> 00:59:58,003
By doing their work
and upping their grades.
865
00:59:58,013 --> 00:59:58,613
But if Ms. Campbell
won't give you books
866
00:59:58,623 --> 00:59:59,133
Because of budget restrictions,
867
00:59:59,143 --> 00:59:59,713
She's not gonna approve school trips.
868
00:59:59,723 --> 01:00:00,133
I'll raise the money.
869
01:00:00,143 --> 01:00:00,783
I just need to know
I won't meet resistance.
870
01:00:00,793 --> 01:00:01,503
See, I can't promise them anything
I can't deliver.
871
01:00:01,513 --> 01:00:02,123
It only proves what they already believe.
872
01:00:02,133 --> 01:00:02,933
All I'm saying is, Ms. Campbell
doesn't need to be bothered.
873
01:00:02,943 --> 01:00:03,493
You're a concierge at the Marriott?
874
01:00:03,503 --> 01:00:03,893
It's just weekends.
875
01:00:03,903 --> 01:00:04,493
You play tennis with Evan on Saturdays.
876
01:00:04,503 --> 01:00:05,153
And you can play golf
with my dad on Sundays.
877
01:00:05,163 --> 01:00:05,613
You want me to play golf?
878
01:00:05,623 --> 01:00:06,193
And the bonus is I get employee rates
879
01:00:06,203 --> 01:00:06,833
On Marriott hotel rooms
all over the world.
880
01:00:06,843 --> 01:00:07,353
I've heard a lot of hyphenates,
881
01:00:07,363 --> 01:00:08,303
But a bra-selling-English-teacher-
hotel-concierge has gotta be a new one.
882
01:00:08,313 --> 01:00:08,963
You told me your part-time job
was temporary.
883
01:00:08,973 --> 01:00:09,553
It is. I just don't know for how long.
884
01:00:09,563 --> 01:00:10,083
- What if I said no?
- No, what?
885
01:00:10,093 --> 01:00:10,893
- But I can make it work, Scott.
- No, that's not the point.
886
01:00:10,903 --> 01:00:11,523
You can do anything!
We know that already.
887
01:00:11,533 --> 01:00:11,993
It's just that I... You...
888
01:00:12,003 --> 01:00:12,433
You didn't even ask me.
889
01:00:12,443 --> 01:00:13,303
- I'm just trying to do my job, Scott.
- By getting two more jobs?
890
01:00:13,313 --> 01:00:13,763
I don't understand, Erin.
891
01:00:13,773 --> 01:00:14,463
Scott, this is our time
to go after what we want,
892
01:00:14,473 --> 01:00:15,093
When we're young,
before we have a family.
893
01:00:15,103 --> 01:00:15,903
Maybe this is the perfect time
for you to go back to school,
894
01:00:15,913 --> 01:00:16,393
Get your architect's degree.
895
01:00:16,403 --> 01:00:16,833
Wouldn't that be great?
896
01:00:16,843 --> 01:00:17,093
What?
897
01:00:17,103 --> 01:00:17,383
Nothing.
898
01:00:17,393 --> 01:00:17,993
So, I'll call you with a list of venues.
899
01:00:18,003 --> 01:00:18,693
I've scheduled a PTA board meeting
for next week.
900
01:00:18,703 --> 01:00:19,183
So, it should be no problem.
901
01:00:19,193 --> 01:00:19,773
- Thank you so much.
- You're welcome.
902
01:00:19,783 --> 01:00:20,493
- Lovely to see you, Paula.
- Good to see you, too.
903
01:00:20,503 --> 01:00:20,843
- Hi.
- Hello.
904
01:00:20,853 --> 01:00:21,733
Principal Banning received a call
from Dr. Cohn at the school board.
905
01:00:21,743 --> 01:00:22,433
Apparently you're taking your students
on a trip?
906
01:00:22,443 --> 01:00:23,343
Yes, but it's over the weekend,
so it won't affect any test schedules.
907
01:00:23,353 --> 01:00:23,793
I know how busy you are,
908
01:00:23,803 --> 01:00:24,643
And since I'm paying for it myself,
I didn't want to bother you.
909
01:00:24,653 --> 01:00:25,043
I'll be right back.
910
01:00:25,053 --> 01:00:25,503
Oh, no. No, no, no. Erin?
911
01:00:25,513 --> 01:00:27,084
- Get back in the car.
- Dad, he lives right here.
912
01:00:27,186 --> 01:00:30,212
I'll get him.
Get back in the car and lock your door.
913
01:00:32,357 --> 01:00:34,848
- What's his name?
- Andre Bryant.
914
01:00:34,960 --> 01:00:35,927
Andre.
915
01:00:39,865 --> 01:00:44,029
Since my pop split, my mom can't even
look at me, 'cause I look like my dad.
916
01:00:44,536 --> 01:00:46,333
And with my brother in jail,
917
01:00:46,438 --> 01:00:49,407
she looks at me and thinks
that's where I'm going, too.
918
01:00:49,741 --> 01:00:51,368
She doesn't see me.
919
01:00:51,977 --> 01:00:54,002
She doesn't see me at all.
920
01:00:58,617 --> 01:01:00,107
I'm going out.
921
01:01:05,557 --> 01:01:06,581
- What up?
- Hey.
922
01:01:06,692 --> 01:01:08,592
Where you going? I need you.
923
01:01:09,061 --> 01:01:11,996
No, man, I can't now.
I got something to do.
924
01:01:12,131 --> 01:01:13,723
Tonight. I'll do it tonight.
925
01:01:13,866 --> 01:01:16,960
I gotta go do something,
and I can't carry that around with me.
926
01:01:17,369 --> 01:01:19,200
Forget it, man, I'll get somebody else.
927
01:01:19,304 --> 01:01:21,363
I can't be waiting all day on you.
928
01:01:22,007 --> 01:01:23,099
Hey.
929
01:01:24,576 --> 01:01:27,977
Sorry about your brother, man.
I hear he going away for life.
930
01:01:28,280 --> 01:01:30,714
They won't get it.
The guy he was with confessed.
931
01:01:30,816 --> 01:01:32,943
To who? Your brother?
932
01:01:33,652 --> 01:01:36,052
Hey. You Andre?
933
01:01:47,533 --> 01:01:49,000
- What up?
- Hey.
934
01:01:54,873 --> 01:01:57,273
- What?
- Put on your seat belt.
935
01:02:00,646 --> 01:02:02,443
You, too, young lady.
936
01:02:05,918 --> 01:02:08,478
You kids ever been
to Newport Beach before?
937
01:02:08,687 --> 01:02:12,316
What? We went there last year
on our way to Paris.
938
01:02:18,597 --> 01:02:20,064
Paris.
939
01:02:24,469 --> 01:02:25,436
It's good.
940
01:02:25,771 --> 01:02:27,432
I brought you something.
941
01:02:31,543 --> 01:02:34,171
It's a good book. I read it in school.
942
01:02:34,279 --> 01:02:38,079
It's about a gang kid,
and I thought you might like to read it.
943
01:02:46,291 --> 01:02:49,124
He told me what I had to say
when I'm on the stand.
944
01:03:44,950 --> 01:03:49,011
At the beginning of the tour, they give
you a card with a child's picture on it.
945
01:03:49,187 --> 01:03:52,350
You could find out who they were
and what camp they were sent to.
946
01:03:52,457 --> 01:03:56,257
And at the end of the tour,
you could find out if they survived.
947
01:03:57,129 --> 01:03:59,393
I got a little girl from Italy.
948
01:04:13,712 --> 01:04:15,839
Tito, your hat.
949
01:04:45,811 --> 01:04:49,440
Kristallnacht, they called it.
The Night of Broken Glass.
950
01:04:49,548 --> 01:04:51,880
Hundreds of synagogues
looted and burned.
951
01:04:51,983 --> 01:04:54,747
More than 7,000
Jewish stores destroyed.
952
01:04:54,853 --> 01:04:56,946
Over 100 Jews killed.
953
01:05:09,735 --> 01:05:15,139
A small center for children in Isieux
in the French province of Ain.
954
01:05:15,841 --> 01:05:18,742
Among the children deported that day
to Birkenau
955
01:05:18,844 --> 01:05:22,211
was 11-year-old Liliane Berenstein,
956
01:05:22,314 --> 01:05:26,216
who, before leaving,
left behind a letter to God.
957
01:05:32,057 --> 01:05:36,687
My little boy died.
He got off the train and they killed him.
958
01:05:37,195 --> 01:05:39,356
I don't know why
it bothered me so much.
959
01:05:39,498 --> 01:05:41,625
I've seen death all my life.
960
01:05:41,900 --> 01:05:46,564
But this little boy was only five.
961
01:06:07,459 --> 01:06:10,986
Ms. G had a beautiful dinner for us
at the hotel where she works.
962
01:06:11,696 --> 01:06:15,655
She invited real Holocaust survivors
from the museum to meet us.
963
01:06:16,835 --> 01:06:18,632
There was Elisabeth Mann.
964
01:06:18,737 --> 01:06:23,275
I had my parents,
my sister, my two brothers.
965
01:06:23,575 --> 01:06:25,042
Gloria Ungar.
966
01:06:25,143 --> 01:06:27,737
If any of you have seen someone
with a number on their arm,
967
01:06:27,846 --> 01:06:29,837
These were the lucky people.
968
01:06:29,948 --> 01:06:32,382
The people who,
when we came to Auschwitz,
969
01:06:32,484 --> 01:06:36,284
When they tattooed the people
they took us to do the slave work.
970
01:06:36,388 --> 01:06:40,017
Not the others,
and that included many of my family.
971
01:06:40,125 --> 01:06:42,389
So, we ran away,
some of the young kids.
972
01:06:42,494 --> 01:06:44,928
I was at that time
11-and-a-half years old.
973
01:06:45,030 --> 01:06:46,054
Eddie llam.
974
01:06:46,198 --> 01:06:48,166
And where to go, I didn't know,
975
01:06:48,266 --> 01:06:51,997
But I remember one place
where I used to live.
976
01:06:52,103 --> 01:06:54,469
So when I ran there,
there was not one Jew left.
977
01:06:54,573 --> 01:06:57,770
I was in the worst camp.
I was in Auschwitz.
978
01:06:57,876 --> 01:06:59,343
And Renee Firestone.
979
01:06:59,444 --> 01:07:03,346
When I arrived, my parents were
immediately taken away from me.
980
01:07:03,782 --> 01:07:07,081
My little sister,
who was then 14 years old,
981
01:07:07,118 --> 01:07:09,848
Stayed with me for a little while.
982
01:07:10,322 --> 01:07:13,519
And then later on,
I was separated from her also.
983
01:07:13,625 --> 01:07:16,253
She lost her whole family at the camps.
984
01:07:17,095 --> 01:07:21,191
She came to this country with $4
in her pocket and a newborn baby.
985
01:07:22,267 --> 01:07:24,428
I'll never forget these people.
986
01:07:24,569 --> 01:07:27,367
And then she was killed
because they didn't want...
987
01:07:27,472 --> 01:07:30,373
I can't believe Ms. G did all of this
for us.
988
01:07:37,916 --> 01:07:39,508
Hi, honey, it's me.
989
01:07:39,618 --> 01:07:42,212
Look, we're still at the restaurant,
if you wanted to drop by.
990
01:07:42,320 --> 01:07:43,947
We haven't even ordered dessert yet,
991
01:07:44,055 --> 01:07:46,421
and the kids are having
such an incredible time.
992
01:07:46,525 --> 01:07:48,288
You have to see them.
993
01:07:48,393 --> 01:07:51,453
If you get in soon, come by.
It's only 9:30 now.
994
01:07:52,864 --> 01:07:57,301
Okay, I'll see you later. Love you. Bye.
995
01:08:28,833 --> 01:08:30,767
How many times
I gotta tell your ass again?
996
01:08:30,869 --> 01:08:32,996
Get your butt in here!
997
01:09:05,303 --> 01:09:07,771
So, you had all summer
to read and consider this book.
998
01:09:11,910 --> 01:09:15,676
And you know,
I thought it would be most valuable
999
01:09:16,381 --> 01:09:21,785
To begin with Victoria
to give us the black perspective.
1000
01:09:23,355 --> 01:09:24,652
Victoria?
1001
01:09:25,457 --> 01:09:27,448
Do I have a stamp
on my forehead that says,
1002
01:09:27,559 --> 01:09:30,119
"The National Spokesperson
for the Plight of Black People"?
1003
01:09:30,362 --> 01:09:33,525
How the hell should I know the black
perspective on The Color Purple?
1004
01:09:33,665 --> 01:09:37,101
That's it, if I don't change classes,
I'm gonna hurt this fool.
1005
01:09:37,202 --> 01:09:39,261
Teachers treat me like
I'm some kind of Rosetta stone
1006
01:09:39,404 --> 01:09:40,837
for African-Americans.
1007
01:09:40,939 --> 01:09:42,702
What? Black people learn how to read,
1008
01:09:42,807 --> 01:09:45,503
and we all miraculously come
to the same conclusion?
1009
01:09:45,610 --> 01:09:49,205
At that point, I decided to check out
my friend Brandy's English class.
1010
01:09:49,314 --> 01:09:50,781
- Good to see you, man.
- Hey, yeah.
1011
01:09:50,882 --> 01:09:52,941
- How was your summer?
- Great.
1012
01:09:57,455 --> 01:09:59,423
You're still white, I see.
1013
01:10:00,058 --> 01:10:01,923
Okay, everybody. Ready?
1014
01:10:02,093 --> 01:10:03,219
- Hey, Ms. G.
- Hi.
1015
01:10:03,328 --> 01:10:04,659
- Hi, Ms. G.
- Hi.
1016
01:10:14,105 --> 01:10:17,597
Okay, guys, gals, listen up!
This is what I want you to do.
1017
01:10:17,842 --> 01:10:21,938
I want each of you to step forward
and take one of these Borders bags,
1018
01:10:22,047 --> 01:10:24,948
Which contain the four books
we're gonna read this semester.
1019
01:10:25,050 --> 01:10:26,278
All right!
1020
01:10:27,018 --> 01:10:29,316
They're very special books,
1021
01:10:29,421 --> 01:10:33,881
And they each remind me,
in some way, of each of you.
1022
01:10:37,796 --> 01:10:41,061
But, before you take the books,
1023
01:10:41,700 --> 01:10:45,500
I want you to take one of these glasses
of sparkling cider,
1024
01:10:45,603 --> 01:10:49,403
And I want each of you to make a toast.
1025
01:10:50,709 --> 01:10:54,201
We're each gonna make
a toast for change.
1026
01:10:54,646 --> 01:10:59,208
And what that means is,
from this moment on
1027
01:10:59,784 --> 01:11:05,120
Every voice that told you
"You can't" is silenced.
1028
01:11:06,257 --> 01:11:11,524
Every reason that tells you things
will never change, disappears.
1029
01:11:13,064 --> 01:11:16,532
And the person you were
before this moment,
1030
01:11:16,567 --> 01:11:20,001
That person's turn is over.
Now it's your turn.
1031
01:11:20,939 --> 01:11:22,236
Okay?
1032
01:11:23,341 --> 01:11:27,300
Okay, you ready to get
this party going on?
1033
01:11:30,281 --> 01:11:31,908
- What?
- Stop doing that, man.
1034
01:11:32,016 --> 01:11:33,574
What's the dealio?
1035
01:11:41,826 --> 01:11:44,852
Man, I've had boyfriends since I was,
like, 11, you know.
1036
01:11:45,563 --> 01:11:48,327
- I believe you.
- Shut up.
1037
01:11:48,733 --> 01:11:51,861
Okay, well, I was always the person
1038
01:11:52,003 --> 01:11:55,439
That was gonna get pregnant
before I turned 16 and drop out.
1039
01:11:56,341 --> 01:11:57,706
Like my mom.
1040
01:12:01,679 --> 01:12:03,112
Ain't gonna happen.
1041
01:12:03,348 --> 01:12:05,543
Nobody ever listens to a teenager.
1042
01:12:06,284 --> 01:12:09,913
Everybody thinks you should be happy
just because you're young.
1043
01:12:10,021 --> 01:12:13,047
They don't see the wars
that we fight every single day.
1044
01:12:13,825 --> 01:12:15,656
And one day, my war will end.
1045
01:12:16,127 --> 01:12:17,890
And I will not die.
1046
01:12:19,364 --> 01:12:22,800
And I will not tolerate abuse
from anyone.
1047
01:12:26,337 --> 01:12:27,668
I am strong.
1048
01:12:27,772 --> 01:12:31,003
My moms kicked me out
when I got jumped into the gang life.
1049
01:12:32,177 --> 01:12:34,475
But I'd like her to see me graduate.
1050
01:12:36,080 --> 01:12:37,877
I'd like to be 18.
1051
01:12:42,187 --> 01:12:45,714
Ms. G?
Can I read something from my diary?
1052
01:12:45,824 --> 01:12:47,291
That'd be great.
1053
01:12:51,262 --> 01:12:52,923
Who is he?
1054
01:12:53,064 --> 01:12:55,157
Man, he's been with us
from freshman year, fool.
1055
01:12:55,300 --> 01:12:58,201
- What's his name?
- I don't know.
1056
01:12:59,771 --> 01:13:04,231
"This summer was the worst summer
in my short 14 years of life.
1057
01:13:04,943 --> 01:13:07,138
"It all started with a phone call.
1058
01:13:07,579 --> 01:13:10,013
"My mother was crying and begging,
1059
01:13:10,114 --> 01:13:15,074
"asking for more time as if she were
gasping for her last breath of air.
1060
01:13:16,087 --> 01:13:19,147
"She held me as tight
as she could and cried.
1061
01:13:19,257 --> 01:13:24,695
"Her tears hit my shirt like bullets
and told me we were being evicted.
1062
01:13:25,096 --> 01:13:29,055
"She kept apologizing to me.
I thought, 'I have no home.
1063
01:13:29,167 --> 01:13:32,967
"'I should have asked for something
less expensive at Christmas. '
1064
01:13:33,071 --> 01:13:36,939
"On the morning of the eviction,
a hard knock on the door woke me up.
