Documentary History Project for Youth Vol. 18 - "Policed"

Scribe Video Center Program:

The Documentary History Project for Youth (DHPY) is an annual after-school, weekend and summertime digital media production workshop for middle and high school students. Each year, youth participants create short documentary films as a way to explore some aspect of the social, political and cultural history of Philadelphia. These short documentaries, produced by Philadelphia-area middle and high-school students, explore the concept of "policed" takes various forms in everyday life. The compilation features 9 films.

Instructors: Helyx Chase and NaOme Richardson

Films Included In The Compilation:

Part 1: Experiments In Reaction To The Term "Policed"

Prejudice In The Media by Chelsea Maddred (Moorestown Friends School)

A short experiment in reaction to the term "Policed" (00:01:18). Read more

Policing Women by Avery Broughton (Education Plus Academy)

A short experiment in reaction to the term "Policed" (00:01:15). Read more

Societal Moral by Zakee Hawkins (The Haverford School)

A short experiment in reaction to the term "Policed" (00:02:47). Read more

Part 2: Short Documentaries

Economically Speaking by Khalil Bland (Penn Alexander School)

This short documentary informs the viewer about purchasing a good property. Most people struggle to own homes because the average income in Philadelphia is not enough to adequately to cover the average monthly mortgage because of the mortgages being excruciatingly high. Residents of Philadelphia comment on their observations of the housing situations within their communities, focusing on buying versus renting properties (00:08:20). Read more

#Hashtag by Dalya Barnes (Preparatory Charter School) and Aneas A. McGrudder (Ekingsway Regional Middle School)

This documentary talks about social media, and how a person’s character can be revealed from their social media posts. It provides examples of how social media can benefit or harm you when trying to get a career because of what you might post (00:11:33). Read more

Overreaching Police by Mark Spencer (West Philadelphia High School)

This short documentary explains how some police officers harass black residents and do certain things that aren’t actually justified, In the documentary, some of the people interviewed recount stories where an officer has abused the power they have been given (00:15:56). Read more

Seams Of Society by Nadia Slocum (The Agnes Irwin School) and Chelsea Maddred (Moorestown Friends School)

This documentary is about the concept of fashion and what society expects you to wear. The people featured in this documentary explain how clothing has a huge influence on people and how there’s an unspoken dress code for what you wear in our society (00:13:14). Read more

Social Side by Taj Bland (The Haverford School) and Avery Broughton (Education Plus Academy)

This documentary presents different people’s interpretation on how they see police officers. It explains how we could view the law enforcement, showing the side of both, civilians and police officers. The documentary even features two individuals who are a part of the police department (00:11:50). Read more

You Are What You Eat by Musa Andrews (Dr. Ethel E. Allen School)

This documentary is about the food choices low-income families have to make when it comes to nutrition. Their food choices are usually limited by their financial struggle. The film indicates that unhealthy foods are cheaper and the foods that would be healthier cost more and some families can’t afford it. The people who appear in the documentary highlight alternative ways to get around the situation so they can achieve the nutrition that they need (00:12:32). Read more