Education is an important process during which a person gains knowledge, learns to interact, gets involved in culture, and adopts society’s values. When there are cultural prejudices in society, development and deepening knowledge on a particular issue can help gain awareness of the existing multiculturalism and the need to accept people regardless of their different identities. The recently watched series “Freedom Writers” provided the basis for such reasoning and gave food for thought about issues that had not been addressed before. The inspiring work raised such vital topics as discrimination, racism, and stereotypes about people of a particular culture. However, the main point that caught my attention and served as the basis for this work is the existing relationship between immigration and indigenization. This is possible through the use of education as a tool for connecting and understanding people.
The story unfolds within the school walls, where teenagers of varying degrees of privilege study. Racial discrimination and prejudice become a stumbling block for students as they contribute to the incitement of hatred. Students from one culture initially hate another, and the teacher finds a way to resolve the hostility using her methods (LaGravenese, 2007). Thanks to a unique approach, students from the stage of denial of cultural differences and rejection of the other come to adapt and understand intercultural differences.
The theme of immigration and indigenization is how students of one race, who find themselves in a different environment, are grouped. Initially, it can be noted that there is no desire to integrate the formed groups, specific isolation, a position that is realized in the assertion of their cultural superiority and neglect of other cultures. Misunderstanding and negative attitudes of groups toward each other cause conflicting feelings and a desire to help. Analyzing the phenomenon of indigenization shown in the series, one can see that the process covers all subjects of education and includes everyone who is part of the education system. Considering all human experience, the described phenomenon is more process-oriented than product-oriented.
The young teacher plays a crucial role in this situation because she appears as a connecting link for people who “speak different languages.” Education acts as a tool for overcoming intercultural barriers associated with indigenization and immigration. Having developed a modified curriculum, the young teacher uses various teaching methods to break down racial stereotypes and accept each other regardless of race, ethnicity, and family background (LaGravenese, 2007). In order to teach the children the primary subjects of racial history, she gives assignments for writing about the rapprochement experience. Reading Anne Frank’s diary also forces students to reflect on pressing topics relating to themselves and others. General activities are addressing the situations of the war years, development through familiarization with literature work excellent.
Students gradually learn to draw parallels with what they read and apply this experience to themselves. As they experience these transformations together, awareness and understanding of the importance of accepting other people’s stories develop. Education unites people of different cultures and beliefs, and the necessary practices and approaches stimulate interest in further development and continuation of the path in this direction. The students’ results described in the series are inspiring, as most of them became the first in their families to graduate from universities.
It can be emphasized that this became possible thanks to the teacher, who used the methods of teaching that were necessary for the students at that time. She was able to draw attention to the problem and found a solution in the indigenization of education, which gave an incredible result in the form of a life change for everyone. By incorporating indigenization into the approach, the students were able to get rid of the destructive qualities of the wrong ones. Intolerance and misunderstanding of intercultural differences were destroyed by the enlightenment, tolerance, and a more loyal and understanding attitude towards a neighbor, no matter what culture, race, or origin he was. Immigration and indigenization in education have become a great way to create bonds of unity and broaden horizons.
The story embodied in the series proves that education is a powerful tool that bridged immigration and indigenization through tolerance, empowerment and self-worth, and the power of writing. Initially, scattered groups, intolerant of other cultural and racial communities, change their beliefs to be more tolerant and accepting. The teacher’s approach makes students go through a specific collective experience that does not pass without leaving a trace. This contributes to accepting cultural differences and subsequently to the unification of people with different views and beliefs. To summarize, there are several lessons to be learned from this story. Firstly, how a teacher uses her knowledge in practice contributes to developing students’ knowledge of school subjects and vital qualities, allowing them to better understand each other. Secondly, one should also learn how she lets her students express themselves personally and creatively, revealing their abilities. Third, through reading and writing assignments, students understand the value of this activity and its ability to influence the world. Immigration and indigenization in education connect people, being vital in expanding the horizons and perception of the world with its cultural differences.
Reference
LaGravenese, R. (2007). Freedom writers [Film]. Jersey Films.