1065
01:13:37,041 --> 01:13:39,669
"The sheriff was there to do his job.
1066
01:13:40,578 --> 01:13:44,105
"I looked up at the sky,
waiting for something to happen.
1067
01:13:45,950 --> 01:13:49,511
"My mother has no family to lean on,
no money coming in.
1068
01:13:50,088 --> 01:13:53,751
"Why bother coming to school
or getting good grades if I'm homeless?
1069
01:13:54,392 --> 01:13:58,260
"The bus stops in front of the school.
I feel like throwing up.
1070
01:13:58,363 --> 01:14:03,130
"I'm wearing clothes from last year,
some old shoes and no new haircut.
1071
01:14:03,868 --> 01:14:06,200
"I kept thinking I'd get laughed at.
1072
01:14:06,237 --> 01:14:08,705
"Instead, I'm greeted
by a couple of friends
1073
01:14:08,806 --> 01:14:11,138
"who were in my English class last year.
1074
01:14:11,242 --> 01:14:14,143
"And it hits me, Mrs. Gruwell,
1075
01:14:14,245 --> 01:14:16,509
"my crazy English teacher
from last year,
1076
01:14:16,614 --> 01:14:19,276
"is the only person
that made me think of hope.
1077
01:14:20,351 --> 01:14:23,809
"Talking with friends
about last year's English and our trips,
1078
01:14:23,922 --> 01:14:25,947
"I began to feel better.
1079
01:14:26,557 --> 01:14:31,517
"I receive my schedule and the first
teacher is Mrs. Gruwell in Room 203.
1080
01:14:31,863 --> 01:14:34,964
"I walk into the room and feel as though
1081
01:14:34,999 --> 01:14:38,628
"all the problems in life
are not so important anymore.
1082
01:14:39,270 --> 01:14:40,737
"I am home. "
1083
01:14:42,740 --> 01:14:44,207
Yes, you are.
1084
01:15:04,829 --> 01:15:06,660
But you're an honors student.
1085
01:15:06,731 --> 01:15:08,323
If you transfer to Ms. Gruwell's class,
1086
01:15:08,466 --> 01:15:10,491
Think how that will reflect
on your records.
1087
01:15:10,635 --> 01:15:13,832
It doesn't matter to me.
My grades will still be the same.
1088
01:15:14,138 --> 01:15:16,003
Look, Ms. Campbell.
1089
01:15:16,107 --> 01:15:19,702
When I first transferred to the school,
I had a 4.0 average.
1090
01:15:20,044 --> 01:15:23,502
But when I applied for advanced
placement at English and Math,
1091
01:15:23,614 --> 01:15:26,549
I was told it would be better for me
to be in a class with my own kind.
1092
01:15:26,651 --> 01:15:29,586
Now, when I did get in, my teacher said,
1093
01:15:29,687 --> 01:15:33,316
"Victoria, it's not every day one finds
an African-American student
1094
01:15:33,424 --> 01:15:37,292
"in A. P. And honors courses. "
As if I didn't notice.
1095
01:15:37,395 --> 01:15:39,795
And when I asked
another honors teacher
1096
01:15:39,931 --> 01:15:42,559
Why we don't read more
black literature, she said,
1097
01:15:42,834 --> 01:15:44,802
"We don't read black literature
because of all the sex,
1098
01:15:44,936 --> 01:15:47,097
"drugs, cussing and fornication!"
1099
01:15:49,240 --> 01:15:53,870
I thought a simple "It's inappropriate"
would have sufficed.
1100
01:15:58,082 --> 01:16:00,016
Erin can't do that!
1101
01:16:00,284 --> 01:16:02,684
Distinguished Honor Students are mine.
1102
01:16:03,287 --> 01:16:05,778
She's not allowed to teach them.
She's only been here a year.
1103
01:16:05,823 --> 01:16:07,415
The student requested it.
1104
01:16:07,525 --> 01:16:10,119
And Gruwell has got Cohn
in her back pocket.
1105
01:16:11,396 --> 01:16:16,333
What gets me is they're violent, they
break laws, they destroy school property
1106
01:16:16,567 --> 01:16:21,606
And in the end we make them special.
We reward them like...
1107
01:16:21,641 --> 01:16:23,972
I just don't see what that teaches them.
1108
01:16:24,709 --> 01:16:27,109
Hi! Sorry I'm late.
1109
01:16:27,478 --> 01:16:29,571
Did you eat? I'm ordering in.
Are you hungry?
1110
01:16:29,680 --> 01:16:31,545
What question do you want me
to answer first?
1111
01:16:31,649 --> 01:16:34,550
Did I eat or am I hungry?
I ate. I'm not hungry.
1112
01:16:34,652 --> 01:16:37,917
Something really cool happened today.
I got an honors student.
1113
01:16:38,022 --> 01:16:39,922
- Congratulations.
- Isn't that great?
1114
01:16:40,024 --> 01:16:41,958
She actually requested my class.
1115
01:16:42,060 --> 01:16:44,028
Can you teach an honors student?
1116
01:16:44,395 --> 01:16:45,419
What do you mean?
1117
01:16:45,530 --> 01:16:48,328
Well, I mean, you're used
to teaching your kind of kids.
1118
01:16:48,466 --> 01:16:50,934
Can you teach somebody who's smart?
1119
01:16:51,569 --> 01:16:52,729
Of course I can.
1120
01:16:52,870 --> 01:16:54,735
Yeah, but it's not like you have, right?
1121
01:16:54,839 --> 01:16:58,070
I mean, you don't really teach
what everybody else teaches.
1122
01:16:59,644 --> 01:17:01,339
My kids' grades are up to B's.
1123
01:17:01,512 --> 01:17:03,946
Yeah, but the point is,
that's according to you.
1124
01:17:04,048 --> 01:17:06,846
It's not like they're really learning
what normal kids have to learn.
1125
01:17:06,884 --> 01:17:08,749
Normal kids? Yes, they are.
1126
01:17:08,853 --> 01:17:10,343
They're reading
The Diary of Anne Frank.
1127
01:17:10,455 --> 01:17:12,821
They're learning vocabulary,
grammar, writing, poetry.
1128
01:17:12,924 --> 01:17:15,222
All right. Okay, I apologize. Sorry.
1129
01:17:16,160 --> 01:17:17,718
Congratulations.
1130
01:17:25,803 --> 01:17:26,861
What is wrong with you?
1131
01:17:27,004 --> 01:17:28,995
You know, at Deb's party,
I heard you telling people
1132
01:17:29,140 --> 01:17:31,506
That I was an architect
and that my job was temporary.
1133
01:17:31,609 --> 01:17:34,635
I want you to stop that, all right?
I like my job.
1134
01:17:34,745 --> 01:17:35,837
Fine.
1135
01:17:36,814 --> 01:17:38,907
You're the one who said
you were gonna be an architect.
1136
01:17:39,016 --> 01:17:41,041
Yeah, four years ago,
before we got married.
1137
01:17:41,152 --> 01:17:42,744
What, I'm gonna go back to school now
1138
01:17:42,854 --> 01:17:44,754
For two years and intern for three?
1139
01:17:44,856 --> 01:17:46,346
I'll be over 40.
1140
01:17:46,457 --> 01:17:48,482
All right. I thought you still wanted it.
1141
01:17:48,593 --> 01:17:52,620
It doesn't matter if I want it, Erin.
It doesn't mean it's going to happen.
1142
01:17:54,799 --> 01:17:56,061
Why not?
1143
01:18:05,276 --> 01:18:09,269
"Writing in a diary is a really strange
experience for someone like me.
1144
01:18:09,413 --> 01:18:12,143
"I mean, not only because
I've never written anything before,
1145
01:18:12,283 --> 01:18:14,581
"but also because
it seems to me that later on,
1146
01:18:14,685 --> 01:18:17,483
"neither I nor anyone else
will be interested
1147
01:18:17,588 --> 01:18:19,419
"in the musings
of a 13-year-old schoolgirl. "
1148
01:18:19,524 --> 01:18:21,458
"Terrible things are happening outside.
1149
01:18:21,559 --> 01:18:22,958
"At any time of day,
1150
01:18:23,060 --> 01:18:25,528
"poor helpless people
are being dragged out of their homes.
1151
01:18:25,630 --> 01:18:26,654
"Families are torn apart. "
1152
01:18:26,764 --> 01:18:29,528
"If only I can be myself, I'll be satisfied.
1153
01:18:29,634 --> 01:18:31,363
"I know that I'm a woman
with inner strength
1154
01:18:31,469 --> 01:18:33,232
"and a great deal of courage.
1155
01:18:33,337 --> 01:18:36,966
"If God lets me live,
I'll achieve more than Mother ever did. "
1156
01:18:37,074 --> 01:18:40,134
"Anti-Jewish decrees followed
in quick succession.
1157
01:18:40,645 --> 01:18:44,945
"Jews must wear a yellow star.
Jews must hand in bicycles.
1158
01:18:45,516 --> 01:18:48,178
"Jews are banned from trams
and forbidden to drive. "
1159
01:18:48,319 --> 01:18:50,219
"Jews are forbidden to visit theaters,
1160
01:18:50,321 --> 01:18:52,346
"cinemas and other places
of entertainment. "
1161
01:18:52,456 --> 01:18:54,549
"Jews may not take part
in public sports.
1162
01:18:54,659 --> 01:18:57,389
"Swimming baths,
tennis courts, hockey fields
1163
01:18:57,495 --> 01:19:00,089
"and other sports grounds
are all prohibited. "
1164
01:19:01,132 --> 01:19:05,466
"I can't tell you how oppressive it is
never to be able to go outdoors.
1165
01:19:06,270 --> 01:19:10,969
"Also, I'm very afraid
that we will be discovered and be shot. "
1166
01:19:12,410 --> 01:19:16,710
"No one can keep out of the conflict.
The entire world is at war.
1167
01:19:16,914 --> 01:19:19,075
"And even though the Allies
are doing better,
1168
01:19:19,217 --> 01:19:20,844
"the end is nowhere in sight. "
1169
01:19:23,054 --> 01:19:24,021
Hi.
1170
01:19:25,189 --> 01:19:27,453
When is Anne gonna smoke Hitler?
1171
01:19:28,059 --> 01:19:31,119
- What?
- You know. Take him out?
1172
01:19:31,229 --> 01:19:35,825
Eva, this is The Diary of Anne Frank,
not Die Hard.
1173
01:19:36,701 --> 01:19:38,168
Keep reading.
1174
01:19:40,705 --> 01:19:42,900
"We talked about
the most private things,
1175
01:19:43,007 --> 01:19:46,408
"but we haven't yet touched upon
the things closest to my heart.
1176
01:19:46,510 --> 01:19:49,035
"I still can't make heads
or tails of Peter.
1177
01:19:49,146 --> 01:19:50,909
"Is he superficial?
1178
01:19:51,048 --> 01:19:54,449
"Or is it shyness that holds him back,
even with me?"
1179
01:20:00,091 --> 01:20:03,686
- Are Anne and Peter gonna hook up?
- I'm not telling you.
1180
01:20:05,062 --> 01:20:08,122
"It's utterly impossible for me
to build my life on a foundation
1181
01:20:08,165 --> 01:20:11,032
"of chaos, suffering and death.
1182
01:20:11,836 --> 01:20:15,465
"I see the world being
slowly transformed into a wilderness.
1183
01:20:15,573 --> 01:20:19,373
"I feel the suffering of millions,
and yet when I look up at the sky
1184
01:20:19,744 --> 01:20:23,475
"I somehow feel that everything
will change for the better. "
1185
01:20:28,352 --> 01:20:31,719
- Eva, what's wrong?
- Why didn't you tell me she dies?
1186
01:20:31,989 --> 01:20:34,253
Why you didn't tell me she gets caught
in the end?
1187
01:20:34,659 --> 01:20:36,786
I hate you and I hate this book.
1188
01:20:36,894 --> 01:20:37,861
Eva.
1189
01:20:37,962 --> 01:20:42,194
If she dies, then what about me?
What are you saying about that?
1190
01:20:43,401 --> 01:20:46,029
- Anne Frank died, but she...
- I can't believe they got her!
1191
01:20:46,137 --> 01:20:48,765
That ain't supposed to happen
in the story! That ain't right!
1192
01:20:48,873 --> 01:20:50,602
- 'Cause it's true?
- I ain't talking to you!
1193
01:20:50,708 --> 01:20:53,404
You're talking around me.
That's the same thing.
1194
01:20:53,511 --> 01:20:55,342
See, to me, she ain't dead at all.
1195
01:20:55,446 --> 01:20:58,142
How many friends did you know
that are dead now that got killed?
1196
01:20:58,282 --> 01:20:59,613
Too many to count.
1197
01:20:59,717 --> 01:21:02,151
How many have you read a book about?
1198
01:21:02,420 --> 01:21:05,389
Have you seen them on TV
or even in the newspaper?
1199
01:21:05,456 --> 01:21:07,083
That's why this story's dope.
1200
01:21:07,191 --> 01:21:08,954
She was our age, man.
1201
01:21:09,093 --> 01:21:12,585
Anne Frank understands our situation,
my situation.
1202
01:21:12,697 --> 01:21:15,632
And that Miep Gies lady,
the one that helped hide them?
1203
01:21:15,733 --> 01:21:16,961
I like her.
1204
01:21:17,068 --> 01:21:19,502
I got all these other books
about her from the library.
1205
01:21:19,603 --> 01:21:22,470
Wow. You used your library card?
1206
01:21:24,408 --> 01:21:25,466
No.
1207
01:21:27,745 --> 01:21:32,512
Okay, listen up.
Marcus has given me an idea.
1208
01:21:33,017 --> 01:21:36,509
Instead of doing a book report on
The Diary of Anne Frank,
1209
01:21:36,654 --> 01:21:40,590
For our assignment I want you
to write a letter to Miep Gies,
1210
01:21:40,691 --> 01:21:42,955
The woman who helped shelter
the Franks.
1211
01:21:43,060 --> 01:21:46,518
She's still alive and she lives in Europe.
1212
01:21:46,630 --> 01:21:49,394
In the letter, I want you to tell her
how you feel about the book.
1213
01:21:49,500 --> 01:21:51,991
Tell her about your own experiences.
Tell her anything you like.
1214
01:21:52,103 --> 01:21:54,264
But I want the letters to be perfect,
1215
01:21:54,372 --> 01:21:56,806
So be prepared to do more
than one draft, okay?
1216
01:21:56,907 --> 01:21:58,374
Is she gonna read the letters?
1217
01:21:58,476 --> 01:22:00,876
Well, right now it's
a writing assignment. I'll read them.
1218
01:22:01,045 --> 01:22:02,603
We should get her to read them.
1219
01:22:02,747 --> 01:22:05,807
- Yeah, you can do that, right, Ms. G?
- Well, I don't know.
1220
01:22:05,883 --> 01:22:07,248
Maybe we should get her
to come and speak.
1221
01:22:07,351 --> 01:22:09,182
Yeah, and have a big dinner again.
1222
01:22:10,955 --> 01:22:12,786
Wait. Guys.
1223
01:22:15,993 --> 01:22:19,588
Guys! Everyone! Listen! She's elderly!
1224
01:22:19,697 --> 01:22:22,165
I don't know how to contact her.
I don't even know if she travels.
1225
01:22:22,266 --> 01:22:23,893
And it would be really expensive.
1226
01:22:24,001 --> 01:22:25,696
We could raise the money.
1227
01:22:26,637 --> 01:22:27,695
Ms. G?
1228
01:22:27,805 --> 01:22:31,764
When Miep Gies come,
can I, like, be the one to escort her in?
1229
01:22:51,629 --> 01:22:52,926
Five.
1230
01:23:06,343 --> 01:23:07,742
Hi, I'm trying to get the number
1231
01:23:07,845 --> 01:23:10,336
For the Anne Frank Foundation
in Basel, Switzerland.
1232
01:24:25,122 --> 01:24:26,680
Come in, Margaret.
1233
01:25:13,304 --> 01:25:16,102
Ms. G sent our letters all the way
to Amsterdam
1234
01:25:16,206 --> 01:25:18,003
to Miep Gies, herself.
1235
01:25:18,208 --> 01:25:20,403
When Ms. G made up her mind
about something,
1236
01:25:20,511 --> 01:25:23,002
there was no stopping her,
man, for real.
1237
01:25:30,321 --> 01:25:34,451
And after we raised the money to bring
her to Long Beach, there she was.
1238
01:25:36,860 --> 01:25:40,660
But, damn,
I didn't expect her to be so small.
1239
01:25:59,316 --> 01:26:02,843
The bounty on a Jew was about $2.
1240
01:26:03,721 --> 01:26:06,986
Someone desperate for money
told the Gestapo.
1241
01:26:07,024 --> 01:26:10,892
On August 4th,
they stormed into my office,
1242
01:26:11,595 --> 01:26:17,966
And a man pointed a gun at
me and said, "Not a sound.
1243
01:26:18,469 --> 01:26:20,096
"Not one word. "
1244
01:26:21,238 --> 01:26:23,866
And then they went straight upstairs
to the attic.
1245
01:26:24,408 --> 01:26:26,842
I felt so helpless.
1246
01:26:26,944 --> 01:26:29,504
I could hear Anne screaming,
objects being thrown around.
1247
01:26:29,647 --> 01:26:32,377
So, I ran back to my house.
1248
01:26:32,516 --> 01:26:35,246
I looked for an earring
or knick-knacks, you know,
1249
01:26:35,352 --> 01:26:38,116
Anything I could take back with me
to bribe them.
1250
01:26:38,255 --> 01:26:41,554
So I took this back with me,
all these things,
1251
01:26:41,659 --> 01:26:45,959
And the soldier there took out his gun
1252
01:26:46,597 --> 01:26:48,792
And put it against my head.
1253
01:26:53,370 --> 01:26:57,966
You could be shot for hiding a Jew
or go to a camp.
