Lean On Me (1989)

My first impression of this movie was that Morgan Freeman, who played the role of principle Joe Clack, was brilliant. This was such a feel good movie for me because it showed how far people will go to help those in need and just do the right thing. From the time Joe Clark took over as the principle of Eastside High School until his students rallied outside of the jail for him, it showed how much one person can do for an entire community. He is the epitome of an educator who is not in it for the paycheck, he actually cares whether the students make it or not.

This movie takes place in the late 80's in the slums of New Jersey. It basically shows the struggles that went on in the inner city schools at the time, and still go on today. Drugs, violence, teen pregnancy, being abandoned, you name it and I can guarantee it goes on in the halls of Eastside High. It really made me do a double take and realize how fortunate I am and I shouldn't take the small things for granted, such as having a loving family or just not having to constantly look over my shoulder in fear.

Well anyways, I really enjoyed this film because it showed how far a group of "miscreants" can go with the guidance of a strong-willed individual such as Joe Clark. He was brought to Eastside High to raise the students test scores and out the violence and drugs that is going on in the halls. Mr. Clark took a very abrasive approach in dealing with the situation but the students begin to accept Mr. Clark and his ways and quickly began to trust him. Mr. Clark did a great job of shaping the students and riding the school of its problems. His approach to end the drug sales in his halls was to put chains on the doors, which was against the law since it was a fire hazard. That landed him in jail, but even that didn't stop his inspiration to the students because they rallied by his side s he sat in the jail cell. That right there proved to me that no matter how down and out a community is, a small amount of leadership and faith can change anything.

This clip gave me goosebumps because I felt like while they were singing this song they weren't worried about all of the problems going around them.