When They Fail Us

I've had a sinking feeling in my spirit for a few days, but couldn't find a reason why - that is until Ava DuVernay's "When They See Us" came out.
There's been some contention over who the intended audience of "When They See Us" is, and if it even needs to be seen at all. IMO, if you don't know the case of the Central Park Five (or as DuVernay calls them, The Exonerated Five; I'll do the same from here on out), then you need to at least read about it. Ignorance is a privilege that nobody should be afforded. If you know what happened but just don't want to watch, I totally understand - but turn it on anyway with the volume off and walk away so the crew can get their streams in.

Jharrel Jerome as Korey Wise

Caleel Harris as Young Antron McCray

Asante Blackk as Young Kevin Richardson

Ethan Herisse as Young Yusef Salaam

Marquis Rodriguez as Young Raymond Santana

DuVernay's chilling depiction of the case was released just a few days before June 6 - the 4th anniversary of Kalief Browder's suicide.

If you know anything about Kalief's story, then just the mere thought of it will make you sick to your stomach. I've often cited his life and death as one of the single most tragic instances in contemporary U.S. history.

If you don't know about what happened to Kalief Browder, check out my summation below:

View this post on Instagram

Kalief Browder was born into the foster care system as the child of a crack addict in 1992. Kalief was adopted by Venida Browder, who was already a loving and devoted mother to several adopted children. Kalief’s adopted father left the family when he was a young boy. In 2010, at age 16, Kalief was picked up by NYPD for stealing a backpack that held assets totaling to about $1000, despite no evidence, no witnesses, + no victim. Kalief’s mother, Venida, couldn’t post his $3000 bail; Kalief’s father refused to give him the money. (1)

A post shared by Arielle Wallace, B.A. (@arielle.nicole) on Jun 6, 2018 at 5:16am PDT

View this post on Instagram

The city of New York held Kalief on Rikers Island for 3 years; most of it was spent in solitary confinement. Every day of his incarceration, Kalief had to literally fight for his life + his sanity. He was only 5’5 + around 150 pounds, but was routinely jumped by gangs + slammed to the floor by guards. The torture he endured from COs + other inmates wore down on Kalief’s mental health, causing him to attempt suicide at Rikers no less than three times. Through it all, Kalief demanded that he receive a fair + speedy trial, + refused to take a plea deal for a crime that he didn’t commit. (2)

A post shared by Arielle Wallace, B.A. (@arielle.nicole) on Jun 6, 2018 at 6:02am PDT

View this post on Instagram

In 2013, after spending 2/3 years in solitary confinement, the case against Kalief Browder was dismissed + he was sent home. He tried to shake his demons by earning his GED, enrolling in college (3.5+ GPA), + filing a lawsuit against the city for their incompetence, brutality, + wrongful imprisonment, but he attempted suicide at least three more times. He was also stabbed in the face and shot in the stomach by jealous people in his neighborhood. The system failed Kalief + time was running out before the damage was irreversible. (3)

A post shared by Arielle Wallace, B.A. (@arielle.nicole) on Jun 6, 2018 at 6:53am PDT

View this post on Instagram

Kalief’s story spread as he and his lawyer traveled across the country to share his horrific experiences on Rikers + the effects that it had on his day to day life. In addition to suicidal behavior, Kalief also had extreme paranoia and intense depression that worried his family + friends. In 2015, just as his case against the city was starting to make progress, Kalief + his brother were arrested following a fight with people who were picking on them. This time, they made bail, but the experience of being behind bars again sent Kalief over the edge. On June 6, 2015, Kalief Browder committed suicide by hanging himself from an air conditioning unit outside of his second floor bedroom. His mother found his body. He was 22 years old. (4)

A post shared by Arielle Wallace, B.A. (@arielle.nicole) on Jun 6, 2018 at 8:01am PDT

View this post on Instagram

Getting justice for Kalief’s imprisonment + death has taken its toll on his family, especially Venida, who was with her son every step of the way. The shock of finding his dead body, picking up his cause, + managing lawsuits against the city (upwards of $40 million on the table) led to chronic heart failure, finally killing her in October 2016, after suffering 12 heart attacks in one 24-hour period. Politicians, celebrities, the Browder family, and others are working to make sure Kalief + Venida’s deaths have not been in vain. President Obama signed an executive order banning excessive use of solitary confinement for all juveniles in federal prison, citing Kalief for the decision. A foundation to aid wrongfully imprisoned people + a scholarship fund at his alma mater was created in his memory. Prospect Ave. in the Bronx was renamed Kalief Browder Way. Perhaps most symbolic, NY Mayor Bill De Blasio announced a plan to close Rikers Island down for good. The story of Kalief Browder is, in my opinion, the greatest tragedy in modern American history. He deserved better, but I’m happy to spread his story if that can be my piece to help. #Justice4Kalief

A post shared by Arielle Wallace, B.A. (@arielle.nicole) on Jun 6, 2018 at 3:49pm PDT

I don't think that you can discuss one case without the other, because they're too terribly intertwined. 

There are many similarities in the experiences of the wrongly accused, despite a 20-year time gap: no DNA evidence, no weapons, no eyewitnesses...but they were young, they were poor, and they were Latino or Black, and that's all the system needs. If officials in New York cared more about its residents, then what happened to Kevin, Antron, Raymond, Yusef, and Korey would've never happened to Kalief two decades after the fact. 

So let's do a check-in. Are you outraged? Dismayed? Fed up? 

• Put your money where your mouth is - donate to these foundations + orgs that provide legal support + work to end cash bail.
• Walk the walk - a guide of places to volunteer your time.
• Stay woke - educational resources to learn more about mass incarceration, cash bail, wrongful imprisonment, and more.

Don't let these feelings dissipate before you take action. We owe it to the victims of the criminal justice system. We owe it to our families and friends. Most importantly, we owe it to our children and future children - because if we don't get it under control soon, one of our babies will be up next.