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Elizabeth Waller- The Roof is on Fire


1. CONTEXT: What were the circumstances that framed the meaning and process of this project?

Students at Oakland High School were frustrated by how teenagers were portrayed in the media. Because teenagers (especially minority teenagers) were almost exclusively portrayed as criminals and losers, they felt invisible—like their thoughts and opinions were seen as unimportant and invalid.


2. CONTENT: What was the issue, need, idea or opportunity addressed by this project?

Negative stereotypes about teenagers prevent people from truly listening to what they have to say.

3: FORM: What is the medium that was used to address or embody the content?

Students sat in cars around the top level of the parking garage and discussed various social issues. The audience walked around the space, leaning in to eavesdrop on the teenagers’ conversations.

4. STAKEHOLDERS: Which are the groups or individuals that invested in the process and outcomes of project?

Teachers & students of Oakland High School
Suzanne Lacy & Chris Johnson
Surrounding Oakland community (through donations)

5. AUDIENCE: For whom was this project conceived? 
Inner city teenagers (to be heard) and adults (to encourage them to listen to teenagers)

6. ENGAGEMENT STRATEGIES: How were the stakeholders, audiences, and others engaged/connected to the project?

They used extensive news coverage and involved people from different areas of the community.

7. GOAL: What are this project's objectives?

To change how the media portrays teenagers (to break stereotype of teens as criminals) and to encourage people to listen more to what teens are saying.


8. VALUES: What were the project's guiding values or core beliefs? How were they expressed in the process?

Teenagers are intelligent and articulate. They are aware of and passionate about important social issues. Change is possible; in order to change, we need to listen.

9. RESOURCES: What tangible and intangible resources were used to pursue the project's goals?

Community space (parking garage)
Community donations (financial, cars, time, etc.)
News coverage (positive media coverage)
Media Literacy class at Oakland High School

10: OUTCOMES: What were the results of this project?

The students felt empowered and heard. Many adult audience members (especially white, wealthy audience members) realized that their everyday reality was “a fantasy” (as one of the students phrased it) because of their privilege.

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