When They See Us

"When They See Us" is a 4 part movie series on Netflix and tells the story of "The Exonerated Five":

-Yusef Salaam
-Korey Wise
-Kevin Richardson
-Raymond Santana
-Antron McCray

These five men were teenagers-14-15-16, in 1989. They were arrested, held in police custody, and questioned after a young woman was attacked while jogging in Central Park. The woman was found clinging to life, after having been raped and beaten within an inch of her life. The five young boys were not a part of the attack on the jogger, and had not beaten or raped anyone.

The film shows police trying to coerce the five kids into a confession to the crime. These kids were innocent of the crime, and did not have a clue what the police were referring to.

Still the police persisted. The movie shows police interrogating the five young men for more than 24 hours, without a parent or lawyer present, which is illegal. The film shows the police telling the children, "If you tell us what we want to know you can go home tonight." The kids were manipulated into confessing to the crime, under the guise and promise of going home.

The film shows the prosecutors pulling the case together, concocting fantastical stories of how these five young boys attacked the woman in the park. They made all of the puzzle pieces fit, and brought a case against the five young men.

While the trial was being argued, the media tried and convicted the five young men. As they were all young men of color, the system was rigged into working against them. The media dubbed them "The Central Park Five", and professed their guilt. Most of those white American saw these young men as guilty. Even our current President took out a full page add in a newspaper, calling for the reintroduction of the death penalty, and that these five young men be put to death.

All five young men were found guilty and sentenced to 5-14 years in juvenile detention and prison. Years later, the man who attacked the jogger confessed to the crime, thus freeing the men from prison. They were later exonerated of all charges against them. The five men received a settlement from the state of New York, the largest amount the state had ever awarded.

This movie is based on a true story. It is angering, upsetting, disturbing, and it needs to be. It is a disturbing tale of racism and white privilege in the United States. Every American needs to see this film.

A wonderful companion piece: "When They See Us Now", Oprah Winfrey interviews director Ava DuVernay, the actors of the film, as well as "The Exonerated Five" themselves.

Both films now streaming on Netflix. Five stars.