1254
01:26:58,676 --> 01:27:02,635
So, another soldier
recognized my accent.
1255
01:27:02,846 --> 01:27:06,543
He was Austrian, and so was I,
1256
01:27:06,984 --> 01:27:09,748
But I had been adopted
by a Dutch family.
1257
01:27:09,853 --> 01:27:13,653
So, he told the soldier with the gun
to let me go.
1258
01:27:15,559 --> 01:27:20,087
There isn't a day
that I don't remember August 4th
1259
01:27:21,398 --> 01:27:25,232
And I think about Anne Frank.
1260
01:27:27,805 --> 01:27:28,897
Yes?
1261
01:27:36,780 --> 01:27:38,873
I've never had a hero before.
1262
01:27:39,783 --> 01:27:41,250
But you are my hero.
1263
01:27:41,719 --> 01:27:45,416
Oh, no. No, no, young man, no.
1264
01:27:45,522 --> 01:27:48,218
I am not a hero. No.
1265
01:27:48,325 --> 01:27:54,855
I did what I had to do,
because it was the right thing to do.
1266
01:27:55,265 --> 01:27:56,664
That is all.
1267
01:27:58,702 --> 01:28:01,535
You know, we are all ordinary people.
1268
01:28:02,239 --> 01:28:09,077
But even an ordinary secretary
or a housewife or a teenager
1269
01:28:10,481 --> 01:28:16,386
Can, within their own small ways,
turn on a small light
1270
01:28:18,889 --> 01:28:20,686
In a dark room.
1271
01:28:21,258 --> 01:28:22,418
Ja?
1272
01:28:26,630 --> 01:28:30,191
I have read your letters,
1273
01:28:30,300 --> 01:28:35,067
And your teacher has been telling me
many things about your experiences.
1274
01:28:37,207 --> 01:28:40,005
You are the heroes.
1275
01:28:41,311 --> 01:28:44,940
You are heroes every day.
1276
01:28:51,822 --> 01:28:55,258
Your faces are engraved in my heart.
1277
01:29:14,945 --> 01:29:16,310
You hungry?
1278
01:29:20,751 --> 01:29:23,515
You know what you're gonna say
in that courtroom?
1279
01:29:24,154 --> 01:29:26,122
I know what I have to say.
1280
01:29:27,825 --> 01:29:28,917
Yeah.
1281
01:29:29,593 --> 01:29:31,857
- You know how that is.
- I know.
1282
01:29:33,230 --> 01:29:35,858
And that man that put your father
in prison,
1283
01:29:35,966 --> 01:29:38,628
He knew he was sending
an innocent man.
1284
01:29:39,002 --> 01:29:40,299
But, you know,
1285
01:29:42,239 --> 01:29:43,831
He was just
1286
01:29:45,909 --> 01:29:47,638
Protecting his own.
1287
01:29:53,851 --> 01:29:56,547
What the hell does everybody
want from me?
1288
01:30:23,347 --> 01:30:25,315
Hey, Mama. Mama.
1289
01:30:30,921 --> 01:30:33,321
What the hell are you doing here?
1290
01:30:39,630 --> 01:30:43,566
I want to come home.
I don't want to be in the streets no more.
1291
01:30:43,667 --> 01:30:44,964
I'm sorry.
1292
01:30:47,471 --> 01:30:50,599
I want to change. I can't do it alone.
1293
01:30:52,509 --> 01:30:54,136
I need you, Mama.
1294
01:30:55,946 --> 01:30:57,413
I need you.
1295
01:31:35,085 --> 01:31:36,848
And what time was that?
1296
01:31:37,721 --> 01:31:40,019
I told you, 9:00, 9:30.
1297
01:31:40,691 --> 01:31:42,158
And you had a clear view
of the defendant,
1298
01:31:42,259 --> 01:31:44,124
Grant Rice, in the store?
1299
01:31:45,329 --> 01:31:47,695
I told you he was playing
the video game.
1300
01:31:48,298 --> 01:31:50,766
Then what happened?
What did you see?
1301
01:31:51,201 --> 01:31:53,294
Well, he got all whacked
because he lost the game,
1302
01:31:53,437 --> 01:31:57,032
And then he started shouting and all,
threatening everybody.
1303
01:31:57,140 --> 01:32:00,337
He threatened everyone?
He threatened you?
1304
01:32:01,445 --> 01:32:03,879
No. The guy who ran the store.
1305
01:32:04,014 --> 01:32:06,039
He wanted his money back
for the game.
1306
01:32:06,083 --> 01:32:08,108
And what did the store owner do?
1307
01:32:08,952 --> 01:32:12,251
He shouted back.
And they were fighting.
1308
01:32:12,522 --> 01:32:16,788
Then he, the defendant, knocked
something over and left the store.
1309
01:32:17,361 --> 01:32:19,852
And then what happened?
What did you see?
1310
01:32:24,034 --> 01:32:25,661
I saw...
1311
01:32:37,848 --> 01:32:39,315
I saw...
1312
01:32:54,598 --> 01:32:56,065
Paco did it.
1313
01:33:00,237 --> 01:33:01,966
Paco killed the guy.
1314
01:34:27,591 --> 01:34:30,082
My father won't talk to me anymore.
1315
01:34:32,462 --> 01:34:37,832
And I have to lay low for a little while
because there's word out to jump me.
1316
01:34:39,236 --> 01:34:41,534
So I'm gonna be living with my aunt.
1317
01:34:43,006 --> 01:34:47,966
See, my aunt lives even further away,
1318
01:34:50,046 --> 01:34:54,346
So I was just wondering if I could, like,
1319
01:34:57,487 --> 01:34:59,271
Stay here late with you
1320
01:34:59,306 --> 01:35:01,056
Stay here late with you
1321
01:35:02,926 --> 01:35:07,420
So I can get my homework done,
'cause it's late by the time I get home.
1322
01:35:09,900 --> 01:35:12,869
You can stay as late as you want.
1323
01:35:14,237 --> 01:35:18,196
And I can even drive you to your aunt's,
if it gets too late.
1324
01:35:21,444 --> 01:35:23,275
Ms. G, let's not get nuts.
1325
01:35:59,049 --> 01:36:00,983
I think I got your color.
1326
01:36:47,664 --> 01:36:49,655
Just come by the concierge
on your way out,
1327
01:36:49,766 --> 01:36:52,530
I'll have the directions for you.
Yep, that's fine.
1328
01:36:59,576 --> 01:37:03,376
Stop! That's it! Now, now! Hey!
1329
01:37:05,115 --> 01:37:07,583
You get an extra three seconds. Go!
1330
01:37:13,757 --> 01:37:16,021
... enraged them and provoked them
into acts of violence.
1331
01:37:16,126 --> 01:37:20,392
In 1961, an interracial civil rights group
traveled by bus through the South
1332
01:37:20,497 --> 01:37:22,226
to challenge segregation.
1333
01:37:22,332 --> 01:37:25,199
Blacks sat in the front,
whites in the back.
1334
01:37:25,669 --> 01:37:29,196
They were attacked, firebombed,
but they kept going.
1335
01:37:29,806 --> 01:37:33,970
In Montgomery, Alabama, Jim Zwerg
offered to be the first off the bus,
1336
01:37:34,077 --> 01:37:36,443
knowing there was a mob
waiting for them.
1337
01:37:36,579 --> 01:37:39,548
He was almost beaten to death
so the others could get away.
1338
01:37:39,649 --> 01:37:43,141
That kind of courage
is unbelievable to me.
1339
01:37:43,286 --> 01:37:46,653
I was afraid of just being in this class,
and I was ashamed
1340
01:37:46,756 --> 01:37:50,522
because I've always been the dumb kid
in school, even with my friends.
1341
01:37:50,694 --> 01:37:52,059
But not anymore.
1342
01:37:52,228 --> 01:37:53,752
And I must have some kind of courage,
1343
01:37:53,863 --> 01:37:57,594
because I could have lied
to get out of here, but I stayed.
1344
01:37:58,668 --> 01:37:59,965
I stayed.
1345
01:38:00,403 --> 01:38:01,700
Hi, I'm home!
1346
01:38:02,305 --> 01:38:07,242
Sorry, it got late. I drove the kids home.
I didn't want them taking buses.
1347
01:38:07,777 --> 01:38:10,143
You're never gonna believe
what happened.
1348
01:38:11,514 --> 01:38:13,175
I'm so tired.
1349
01:38:13,683 --> 01:38:16,550
It's so cute, though.
They never want to go home.
1350
01:38:17,220 --> 01:38:20,451
We have such a good time together.
I'm gonna take a shower.
1351
01:38:40,076 --> 01:38:43,170
If you have another glass,
you're gonna have a headache.
1352
01:38:43,947 --> 01:38:48,350
Your bags are packed and you think
the wine's gonna give me a headache?
1353
01:38:50,353 --> 01:38:52,116
Why are you doing this?
1354
01:38:52,222 --> 01:38:55,487
Because I don't
pay enough attention to you?
1355
01:38:55,592 --> 01:38:57,560
No. That's not it.
1356
01:38:59,929 --> 01:39:03,990
I just... I feel like I'm living a life
I just did not agree to.
1357
01:39:06,336 --> 01:39:07,963
Erin, it's just...
1358
01:39:09,205 --> 01:39:10,695
It's too hard.
1359
01:39:11,307 --> 01:39:13,468
Your life is too hard?
1360
01:39:13,977 --> 01:39:16,502
I think what you're doing is noble.
1361
01:39:17,113 --> 01:39:20,674
And it's good. And I'm proud of you.
1362
01:39:21,284 --> 01:39:22,581
I am.
1363
01:39:24,921 --> 01:39:28,220
I just want to live my life
and not feel bad about it.
1364
01:39:28,324 --> 01:39:31,487
- I'm not trying to make you feel bad.
- You don't have to try.
1365
01:39:31,594 --> 01:39:34,392
I didn't plan on becoming responsible
for these kids.
1366
01:39:34,497 --> 01:39:36,522
- Well, who asked you to?
- No one asked me to!
1367
01:39:36,633 --> 01:39:37,622
They're not even your kids!
1368
01:39:37,734 --> 01:39:41,534
Why do I have to be asked? Scott...
1369
01:39:45,675 --> 01:39:50,578
I finally realized what I'm
supposed to be doing and I love it.
1370
01:39:50,713 --> 01:39:55,377
When I'm helping these kids
make sense of their lives,
1371
01:39:56,019 --> 01:39:58,852
Everything about my life
makes sense to me.
1372
01:40:02,392 --> 01:40:04,758
How often does a person get that?
1373
01:40:08,064 --> 01:40:12,160
- Then what do you need me for?
- You're my husband.
1374
01:40:12,268 --> 01:40:17,171
Why can't you stand by me and be part
of it, the way wives support husbands?
1375
01:40:17,273 --> 01:40:19,138
Because I can't be your wife.
1376
01:40:26,449 --> 01:40:28,747
I wish I could make that
sound less awful.
1377
01:40:30,920 --> 01:40:32,080
Erin?
1378
01:40:33,690 --> 01:40:36,250
You know,
if you had to choose between us
1379
01:40:37,760 --> 01:40:39,387
And the class,
1380
01:40:41,197 --> 01:40:42,630
Who would you pick?
1381
01:40:44,667 --> 01:40:48,125
If you love me,
how could you ever ask me that?
1382
01:40:49,105 --> 01:40:50,732
Erin, look at me.
1383
01:40:54,244 --> 01:40:56,405
This is all there's ever been to me.
1384
01:40:56,779 --> 01:41:01,148
This is it. I'm not one of those kids.
I don't have any more potential.
1385
01:41:02,986 --> 01:41:04,510
See? You don't want to be here either,
1386
01:41:04,654 --> 01:41:07,987
'cause if you did, would you be
in the classroom every night?
1387
01:41:09,325 --> 01:41:13,955
That's not true. I want to be here.
I love you.
1388
01:41:15,131 --> 01:41:17,099
You love the idea of me.
1389
01:41:22,639 --> 01:41:24,937
But it's such a great idea.
1390
01:41:28,611 --> 01:41:29,908
I know.
1391
01:41:57,974 --> 01:41:59,771
Dad? Hi.
1392
01:42:02,378 --> 01:42:05,575
You know, I was actually trying
to call someone else,
1393
01:42:05,715 --> 01:42:07,683
And I automatically dialed you. I'm sorry.
1394
01:42:07,717 --> 01:42:10,277
Look, I'm gonna call you tomorrow,
okay?
1395
01:42:10,420 --> 01:42:13,719
I need to make this call. I love you.
1396
01:42:26,769 --> 01:42:29,260
Ms. G made us read Twelve Angry Men.
1397
01:42:29,372 --> 01:42:33,009
It's all about how this one juror
helped to turn the hearts of 11 jurors.
1398
01:42:33,044 --> 01:42:34,874
It made me feel hopeful.
1399
01:42:35,411 --> 01:42:38,676
At 2:00 today, my brother
was given a verdict on his own trial.
1400
01:42:38,815 --> 01:42:41,443
No O. J. Dream Team,
just a court-appointed attorney
1401
01:42:41,584 --> 01:42:43,552
who probably thought
his ass was guilty.
1402
01:42:43,686 --> 01:42:47,315
And I realized Twelve Angry Men
was just a book and nothing more.
1403
01:42:47,657 --> 01:42:50,387
My brother got 15 years to life.
1404
01:42:50,493 --> 01:42:53,223
Justice don't mean
the bad guy goes to jail.
1405
01:42:53,329 --> 01:42:55,524
It just means somebody
pays for the crime.
1406
01:43:01,371 --> 01:43:02,895
So, you got time now?
1407
01:43:09,779 --> 01:43:11,371
Anyone know where Andre's been?
1408
01:43:11,514 --> 01:43:12,776
I haven't seen him on the bus.
1409
01:43:12,915 --> 01:43:14,382
Yeah, I haven't talked to him either.
1410
01:43:23,292 --> 01:43:24,816
Ms. G?
1411
01:43:25,194 --> 01:43:27,526
Are we gonna have
this same room next year, again?
1412
01:43:27,630 --> 01:43:30,758
I don't know.
You're gonna be juniors next year.
1413
01:43:32,301 --> 01:43:33,825
What do you mean?
1414
01:43:33,936 --> 01:43:36,632
Well, I teach freshman
and sophomore years.
1415
01:43:36,739 --> 01:43:39,867
You mean,
we're not gonna be with you next year?
1416
01:43:42,578 --> 01:43:43,943
Well, I...
1417
01:43:45,815 --> 01:43:49,546
I don't teach juniors.
I thought you guys understood that.
1418
01:43:50,053 --> 01:43:51,179
What? What are you talking about?
1419
01:43:53,389 --> 01:43:55,016
You don't wanna be our teacher
next year?
1420
01:43:55,124 --> 01:43:57,649
Of course I do. I can't.
1421
01:43:57,760 --> 01:44:00,251
- Why not?
- It's the Board of Ed.
1422
01:44:00,363 --> 01:44:02,297
It's regulations.
1423
01:44:05,034 --> 01:44:07,832
Ms. G hasn't been here long enough
to have seniority.
1424
01:44:07,870 --> 01:44:09,201
Who cares about seniority?
1425
01:44:09,338 --> 01:44:11,898
Shit! They can't do that!
They don't have the right!
1426
01:44:14,010 --> 01:44:16,808
- Ms. G, this is our kick-it spot.
- Yeah.
1427
01:44:16,946 --> 01:44:20,382
Everybody's cool with everybody.
Everybody knows everybody.
1428
01:44:20,516 --> 01:44:23,952
This is the only place
where we really get to be ourselves.
1429
01:44:24,087 --> 01:44:26,112
There's no place like this
out there for us.
1430
01:44:26,389 --> 01:44:27,788
That's true.
1431
01:44:28,291 --> 01:44:30,851
I'm not allowed
to teach junior and seniors.
1432
01:44:30,993 --> 01:44:31,960
You're not allowed?
1433
01:44:33,996 --> 01:44:37,625
Ms. G, we can fight this, you know,
like the Freedom Riders.
1434
01:44:37,734 --> 01:44:39,497
Yeah, yeah,
we'll all drive around on a bus.
1435
01:44:39,602 --> 01:44:41,593
Only this time, they try and bust us up,
1436
01:44:41,704 --> 01:44:43,501
We bust a few of them
board members' heads.
1437
01:44:44,140 --> 01:44:45,129
Marcus.
1438
01:44:45,241 --> 01:44:48,870
Or we can go to the newspapers,
media. That'll get their attention.
1439
01:44:49,112 --> 01:44:50,579
Or we can paint
the administration building
1440
01:44:50,713 --> 01:44:53,181
With the word "assholes"
in various colors.
1441
01:44:54,917 --> 01:44:56,612
Hey, it's something. We can do this.
1442
01:45:02,058 --> 01:45:03,025
What?
1443
01:45:03,126 --> 01:45:06,687
These are my books, not Scott's.
I'm packing the wrong books.
1444
01:45:06,796 --> 01:45:08,491
Honey, take a break.
1445
01:45:12,435 --> 01:45:13,902
Sit down.
1446
01:45:17,073 --> 01:45:19,667
I can't believe I'm getting divorced.
1447
01:45:21,144 --> 01:45:23,578
I never thought this would happen.
1448
01:45:27,550 --> 01:45:29,643
What do I do now?
1449
01:45:30,620 --> 01:45:33,088
Next year, I won't even have my kids.
1450
01:45:33,489 --> 01:45:35,787
You think you should stay with them?
1451
01:45:36,659 --> 01:45:38,957
Or is it better they move on?
1452
01:45:39,295 --> 01:45:40,762
I don't know.
1453
01:45:44,567 --> 01:45:47,035
It's just a job, like you said.
1454
01:45:47,136 --> 01:45:48,763
Yeah, it is.
1455
01:45:49,705 --> 01:45:51,673
But is the job finished?
1456
01:45:54,010 --> 01:45:55,602
Listen to me now.
1457
01:45:55,878 --> 01:45:58,403
What you've done with those kids...
1458
01:46:00,817 --> 01:46:03,115
I don't even have words for it.
