Wednesday, September 5, 2007

Freedom Writers

Over the weekend I was able to rent the movie, "Freedom Writers." I watched it with a friend, and we noted how the attitude of Erin Gruwell's fellow teachers and administration was remarkably similar to that of the advocates of "safe" or "safer" sex: Teenagers are going to do it anyway, so why should we expect anything different? In the movie, they weren't talking about sex, they were referring to studying and receiving an education, but the attitude is the same. Erin Gruwell, the main character, is a teacher who believes her students are worth more and are capable of more. She challenges them and gives them the tools they need to succeed.

This is the same attitude chastity educators seek to convey. We want you to know that you are worth more than the media and society thinks you are. We know that you can save sexual activity until marriage, and that, in the end, it will be far better than the cheap substitute of sex before marriage.

It was encouraging to see what Erin Gruwell was able to accomplish in the "Freedom Writers" (which is a true story). True respect of others sends a powerful message.

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