Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Week of May 14, More on the Central Park Five


Hi everyone,


This week we are going to continue learning about the Central Park Five.

I. Read these pieces written after the Central Park Five were put in jail.

Now answer these questions in your Google Drive:

  1. What was this teen writer able to do that many journalists were not able to do? 
  2. Why do you think that this teenager was able to identify key points or inconsistencies about the case that most of the city seemed to miss? 
  3. Do you believe this author was biased? In what way? 
II. Please visit the websites below:

The Innocence Project

The Innocence Project (www.innocenceproject.org/fix/) is a national litigation and public policy organization dedicated to exonerating wrongfully convicted individuals through DNA testing and reforming the criminal justice system to prevent future injustice.

The Center on Wrongful Convictions of Youth

The CWCY (www.cwcy.org) is a joint project of the Center of Wrongful Convictions and Children and Family Justice Center at Northwestern University School of Law's Bluhm Legal Clinic. It is the only innocence project in the country that focuses exclusively on individuals who were convicted or accused of crimes when they were adolescents or younger.

The Innocence Network

The Innocence Network (www.innocencenetwork.org/) is an affiliation of organizations dedicated to providing pro bono legal and investigative services to individuals seeking to prove innocence of crimes for which they have been convicted and working to redress the causes of wrongful convictions.

Know Your Rights

This publication of the American Civil Liberties Union (www.aclu.org/files/kyr/kyr_english.pdf) addresses what rights you have when you are stopped, questioned, arrested, or searched by law enforcement officers.

Now in your Google Drive, answer the questions below:

  1. What did you learn at these websites?
  2. How are they useful?

III. Post your answers to our blog as a comment. Then respond to 2-3 other students' posts.

35 comments:

  1. 1. What was this teen writer able to do that many journalists were not able to do?
    This teen writer was able to write critical questions about the crime that main street newspaper clearly missed. And the teen brought up many questions about investigation as well.
    2. Why do you think that this teenager was able to identify key points or inconsistencies about the case that most of the city seemed to miss?
    The teen was less biased and he could see from many people’s perspective even suspects.
    3. Do you believe this author was biased? In what way?
    No, I don’t think he was biased.


    1. What did you learn at these websites?
    I learned that you have right to remain silent after being arrested. And you have right to counsel and ask for a lawyer.
    2. How are they useful?
    I think they are useful. Because a lot of people don’t know their rights and the websites can educate them.

    ReplyDelete
  2. 1.What was this teen writer able to do that many journalists were not able to do?
    This teen writer doesn’t have significant bias on black people. Also he points out that many policemen and journalists hide the truth and prejudge those young black teenagers.
    2.Why do you think that this teenager was able to identify key points or inconsistencies about the case that most of the city seemed to miss?
    Because this teengaer did not discriminate black people.There is no scientific evidence that can prove they committed the crime and he noticed that they got no time to change their bloody clothes if they did so.
    3.Do you believe this author was biased? In what way?
    Yes. He has sympathy to black people. Because it seems like the author has a sophisticated experience about how black people are treated in the society. He speaks out the statue of black people so that more

    1.What did you learn at these websites?
    I learnt that there still are many people under injustice. We need to work together to create a innocent world.
    2.How are they useful?
    They are useful because we can experience those things as well. But our goal is not to prevent people from mistrials but to prevent trails from happening.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, there definitely are people being treated unequally.

      Delete
  3. 1. What was this teen writer able to do that many journalists were not able to do?
    This teen writer is actually honest. He provided a lot of information that is actually needed to clarify the problems.
    2. Why do you think that this teenager was able to identify key points or inconsistencies about the case that most of the city seemed to miss?
    Because this teen was writing it from his heart. Thus, he says it honestly and clearly from what he knows.
    3. Do you believe this author was biased? In what way?
    No, I don't believe that this author was biased at all. This author got all the information he needed to prove the evidence and the facts.
    1. What did you learn at these websites?
    Yes, I learned that everyone deserves their Miranda rights. Also, everyone deserves to receive their 5th and 6th amendment rights. Which are, the right to a jury and the right to a lawyer.

    2. How are they useful?
    They are very useful in many ways. Personally, I think that I have to know my own rights in case something happens. Therefore, this is pretty useful in a way that we can avoid some problems

    ReplyDelete
  4. What was this teen writer able to do that many journalists were not able to do?
    I think he finally was the one who said he didn’t do it. that he wasn’t a criminal, he didn’t do anything. And with his poem he did it, newspapers didn’t write the truth, they said that the boys did it, when it wasn’t true.
    Why do you think that this teenager was able to identify key points or inconsistencies about the case that most of the city seemed to miss?
    I think the could do it, because they did nothing with the white female.
    Do you believe this author was biased? In what way?
    I think he was on boys side. He was trying to say that they are not suspects and even provided evidences.

