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Meet Manny | Manny Scott

Meet Manny - Manny Scott

An original Freedom Writer whose story is told in part in the hit movie, Freedom Writers, Manny Scott has energized more than two million educators, students, and leaders worldwide with his authentic, inspiring messages of hope.

On the road up to 300 days a year for the past two decades, Manny Scott has delivered over 2,000 presentations, and is the speaker of choice for conferences, conventions, PD days, fundraisers, and banquets.

Manny has a gift: the ability to connect with, hold the attention of, and energize all kinds of audiences. From inner-city youth to business executives, Manny has learned to speak, and command, the language of his audiences with relevant, riveting, and compelling messages, moving them from cheers, to laughter, to tears, and go-forward determination.

By age 14, Manny's story was almost over:

His father was incarcerated, he missed 60-90 days of school annually from 4th to 9th grade, he dropped out of school at age 14, he lived in 26 places by age 16, and his best friend was brutally murdered. Sensing that the end of his life was near, Manny sat down on a park bench, and considered how he would make others feel the depth of despair and anger roiling in his soul. He says, "When I look back, I now see that I was heading down a path that would have destroyed me."

But Something Powerful Happened

Then, a man-a complete stranger-took a risk, and sat down beside Manny. That man connected with him, encouraged him, and inspired him to write a different story-to create a new life.

Original Freedom Writer

That day, on a park bench, Manny Scott turned the page. He returned to school with a new attitude and purpose, and ended up in the back of Erin Gruwell's English class-a group now known worldwide as the Freedom Writers, portrayed in the hit MTV movie.

In his journal, Manny began writing-and dreaming about-new, more fulfilling chapters in his life- chapters filled with healing, hope, perseverance, and possibility.

Through very hard work, and with the help of others, Manny has achieved many of the dreams he wrote about in his journal.

Scholar

Manny graduated from the University of California at Berkeley with degrees in Political Science and Rhetoric. He also graduated from Trinity International University with a Master of Divinity.

Furthermore, Manny is currently conducting extensive and original research for his Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Intercultural Studies (with a minor in Education) so that he can develop a unified, grounded, theoretical explanation of the processes through which effective educators and communicators go to develop intercultural competence (the ability to speak and behave in ways that are effective and appropriate, based on awareness, understanding, and skills).

Speaker

Manny is one of the nation's most sought-after speakers ( CLICK HERE to see nearly 100 high-quality video testimonials from superintendents, principals, teachers, and others about Manny's impact on educators and students).

Through The Power of One, How to REACH Youth Today, Becoming Interculturally Competent, and his unique Turn the Page school-wide assemblies, Manny has helped thousands of schools and organizations raise student achievement, intercultural competence, and leader efficacy in 49 states and on six continents; and, he has helped prevent thousands of dropouts and suicides.

Family Man

Most importantly, Manny is a family man. He has been married to his college sweetheart for 18 years. They are raising three children together. When Manny is not speaking, traveling, or conducting research, he is spending quality time with his family.
Through very hard work, and the loving help of educators, Manny has broken the cycle, and achieved the dreams that he used to dream about. Click HERE to see what leaders have said about Manny's impact.

Coach for Aspiring Education Speakers

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Meet Manny | Manny Scott Meet Manny - Manny Scott An original Freedom Writer whose story is told in part in the hit movie, Freedom Writers, Manny Scott has energized more than two million educators, students, and leaders worldwide with his authentic, inspiring messages of hope.

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These Freedom Writers quotes will inspire you to create a positive impact on the lives of others.

Freedom Writers is a drama film based on the 1999 book The Freedom Writers Diary by Erin Gruwell, which is a collection of compiled real-life journals of students about their lives and the world they live in.

Erin Gruwell made her students write down their experiences as part of her English class at Woodrow Wilson Classical High School in California.

In a gang violence-ridden town that shadowed the lives of young people, Erin was able to create a sense of unity among her students.

Hopefully, you will enjoy reading these brave and thought-provoking Freedom Writers quotes.

Don't forget to also check out these Legally Blonde quotes from your favorite fashionable law student.