1459
01:46:04,854 --> 01:46:09,814
But one thing's for sure,
you are an amazing teacher.
1460
01:46:11,694 --> 01:46:13,059
Special.
1461
01:46:13,830 --> 01:46:18,233
You have been blessed with a burden,
my daughter.
1462
01:46:20,203 --> 01:46:22,171
And I envy you that.
1463
01:46:24,874 --> 01:46:26,501
And I admire you.
1464
01:46:29,011 --> 01:46:33,004
And how many fathers ever get
to say that to their daughters
1465
01:46:33,149 --> 01:46:35,117
And really mean it?
1466
01:46:38,988 --> 01:46:42,082
What she is suggesting
is in violation of our union charter.
1467
01:46:42,191 --> 01:46:45,354
She may not move on with her students
to teach them junior year.
1468
01:46:45,461 --> 01:46:47,452
She's only been here two years.
1469
01:46:47,563 --> 01:46:49,656
There are teachers here
who have tenure,
1470
01:46:49,765 --> 01:46:52,029
Who have worked and committed
themselves for far longer
1471
01:46:52,134 --> 01:46:54,034
To attain a position of seniority.
1472
01:46:54,136 --> 01:46:58,095
Not to mention their experience
in teaching students of a higher caliber.
1473
01:46:58,207 --> 01:47:01,005
The Distinguished Scholars Program
is under our jurisdiction.
1474
01:47:01,177 --> 01:47:03,941
I don't want to replace
the Distinguished Scholars Program.
1475
01:47:04,080 --> 01:47:05,980
I just want to stay
with my kids next year.
1476
01:47:06,082 --> 01:47:08,277
She can't. I have the juniors.
1477
01:47:08,351 --> 01:47:10,376
The Board of Education
will not allow this.
1478
01:47:10,519 --> 01:47:12,453
Teaching rotations will be disrupted,
1479
01:47:12,555 --> 01:47:14,853
Retirement schedules
will be reevaluated,
1480
01:47:14,957 --> 01:47:18,393
Disrespecting teachers
who have earned their way far longer
1481
01:47:18,494 --> 01:47:20,655
And who focus on the classroom,
1482
01:47:20,763 --> 01:47:23,596
Not on public relations
and newspaper articles.
1483
01:47:23,699 --> 01:47:25,690
I didn't ask for those articles
to be written.
1484
01:47:25,801 --> 01:47:27,291
She's in the middle of a divorce.
1485
01:47:27,403 --> 01:47:29,894
Note, they stay late in her class,
they're eating, they're playing games!
1486
01:47:30,006 --> 01:47:33,100
All right, let's all just take a breath here.
All right?
1487
01:47:34,543 --> 01:47:36,636
Now I had hoped
that we could talk this out,
1488
01:47:36,779 --> 01:47:38,474
Maybe come to some kind
of arrangement.
1489
01:47:38,614 --> 01:47:41,082
- There is no arrangement...
- Margaret.
1490
01:47:41,951 --> 01:47:43,418
Carl, look.
1491
01:47:44,020 --> 01:47:47,080
Putting aside all obvious resentments
for the moment,
1492
01:47:47,189 --> 01:47:48,588
Even if an arrangement were made
1493
01:47:48,691 --> 01:47:52,821
And she could teach them as juniors,
there isn't an accredited course
1494
01:47:52,929 --> 01:47:55,295
In the curriculum for her to teach.
1495
01:47:55,932 --> 01:47:59,595
Unless Brian trades one of his
junior classes for a sophomore.
1496
01:47:59,702 --> 01:48:00,760
No.
1497
01:48:02,538 --> 01:48:04,768
Then there's nothing I can do.
1498
01:48:08,311 --> 01:48:09,608
So that's it?
1499
01:48:10,746 --> 01:48:12,213
Believe it or not, Ms. Gruwell,
1500
01:48:12,315 --> 01:48:15,045
There are other capable teachers
in this school.
1501
01:48:15,184 --> 01:48:17,175
If you've made the progress
you say you have,
1502
01:48:17,320 --> 01:48:18,981
Your students should be ready
to move on.
1503
01:48:19,088 --> 01:48:21,750
They might even gain something
from more experienced teachers.
1504
01:48:21,857 --> 01:48:25,122
You can't teach them.
You don't even like them.
1505
01:48:25,227 --> 01:48:27,058
What does that have to do
with teaching?
1506
01:48:27,163 --> 01:48:29,757
I've been an educator for over 30 years.
1507
01:48:30,166 --> 01:48:31,861
I have students that still remain
in touch with me.
1508
01:48:31,968 --> 01:48:34,402
I know what it is to be loved
by a classroom!
1509
01:48:34,503 --> 01:48:37,472
You have no idea
how many battles I've had
1510
01:48:37,573 --> 01:48:39,234
Fighting to be a better teacher,
1511
01:48:39,342 --> 01:48:42,709
And now, what, suddenly I'm incapable
of educating your students?
1512
01:48:42,812 --> 01:48:45,474
You know, if they move on
to our classes and they fail,
1513
01:48:45,614 --> 01:48:47,673
It'll be because they weren't prepared!
1514
01:48:47,817 --> 01:48:50,513
Lt'll be because you failed, not them!
1515
01:49:09,105 --> 01:49:11,767
Andre? Wait a minute before you go in.
1516
01:49:25,021 --> 01:49:27,489
I heard about your brother's conviction.
I'm sorry.
1517
01:49:27,623 --> 01:49:29,818
Is that why you've missed class
so much?
1518
01:49:29,925 --> 01:49:31,722
I had things to do.
1519
01:49:34,997 --> 01:49:36,794
About this.
1520
01:49:37,266 --> 01:49:38,426
The evaluation assignment
1521
01:49:38,534 --> 01:49:40,001
Was to grade yourself
on the work you're doing.
1522
01:49:40,102 --> 01:49:42,536
You gave yourself an F.
What's that about?
1523
01:49:42,938 --> 01:49:46,135
- It's what I feel I deserve. That's all.
- Oh, really?
1524
01:49:47,710 --> 01:49:49,405
You know what this is?
1525
01:49:49,712 --> 01:49:53,705
This is a "Fuck you" to me,
and everyone in this class!
1526
01:49:53,849 --> 01:49:57,114
I don't want excuses.
I know what you're up against.
1527
01:49:57,453 --> 01:49:59,683
We're all of us up against something.
1528
01:50:00,656 --> 01:50:04,023
So you better make up your mind,
because until you have the balls
1529
01:50:04,126 --> 01:50:06,924
To look me straight in the eye
and tell me this is all you deserve,
1530
01:50:07,029 --> 01:50:08,587
I am not letting you fail,
1531
01:50:08,631 --> 01:50:10,690
Even if that means coming
to your house every night
1532
01:50:10,800 --> 01:50:12,495
Until you finish the work.
1533
01:50:12,601 --> 01:50:14,398
I see who you are.
1534
01:50:14,937 --> 01:50:17,064
Do you understand me?
1535
01:50:18,074 --> 01:50:20,042
I can see you.
1536
01:50:21,911 --> 01:50:23,845
And you are not failing.
1537
01:50:27,283 --> 01:50:32,220
So, take a minute.
Pull yourself together and come inside.
1538
01:50:32,755 --> 01:50:34,780
I want a new evaluation.
1539
01:50:39,995 --> 01:50:42,793
An F. What, are you tripping?
1540
01:50:48,471 --> 01:50:51,929
I want you all to know that
Dr. Cohn and I tried very hard.
1541
01:50:54,710 --> 01:50:57,577
But it's been decided we can't continue
with each other junior year.
1542
01:50:57,713 --> 01:50:58,805
- What?
- What?
1543
01:51:00,449 --> 01:51:02,349
You... Wait.
1544
01:51:03,085 --> 01:51:05,053
Wait. Guys. Everyone.
1545
01:51:06,455 --> 01:51:08,923
No! That don't fly, Ma!
1546
01:51:10,493 --> 01:51:14,156
Look, first of all,
I'm not anyone's mother in here, okay?
1547
01:51:14,263 --> 01:51:16,458
No, it doesn't mean mother.
1548
01:51:17,166 --> 01:51:19,498
It's a sign of respect for you.
1549
01:51:33,716 --> 01:51:35,115
Listen to me.
1550
01:51:35,351 --> 01:51:36,648
All of you.
1551
01:51:37,419 --> 01:51:42,049
Don't use me as another excuse
for why you can't make it.
1552
01:51:43,959 --> 01:51:47,258
You made it to your junior year.
1553
01:51:48,063 --> 01:51:50,861
Think about how you did that.
1554
01:51:52,234 --> 01:51:55,897
Everyone in this room
has a chance to graduate.
1555
01:51:56,939 --> 01:51:59,499
For some,
you'll be the first in your family.
1556
01:51:59,608 --> 01:52:02,372
The first with a choice to go to college.
1557
01:52:03,379 --> 01:52:06,177
Some may move faster than others.
1558
01:52:07,783 --> 01:52:10,081
But you'll each have the chance.
1559
01:52:11,153 --> 01:52:14,122
And you did that. Not me.
1560
01:52:21,197 --> 01:52:24,860
Now, I have one
1561
01:52:26,902 --> 01:52:28,494
Final project in mind.
1562
01:52:28,604 --> 01:52:30,799
- Ms. G.
- Yeah?
1563
01:52:32,641 --> 01:52:37,601
Ms. G wanted us to put our diaries
together in a book, just like Anne Frank.
1564
01:52:38,347 --> 01:52:40,372
She got this businessman, John Tu,
1565
01:52:40,516 --> 01:52:43,349
to donate 35 computers
so we could work.
1566
01:52:48,424 --> 01:52:51,825
She told us we have something
to say to people.
1567
01:52:51,994 --> 01:52:53,193
We weren't just kids
in a class anymore.
1568
01:52:53,228 --> 01:52:54,392
We weren't just kids
in a class anymore.
1569
01:52:54,496 --> 01:52:58,193
We were writers with our own voices,
our own stories.
1570
01:52:58,300 --> 01:53:00,359
And even if nobody else read it,
1571
01:53:00,469 --> 01:53:04,064
the book would be something
to leave behind that said we were here,
1572
01:53:04,673 --> 01:53:07,767
this is what happened, we mattered.
1573
01:53:08,244 --> 01:53:12,510
Even if it was just to each other.
And we won't forget.
1574
01:53:14,216 --> 01:53:16,582
Ms. G didn't promise
it would get published or anything,
1575
01:53:16,685 --> 01:53:19,552
but we could get it out there ourselves.
1576
01:53:20,289 --> 01:53:22,519
She asked us to come up with a title,
1577
01:53:23,058 --> 01:53:25,026
something to call ourselves.
1578
01:53:42,811 --> 01:53:44,676
I just received a call
from Karin Polacheck
1579
01:53:44,813 --> 01:53:45,905
At the Board of Education.
1580
01:53:46,048 --> 01:53:48,039
There's to be a meeting
with Dr. Cohn about your classes.
1581
01:53:48,183 --> 01:53:51,619
- Do you know anything about this?
- No.
1582
01:53:59,428 --> 01:54:04,889
These students, this class,
they've become a family.
1583
01:54:05,801 --> 01:54:07,393
To who? To you?
1584
01:54:08,070 --> 01:54:09,697
To each other.
1585
01:54:10,506 --> 01:54:13,839
Room 203 is a kind of a home for them.
1586
01:54:14,376 --> 01:54:17,709
Their trust is all wrapped up
in us being together as a group.
1587
01:54:18,147 --> 01:54:19,273
Once they're out of her class,
1588
01:54:19,415 --> 01:54:21,849
Believe me they'll slip back
into their old habits.
1589
01:54:21,950 --> 01:54:25,909
Their reading scores, their writing
has markedly improved, Ms. Campbell.
1590
01:54:26,055 --> 01:54:29,547
On paper. But what has
she accomplished in reality?
1591
01:54:29,658 --> 01:54:31,285
What about new students
that come in next year?
1592
01:54:31,393 --> 01:54:33,384
Can she repeat
this process every year?
1593
01:54:33,495 --> 01:54:34,894
Her methods are impractical,
1594
01:54:34,997 --> 01:54:37,625
Impossible to implement with regularity.
1595
01:54:37,733 --> 01:54:40,224
What if every teacher
performed in this way?
1596
01:54:40,836 --> 01:54:42,064
We have millions of children
1597
01:54:42,171 --> 01:54:43,900
To get through the education system
in this country,
1598
01:54:44,006 --> 01:54:45,837
And we need a means
of accomplishing that
1599
01:54:45,941 --> 01:54:48,842
Which allows as many students
to benefit as possible,
1600
01:54:48,944 --> 01:54:50,878
Not just special cases.
1601
01:54:52,381 --> 01:54:55,839
And you honestly think you can create
this family in every classroom,
1602
01:54:55,984 --> 01:54:58,953
For every grade,
for every student you teach?
1603
01:55:03,525 --> 01:55:04,992
I don't know.
1604
01:55:11,200 --> 01:55:12,531
Thank you.
1605
01:55:32,921 --> 01:55:35,822
Hey, there go Ms. G.
Hey, there go Ms. G!
1606
01:55:44,733 --> 01:55:46,132
What happened?
1607
01:55:46,935 --> 01:55:50,735
So? Are we gonna be together
for junior year?
1608
01:55:56,578 --> 01:55:57,875
No.
1609
01:55:58,814 --> 01:56:00,679
- What?
- What?
1610
01:56:05,287 --> 01:56:08,654
We're gonna be together junior
and senior year.
1611
01:56:10,092 --> 01:56:11,150
Yes!
1612
01:56:13,870 --> 01:56:15,830
I can't get involved
in inner school policy.
1613
01:56:15,910 --> 01:56:18,110
My principal only listens
to my department head,
1614
01:56:18,270 --> 01:56:20,230
And she's not very supportive.
1615
01:56:20,310 --> 01:56:22,070
You'll have to find a way to deal with it.
1616
01:56:22,150 --> 01:56:24,950
No, I'd rather just deal directly
with someone in power.
1617
01:56:25,070 --> 01:56:27,190
Ms. Gruwell, there's a system in place
1618
01:56:27,310 --> 01:56:30,110
Based on years of running
an educational facility.
1619
01:56:30,310 --> 01:56:33,390
- You have to follow that system.
- No. I won't.
1620
01:56:34,430 --> 01:56:37,390
Look, I'm just trying to do my job here.
1621
01:56:37,470 --> 01:56:40,390
What's the point
of a voluntary integration program
1622
01:56:40,470 --> 01:56:43,270
If the kids making it to high school
have a 5th grade reading level?
1623
01:56:43,390 --> 01:56:45,190
I enforced that program.
1624
01:56:45,270 --> 01:56:46,390
With all due respect,
1625
01:56:46,470 --> 01:56:48,830
All that program is doing
is warehousing these kids
1626
01:56:48,990 --> 01:56:50,390
Until they're old enough to disappear.
1627
01:56:50,470 --> 01:56:52,110
Look, I appreciate your intentions,
1628
01:56:52,270 --> 01:56:54,830
But there's nothing I can do
on a class-by-class basis.
1629
01:56:54,950 --> 01:56:58,470
Dr. Cohn, why should they waste
their time showing up
1630
01:56:58,590 --> 01:57:01,310
When they know
we're wasting our time teaching them?
1631
01:57:01,390 --> 01:57:04,110
We tell them, "Go to school.
Get an education. "
1632
01:57:04,230 --> 01:57:08,350
And then we say, "Well, they can't learn,
so let's not waste resources. "
1633
01:57:08,710 --> 01:57:10,190
I'm thinking trips.
1634
01:57:10,310 --> 01:57:13,190
Most of them have never
been outside of Long Beach.
1635
01:57:13,270 --> 01:57:15,750
They haven't been given the opportunity
1636
01:57:15,870 --> 01:57:18,390
To expand their thinking
about what's out there for them.
1637
01:57:18,470 --> 01:57:19,870
And they're hungry for it. I know it.
1638
01:57:19,990 --> 01:57:22,110
And it's purely a reward system.
1639
01:57:22,270 --> 01:57:24,030
They won't get anything
they haven't earned
1640
01:57:24,190 --> 01:57:26,270
By doing their work
and upping their grades.
1641
01:57:26,430 --> 01:57:27,710
But if Ms. Campbell
won't give you books
1642
01:57:27,830 --> 01:57:28,870
Because of budget restrictions,
1643
01:57:29,030 --> 01:57:30,150
She's not gonna approve school trips.
1644
01:57:30,310 --> 01:57:31,710
I'll raise the money.
1645
01:57:31,830 --> 01:57:34,470
I just need to know
I won't meet resistance.
1646
01:57:34,870 --> 01:57:36,950
See, I can't promise them anything
I can't deliver.
1647
01:57:37,070 --> 01:57:39,510
It only proves what they already believe.
1648
01:57:41,430 --> 01:57:45,270
All I'm saying is, Ms. Campbell
doesn't need to be bothered.
1649
01:57:48,790 --> 01:57:50,550
You're a concierge at the Marriott?
1650
01:57:50,670 --> 01:57:51,790
It's just weekends.
1651
01:57:51,910 --> 01:57:53,830
You play tennis with Evan on Saturdays.
1652
01:57:53,990 --> 01:57:55,870
And you can play golf
with my dad on Sundays.
1653
01:57:55,990 --> 01:57:56,990
You want me to play golf?
1654
01:57:57,150 --> 01:57:59,430
And the bonus is I get employee rates
1655
01:57:59,510 --> 01:58:01,790
On Marriott hotel rooms
all over the world.
1656
01:58:01,910 --> 01:58:02,870
I've heard a lot of hyphenates,
1657
01:58:03,030 --> 01:58:06,470
But a bra-selling-English-teacher-
hotel-concierge has gotta be a new one.
1658
01:58:06,590 --> 01:58:09,070
You told me your part-time job
was temporary.
1659
01:58:09,190 --> 01:58:11,550
It is. I just don't know for how long.
1660
01:58:12,270 --> 01:58:14,190
- What if I said no?
