Freedom Writers (2007)

April Hernandez Castillo: Eva Benitez

Photos 

Quotes 

• Eva : White people wanting respect like they deserve it for free.

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

  Eva : 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.

  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!

• 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.

  Eva : It's a sign of respect... for you.

• Erin Gruwell : But to get respect you have to give it.

  Andre : Bullshit.

  Erin Gruwell : What?

  Andre : Why should I give you 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.

  Eva : White people wanting their respect like its for free.

• Eva : So when's Anne Frank gonna smoke Hitler?

• Eva : 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 : 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 : My PO doesn't understand that schools are like the city and the city is jut like a prison.