Freedom Writers quotes from Erin Gruwell

1. "But to get respect you have to give it." - Erin Gruwell

2. "Oh really? You know what this is? This is a F*** You to me and everyone in this class. I don't want excuses. I know what you're up against. We're all of us up against something. So you better make up your mind, because until you have the balls to look me straight in the eye and tell me this is all you deserve, I am not letting you fail. Even if that means coming to your house every night until you finish the work. I see who you are. Do you understand me? I can see you. And you are not failing." - Erin Gruwell

3. "Maybe we should talk about art. Tito's got real talent, don't you think? You know something? I saw a picture just like this once, in a museum. Only it wasn't a black man, it was a jewish man. And instead of the big lips he had a really big nose, like a rat's nose. But he wasn't just one particular jewish man. This was a drawing of all jews. And these drawings were put in the newspapers by the most famous gang in history." - Erin Gruwell

4. "This gang will put you all to shame. And they started out poor and angry and everybody looked down on them. Until one man decided to give them some pride, an identity... and somebody to blame." - Erin Gruwell

5. "They wiped out everybody they didn't like and everybody they blamed for their life being hard. And one of the ways they did it was by doing this: see, they print pictures like this in the newspapers, jewish people with big, long noses... blacks with big, fat lips. They'd also published scientific evidence that proved that jews and blacks were the lowest form of human species. Jews and blacks were more like animals. And because they were just like animals it didn't matter if they lived or died." - Erin Gruwell

6. "I'm a teacher, it doesn't matter what color I am." - Erin Gruwell

7. "So when you're dead, you'll get respect, that what you think? You know what's gonna happen when you die? You're gonna rot in the ground, and people are going to go on living, and they're going to forget all about you. And when you ROT, do you think it's gonna matter whether you were an original gangsta? You're dead, and nobody, NOBODY, is gonna want to remember you, because all you left in the world is this." - Erin Gruwell

8. "Life would be a whole lot better if they were all dead. That's how a holocaust happens. And that's what you all think of each other." - Erin Gruwell

Freedom Writers quotes from Andre

9. "It's the dumb class cuz. It means you too dumb." - Andre

10. "Why should I give my respect to you? Because you're a teacher? I don't know you. How do I know you're not a liar standing up there. How do I know you're not a bad person standing up there? I'm not just gonna give you my respect because you're called a teacher." - Andre

11. "Justice doesn't mean the bad guy goes to jail, it just means that someone pays for the crime." - Andre

12. "My brother taught me what the life is for a young black man. Pimp, deal, whatever. Learn what colors to wear. Gang banners. You can sell to one corner, but you can't sell another. Learn to be quiet. The wrong word can get you popped." - Andre

Freedom Writers quotes from Eva

13. "White people wanting their respect like its for free." - Eva

14. "So when's Anne Frank gonna smoke Hitler?" - Eva

15. "I don't even know how this war started. It's just two sides that tripped each other way back. Who cares about the history behind it? I am my father's daughter, and when they call me to testify, I will protect my own, no matter what." - Eva

16. "In America, a girl can be crowned a princess for her beauty, and her grace. But an Aztec princess is chosen for her blood. To fight for her people as Papi and his father fought, against those who say we are less than they are, against those who say that we are not equal in beauty or blessings." - Eva

17. "It's all about color, it's about people deciding what you deserve, about people wanting what they don't deserve. About whites thinking they own this world no matter what, you see, I hate white people." - Eva

18. "My PO doesn't understand that schools are like the city and the city is jut like a prison." - Eva

Freedom Writers quotes from Marcus

19. "That Miep Gies lady, the one that help hide her, I like her. I got all these other books about her from the library." - Marcus

20. "Yeh yeh, we all drive around on a bus, only this time they try and bust us up we bust a few of them board member's heads." - Marcus

21. "I've never had a hero before. But you are my hero." - Marcus

22. "Clive was my boy. He had my back plenty of times. Me and him was like one fist. One army." - Marcus

23. "But when they come, all they see is a dead body, a gun, and a n*gger. They took me to juvenile hall. First night was the scariest. Inmates banging on the walls, throwing up gang signs, yelling out who they were and where they from." - Marcus

24. "Lady I'm lucky if I make it to 18, we in a war! We graduating every day we live because we ain't afraid to die, protecting our own. At least when you die for your own, you die with respect, you die a warrior." - Marcus

Freedom Writers quotes from conversations between Erin and the students

25. Marcus: "No, that don't fly Ma."

Erin Gruwell: "First of all I'm not anybody's mother."