- No, what?
1661
01:58:16,830 --> 01:58:18,870
- But I can make it work, Scott.
- No, that's not the point.
1662
01:58:18,990 --> 01:58:21,390
You can do anything!
We know that already.
1663
01:58:21,470 --> 01:58:24,510
It's just that I... You...
1664
01:58:25,190 --> 01:58:26,950
You didn't even ask me.
1665
01:58:28,070 --> 01:58:31,470
- I'm just trying to do my job, Scott.
- By getting two more jobs?
1666
01:58:32,270 --> 01:58:33,950
I don't understand, Erin.
1667
01:58:35,070 --> 01:58:37,630
Scott, this is our time
to go after what we want,
1668
01:58:37,710 --> 01:58:41,030
When we're young,
before we have a family.
1669
01:58:41,270 --> 01:58:43,470
Maybe this is the perfect time
for you to go back to school,
1670
01:58:43,550 --> 01:58:45,710
Get your architect's degree.
1671
01:58:45,790 --> 01:58:47,710
Wouldn't that be great?
1672
01:58:50,790 --> 01:58:52,230
What?
1673
01:58:53,910 --> 01:58:55,190
Nothing.
1674
01:59:01,990 --> 01:59:03,870
So, I'll call you with a list of venues.
1675
01:59:03,990 --> 01:59:06,070
I've scheduled a PTA board meeting
for next week.
1676
01:59:06,230 --> 01:59:07,230
So, it should be no problem.
1677
01:59:07,350 --> 01:59:08,430
- Thank you so much.
- You're welcome.
1678
01:59:08,440 --> 01:59:09,080
I can't get involved
in inner school policy.
1679
01:59:09,090 --> 01:59:09,770
My principal only listens
to my department head,
1680
01:59:09,780 --> 01:59:10,280
And she's not very supportive.
1681
01:59:10,290 --> 01:59:10,910
You'll have to find a way to deal with it.
1682
01:59:10,920 --> 01:59:11,680
No, I'd rather just deal directly
with someone in power.
1683
01:59:11,690 --> 01:59:12,270
Ms. Gruwell, there's a system in place
1684
01:59:12,280 --> 01:59:12,980
Based on years of running
an educational facility.
1685
01:59:12,990 --> 01:59:13,670
- You have to follow that system.
- No. I won't.
1686
01:59:13,680 --> 01:59:14,280
Look, I'm just trying to do my job here.
1687
01:59:14,290 --> 01:59:15,000
What's the point
of a voluntary integration program
1688
01:59:15,010 --> 01:59:15,890
If the kids making it to high school
have a 5th grade reading level?
1689
01:59:15,900 --> 01:59:16,340
I enforced that program.
1690
01:59:16,350 --> 01:59:16,760
With all due respect,
1691
01:59:16,770 --> 01:59:17,480
All that program is doing
is warehousing these kids
1692
01:59:17,490 --> 01:59:18,070
Until they're old enough to disappear.
1693
01:59:18,080 --> 01:59:18,630
Look, I appreciate your intentions,
1694
01:59:18,640 --> 01:59:19,390
But there's nothing I can do
on a class-by-class basis.
1695
01:59:19,400 --> 01:59:20,130
Dr. Cohn, why should they waste
their time showing up
1696
01:59:20,140 --> 01:59:20,860
When they know
we're wasting our time teaching them?
1697
01:59:20,870 --> 01:59:21,550
We tell them, "Go to school.
Get an education. "
1698
01:59:21,560 --> 01:59:22,490
And then we say, "Well, they can't learn,
so let's not waste resources. "
1699
01:59:22,500 --> 01:59:22,890
I'm thinking trips.
1700
01:59:22,900 --> 01:59:23,610
Most of them have never
been outside of Long Beach.
1701
01:59:23,620 --> 01:59:24,210
They haven't been given the opportunity
1702
01:59:24,220 --> 01:59:24,990
To expand their thinking
about what's out there for them.
1703
01:59:25,000 --> 01:59:25,570
And they're hungry for it. I know it.
1704
01:59:25,580 --> 01:59:26,100
And it's purely a reward system.
1705
01:59:26,110 --> 01:59:26,740
They won't get anything
they haven't earned
1706
01:59:26,750 --> 01:59:27,390
By doing their work
and upping their grades.
1707
01:59:27,400 --> 01:59:28,000
But if Ms. Campbell
won't give you books
1708
01:59:28,010 --> 01:59:28,520
Because of budget restrictions,
1709
01:59:28,530 --> 01:59:29,100
She's not gonna approve school trips.
1710
01:59:29,110 --> 01:59:29,520
I'll raise the money.
1711
01:59:29,530 --> 01:59:30,170
I just need to know
I won't meet resistance.
1712
01:59:30,180 --> 01:59:30,890
See, I can't promise them anything
I can't deliver.
1713
01:59:30,900 --> 01:59:31,510
It only proves what they already believe.
1714
01:59:31,520 --> 01:59:32,320
All I'm saying is, Ms. Campbell
doesn't need to be bothered.
1715
01:59:32,330 --> 01:59:32,880
You're a concierge at the Marriott?
1716
01:59:32,890 --> 01:59:33,280
It's just weekends.
1717
01:59:33,290 --> 01:59:33,880
You play tennis with Evan on Saturdays.
1718
01:59:33,890 --> 01:59:34,540
And you can play golf
with my dad on Sundays.
1719
01:59:34,550 --> 01:59:35,000
You want me to play golf?
1720
01:59:35,010 --> 01:59:35,580
And the bonus is I get employee rates
1721
01:59:35,590 --> 01:59:36,220
On Marriott hotel rooms
all over the world.
1722
01:59:36,230 --> 01:59:36,740
I've heard a lot of hyphenates,
1723
01:59:36,750 --> 01:59:37,690
But a bra-selling-English-teacher-
hotel-concierge has gotta be a new one.
1724
01:59:37,700 --> 01:59:38,350
You told me your part-time job
was temporary.
1725
01:59:38,360 --> 01:59:38,940
It is. I just don't know for how long.
1726
01:59:38,950 --> 01:59:39,470
- What if I said no?
- No, what?
1727
01:59:39,480 --> 01:59:40,280
- But I can make it work, Scott.
- No, that's not the point.
1728
01:59:40,290 --> 01:59:40,910
You can do anything!
We know that already.
1729
01:59:40,920 --> 01:59:41,380
It's just that I... You...
1730
01:59:41,390 --> 01:59:41,820
You didn't even ask me.
1731
01:59:41,830 --> 01:59:42,690
- I'm just trying to do my job, Scott.
- By getting two more jobs?
1732
01:59:42,700 --> 01:59:43,150
I don't understand, Erin.
1733
01:59:43,160 --> 01:59:43,850
Scott, this is our time
to go after what we want,
1734
01:59:43,860 --> 01:59:44,480
When we're young,
before we have a family.
1735
01:59:44,490 --> 01:59:45,290
Maybe this is the perfect time
for you to go back to school,
1736
01:59:45,300 --> 01:59:45,780
Get your architect's degree.
1737
01:59:45,790 --> 01:59:46,220
Wouldn't that be great?
1738
01:59:46,230 --> 01:59:46,480
What?
1739
01:59:46,490 --> 01:59:46,770
Nothing.
1740
01:59:46,780 --> 01:59:47,380
So, I'll call you with a list of venues.
1741
01:59:47,390 --> 01:59:48,080
I've scheduled a PTA board meeting
for next week.
1742
01:59:48,090 --> 01:59:48,570
So, it should be no problem.
1743
01:59:48,580 --> 01:59:49,160
- Thank you so much.
- You're welcome.
1744
01:59:49,170 --> 01:59:49,880
- Lovely to see you, Paula.
- Good to see you, too.
1745
01:59:49,890 --> 01:59:50,230
- Hi.
- Hello.
1746
01:59:50,240 --> 01:59:51,120
Principal Banning received a call
from Dr. Cohn at the school board.
1747
01:59:51,130 --> 01:59:51,820
Apparently you're taking your students
on a trip?
1748
01:59:51,830 --> 01:59:52,730
Yes, but it's over the weekend,
so it won't affect any test schedules.
1749
01:59:52,740 --> 01:59:53,180
I know how busy you are,
1750
01:59:53,190 --> 01:59:54,030
And since I'm paying for it myself,
I didn't want to bother you.
1751
01:59:54,040 --> 01:59:54,430
I'll be right back.
1752
01:59:54,440 --> 01:59:54,890
Oh, no. No, no, no. Erin?
1753
01:59:54,900 --> 01:59:56,471
- Get back in the car.
- Dad, he lives right here.
1754
01:59:56,573 --> 01:59:59,599
I'll get him.
Get back in the car and lock your door.
1755
02:00:01,744 --> 02:00:04,235
- What's his name?
- Andre Bryant.
1756
02:00:04,347 --> 02:00:05,314
Andre.
1757
02:00:09,252 --> 02:00:13,416
Since my pop split, my mom can't even
look at me, 'cause I look like my dad.
1758
02:00:13,923 --> 02:00:15,720
And with my brother in jail,
1759
02:00:15,825 --> 02:00:18,794
she looks at me and thinks
that's where I'm going, too.
1760
02:00:19,128 --> 02:00:20,755
She doesn't see me.
1761
02:00:21,364 --> 02:00:23,389
She doesn't see me at all.
1762
02:00:28,004 --> 02:00:29,494
I'm going out.
1763
02:00:34,944 --> 02:00:35,968
- What up?
- Hey.
1764
02:00:36,079 --> 02:00:37,979
Where you going? I need you.
1765
02:00:38,448 --> 02:00:41,383
No, man, I can't now.
I got something to do.
1766
02:00:41,518 --> 02:00:43,110
Tonight. I'll do it tonight.
1767
02:00:43,253 --> 02:00:46,347
I gotta go do something,
and I can't carry that around with me.
1768
02:00:46,756 --> 02:00:48,587
Forget it, man, I'll get somebody else.
1769
02:00:48,691 --> 02:00:50,750
I can't be waiting all day on you.
1770
02:00:51,394 --> 02:00:52,486
Hey.
1771
02:00:53,963 --> 02:00:57,364
Sorry about your brother, man.
I hear he going away for life.
1772
02:00:57,667 --> 02:01:00,101
They won't get it.
The guy he was with confessed.
1773
02:01:00,203 --> 02:01:02,330
To who? Your brother?
1774
02:01:03,039 --> 02:01:05,439
Hey. You Andre?
1775
02:01:16,920 --> 02:01:18,387
- What up?
- Hey.
1776
02:01:24,260 --> 02:01:26,660
- What?
- Put on your seat belt.
1777
02:01:30,033 --> 02:01:31,830
You, too, young lady.
1778
02:01:35,305 --> 02:01:37,865
You kids ever been
to Newport Beach before?
1779
02:01:38,074 --> 02:01:41,703
What? We went there last year
on our way to Paris.
1780
02:01:47,984 --> 02:01:49,451
Paris.
1781
02:01:53,856 --> 02:01:54,823
It's good.
1782
02:01:55,158 --> 02:01:56,819
I brought you something.
1783
02:02:00,930 --> 02:02:03,558
It's a good book. I read it in school.
1784
02:02:03,666 --> 02:02:07,466
It's about a gang kid,
and I thought you might like to read it.
1785
02:02:15,678 --> 02:02:18,511
He told me what I had to say
when I'm on the stand.
1786
02:03:14,337 --> 02:03:18,398
At the beginning of the tour, they give
you a card with a child's picture on it.
1787
02:03:18,574 --> 02:03:21,737
You could find out who they were
and what camp they were sent to.
1788
02:03:21,844 --> 02:03:25,644
And at the end of the tour,
you could find out if they survived.
1789
02:03:26,516 --> 02:03:28,780
I got a little girl from Italy.
1790
02:03:43,099 --> 02:03:45,226
Tito, your hat.
1791
02:04:15,198 --> 02:04:18,827
Kristallnacht, they called it.
The Night of Broken Glass.
1792
02:04:18,935 --> 02:04:21,267
Hundreds of synagogues
looted and burned.
1793
02:04:21,370 --> 02:04:24,134
More than 7,000
Jewish stores destroyed.
1794
02:04:24,240 --> 02:04:26,333
Over 100 Jews killed.
1795
02:04:39,122 --> 02:04:44,526
A small center for children in Isieux
in the French province of Ain.
1796
02:04:45,228 --> 02:04:48,129
Among the children deported that day
to Birkenau
1797
02:04:48,231 --> 02:04:51,598
was 11-year-old Liliane Berenstein,
1798
02:04:51,701 --> 02:04:55,603
who, before leaving,
left behind a letter to God.
1799
02:05:01,444 --> 02:05:06,074
My little boy died.
He got off the train and they killed him.
1800
02:05:06,582 --> 02:05:08,743
I don't know why
it bothered me so much.
1801
02:05:08,885 --> 02:05:11,012
I've seen death all my life.
1802
02:05:11,287 --> 02:05:15,951
But this little boy was only five.
1803
02:05:36,846 --> 02:05:40,373
Ms. G had a beautiful dinner for us
at the hotel where she works.
1804
02:05:41,083 --> 02:05:45,042
She invited real Holocaust survivors
from the museum to meet us.
1805
02:05:46,222 --> 02:05:48,019
There was Elisabeth Mann.
1806
02:05:48,124 --> 02:05:52,662
I had my parents,
my sister, my two brothers.
1807
02:05:52,962 --> 02:05:54,429
Gloria Ungar.
1808
02:05:54,530 --> 02:05:57,124
If any of you have seen someone
with a number on their arm,
1809
02:05:57,233 --> 02:05:59,224
These were the lucky people.
1810
02:05:59,335 --> 02:06:01,769
The people who,
when we came to Auschwitz,
1811
02:06:01,871 --> 02:06:05,671
When they tattooed the people
they took us to do the slave work.
1812
02:06:05,775 --> 02:06:09,404
Not the others,
and that included many of my family.
1813
02:06:09,512 --> 02:06:11,776
So, we ran away,
some of the young kids.
1814
02:06:11,881 --> 02:06:14,315
I was at that time
11-and-a-half years old.
1815
02:06:14,417 --> 02:06:15,441
Eddie llam.
1816
02:06:15,585 --> 02:06:17,553
And where to go, I didn't know,
1817
02:06:17,653 --> 02:06:21,384
But I remember one place
where I used to live.
1818
02:06:21,490 --> 02:06:23,856
So when I ran there,
there was not one Jew left.
1819
02:06:23,960 --> 02:06:27,157
I was in the worst camp.
I was in Auschwitz.
1820
02:06:27,263 --> 02:06:28,730
And Renee Firestone.
1821
02:06:28,831 --> 02:06:32,733
When I arrived, my parents were
immediately taken away from me.
1822
02:06:33,169 --> 02:06:36,468
My little sister,
who was then 14 years old,
1823
02:06:36,505 --> 02:06:39,235
Stayed with me for a little while.
1824
02:06:39,709 --> 02:06:42,906
And then later on,
I was separated from her also.
1825
02:06:43,012 --> 02:06:45,640
She lost her whole family at the camps.
1826
02:06:46,482 --> 02:06:50,578
She came to this country with $4
in her pocket and a newborn baby.
1827
02:06:51,654 --> 02:06:53,815
I'll never forget these people.
1828
02:06:53,956 --> 02:06:56,754
And then she was killed
because they didn't want...
1829
02:06:56,859 --> 02:06:59,760
I can't believe Ms. G did all of this
for us.
1830
02:07:07,303 --> 02:07:08,895
Hi, honey, it's me.
1831
02:07:09,005 --> 02:07:11,599
Look, we're still at the restaurant,
if you wanted to drop by.
1832
02:07:11,707 --> 02:07:13,334
We haven't even ordered dessert yet,
1833
02:07:13,442 --> 02:07:15,808
and the kids are having
such an incredible time.
1834
02:07:15,912 --> 02:07:17,675
You have to see them.
1835
02:07:17,780 --> 02:07:20,840
If you get in soon, come by.
It's only 9:30 now.
1836
02:07:22,251 --> 02:07:26,688
Okay, I'll see you later. Love you. Bye.
1837
02:07:58,220 --> 02:08:00,154
How many times
I gotta tell your ass again?
1838
02:08:00,256 --> 02:08:02,383
Get your butt in here!
1839
02:08:34,690 --> 02:08:37,158
So, you had all summer
to read and consider this book.
1840
02:08:41,297 --> 02:08:45,063
And you know,
I thought it would be most valuable
1841
02:08:45,768 --> 02:08:51,172
To begin with Victoria
to give us the black perspective.
1842
02:08:52,742 --> 02:08:54,039
Victoria?
1843
02:08:54,844 --> 02:08:56,835
Do I have a stamp
on my forehead that says,
1844
02:08:56,946 --> 02:08:59,506
"The National Spokesperson
for the Plight of Black People"?
1845
02:08:59,749 --> 02:09:02,912
How the hell should I know the black
perspective on The Color Purple?
1846
02:09:03,052 --> 02:09:06,488
That's it, if I don't change classes,
I'm gonna hurt this fool.
1847
02:09:06,589 --> 02:09:08,648
Teachers treat me like
I'm some kind of Rosetta stone
1848
02:09:08,791 --> 02:09:10,224
for African-Americans.
1849
02:09:10,326 --> 02:09:12,089
What? Black people learn how to read,
1850
02:09:12,194 --> 02:09:14,890
and we all miraculously come
to the same conclusion?
1851
02:09:14,997 --> 02:09:18,592
At that point, I decided to check out
my friend Brandy's English class.
1852
02:09:18,701 --> 02:09:20,168
- Good to see you, man.
- Hey, yeah.
1853
02:09:20,269 --> 02:09:22,328
- How was your summer?
- Great.
1854
02:09:26,842 --> 02:09:28,810
You're still white, I see.
1855
02:09:29,445 --> 02:09:31,310
Okay, everybody. Ready?
1856
02:09:31,480 --> 02:09:32,606
- Hey, Ms. G.
- Hi.
