Drive-by shootings, gang activity and racial tensions were part of everyday life for high school teacher Erin Gruwell’s students in Long Beach, California. Together, Gruwell and her students published "The Freedom Writer’s Diary," based on her students’ real-life experiences. The collaborative creative writing process transformed the students’ lives and taught them tolerance. In Indianapolis last fall, the Perry Township School Board suspended 27-year education veteran Connie Heermann for refusing to remove "The Freedom Writer’s Diary" from her syllabus. Come to the IMA to see the film Freedom Writers. After the screening, join Heermann and others for a conversation about censorship and its effects on education and creative expression in Indiana. Capacity for this event is 170; all will be admitted on a first-come, first-served basis.

6:00 pm Film Screening Freedom Writers
(dir. Richard LaGravenese, 2007, 123 mins., PG-13)
Hilary Swank stars as teacher Erin Gruwell.

8:00 pm Censorship Discussion with Connie Heermann