Andre: "No, that's not what it means."

26. Erin Gruwell: "Does anyone know Homer's the Odyssey?"

Andre: "I know Homer the Simpson."

27. Erin Gruwell: "The evaluation assignment was to grade yourself on the work you're doing. You gave yourself an F. What's that about?"

Andre: "It's what I feel I deserve, that's all."

28. Erin Gruwell: "You hate me? You don't even know me."

Eva: "I know what you can do. I saw white cops shoot my friend in the back for reaching into his pocket, his pocket! I saw white cops come into my house and take my father away for no REASON except they feel like it! Except because they can! And they can, because they're white. So I HATE white people on sight!"

29. Marcus: "Lady, stop acting like you tryin' to understand our situation, and just do your little babysitting up there."

Erin Gruwell: "That's what you think this is?"

Marcus: "It ain't nothing else. When I look out in the world I don't see nobody that looks like me with their pockets full unless they're rapping a lyrics or dribbling a ball, so what else you got in here for me?"

30. Erin Gruwell: "And you all think you're gonna make it to graduation like this?"

Andre: "I made it to HIGH school ain't nobody stop me."

Which of these Freedom Writers quotes is your favorite?

The film is about breaking the boundaries set by society based on race and socioeconomic differences.

In the film, Erin struggles to build bonds and form connections between her students due to rivalry between gangs and brewing racial tensions across the state.

This film reflects how young lives are wasted in senseless violence and division. It also portrays the impact of racism and lack of acceptance for people outside conceptualized groups.

Through Erin's work and compassion, she was able to create a positive impact on the lives of her students and change their ways. This shows someone can influence the lives of other people simply by caring.

Let these Freedom Writers quotes and sayings remind us to show a little more compassion for people around us.

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Freedom Writers Quotes About Breaking Societal Boundaries

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These Freedom Writers quotes will inspire you to create a positive impact on the lives of others. Freedom Writers is a drama film based on the 1999 book The Freedom Writers Diary by Erin Gruwell, which is a collection of compiled real-life journals of students about their lives and the world they live in.

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Walden University: An Interview with Erin Gruwell

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150 Students Go From "Unteachable" to Best Sellers

The Freedom Writers journey began in 1994 when Erin Gruwell taught English to 150 at-risk students in Long Beach, CA. With the use of Gruwell's engaging teaching techniques, 100% of her students, affectionately known as the Freedom Writers, graduated from high school, became co-authors of the New York Times bestselling book, The Freedom Writers Diary, and exceeded expectations by pursuing higher education and advanced degrees. In order to replicate the success she had with her students, Gruwell founded the Freedom Writers Foundation.

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150 Students Go From "Unteachable" to Best Sellers The Freedom Writers journey began in 1994 when Erin Gruwell taught English to 150 at-risk students in Long Beach, CA.

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The Freedom Writers' Diary was never extensively prohibited. However, in 2008, a teacher was suspended for teaching it. Her school board was outraged by the book's use of profanity and sexual material. They felt that its inclusion of foul language contributed to an atmosphere that was detrimental to the development of our children.

Furthermore, several communities have passed resolutions condemning the book because they believe it promotes violence against teachers.

Finally, many stores won't carry the book because they feel it's inappropriate material for young readers.

In conclusion, The Freedom Writers' Diary was banned because of its content - specifically, its use of profanity and sexual material. There are many other books with similar themes available for young readers that are not subject to the same restrictions. If you want to read more about this topic, check out our Banned Book Week page.

Why were freedom writers created?

The Freedom Writers Diary was comprised of notebooks in which Erin Gruwell instructed her pupils to write about their problems in the past, present, and future. The diary has become a landmark work for young adult literature, inspiring many authors to write their own stories featuring main characters who are struggling with issues such as bullying, addiction, divorce, sexual identity, and more.

