"Freedom Writers" and other movies like it

[mark414]

why does it seem like the only way for "inner city kids" in the movies to be inspired to not be gangbangers is to have some great white hope teacher come in and tell them what's going on....?

i'm as pasty as hilary swank but am i the only one who thinks that the only purpose of these movies is to make a certain group of people feel good about themselves (and it's certainly not any inner city kids...)?

[Kerrytravelers]

1. I am so sick of films like this.

It implies that it takes a white person to come in and straighten things out. Oh, please. As a white person myself, I think we've often done more harm than good. These kinds of films are embarrassing.

What the hell was Swank thinking? :shrug:

[Brewman_Jax]

2. Adding to that theme

there are the "magical negro" movies, like "The Legend of Bagger Vance" and "Something the Lord Made" (based on fact, the real Vivien Thomas never became an MD) where the down-and-out/having trouble/can't get his shit together/whatever-the-case-may-be leading white male character gets assistance and the help from the "magical negro", and then fame and fortune. No mention of the "magical negro" who then fades away into obscurity.

[Connie_Corleone]

3. I'm sick of those movies too.

It's like they're saying only a white person can swoop in and save the poor inner city kids from themselves.

How many times can Hollywood make the same movie? I guess they need to keep doing it every generation and defend it by saying it's based on a true story. (I don't know if this movie is a true story or not)

Bring back To Sir, With Love.