1857
02:09:32,715 --> 02:09:34,046
- Hi, Ms. G.
- Hi.
1858
02:09:43,492 --> 02:09:46,984
Okay, guys, gals, listen up!
This is what I want you to do.
1859
02:09:47,229 --> 02:09:51,325
I want each of you to step forward
and take one of these Borders bags,
1860
02:09:51,434 --> 02:09:54,335
Which contain the four books
we're gonna read this semester.
1861
02:09:54,437 --> 02:09:55,665
All right!
1862
02:09:56,405 --> 02:09:58,703
They're very special books,
1863
02:09:58,808 --> 02:10:03,268
And they each remind me,
in some way, of each of you.
1864
02:10:07,183 --> 02:10:10,448
But, before you take the books,
1865
02:10:11,087 --> 02:10:14,887
I want you to take one of these glasses
of sparkling cider,
1866
02:10:14,990 --> 02:10:18,790
And I want each of you to make a toast.
1867
02:10:20,096 --> 02:10:23,588
We're each gonna make
a toast for change.
1868
02:10:24,033 --> 02:10:28,595
And what that means is,
from this moment on
1869
02:10:29,171 --> 02:10:34,507
Every voice that told you
"You can't" is silenced.
1870
02:10:35,644 --> 02:10:40,911
Every reason that tells you things
will never change, disappears.
1871
02:10:42,451 --> 02:10:45,919
And the person you were
before this moment,
1872
02:10:45,954 --> 02:10:49,388
That person's turn is over.
Now it's your turn.
1873
02:10:50,326 --> 02:10:51,623
Okay?
1874
02:10:52,728 --> 02:10:56,687
Okay, you ready to get
this party going on?
1875
02:10:59,668 --> 02:11:01,295
- What?
- Stop doing that, man.
1876
02:11:01,403 --> 02:11:02,961
What's the dealio?
1877
02:11:11,213 --> 02:11:14,239
Man, I've had boyfriends since I was,
like, 11, you know.
1878
02:11:14,950 --> 02:11:17,714
- I believe you.
- Shut up.
1879
02:11:18,120 --> 02:11:21,248
Okay, well, I was always the person
1880
02:11:21,390 --> 02:11:24,826
That was gonna get pregnant
before I turned 16 and drop out.
1881
02:11:25,728 --> 02:11:27,093
Like my mom.
1882
02:11:31,066 --> 02:11:32,499
Ain't gonna happen.
1883
02:11:32,735 --> 02:11:34,930
Nobody ever listens to a teenager.
1884
02:11:35,671 --> 02:11:39,300
Everybody thinks you should be happy
just because you're young.
1885
02:11:39,408 --> 02:11:42,434
They don't see the wars
that we fight every single day.
1886
02:11:43,212 --> 02:11:45,043
And one day, my war will end.
1887
02:11:45,514 --> 02:11:47,277
And I will not die.
1888
02:11:48,751 --> 02:11:52,187
And I will not tolerate abuse
from anyone.
1889
02:11:55,724 --> 02:11:57,055
I am strong.
1890
02:11:57,159 --> 02:12:00,390
My moms kicked me out
when I got jumped into the gang life.
1891
02:12:01,564 --> 02:12:03,862
But I'd like her to see me graduate.
1892
02:12:05,467 --> 02:12:07,264
I'd like to be 18.
1893
02:12:11,574 --> 02:12:15,101
Ms. G?
Can I read something from my diary?
1894
02:12:15,211 --> 02:12:16,678
That'd be great.
1895
02:12:20,649 --> 02:12:22,310
Who is he?
1896
02:12:22,451 --> 02:12:24,544
Man, he's been with us
from freshman year, fool.
1897
02:12:24,687 --> 02:12:27,588
- What's his name?
- I don't know.
1898
02:12:29,158 --> 02:12:33,618
"This summer was the worst summer
in my short 14 years of life.
1899
02:12:34,330 --> 02:12:36,525
"It all started with a phone call.
1900
02:12:36,966 --> 02:12:39,400
"My mother was crying and begging,
1901
02:12:39,501 --> 02:12:44,461
"asking for more time as if she were
gasping for her last breath of air.
1902
02:12:45,474 --> 02:12:48,534
"She held me as tight
as she could and cried.
1903
02:12:48,644 --> 02:12:54,082
"Her tears hit my shirt like bullets
and told me we were being evicted.
1904
02:12:54,483 --> 02:12:58,442
"She kept apologizing to me.
I thought, 'I have no home.
1905
02:12:58,554 --> 02:13:02,354
"'I should have asked for something
less expensive at Christmas. '
1906
02:13:02,458 --> 02:13:06,326
"On the morning of the eviction,
a hard knock on the door woke me up.
1907
02:13:06,428 --> 02:13:09,056
"The sheriff was there to do his job.
1908
02:13:09,965 --> 02:13:13,492
"I looked up at the sky,
waiting for something to happen.
1909
02:13:15,337 --> 02:13:18,898
"My mother has no family to lean on,
no money coming in.
1910
02:13:19,475 --> 02:13:23,138
"Why bother coming to school
or getting good grades if I'm homeless?
1911
02:13:23,779 --> 02:13:27,647
"The bus stops in front of the school.
I feel like throwing up.
1912
02:13:27,750 --> 02:13:32,517
"I'm wearing clothes from last year,
some old shoes and no new haircut.
1913
02:13:33,255 --> 02:13:35,587
"I kept thinking I'd get laughed at.
1914
02:13:35,624 --> 02:13:38,092
"Instead, I'm greeted
by a couple of friends
1915
02:13:38,193 --> 02:13:40,525
"who were in my English class last year.
1916
02:13:40,629 --> 02:13:43,530
"And it hits me, Mrs. Gruwell,
1917
02:13:43,632 --> 02:13:45,896
"my crazy English teacher
from last year,
1918
02:13:46,001 --> 02:13:48,663
"is the only person
that made me think of hope.
1919
02:13:49,738 --> 02:13:53,196
"Talking with friends
about last year's English and our trips,
1920
02:13:53,309 --> 02:13:55,334
"I began to feel better.
1921
02:13:55,944 --> 02:14:00,904
"I receive my schedule and the first
teacher is Mrs. Gruwell in Room 203.
1922
02:14:01,250 --> 02:14:04,351
"I walk into the room and feel as though
1923
02:14:04,386 --> 02:14:08,015
"all the problems in life
are not so important anymore.
1924
02:14:08,657 --> 02:14:10,124
"I am home. "
1925
02:14:12,127 --> 02:14:13,594
Yes, you are.
1926
02:14:34,216 --> 02:14:36,047
But you're an honors student.
1927
02:14:36,118 --> 02:14:37,710
If you transfer to Ms. Gruwell's class,
1928
02:14:37,853 --> 02:14:39,878
Think how that will reflect
on your records.
1929
02:14:40,022 --> 02:14:43,219
It doesn't matter to me.
My grades will still be the same.
1930
02:14:43,525 --> 02:14:45,390
Look, Ms. Campbell.
1931
02:14:45,494 --> 02:14:49,089
When I first transferred to the school,
I had a 4.0 average.
1932
02:14:49,431 --> 02:14:52,889
But when I applied for advanced
placement at English and Math,
1933
02:14:53,001 --> 02:14:55,936
I was told it would be better for me
to be in a class with my own kind.
1934
02:14:56,038 --> 02:14:58,973
Now, when I did get in, my teacher said,
1935
02:14:59,074 --> 02:15:02,703
"Victoria, it's not every day one finds
an African-American student
1936
02:15:02,811 --> 02:15:06,679
"in A. P. And honors courses. "
As if I didn't notice.
1937
02:15:06,782 --> 02:15:09,182
And when I asked
another honors teacher
1938
02:15:09,318 --> 02:15:11,946
Why we don't read more
black literature, she said,
1939
02:15:12,221 --> 02:15:14,189
"We don't read black literature
because of all the sex,
1940
02:15:14,323 --> 02:15:16,484
"drugs, cussing and fornication!"
1941
02:15:18,627 --> 02:15:23,257
I thought a simple "It's inappropriate"
would have sufficed.
1942
02:15:27,469 --> 02:15:29,403
Erin can't do that!
1943
02:15:29,671 --> 02:15:32,071
Distinguished Honor Students are mine.
1944
02:15:32,674 --> 02:15:35,165
She's not allowed to teach them.
She's only been here a year.
1945
02:15:35,210 --> 02:15:36,802
The student requested it.
1946
02:15:36,912 --> 02:15:39,506
And Gruwell has got Cohn
in her back pocket.
1947
02:15:40,783 --> 02:15:45,720
What gets me is they're violent, they
break laws, they destroy school property
1948
02:15:45,954 --> 02:15:50,993
And in the end we make them special.
We reward them like...
1949
02:15:51,028 --> 02:15:53,359
I just don't see what that teaches them.
1950
02:15:54,096 --> 02:15:56,496
Hi! Sorry I'm late.
1951
02:15:56,865 --> 02:15:58,958
Did you eat? I'm ordering in.
Are you hungry?
1952
02:15:59,067 --> 02:16:00,932
What question do you want me
to answer first?
1953
02:16:01,036 --> 02:16:03,937
Did I eat or am I hungry?
I ate. I'm not hungry.
1954
02:16:04,039 --> 02:16:07,304
Something really cool happened today.
I got an honors student.
1955
02:16:07,409 --> 02:16:09,309
- Congratulations.
- Isn't that great?
1956
02:16:09,411 --> 02:16:11,345
She actually requested my class.
1957
02:16:11,447 --> 02:16:13,415
Can you teach an honors student?
1958
02:16:13,782 --> 02:16:14,806
What do you mean?
1959
02:16:14,917 --> 02:16:17,715
Well, I mean, you're used
to teaching your kind of kids.
1960
02:16:17,853 --> 02:16:20,321
Can you teach somebody who's smart?
1961
02:16:20,956 --> 02:16:22,116
Of course I can.
1962
02:16:22,257 --> 02:16:24,122
Yeah, but it's not like you have, right?
1963
02:16:24,226 --> 02:16:27,457
I mean, you don't really teach
what everybody else teaches.
1964
02:16:29,031 --> 02:16:30,726
My kids' grades are up to B's.
1965
02:16:30,899 --> 02:16:33,333
Yeah, but the point is,
that's according to you.
1966
02:16:33,435 --> 02:16:36,233
It's not like they're really learning
what normal kids have to learn.
1967
02:16:36,271 --> 02:16:38,136
Normal kids? Yes, they are.
1968
02:16:38,240 --> 02:16:39,730
They're reading
The Diary of Anne Frank.
1969
02:16:39,842 --> 02:16:42,208
They're learning vocabulary,
grammar, writing, poetry.
1970
02:16:42,311 --> 02:16:44,609
All right. Okay, I apologize. Sorry.
1971
02:16:45,547 --> 02:16:47,105
Congratulations.
1972
02:16:55,190 --> 02:16:56,248
What is wrong with you?
1973
02:16:56,391 --> 02:16:58,382
You know, at Deb's party,
I heard you telling people
1974
02:16:58,527 --> 02:17:00,893
That I was an architect
and that my job was temporary.
1975
02:17:00,996 --> 02:17:04,022
I want you to stop that, all right?
I like my job.
1976
02:17:04,132 --> 02:17:05,224
Fine.
1977
02:17:06,201 --> 02:17:08,294
You're the one who said
you were gonna be an architect.
1978
02:17:08,403 --> 02:17:10,428
Yeah, four years ago,
before we got married.
1979
02:17:10,539 --> 02:17:12,131
What, I'm gonna go back to school now
1980
02:17:12,241 --> 02:17:14,141
For two years and intern for three?
1981
02:17:14,243 --> 02:17:15,733
I'll be over 40.
1982
02:17:15,844 --> 02:17:17,869
All right. I thought you still wanted it.
1983
02:17:17,980 --> 02:17:22,007
It doesn't matter if I want it, Erin.
It doesn't mean it's going to happen.
1984
02:17:24,186 --> 02:17:25,448
Why not?
1985
02:17:34,663 --> 02:17:38,656
"Writing in a diary is a really strange
experience for someone like me.
1986
02:17:38,800 --> 02:17:41,530
"I mean, not only because
I've never written anything before,
1987
02:17:41,670 --> 02:17:43,968
"but also because
it seems to me that later on,
1988
02:17:44,072 --> 02:17:46,870
"neither I nor anyone else
will be interested
1989
02:17:46,975 --> 02:17:48,806
"in the musings
of a 13-year-old schoolgirl. "
1990
02:17:48,911 --> 02:17:50,845
"Terrible things are happening outside.
1991
02:17:50,946 --> 02:17:52,345
"At any time of day,
1992
02:17:52,447 --> 02:17:54,915
"poor helpless people
are being dragged out of their homes.
1993
02:17:55,017 --> 02:17:56,041
"Families are torn apart. "
1994
02:17:56,151 --> 02:17:58,915
"If only I can be myself, I'll be satisfied.
1995
02:17:59,021 --> 02:18:00,750
"I know that I'm a woman
with inner strength
1996
02:18:00,856 --> 02:18:02,619
"and a great deal of courage.
1997
02:18:02,724 --> 02:18:06,353
"If God lets me live,
I'll achieve more than Mother ever did. "
1998
02:18:06,461 --> 02:18:09,521
"Anti-Jewish decrees followed
in quick succession.
1999
02:18:10,032 --> 02:18:14,332
"Jews must wear a yellow star.
Jews must hand in bicycles.
2000
02:18:14,903 --> 02:18:17,565
"Jews are banned from trams
and forbidden to drive. "
2001
02:18:17,706 --> 02:18:19,606
"Jews are forbidden to visit theaters,
2002
02:18:19,708 --> 02:18:21,733
"cinemas and other places
of entertainment. "
2003
02:18:21,843 --> 02:18:23,936
"Jews may not take part
in public sports.
2004
02:18:24,046 --> 02:18:26,776
"Swimming baths,
tennis courts, hockey fields
2005
02:18:26,882 --> 02:18:29,476
"and other sports grounds
are all prohibited. "
2006
02:18:30,519 --> 02:18:34,853
"I can't tell you how oppressive it is
never to be able to go outdoors.
2007
02:18:35,657 --> 02:18:40,356
"Also, I'm very afraid
that we will be discovered and be shot. "
2008
02:18:41,797 --> 02:18:46,097
"No one can keep out of the conflict.
The entire world is at war.
2009
02:18:46,301 --> 02:18:48,462
"And even though the Allies
are doing better,
2010
02:18:48,604 --> 02:18:50,231
"the end is nowhere in sight. "
2011
02:18:52,441 --> 02:18:53,408
Hi.
2012
02:18:54,576 --> 02:18:56,840
When is Anne gonna smoke Hitler?
2013
02:18:57,446 --> 02:19:00,506
- What?
- You know. Take him out?
2014
02:19:00,616 --> 02:19:05,212
Eva, this is The Diary of Anne Frank,
not Die Hard.
2015
02:19:06,088 --> 02:19:07,555
Keep reading.
2016
02:19:10,092 --> 02:19:12,287
"We talked about
the most private things,
2017
02:19:12,394 --> 02:19:15,795
"but we haven't yet touched upon
the things closest to my heart.
2018
02:19:15,897 --> 02:19:18,422
"I still can't make heads
or tails of Peter.
2019
02:19:18,533 --> 02:19:20,296
"Is he superficial?
2020
02:19:20,435 --> 02:19:23,836
"Or is it shyness that holds him back,
even with me?"
2021
02:19:29,478 --> 02:19:33,073
- Are Anne and Peter gonna hook up?
- I'm not telling you.
2022
02:19:34,449 --> 02:19:37,509
"It's utterly impossible for me
to build my life on a foundation
2023
02:19:37,552 --> 02:19:40,419
"of chaos, suffering and death.
2024
02:19:41,223 --> 02:19:44,852
"I see the world being
slowly transformed into a wilderness.
2025
02:19:44,960 --> 02:19:48,760
"I feel the suffering of millions,
and yet when I look up at the sky
2026
02:19:49,131 --> 02:19:52,862
"I somehow feel that everything
will change for the better. "
2027
02:19:57,739 --> 02:20:01,106
- Eva, what's wrong?
- Why didn't you tell me she dies?
2028
02:20:01,376 --> 02:20:03,640
Why you didn't tell me she gets caught
in the end?
2029
02:20:04,046 --> 02:20:06,173
I hate you and I hate this book.
2030
02:20:06,281 --> 02:20:07,248
Eva.
2031
02:20:07,349 --> 02:20:11,581
If she dies, then what about me?
What are you saying about that?
2032
02:20:12,788 --> 02:20:15,416
- Anne Frank died, but she...
- I can't believe they got her!
2033
02:20:15,524 --> 02:20:18,152
That ain't supposed to happen
in the story! That ain't right!
2034
02:20:18,260 --> 02:20:19,989
- 'Cause it's true?
- I ain't talking to you!
2035
02:20:20,095 --> 02:20:22,791
You're talking around me.
That's the same thing.
2036
02:20:22,898 --> 02:20:24,729
See, to me, she ain't dead at all.
2037
02:20:24,833 --> 02:20:27,529
How many friends did you know
that are dead now that got killed?
2038
02:20:27,669 --> 02:20:29,000
Too many to count.
2039
02:20:29,104 --> 02:20:31,538
How many have you read a book about?
2040
02:20:31,807 --> 02:20:34,776
Have you seen them on TV
or even in the newspaper?
2041
02:20:34,843 --> 02:20:36,470
That's why this story's dope.
2042
02:20:36,578 --> 02:20:38,341
She was our age, man.
2043
02:20:38,480 --> 02:20:41,972
Anne Frank understands our situation,
my situation.
2044
02:20:42,084 --> 02:20:45,019
And that Miep Gies lady,
the one that helped hide them?
2045
02:20:45,120 --> 02:20:46,348
I like her.
2046
02:20:46,455 --> 02:20:48,889
I got all these other books
about her from the library.
2047
02:20:48,990 --> 02:20:51,857
Wow. You used your library card?
2048
02:20:53,795 --> 02:20:54,853
No.