    What did you learn at these websites?
    I learned that they are trying to change a criminal justice system in a better way, to be more faithful. Also it teach me the right what I have when I stopped, or arrested or search. Basically it’s has a Miranda’s rights in it.
    How are they useful?
    I can use this information in everydays life. When i stopped by a police, or have some problems with the laws, now i know how can I solve my problems.

    ReplyDelete
  5. 1.What was this teen writer able to do that many journalists were not able to do?
    The teen writer was able to point out the key points of the case. For many other journalists, they simply had bias on black people and were not willing to tell the truth.
    2.Why do you think that this teenager was able to identify key points or inconsistencies about the case that most of the city seemed to miss?
    This teenage was able to identify key points or inconsistencies because she was does not discriminate black people like other white men do. White men just want to sentence black people and do not care about the truth of the case.
    3.Do you believe this author was biased? In what way?
    I believe the author is a little biased with preference to black people. From what I see, the author seems to know everything about the case. I just feel like the author is empathetic and sympathetic.

    1.What did you learn at these websites?
    From these websites, I learned that there are ways for people to stand out against injustice. Those websites provide information on how to get help if one is being accuse for things s/he does not do.
    2.How are they useful?
    They are useful because these website can teach people some rights they have. People can also get help from that if they believe they are treated unfairly.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The policemen must let u know that you have the right to keep silent and right to counsel

      Delete
    2. You are absolutely right....

      Delete
  6. What was this teen writer able to do that many journalists were not able to do?
    I think these teen writer were able to identify the key point about these crimes, unfair events and etc,
    Why do you think that this teenager was able to identify key points or inconsistencies about the case that most of the city seemed to miss?
    I think that they don’t have the wrongful convictions that others had, and which it will make these young to think about the crime in a more fair way.
    Do you believe this author was biased? In what way?
    I don’t believe this author was biased, because he was talking about the fair.


    What did you learn at these websites?
    I learned that we should do something in order to fight for our rights, just the story in Central Park Five, they had been put in guilty becasue they did not do anything for themselves.
    How are they useful?
    The education is the most powerful way to help people fight for their rights, and these website is giving the useful knowledge to us.

    ReplyDelete
  7. 1. What was this teen writer able to do that many journalists were not able to do?
    Ans: This teen writer was able to write critical questions about the crime that main street newspaper clearly missed. And the teen came up with many questions about investigation as well.

    2. Why do you think that this teenager was able to identify key points or inconsistencies about the case that most of the city seemed to miss?
    Ans:The teen was less biased and he could see from many people’s perspective even suspects.

    3. Do you believe this author was biased? In what way?
    Ans: No, I don’t think he was biased.


    1. What did you learn at these websites?
    Ans:I learned that you have right to remain silent after being arrested. And you have right to counsel and ask for a lawyer.

    2. How are they useful?
    Ans:I think they are useful. Because a lot of people don’t know their rights and the websites can educate them.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Mariam, Magda & Sarah

    What was this teen writer able to do that many journalists were not able to do?
    She was able to write important questions about the crime that a newspaper called main street missed. She also wrote a lot of questions about the investigation too.
    Why do you think that this teenager was able to identify key points or inconsistencies about the case that most of the city seemed to miss?
    The teen was less biased and she could see from many people’s perspective even suspects.
    Do you believe this author was biased? In what way?
    NO
    What did you learn at these websites?
    We re-learn something that we all knew before
    How are they useful?
    We’ll know what to do if god forbid we fall into the same situation

    ReplyDelete
  9. What was this teen writer able to do that many journalists were not able to do?
    The teen writer was able to tell the truth by considering the evidence and the true facts of the events unlike the media which was bias against the blacks.
    Why do you think that this teenager was able to identify key points or inconsistencies about the case that most of the city seemed to miss?
    Because the teen was able to see the truth behind the bias world rather than going the crowd.
    Do you believe this author was biased? In what way?
    No, because the fact that he himself had been watched more the police when he was part of a crowd especially if it was black boys.

    What did you learn at these websites?
    I learned that through DNA testing the “Innocent Project” has been able to free people especially blacks who were wrongfully convicted of crime.
    How are they useful?
    Well it very important that an innocent person should not be convicted of something they didn't do because it might ruin their whole life behind the bars. I think this can save lives of the many innocent people.

