From Bernard Goetz to Central Park Five
I guess one can easily understand through these 2 cases (Bernard Goetz and Central Park Five) the racial tensions that existed during the 1980s in New York City. Are there any lessons to learn? How much of a progress did we make as a society? Can the mighty progress of technology help us in anyway? These questions will be answered on part 2 of my blog. In the meantime, let me recount the stories. On December 22, 1984, a “subway vigilante” known as Bernard Goetz shot 4 young Black men in a Manhattan subway car. The motive was that he was intimidated and thought he was about to get rob. At that time the opinions were divided: one group concerned for their safety riding the subway system thought he did the right thing. Another group thought this was racism because the victims were 4 young African-Americans. Goetz was arrested and acquitted 3 years later. Yes, he was convicted for possession of unlicensed weapon and was sent to jail for 250 days. By the way, one of the victims, Darryl Cabey, is still paralyzed from the shooting. How did the media behave? Can someone refresh me on that?
In 1989 a Central Park jogger was raped, beaten and nearly killed. She was a 28 year-old investment banker. Of course, it was without questions a terrifying story. However, this time 5 young men were selected by the NYPD because, according to police, there was a group of 30 or more youngsters causing trouble that night in Central Park. The 5 young men( Kevin Richardson, Raymond Santana, Korey Wise, Yusef Salaam and Antron Mccray} were wrongfully convicted, although there was no physical evidence, but only confessions made under intense police pressure. 13 years later a serial rapist, Mathias Reyes, confessed to the crime with DNA matching evidence. How can anybody recuperate from the physical and emotional harms that where inflicted on them?
Lionel
From Bernard Goetz to Central Park Five
I guess one can easily understand through these 2 cases (Bernard Goetz and Central Park Five) the racial tensions that existed during the 1980s in New York City. Are there any lessons to learn? How much of a progress did we make as a society? Can the mighty progress of technology help us in anyway? These questions will be answered on part 2 of my blog. In the meantime, let me recount the stories. On December 22, 1984, a “subway vigilante” known as Bernard Goetz shot 4 young Black men in a Manhattan subway car. The motive was that he was intimidated and thought he was about to get rob. At that time the opinions were divided: one group concerned for their safety riding the subway system thought he did the right thing. Another group thought this was racism because the victims were 4 young African-Americans. Goetz was arrested and acquitted 3 years later. Yes, he was convicted for possession of unlicensed weapon and was sent to jail for 250 days. By the way, one of the victims, Darryl Cabey, is still paralyzed from the shooting. How did the media behave? Can someone refresh me on that?
In 1989 a Central Park jogger was raped, beaten and nearly killed. She was a 28 year-old investment banker. Of course, it was without questions a terrifying story. However, this time 5 young men were selected by the NYPD because, according to police, there was a group of 30 or more youngsters causing trouble that night in Central Park. The 5 young men( Kevin Richardson, Raymond Santana, Korey Wise, Yusef Salaam and Antron Mccray} were wrongfully convicted, although there was no physical evidence, but only confessions made under intense police pressure. 13 years later a serial rapist, Mathias Reyes, confessed to the crime with DNA matching evidence. How can anybody recuperate from the physical and emotional harms that where inflicted on them?
Lionel
