CRITICAL EXPOSURE

Critical Exposure
Washington, DC

Critical Exposure, based in Washington, D.C., thinks a picture is worth a thousand words and so much more.

Heather Rieman and Adam Levner founded Critical Exposure in 2004 after realizing that government officials make decisions about schools and funding without even seeing the individual schools or youth involved. By equipping students with digital cameras, they are able to highlight conditions at their schools that need attention. Their photos are used to lobby for excellence and equity in public schools.

The organization started in Baltimore but also has involved youth in Washington D.C.; Austin, Texas; Albuquerque, N.M.; and Philadelphia. Not only are the students’ pictures used to impress upon politicians the need for change, but they are featured in traveling exhibits to increase public awareness of conditions in public schools.

Currently, Critical Exposure is working on two main projects. One is in the District of Columbia, where public schools have a high dropout rate and youth are illustrating what makes students stay in school and what makes them leave. The other is in New Orleans, where students have returned after Hurricane Katrina.

“They came up with a student’s Bill of Rights for the types of schools they believe all students deserve,” Rieman said.

Demetrius Curington, 16, was among a group of students who took photos of problems at their schools in Washington, D.C. The photos were the focal point of two student rallies, which were a huge success. “We didn’t think anybody was going to show up,” explained Demetrius.

How would you describe the work you did with Critical Exposure?

We were in school taking pictures of stuff, what was wrong with our school, what we didn’t like about it. Just important things. I myself took a picture of some kids that were sneaking from class; I think that’s a problem. We did good work.

What did you learn besides how to take photos?

It helped me learn about other people’s schools besides my own. It let me know it was just not my school that is having problems, just not my neighborhood that is going through stuff. It really helped get the word out for people to see what’s going in our community and our school.

Why is photography a good medium for youth?

I think that everybody likes to take pictures. It gave everybody responsibilities —you are responsible for a camera, you are responsible to take pictures and know what to take pictures of. You have a freedom, and I guess youth like to have some type of freedom.

Copyright 2009 Y-Press