2049
02:20:57,132 --> 02:21:01,899
Okay, listen up.
Marcus has given me an idea.
2050
02:21:02,404 --> 02:21:05,896
Instead of doing a book report on
The Diary of Anne Frank,
2051
02:21:06,041 --> 02:21:09,977
For our assignment I want you
to write a letter to Miep Gies,
2052
02:21:10,078 --> 02:21:12,342
The woman who helped shelter
the Franks.
2053
02:21:12,447 --> 02:21:15,905
She's still alive and she lives in Europe.
2054
02:21:16,017 --> 02:21:18,781
In the letter, I want you to tell her
how you feel about the book.
2055
02:21:18,887 --> 02:21:21,378
Tell her about your own experiences.
Tell her anything you like.
2056
02:21:21,490 --> 02:21:23,651
But I want the letters to be perfect,
2057
02:21:23,759 --> 02:21:26,193
So be prepared to do more
than one draft, okay?
2058
02:21:26,294 --> 02:21:27,761
Is she gonna read the letters?
2059
02:21:27,863 --> 02:21:30,263
Well, right now it's
a writing assignment. I'll read them.
2060
02:21:30,432 --> 02:21:31,990
We should get her to read them.
2061
02:21:32,134 --> 02:21:35,194
- Yeah, you can do that, right, Ms. G?
- Well, I don't know.
2062
02:21:35,270 --> 02:21:36,635
Maybe we should get her
to come and speak.
2063
02:21:36,738 --> 02:21:38,569
Yeah, and have a big dinner again.
2064
02:21:40,342 --> 02:21:42,173
Wait. Guys.
2065
02:21:45,380 --> 02:21:48,975
Guys! Everyone! Listen! She's elderly!
2066
02:21:49,084 --> 02:21:51,552
I don't know how to contact her.
I don't even know if she travels.
2067
02:21:51,653 --> 02:21:53,280
And it would be really expensive.
2068
02:21:53,388 --> 02:21:55,083
We could raise the money.
2069
02:21:56,024 --> 02:21:57,082
Ms. G?
2070
02:21:57,192 --> 02:22:01,151
When Miep Gies come,
can I, like, be the one to escort her in?
2071
02:22:21,016 --> 02:22:22,313
Five.
2072
02:22:35,730 --> 02:22:37,129
Hi, I'm trying to get the number
2073
02:22:37,232 --> 02:22:39,723
For the Anne Frank Foundation
in Basel, Switzerland.
2074
02:23:54,509 --> 02:23:56,067
Come in, Margaret.
2075
02:24:42,691 --> 02:24:45,489
Ms. G sent our letters all the way
to Amsterdam
2076
02:24:45,593 --> 02:24:47,390
to Miep Gies, herself.
2077
02:24:47,595 --> 02:24:49,790
When Ms. G made up her mind
about something,
2078
02:24:49,898 --> 02:24:52,389
there was no stopping her,
man, for real.
2079
02:24:59,708 --> 02:25:03,838
And after we raised the money to bring
her to Long Beach, there she was.
2080
02:25:06,247 --> 02:25:10,047
But, damn,
I didn't expect her to be so small.
2081
02:25:28,703 --> 02:25:32,230
The bounty on a Jew was about $2.
2082
02:25:33,108 --> 02:25:36,373
Someone desperate for money
told the Gestapo.
2083
02:25:36,411 --> 02:25:40,279
On August 4th,
they stormed into my office,
2084
02:25:40,982 --> 02:25:47,353
And a man pointed a gun at
me and said, "Not a sound.
2085
02:25:47,856 --> 02:25:49,483
"Not one word. "
2086
02:25:50,625 --> 02:25:53,253
And then they went straight upstairs
to the attic.
2087
02:25:53,795 --> 02:25:56,229
I felt so helpless.
2088
02:25:56,331 --> 02:25:58,891
I could hear Anne screaming,
objects being thrown around.
2089
02:25:59,034 --> 02:26:01,764
So, I ran back to my house.
2090
02:26:01,903 --> 02:26:04,633
I looked for an earring
or knick-knacks, you know,
2091
02:26:04,739 --> 02:26:07,503
Anything I could take back with me
to bribe them.
2092
02:26:07,642 --> 02:26:10,941
So I took this back with me,
all these things,
2093
02:26:11,046 --> 02:26:15,346
And the soldier there took out his gun
2094
02:26:15,984 --> 02:26:18,179
And put it against my head.
2095
02:26:22,757 --> 02:26:27,353
You could be shot for hiding a Jew
or go to a camp.
2096
02:26:28,063 --> 02:26:32,022
So, another soldier
recognized my accent.
2097
02:26:32,233 --> 02:26:35,930
He was Austrian, and so was I,
2098
02:26:36,371 --> 02:26:39,135
But I had been adopted
by a Dutch family.
2099
02:26:39,240 --> 02:26:43,040
So, he told the soldier with the gun
to let me go.
2100
02:26:44,946 --> 02:26:49,474
There isn't a day
that I don't remember August 4th
2101
02:26:50,785 --> 02:26:54,619
And I think about Anne Frank.
2102
02:26:57,192 --> 02:26:58,284
Yes?
2103
02:27:06,167 --> 02:27:08,260
I've never had a hero before.
2104
02:27:09,170 --> 02:27:10,637
But you are my hero.
2105
02:27:11,106 --> 02:27:14,803
Oh, no. No, no, young man, no.
2106
02:27:14,909 --> 02:27:17,605
I am not a hero. No.
2107
02:27:17,712 --> 02:27:24,242
I did what I had to do,
because it was the right thing to do.
2108
02:27:24,652 --> 02:27:26,051
That is all.
2109
02:27:28,089 --> 02:27:30,922
You know, we are all ordinary people.
2110
02:27:31,626 --> 02:27:38,464
But even an ordinary secretary
or a housewife or a teenager
2111
02:27:39,868 --> 02:27:45,773
Can, within their own small ways,
turn on a small light
2112
02:27:48,276 --> 02:27:50,073
In a dark room.
2113
02:27:50,645 --> 02:27:51,805
Ja?
2114
02:27:56,017 --> 02:27:59,578
I have read your letters,
2115
02:27:59,687 --> 02:28:04,454
And your teacher has been telling me
many things about your experiences.
2116
02:28:06,594 --> 02:28:09,392
You are the heroes.
2117
02:28:10,698 --> 02:28:14,327
You are heroes every day.
2118
02:28:21,209 --> 02:28:24,645
Your faces are engraved in my heart.
2119
02:28:44,332 --> 02:28:45,697
You hungry?
2120
02:28:50,138 --> 02:28:52,902
You know what you're gonna say
in that courtroom?
2121
02:28:53,541 --> 02:28:55,509
I know what I have to say.
2122
02:28:57,212 --> 02:28:58,304
Yeah.
2123
02:28:58,980 --> 02:29:01,244
- You know how that is.
- I know.
2124
02:29:02,617 --> 02:29:05,245
And that man that put your father
in prison,
2125
02:29:05,353 --> 02:29:08,015
He knew he was sending
an innocent man.
2126
02:29:08,389 --> 02:29:09,686
But, you know,
2127
02:29:11,626 --> 02:29:13,218
He was just
2128
02:29:15,296 --> 02:29:17,025
Protecting his own.
2129
02:29:23,238 --> 02:29:25,934
What the hell does everybody
want from me?
2130
02:29:52,734 --> 02:29:54,702
Hey, Mama. Mama.
2131
02:30:00,308 --> 02:30:02,708
What the hell are you doing here?
2132
02:30:09,017 --> 02:30:12,953
I want to come home.
I don't want to be in the streets no more.
2133
02:30:13,054 --> 02:30:14,351
I'm sorry.
2134
02:30:16,858 --> 02:30:19,986
I want to change. I can't do it alone.
2135
02:30:21,896 --> 02:30:23,523
I need you, Mama.
2136
02:30:25,333 --> 02:30:26,800
I need you.
2137
02:31:04,472 --> 02:31:06,235
And what time was that?
2138
02:31:07,108 --> 02:31:09,406
I told you, 9:00, 9:30.
2139
02:31:10,078 --> 02:31:11,545
And you had a clear view
of the defendant,
2140
02:31:11,646 --> 02:31:13,511
Grant Rice, in the store?
2141
02:31:14,716 --> 02:31:17,082
I told you he was playing
the video game.
2142
02:31:17,685 --> 02:31:20,153
Then what happened?
What did you see?
2143
02:31:20,588 --> 02:31:22,681
Well, he got all whacked
because he lost the game,
2144
02:31:22,824 --> 02:31:26,419
And then he started shouting and all,
threatening everybody.
2145
02:31:26,527 --> 02:31:29,724
He threatened everyone?
He threatened you?
2146
02:31:30,832 --> 02:31:33,266
No. The guy who ran the store.
2147
02:31:33,401 --> 02:31:35,426
He wanted his money back
for the game.
2148
02:31:35,470 --> 02:31:37,495
And what did the store owner do?
2149
02:31:38,339 --> 02:31:41,638
He shouted back.
And they were fighting.
2150
02:31:41,909 --> 02:31:46,175
Then he, the defendant, knocked
something over and left the store.
2151
02:31:46,748 --> 02:31:49,239
And then what happened?
What did you see?
2152
02:31:53,421 --> 02:31:55,048
I saw...
2153
02:32:07,235 --> 02:32:08,702
I saw...
2154
02:32:23,985 --> 02:32:25,452
Paco did it.
2155
02:32:29,624 --> 02:32:31,353
Paco killed the guy.
2156
02:33:56,978 --> 02:33:59,469
My father won't talk to me anymore.
2157
02:34:01,849 --> 02:34:07,219
And I have to lay low for a little while
because there's word out to jump me.
2158
02:34:08,623 --> 02:34:10,921
So I'm gonna be living with my aunt.
2159
02:34:12,393 --> 02:34:17,353
See, my aunt lives even further away,
2160
02:34:19,433 --> 02:34:23,733
So I was just wondering if I could, like,
2161
02:34:26,874 --> 02:34:28,658
Stay here late with you
2162
02:34:28,693 --> 02:34:30,443
Stay here late with you
2163
02:34:32,313 --> 02:34:36,807
So I can get my homework done,
'cause it's late by the time I get home.
2164
02:34:39,287 --> 02:34:42,256
You can stay as late as you want.
2165
02:34:43,624 --> 02:34:47,583
And I can even drive you to your aunt's,
if it gets too late.
2166
02:34:50,831 --> 02:34:52,662
Ms. G, let's not get nuts.
2167
02:35:28,436 --> 02:35:30,370
I think I got your color.
2168
02:36:17,051 --> 02:36:19,042
Just come by the concierge
on your way out,
2169
02:36:19,153 --> 02:36:21,917
I'll have the directions for you.
Yep, that's fine.
2170
02:36:28,963 --> 02:36:32,763
Stop! That's it! Now, now! Hey!
2171
02:36:34,502 --> 02:36:36,970
You get an extra three seconds. Go!
2172
02:36:43,144 --> 02:36:45,408
... enraged them and provoked them
into acts of violence.
2173
02:36:45,513 --> 02:36:49,779
In 1961, an interracial civil rights group
traveled by bus through the South
2174
02:36:49,884 --> 02:36:51,613
to challenge segregation.
2175
02:36:51,719 --> 02:36:54,586
Blacks sat in the front,
whites in the back.
2176
02:36:55,056 --> 02:36:58,583
They were attacked, firebombed,
but they kept going.
2177
02:36:59,193 --> 02:37:03,357
In Montgomery, Alabama, Jim Zwerg
offered to be the first off the bus,
2178
02:37:03,464 --> 02:37:05,830
knowing there was a mob
waiting for them.
2179
02:37:05,966 --> 02:37:08,935
He was almost beaten to death
so the others could get away.
2180
02:37:09,036 --> 02:37:12,528
That kind of courage
is unbelievable to me.
2181
02:37:12,673 --> 02:37:16,040
I was afraid of just being in this class,
and I was ashamed
2182
02:37:16,143 --> 02:37:19,909
because I've always been the dumb kid
in school, even with my friends.
2183
02:37:20,081 --> 02:37:21,446
But not anymore.
2184
02:37:21,615 --> 02:37:23,139
And I must have some kind of courage,
2185
02:37:23,250 --> 02:37:26,981
because I could have lied
to get out of here, but I stayed.
2186
02:37:28,055 --> 02:37:29,352
I stayed.
2187
02:37:29,790 --> 02:37:31,087
Hi, I'm home!
2188
02:37:31,692 --> 02:37:36,629
Sorry, it got late. I drove the kids home.
I didn't want them taking buses.
2189
02:37:37,164 --> 02:37:39,530
You're never gonna believe
what happened.
2190
02:37:40,901 --> 02:37:42,562
I'm so tired.
2191
02:37:43,070 --> 02:37:45,937
It's so cute, though.
They never want to go home.
2192
02:37:46,607 --> 02:37:49,838
We have such a good time together.
I'm gonna take a shower.
2193
02:38:09,463 --> 02:38:12,557
If you have another glass,
you're gonna have a headache.
2194
02:38:13,334 --> 02:38:17,737
Your bags are packed and you think
the wine's gonna give me a headache?
2195
02:38:19,740 --> 02:38:21,503
Why are you doing this?
2196
02:38:21,609 --> 02:38:24,874
Because I don't
pay enough attention to you?
2197
02:38:24,979 --> 02:38:26,947
No. That's not it.
2198
02:38:29,316 --> 02:38:33,377
I just... I feel like I'm living a life
I just did not agree to.
2199
02:38:35,723 --> 02:38:37,350
Erin, it's just...
2200
02:38:38,592 --> 02:38:40,082
It's too hard.
2201
02:38:40,694 --> 02:38:42,855
Your life is too hard?
2202
02:38:43,364 --> 02:38:45,889
I think what you're doing is noble.
2203
02:38:46,500 --> 02:38:50,061
And it's good. And I'm proud of you.
2204
02:38:50,671 --> 02:38:51,968
I am.
2205
02:38:54,308 --> 02:38:57,607
I just want to live my life
and not feel bad about it.
2206
02:38:57,711 --> 02:39:00,874
- I'm not trying to make you feel bad.
- You don't have to try.
2207
02:39:00,981 --> 02:39:03,779
I didn't plan on becoming responsible
for these kids.
2208
02:39:03,884 --> 02:39:05,909
- Well, who asked you to?
- No one asked me to!
2209
02:39:06,020 --> 02:39:07,009
They're not even your kids!
2210
02:39:07,121 --> 02:39:10,921
Why do I have to be asked? Scott...
2211
02:39:15,062 --> 02:39:19,965
I finally realized what I'm
supposed to be doing and I love it.
2212
02:39:20,100 --> 02:39:24,764
When I'm helping these kids
make sense of their lives,
2213
02:39:25,406 --> 02:39:28,239
Everything about my life
makes sense to me.
2214
02:39:31,779 --> 02:39:34,145
How often does a person get that?
2215
02:39:37,451 --> 02:39:41,547
- Then what do you need me for?
- You're my husband.
2216
02:39:41,655 --> 02:39:46,558
Why can't you stand by me and be part
of it, the way wives support husbands?
2217
02:39:46,660 --> 02:39:48,525
Because I can't be your wife.
2218
02:39:55,836 --> 02:39:58,134
I wish I could make that
sound less awful.
2219
02:40:00,307 --> 02:40:01,467
Erin?
2220
02:40:03,077 --> 02:40:05,637
You know,
if you had to choose between us
2221
02:40:07,147 --> 02:40:08,774
And the class,
2222
02:40:10,584 --> 02:40:12,017
Who would you pick?
2223
02:40:14,054 --> 02:40:17,512
If you love me,
how could you ever ask me that?
2224
02:40:18,492 --> 02:40:20,119
Erin, look at me.
2225
02:40:23,631 --> 02:40:25,792
This is all there's ever been to me.
2226
02:40:26,166 --> 02:40:30,535
This is it. I'm not one of those kids.
I don't have any more potential.
2227
02:40:32,373 --> 02:40:33,897
See? You don't want to be here either,
2228
02:40:34,041 --> 02:40:37,374
'cause if you did, would you be
in the classroom every night?
2229
02:40:38,712 --> 02:40:43,342
That's not true. I want to be here.
I love you.
2230
02:40:44,518 --> 02:40:46,486
You love the idea of me.
2231
02:40:52,026 --> 02:40:54,324
But it's such a great idea.
2232
02:40:57,998 --> 02:40:59,295
I know.
2233
02:41:27,361 --> 02:41:29,158
Dad? Hi.
2234
02:41:31,765 --> 02:41:34,962
You know, I was actually trying
to call someone else,
2235
02:41:35,102 --> 02:41:37,070
And I automatically dialed you. I'm sorry.
2236
02:41:37,104 --> 02:41:39,664
Look, I'm gonna call you tomorrow,
okay?
2237
02:41:39,807 --> 02:41:43,106
I need to make this call. I love you.
2238
02:41:56,156 --> 02:41:58,647
Ms. G made us read Twelve Angry Men.
2239
02:41:58,759 --> 02:42:02,396
It's all about how this one juror
helped to turn the hearts of 11 jurors.
2240
02:42:02,431 --> 02:42:04,261
It made me feel hopeful.
2241
02:42:04,798 --> 02:42:08,063
At 2:00 today, my brother
was given a verdict on his own trial.
2242
02:42:08,202 --> 02:42:10,830
No O. J. Dream Team,
just a court-appointed attorney
2243
02:42:10,971 --> 02:42:12,939
who probably thought
his ass was guilty.
2244
02:42:13,073 --> 02:42:16,702
And I realized Twelve Angry Men
was just a book and nothing more.
2245
02:42:17,044 --> 02:42:19,774
My brother got 15 years to life.
2246
02:42:19,880 --> 02:42:22,610
Justice don't mean
the bad guy goes to jail.
2247
02:42:22,716 --> 02:42:24,911
It just means somebody
pays for the crime.
2248
02:42:30,758 --> 02:42:32,282
So, you got time now?
