Only The Walls Were Left Standing is a work-in-progress, which aims to document the challenges young Liberians face as they try to integrate into the Park Hill, Staten Island community after years of war. Over and over again Liberian youth have told me that one of the biggest — and most surprising — difficulties they’ve encountered is the tense relationship between the Liberian and African-American communities. Before arriving in the United States, Liberians thought African-Americans would accept them with open arms. Instead, young Liberians talk about being taunted and beaten up for being African. When these young people grow up, many end up joining the Liberian gang, Black Mob Crew, where disagreements are solved with a fist or a gun.

To see all the films related to this project go to the film page.