Thursday, January 17, 2013


In the movie Freedom writers there are several instances where the kids show CRT terms. One of the most prevalent CRT terms is Double consciousness. The reason that the kids are showing this specific CRT term is when they are in the classroom they try to act in a respectable manner after some time has passed and they have become comfortable with the teacher. The reason that this is a double and not a false example is when they are with their friends outside they try to act in a way that lets them hit in with their friends. Another example of double consciousness is a little harder to classify is the teacher herself. She actually doesn't display a double consciousness when she needs to which leads to a split between herself and her husband. She adopts the children’s attitude and forgets to deal with her life. Almost losing track with her own life.

Another CRT term that is strongly shown throughout the community is walled communities. A walled community can be either a physical manifestation or a metaphorical wall. The children all start the movie hating each other. Some of the walls that the children put up include race and gang including many others. One of the quotes that surprises me in the movie discusses how the smallest of things can lead to someone either getting shot or starting a gang war. In that instance the spark that could set that off could be as small as a single word which is why some of the kids were taught to stay silent if possible as not to offend anyone. The story about how one of the kids goes to juvenile detention because of a mix up, while he was there he saw the manifestation of the consequences of crossing the walls that they have put up. These kids show several classic CRT including double consciousness and walled communities, which show up in multiple aspects each.

2 comments:

  1. Good observations TJ. I wonder what you observe on our WU campus of CRT terms and whether you notice any of the CRT terms in operation here. Thank you.

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  2. TJ,
    Thanks for the insights. As Esther noted, we might think about how our campus works, too.

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