2249
02:42:39,166 --> 02:42:40,758
Anyone know where Andre's been?
2250
02:42:40,901 --> 02:42:42,163
I haven't seen him on the bus.
2251
02:42:42,302 --> 02:42:43,769
Yeah, I haven't talked to him either.
2252
02:42:52,679 --> 02:42:54,203
Ms. G?
2253
02:42:54,581 --> 02:42:56,913
Are we gonna have
this same room next year, again?
2254
02:42:57,017 --> 02:43:00,145
I don't know.
You're gonna be juniors next year.
2255
02:43:01,688 --> 02:43:03,212
What do you mean?
2256
02:43:03,323 --> 02:43:06,019
Well, I teach freshman
and sophomore years.
2257
02:43:06,126 --> 02:43:09,254
You mean,
we're not gonna be with you next year?
2258
02:43:11,965 --> 02:43:13,330
Well, I...
2259
02:43:15,202 --> 02:43:18,933
I don't teach juniors.
I thought you guys understood that.
2260
02:43:19,440 --> 02:43:20,566
What? What are you talking about?
2261
02:43:22,776 --> 02:43:24,403
You don't wanna be our teacher
next year?
2262
02:43:24,511 --> 02:43:27,036
Of course I do. I can't.
2263
02:43:27,147 --> 02:43:29,638
- Why not?
- It's the Board of Ed.
2264
02:43:29,750 --> 02:43:31,684
It's regulations.
2265
02:43:34,421 --> 02:43:37,219
Ms. G hasn't been here long enough
to have seniority.
2266
02:43:37,257 --> 02:43:38,588
Who cares about seniority?
2267
02:43:38,725 --> 02:43:41,285
Shit! They can't do that!
They don't have the right!
2268
02:43:43,397 --> 02:43:46,195
- Ms. G, this is our kick-it spot.
- Yeah.
2269
02:43:46,333 --> 02:43:49,769
Everybody's cool with everybody.
Everybody knows everybody.
2270
02:43:49,903 --> 02:43:53,339
This is the only place
where we really get to be ourselves.
2271
02:43:53,474 --> 02:43:55,499
There's no place like this
out there for us.
2272
02:43:55,776 --> 02:43:57,175
That's true.
2273
02:43:57,678 --> 02:44:00,238
I'm not allowed
to teach junior and seniors.
2274
02:44:00,380 --> 02:44:01,347
You're not allowed?
2275
02:44:03,383 --> 02:44:07,012
Ms. G, we can fight this, you know,
like the Freedom Riders.
2276
02:44:07,121 --> 02:44:08,884
Yeah, yeah,
we'll all drive around on a bus.
2277
02:44:08,989 --> 02:44:10,980
Only this time, they try and bust us up,
2278
02:44:11,091 --> 02:44:12,888
We bust a few of them
board members' heads.
2279
02:44:13,527 --> 02:44:14,516
Marcus.
2280
02:44:14,628 --> 02:44:18,257
Or we can go to the newspapers,
media. That'll get their attention.
2281
02:44:18,499 --> 02:44:19,966
Or we can paint
the administration building
2282
02:44:20,100 --> 02:44:22,568
With the word "assholes"
in various colors.
2283
02:44:24,304 --> 02:44:25,999
Hey, it's something. We can do this.
2284
02:44:31,445 --> 02:44:32,412
What?
2285
02:44:32,513 --> 02:44:36,074
These are my books, not Scott's.
I'm packing the wrong books.
2286
02:44:36,183 --> 02:44:37,878
Honey, take a break.
2287
02:44:41,822 --> 02:44:43,289
Sit down.
2288
02:44:46,460 --> 02:44:49,054
I can't believe I'm getting divorced.
2289
02:44:50,531 --> 02:44:52,965
I never thought this would happen.
2290
02:44:56,937 --> 02:44:59,030
What do I do now?
2291
02:45:00,007 --> 02:45:02,475
Next year, I won't even have my kids.
2292
02:45:02,876 --> 02:45:05,174
You think you should stay with them?
2293
02:45:06,046 --> 02:45:08,344
Or is it better they move on?
2294
02:45:08,682 --> 02:45:10,149
I don't know.
2295
02:45:13,954 --> 02:45:16,422
It's just a job, like you said.
2296
02:45:16,523 --> 02:45:18,150
Yeah, it is.
2297
02:45:19,092 --> 02:45:21,060
But is the job finished?
2298
02:45:23,397 --> 02:45:24,989
Listen to me now.
2299
02:45:25,265 --> 02:45:27,790
What you've done with those kids...
2300
02:45:30,204 --> 02:45:32,502
I don't even have words for it.
2301
02:45:34,241 --> 02:45:39,201
But one thing's for sure,
you are an amazing teacher.
2302
02:45:41,081 --> 02:45:42,446
Special.
2303
02:45:43,217 --> 02:45:47,620
You have been blessed with a burden,
my daughter.
2304
02:45:49,590 --> 02:45:51,558
And I envy you that.
2305
02:45:54,261 --> 02:45:55,888
And I admire you.
2306
02:45:58,398 --> 02:46:02,391
And how many fathers ever get
to say that to their daughters
2307
02:46:02,536 --> 02:46:04,504
And really mean it?
2308
02:46:08,375 --> 02:46:11,469
What she is suggesting
is in violation of our union charter.
2309
02:46:11,578 --> 02:46:14,741
She may not move on with her students
to teach them junior year.
2310
02:46:14,848 --> 02:46:16,839
She's only been here two years.
2311
02:46:16,950 --> 02:46:19,043
There are teachers here
who have tenure,
2312
02:46:19,152 --> 02:46:21,416
Who have worked and committed
themselves for far longer
2313
02:46:21,521 --> 02:46:23,421
To attain a position of seniority.
2314
02:46:23,523 --> 02:46:27,482
Not to mention their experience
in teaching students of a higher caliber.
2315
02:46:27,594 --> 02:46:30,392
The Distinguished Scholars Program
is under our jurisdiction.
2316
02:46:30,564 --> 02:46:33,328
I don't want to replace
the Distinguished Scholars Program.
2317
02:46:33,467 --> 02:46:35,367
I just want to stay
with my kids next year.
2318
02:46:35,469 --> 02:46:37,664
She can't. I have the juniors.
2319
02:46:37,738 --> 02:46:39,763
The Board of Education
will not allow this.
2320
02:46:39,906 --> 02:46:41,840
Teaching rotations will be disrupted,
2321
02:46:41,942 --> 02:46:44,240
Retirement schedules
will be reevaluated,
2322
02:46:44,344 --> 02:46:47,780
Disrespecting teachers
who have earned their way far longer
2323
02:46:47,881 --> 02:46:50,042
And who focus on the classroom,
2324
02:46:50,150 --> 02:46:52,983
Not on public relations
and newspaper articles.
2325
02:46:53,086 --> 02:46:55,077
I didn't ask for those articles
to be written.
2326
02:46:55,188 --> 02:46:56,678
She's in the middle of a divorce.
2327
02:46:56,790 --> 02:46:59,281
Note, they stay late in her class,
they're eating, they're playing games!
2328
02:46:59,393 --> 02:47:02,487
All right, let's all just take a breath here.
All right?
2329
02:47:03,930 --> 02:47:06,023
Now I had hoped
that we could talk this out,
2330
02:47:06,166 --> 02:47:07,861
Maybe come to some kind
of arrangement.
2331
02:47:08,001 --> 02:47:10,469
- There is no arrangement...
- Margaret.
2332
02:47:11,338 --> 02:47:12,805
Carl, look.
2333
02:47:13,407 --> 02:47:16,467
Putting aside all obvious resentments
for the moment,
2334
02:47:16,576 --> 02:47:17,975
Even if an arrangement were made
2335
02:47:18,078 --> 02:47:22,208
And she could teach them as juniors,
there isn't an accredited course
2336
02:47:22,316 --> 02:47:24,682
In the curriculum for her to teach.
2337
02:47:25,319 --> 02:47:28,982
Unless Brian trades one of his
junior classes for a sophomore.
2338
02:47:29,089 --> 02:47:30,147
No.
2339
02:47:31,925 --> 02:47:34,155
Then there's nothing I can do.
2340
02:47:37,698 --> 02:47:38,995
So that's it?
2341
02:47:40,133 --> 02:47:41,600
Believe it or not, Ms. Gruwell,
2342
02:47:41,702 --> 02:47:44,432
There are other capable teachers
in this school.
2343
02:47:44,571 --> 02:47:46,562
If you've made the progress
you say you have,
2344
02:47:46,707 --> 02:47:48,368
Your students should be ready
to move on.
2345
02:47:48,475 --> 02:47:51,137
They might even gain something
from more experienced teachers.
2346
02:47:51,244 --> 02:47:54,509
You can't teach them.
You don't even like them.
2347
02:47:54,614 --> 02:47:56,445
What does that have to do
with teaching?
2348
02:47:56,550 --> 02:47:59,144
I've been an educator for over 30 years.
2349
02:47:59,553 --> 02:48:01,248
I have students that still remain
in touch with me.
2350
02:48:01,355 --> 02:48:03,789
I know what it is to be loved
by a classroom!
2351
02:48:03,890 --> 02:48:06,859
You have no idea
how many battles I've had
2352
02:48:06,960 --> 02:48:08,621
Fighting to be a better teacher,
2353
02:48:08,729 --> 02:48:12,096
And now, what, suddenly I'm incapable
of educating your students?
2354
02:48:12,199 --> 02:48:14,861
You know, if they move on
to our classes and they fail,
2355
02:48:15,001 --> 02:48:17,060
It'll be because they weren't prepared!
2356
02:48:17,204 --> 02:48:19,900
Lt'll be because you failed, not them!
2357
02:48:38,492 --> 02:48:41,154
Andre? Wait a minute before you go in.
2358
02:48:54,408 --> 02:48:56,876
I heard about your brother's conviction.
I'm sorry.
2359
02:48:57,010 --> 02:48:59,205
Is that why you've missed class
so much?
2360
02:48:59,312 --> 02:49:01,109
I had things to do.
2361
02:49:04,384 --> 02:49:06,181
About this.
2362
02:49:06,653 --> 02:49:07,813
The evaluation assignment
2363
02:49:07,921 --> 02:49:09,388
Was to grade yourself
on the work you're doing.
2364
02:49:09,489 --> 02:49:11,923
You gave yourself an F.
What's that about?
2365
02:49:12,325 --> 02:49:15,522
- It's what I feel I deserve. That's all.
- Oh, really?
2366
02:49:17,097 --> 02:49:18,792
You know what this is?
2367
02:49:19,099 --> 02:49:23,092
This is a "Fuck you" to me,
and everyone in this class!
2368
02:49:23,236 --> 02:49:26,501
I don't want excuses.
I know what you're up against.
2369
02:49:26,840 --> 02:49:29,070
We're all of us up against something.
2370
02:49:30,043 --> 02:49:33,410
So you better make up your mind,
because until you have the balls
2371
02:49:33,513 --> 02:49:36,311
To look me straight in the eye
and tell me this is all you deserve,
2372
02:49:36,416 --> 02:49:37,974
I am not letting you fail,
2373
02:49:38,018 --> 02:49:40,077
Even if that means coming
to your house every night
2374
02:49:40,187 --> 02:49:41,882
Until you finish the work.
2375
02:49:41,988 --> 02:49:43,785
I see who you are.
2376
02:49:44,324 --> 02:49:46,451
Do you understand me?
2377
02:49:47,461 --> 02:49:49,429
I can see you.
2378
02:49:51,298 --> 02:49:53,232
And you are not failing.
2379
02:49:56,670 --> 02:50:01,607
So, take a minute.
Pull yourself together and come inside.
2380
02:50:02,142 --> 02:50:04,167
I want a new evaluation.
2381
02:50:09,382 --> 02:50:12,180
An F. What, are you tripping?
2382
02:50:17,858 --> 02:50:21,316
I want you all to know that
Dr. Cohn and I tried very hard.
2383
02:50:24,097 --> 02:50:26,964
But it's been decided we can't continue
with each other junior year.
2384
02:50:27,100 --> 02:50:28,192
- What?
- What?
2385
02:50:29,836 --> 02:50:31,736
You... Wait.
2386
02:50:32,472 --> 02:50:34,440
Wait. Guys. Everyone.
2387
02:50:35,842 --> 02:50:38,310
No! That don't fly, Ma!
2388
02:50:39,880 --> 02:50:43,543
Look, first of all,
I'm not anyone's mother in here, okay?
2389
02:50:43,650 --> 02:50:45,845
No, it doesn't mean mother.
2390
02:50:46,553 --> 02:50:48,885
It's a sign of respect for you.
2391
02:51:03,103 --> 02:51:04,502
Listen to me.
2392
02:51:04,738 --> 02:51:06,035
All of you.
2393
02:51:06,806 --> 02:51:11,436
Don't use me as another excuse
for why you can't make it.
2394
02:51:13,346 --> 02:51:16,645
You made it to your junior year.
2395
02:51:17,450 --> 02:51:20,248
Think about how you did that.
2396
02:51:21,621 --> 02:51:25,284
Everyone in this room
has a chance to graduate.
2397
02:51:26,326 --> 02:51:28,886
For some,
you'll be the first in your family.
2398
02:51:28,995 --> 02:51:31,759
The first with a choice to go to college.
2399
02:51:32,766 --> 02:51:35,564
Some may move faster than others.
2400
02:51:37,170 --> 02:51:39,468
But you'll each have the chance.
2401
02:51:40,540 --> 02:51:43,509
And you did that. Not me.
2402
02:51:50,584 --> 02:51:54,247
Now, I have one
2403
02:51:56,289 --> 02:51:57,881
Final project in mind.
2404
02:51:57,991 --> 02:52:00,186
- Ms. G.
- Yeah?
2405
02:52:02,028 --> 02:52:06,988
Ms. G wanted us to put our diaries
together in a book, just like Anne Frank.
2406
02:52:07,734 --> 02:52:09,759
She got this businessman, John Tu,
2407
02:52:09,903 --> 02:52:12,736
to donate 35 computers
so we could work.
2408
02:52:17,811 --> 02:52:21,212
She told us we have something
to say to people.
2409
02:52:21,381 --> 02:52:22,580
We weren't just kids
in a class anymore.
2410
02:52:22,615 --> 02:52:23,779
We weren't just kids
in a class anymore.
2411
02:52:23,883 --> 02:52:27,580
We were writers with our own voices,
our own stories.
2412
02:52:27,687 --> 02:52:29,746
And even if nobody else read it,
2413
02:52:29,856 --> 02:52:33,451
the book would be something
to leave behind that said we were here,
2414
02:52:34,060 --> 02:52:37,154
this is what happened, we mattered.
2415
02:52:37,631 --> 02:52:41,897
Even if it was just to each other.
And we won't forget.
2416
02:52:43,603 --> 02:52:45,969
Ms. G didn't promise
it would get published or anything,
2417
02:52:46,072 --> 02:52:48,939
but we could get it out there ourselves.
2418
02:52:49,676 --> 02:52:51,906
She asked us to come up with a title,
2419
02:52:52,445 --> 02:52:54,413
something to call ourselves.
2420
02:53:12,198 --> 02:53:14,063
I just received a call
from Karin Polacheck
2421
02:53:14,200 --> 02:53:15,292
At the Board of Education.
2422
02:53:15,435 --> 02:53:17,426
There's to be a meeting
with Dr. Cohn about your classes.
2423
02:53:17,570 --> 02:53:21,006
- Do you know anything about this?
- No.
2424
02:53:28,815 --> 02:53:34,276
These students, this class,
they've become a family.
2425
02:53:35,188 --> 02:53:36,780
To who? To you?
2426
02:53:37,457 --> 02:53:39,084
To each other.
2427
02:53:39,893 --> 02:53:43,226
Room 203 is a kind of a home for them.
2428
02:53:43,763 --> 02:53:47,096
Their trust is all wrapped up
in us being together as a group.
2429
02:53:47,534 --> 02:53:48,660
Once they're out of her class,
2430
02:53:48,802 --> 02:53:51,236
Believe me they'll slip back
into their old habits.
2431
02:53:51,337 --> 02:53:55,296
Their reading scores, their writing
has markedly improved, Ms. Campbell.
2432
02:53:55,442 --> 02:53:58,934
On paper. But what has
she accomplished in reality?
2433
02:53:59,045 --> 02:54:00,672
What about new students
that come in next year?
2434
02:54:00,780 --> 02:54:02,771
Can she repeat
this process every year?
2435
02:54:02,882 --> 02:54:04,281
Her methods are impractical,
2436
02:54:04,384 --> 02:54:07,012
Impossible to implement with regularity.
2437
02:54:07,120 --> 02:54:09,611
What if every teacher
performed in this way?
2438
02:54:10,223 --> 02:54:11,451
We have millions of children
2439
02:54:11,558 --> 02:54:13,287
To get through the education system
in this country,
2440
02:54:13,393 --> 02:54:15,224
And we need a means
of accomplishing that
2441
02:54:15,328 --> 02:54:18,229
Which allows as many students
to benefit as possible,
2442
02:54:18,331 --> 02:54:20,265
Not just special cases.
2443
02:54:21,768 --> 02:54:25,226
And you honestly think you can create
this family in every classroom,
2444
02:54:25,371 --> 02:54:28,340
For every grade,
for every student you teach?
2445
02:54:32,912 --> 02:54:34,379
I don't know.
2446
02:54:40,587 --> 02:54:41,918
Thank you.
2447
02:55:02,308 --> 02:55:05,209
Hey, there go Ms. G.
Hey, there go Ms. G!
2448
02:55:14,120 --> 02:55:15,519
What happened?
2449
02:55:16,322 --> 02:55:20,122
So? Are we gonna be together
for junior year?
2450
02:55:25,965 --> 02:55:27,262
No.
2451
02:55:28,201 --> 02:55:30,066
- What?
- What?
2452
02:55:34,674 --> 02:55:38,041
We're gonna be together junior
and senior year.
2453
02:55:39,479 --> 02:55:40,537
Yes!
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