Freedom Writers was written by American author: David Levithan. It was published by Dutton Children's Books in October 2009. The book is about a young girl named Abby who lives with her family in Greenwich, Connecticut. One day, she finds a notebook in the street that apparently belongs to one of her classmates, Walter Finch. When she returns the book to Walter, they form a friendship that changes their lives forever.

Walter is known as the "Queen of Mean" at his school for picking on others and for being cruel to animals. He tells Abby that everyone else at his school is mean too, but she believes him when he says he isn't. This makes them unique friends who know exactly what it's like to be the only one not involved in any fights or acts of violence.

Through letters they write to each other every week, Abby learns that Walter has been having similar problems at home and at school.

Is Freedom Writers a true story?

It is based on the 1999 book The Freedom Writers Diary, written by instructor Erin Gruwell and students at Woodrow Wilson Classical High School in Long Beach, California, who created the book out of genuine diary entries about their life that they wrote in their English class. The book was published by Simon & Schuster and has been translated into 31 languages.

Their mission was to get kids interested in reading and writing by having them write a diary every day for four years while learning how to argue using logic and evidence from books they read together. By doing this, they hoped to inspire these kids to be creative writers when they grew up.

After one year, the school went through a major change when it was decided that instead of teaching English as a second language, all classes would now be taught in English. This meant that the freedom writers training program was now obsolete and could no longer be paid jobs. However, since there were still many free days during the week, Ms. Gruwell decided to use those days to teach her students lessons regarding writing skills and the publishing industry through role plays and discussions.

Ms. Gruwell told ABC News that because most of her students came from poor families, she designed her own version of a scholarship program so that they could continue writing even though they could not be paid. She said that she wanted them to feel like authors even if nobody else did.

Who are the main characters in The Freedom Writers' Diary?

Erin Gruwell, Zlata Filipovic, Miep Gies, and the freedom writers are the major protagonists of The Freedom Writers Diary. Erin Gruwell is a young, passionate teacher who uses creative teaching tactics and personal writing to engage with at-risk children. She has founded a non-profit organization called The Freedom Writers which provides free homework help and diary entries for teenage students to record their thoughts and feelings.

Gruwell's story begins when she takes a position as a high school English teacher at a failing charter school in Oakland, California. There she finds that many of her students come from low-income families and have little or no connection to the traditional education system. To reach these kids, Gruwell changes up how they learn by using fiction writing as a tool to connect with their experiences and encourage them to be active participants in their own learning.

After just one year, the Freedom Writers program has become so successful that it has spread to four other cities across the United States. Now aged 22, Gruwell continues to write about her experiences working with teenagers as well as give lectures around the country on how to transform your classroom into a stimulating environment where students feel motivated to learn.

Filipovic was born in Serbia but grew up in Canada and France.

How many pages is The Freedom Writers' Diary?

The Diary of the Freedom Writers

Why is Freedom Writers rated PG-13?

The film "Freedom Writers" is classified PG-13 (parents strongly cautioned). There is some gun violence as well as some mature language.

The story is set in a fictional public high school in Baltimore. It follows four students as they form a writing workshop to help other children write better essays. The group becomes known as the "Freedom Writers."

They meet after school at the community center and work for two hours a week each yearning to advance beyond simple spelling and math drills. The students learn about the history of activism and struggle in America and develop skills that are useful in today's society.

This movie is recommended for 13 years old and up due to some intense scenes with gun violence, drug use, and language that may not be suitable for young viewers.

It premiered on Netflix on August 25, 2011.

So, if you're looking for a good movie to watch with your family then "Freedom Writers" is an amazing choice. It has been praised by many critics who have seen it, so you should give it a try!

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Why was The Freedom Writers' Diary banned?

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It is based on the 1999 book The Freedom Writers Diary, written by instructor Erin Gruwell and students at Woodrow Wilson Classical High School in Long Beach, California, who created the book out of genuine diary entries about their life that they wrote in their English class.

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Freedom Writers (4/9) Movie CLIP - I Am Home (2007) HD

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Freedom Writers (6/9) Movie CLIP - Paco Did It (2007) HD