What is the moral dilemma that the author faces in "Diary 33" from The Freedom Writers Diary by Erin Gruwell and the Freedom Writers? He must decide between being homeless and selling drugs to make money. She must decide between attending class and babysitting her younger siblings. She must decide between remaining loyal to her family and telling the truth. He must decide between living in the pastor's friend's house and living on the streets.

Dear Diary,

"You can’t go against your own people, your own blood!"

Those words kept ringing in my mind as I walked down the courtroom aisle to sit in a cold, empty chair next to the judge. I kept telling myself, "Get your sh*t together, you don’t want to contradict yourself on the witness stand, your homie’s future lies in your hands." I was convinced that I had to lie to protect my own, the way I was always

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Why does the narrator feel so guilty?

taught to do. As I walked through the courtroom, I kept my eyes focused straight ahead, afraid to make eye contact with anyone. It was so quiet that the only things I could hear were the steps I took walking across the marble floor and my heart.

As I sat in the chair, I felt as if I was exposed to different eyes. Those eyes, in some strange way, were touching a part of me that was deep inside, everyone was waiting for my reaction.