WEEK 2 - THE ROOF IS ON FIRE: Maddi Mays

I loved the fact that this project was open to the public to observe and not participate in. It felt right seeing the primarily white observers actually listen to the black and brown teens talk about issues that are quite relevant to our current times. The sole factor of the observers not being able to speak, left out the potential victimization that white people tend to use as their crutch, placing white guilt onto POC’s. Especially considering the fact that they were teenagers, who are rarely genuinely heard from their white counterparts and authority figures. It showcased something quite beautiful. It showcased and “validated” their genuine experience (which was already valid, but when people actually choose to listen to you, it’s quite different).

My only critique was the fact that the project was led by a white woman. I feel that if this project was led by a person, specifically a woman of color, it would not have been as successful. It would have been shut down immediately. There’s something beautiful, yet undeniably exploitative about the fact that a white woman created the project and “allowed” the students a space to speak. While that was not her intention, the white hand giving the colored kids the space has always felt wrong, mainly because the system is so deeply set against us that if a black woman were to set up this project it would not have received the media coverage and acclaim, and it’s deeply upsetting.

I did however think the overall project was successful. I had never seen anything like it and I loved the overall impact that it had, especially the 2nd half seeing the teens speak with police officers, after a long feud in California specifically, as well the the entire US, with young black teens and police brutality in the 90s. Conversation is such a necessary tool in creating change, and the fact that it was done successfully felt beautiful and that most definitely could not be denied.