Sharaud moore freedom writer

Moore, who was one of the original Freedom Writers mentored by teacher Erin Gruwell, visited the school Wednesday to talk about his experiences. When Moore was a youngster living in some of the roughest areas of Los Angeles County, things like Victorian-era poetry were of little concern. Survival was a daily struggle and occupied his mind much of the time.

He shared stories with the students about his birth to a year-old mother, living for a time in a two-door car, taking care of his two younger brothers and becoming a gang member in the eighth grade.

Sharaud Moore is known for Freedom

In the 10th grade, Moore was expelled for bringing a gun to school. In her opening entry, Gruwell tells a story about Moore, who was the subject of a racist caricature drawn by a classmate. The incident was a catalyst for the Freedom Writers movement, which taught the students about acceptance, respect and self-expression. Meridian sophomores do a unit on the Freedom Writers in their English classes.

They welcomed Moore, 37, Wednesday as part of a three-year effort to bring him to the school. Sophomore Tre Hoff served on the event committee and introduced Moore to the students, teachers and guests, who were clad in T-shirts commemorating the event. Sometimes they cry. Sometimes they hug, and for that time period, they are very supportive of each other.

He works as a teacher and coach in Long Beach and travels for speaking engagements. Young people have a need to fit in, be loved, find their place in life and grow and nurture their talents, he said. Even in the face of difficult circumstances, true educators never give up on their pupils.