LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in The Freedom Writers Diary, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Race, Ethnicity, and Tolerance
Education and Healing
Family and Home
Violence, War, and Death
Summary
Analysis
This student feels inspired by her mother’s saying that one person can change the world. She relates the story of Rosa Parks, who refused to give up her seat to a white person on the bus and, in so doing, inspired a successful effort to boycott segregated buses. This student realizes that, if each one of Ms. Gruwell’s students were as powerful as Rosa Parks and stood up against injustice, the world would be a much better place.
This student trusts that historical change can come from within, as the actions of strong individuals willing to fight for what they believe in can have ripple effects, inspiring others to act in kind. The student, however, does not yet know that Ms. Gruwell’s class is already having a strong effect on injustice, as it is inspiring each student to commit to a lifelong fight for justice.