Brooke Obie Interviews The Central Park Five, Explains Why ‘When They See Us’ Is a Must-See
“In 1989, the media branded them “The Central Park Five,” as they were wrongfully accused, convicted and imprisoned for the horrific rape and beating of Trisha Meili in Central Park. But that’s not who they are. Thirty years after they were first tried as children ages 14-16, Korey Wise, Yusef Salaam, Raymond Santana, Kevin Richardson and Antron McCray are exonerated, free men who are taking back their lives and telling their own story.
The truth of how the NYPD coerced them as children into confessing to a crime they didn’t commit, their stolen years in prison, the real rapist Matias Reyes’ 2002 confession leading to their exoneration, and the $41 million settlement they received from the State of New York, is now on full display in Ava DuVernay’s powerful Netflix limited series When They See Us. While McCray and Richardson were unavailable to speak by the time of publication, Shadow And Act caught up with Wise, Salaam and Santana as the series premiered to discuss how they’re doing in the aftermath and what peace—if not justice—might mean for them today.”
Read the full interview on Shadow And Act.
And some Black folks on social media are sharing that they don’t believe When They See Us is for Black folks to watch. Rather, they say, this is a story that white people need to know. However, Ava’s powerful series is so evidently created for Black people, to feel loved, to feel seen, and to urge us to action. This scene in episode four explains exactly why When They See Us is a must-watch series for Black people too.