

The regulation bans foreign organizations and individuals from spreading such content except for those who have obtained government licenses. “They are not even allowed to print out any sort of these religious documents.” “These sections of the people are completely barred from sharing or speaking about Buddhism or anything educational without seeking permission from the Chinese government,” he said. “As the Chinese government started implementing the law, Tibetan writers and those who are influential have been particularly targeted and scrutinized,” said a Tibetan from inside Tibet who declined to be identified for safety reasons. The clampdown, based on a March 2022 regulation, gives authorities additional power to restrict online content that the ruling Communist Party considers damaging and is yet another example of how China has ramped up restrictions on expression, religion and culture in the western Tibet Autonomous Region.

#The freedom writers free
“We want to show them that with the power of education, they can break the cycle of abuse, poverty and of everything that they don’t want to live with anymore.China has been rigorously barring Tibetan writers, Buddhist monks and other influential people from spreading religious content online without prior approval, sources told Radio Free Asia. “For us, education was that tool for us to achieve our dreams,” Sue told Spectrum News 1. The goal is to get students to express their feelings and appreciate education as a means to success.

The Freedom Writers working with the Freedom Writers Foundation share their stories to encourage students to open up. “Against all odds, all 150 of them went on to graduate, became published authors, and started a world-wide movement to change the education system as we know it,” The Freedom Writers Foundation’s website reads.Īfter graduation, most students attended city colleges or universities. “I was told I was not college material and shouldn’t even think about it,” Ellen told Press-Telegram. Ellen’s narrative mirrored the experiences of several other students in Woodrow Wilson High School – students who saw college admission as improbable. She’d been told that she wouldn’t make it to college, but Erin restored her self-belief. After the diagnosis, Sue’s grades and life improved. I had been homeless and I felt so completely lost.”Įllen also had dyslexia, a fact missed by other teachers but quickly noticed by Erin. Sue Ellen Alpizar is the perfect example of a student saved by Erin Gruwell. “By the age of 15, I had experienced the loss of my brother,” Sue told Spectrum News 1. I learn from them every day, and, in this way, I have also become their student.” I am still their cheerleader, their mentor, their confidante. “Over the years, I have been proud to watch my ‘kids’ become adults. Gruwell talked to Press-Telegram about the joy of seeing the Freedom Writers blossom into adults: Nevertheless, Erin and her students won’t stop trying to change things. “I spend a vast majority of my time visiting juvenile halls, and it is disproportionately young men of color,” Erin said. “Whatever we’re doing in our schools isn’t enough to engage our young voices.” Despite the hard work, Erin feels like the United States has regressed in the battle against racial inequality. The Freedom Writers Foundation has trained over 700 teachers based in the United States, Canada, and 20 other countries. We deal with everything that a teacher would face with kids including mental health, suicide, addiction, violence and learning disabilities.” I was alone, and I was making stuff up as I went. They’re doing it better because they’re not alone. “It’s incredible because these Freedom Writer teachers are doing the exact same thing that I did with my students.
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#The freedom writers how to
“They speak about topics such as homelessness, addiction recovery, bullying, depression and suicide awareness, and how to use storytelling to overcome adversity.”Įrin feels like the teachers trained by the Foundation have far better chances of success than she did because they have help. The Freedom Writers visit schools and organizations through an outreach program and train teachers on innovative teaching methods. Erin created the Foundation to spread the message about issues teenagers face in high school. Most of the Freedom Writers joined the Freedom Writers Foundation led by Erin GruwellĪfter graduating high school, most of the Freedom Writers formed the Freedom Writers Foundation.