    ReplyDelete
  10. What was this teen writer able to do that many journalists were not able to do?
    This teen writer was able to elaborate and analyze the whole situation, she/he did researches and exposed them to the eyes of the public and this teen clearly stated things the way they were. He/she wanted the public to know how injustice and racial discrimination was laid out, that this whole situation was not a mistake but it was something done purposely.
    Why do you think that this teenager was able to identify key points or inconsistencies about the case that most of the city seemed to miss?
    Well, I think this teenager was concerned about this case, he probably worked on it, looked for evidences and counterclaims, he didn’t simply believe what the society told him, I also think that at this time society didn’t really care since it was five black guys so they automatically believe what that they did, people have always seen black people as criminals, many have been put to jail in an unfair way.
    Do you believe this author was biased? In what way?
    Yes I think that author was biased because the author clearly tells the audience what he/she believed happened and was ready to do anything to prove society that they were wrong.


    What did you learn at these websites?
    The Innocence Project works with people from across the criminal justice system – including prosecutors, victims, law enforcement agencies and defense advocates – to enact meaningful reform.
    How are they useful?
    I think they are useful in a way that can influence others to stand for the truth and to not make false convictions about any case before evidences has been set. It also motivate you to do the right thing.

    ReplyDelete
  11. What was this teen writer able to do that many journalists were not able to do?
    This teen writer was able to write about the facts that the journalists missed. He said “Here’s an example I made up: The police might say, “Your friend told me you were the one who raped her and it was all your idea. If you confess, we could get you off easy.”He is trying to show that this is the way how sometimes the police trapped those who are innocent without having the real evidence while the real criminal stays out. And he is also asking all those questions that the journalists should have asked.
    Do you believe this author was biased? In what way?
    I dnt think so.
    What did you learn at these websites?
    I learned about the misidentification of the eyewitnesses and how it could affect one’s life, about the searches and warrants that the police can search our houses but they have to have a legal warrant to do that, about the rights of suspects etc.
    How are they useful?
    They are really useful since not everyone is educated here and mostly here in this country we have lots of immigrants so many peoples don’t know about the the laws of this land and also what are the rights they have as a suspect.

    ReplyDelete
  12. What was this teen writer able to do that many journalists were not able to do?
    She was able to question the media in a hard way and point out the trick the police do on suspects to make them confess. She pointed out some facts that seems pretty relevant and also pointed something that the media said which was totally irrelevant between the jogger and the suspects.
    Why do you think that this teenager was able to identify key points or inconsistencies about the case that most of the city seemed to miss?
    Because the teenager looked through another unbiased point of view. She probably wanted to establish justice for the innocent black suspects and she felt they should not be suffering for what they didn’t do.
    Do you believe this author was biased? In what way?
    This is a contradictory question. The author was biased in a way where he supported black suspects by showing facts. She might not know the truth because she was not involved in the investigation.


    What did you learn at these websites?
    I learned that people can be wrongfully accused if they confess forcefully. We have to know our rights. Also technology have changed the criminal justice system in a great way. DNA test is a revolution in criminal justice.
    How are they useful?
    They are very useful to get people justice. But still there are corruption in our society. The more the technology expands there are less fear of getting injustice but it could also be used in the opposite way.

    ReplyDelete
  13. What was this teen writer able to do that many journalists were not able to do?
    She was able to write about the truth and the truth only. She based her writing for the proof found not from what the media has told her.
    Why do you think that this teenager was able to identify key points or inconsistencies about the case that most of the city seemed to miss?
    She didn't just based her articles and thoughts based on racial tension that were happening in the city and stereotyping but she actually observe the situation well compare to the police and the media.
    Do you believe this author was biased? In what way?
    This author knew that these five boys were innocent. She knew it was not right to accuse them for a crime that have been proven of their innocence. She wrote this book to show how influential the media can be .

    ReplyDelete
  14. 1.This teen writer was able to elaborate and analyze the whole situation, she/he did researches and exposed them to the eyes of the public and this teen clearly stated things the way they were. He/she wanted the public to know how injustice and racial discrimination was laid out, that this whole situation was not a mistake but it was something done purposely.
    2.I think this teenager was concerned about this case, he probably worked on it, looked for evidences and counterclaims, he didn’t simply believe what the society told him, I also think that at this time society didn’t really care since it was five black guys so they automatically believe what that they did, people have always seen black people as criminals, many have been put to jail in an unfair way.
    3.No, because the fact that he himself had been watched more the police when he was part of a crowd especially if it was black boys.

    1.I learned that using some scientific method we can help and prevent a lot of innocent people to be punished
    2.They are very useful in many ways. Personally, I think that I have to know my own rights in case something happens. Therefore, this is pretty useful in a way that we can avoid some problems

    ReplyDelete
  15. What was this teen writer able to do that many journalists were not able to do?
    Tin: This teen writer didn’t believe that suspects’ “confessions” were real. She was not like other journalists who just wanted to spread fake information as long as it was news. She analyzed the situation and evaluated what really happened.
    Luisa: this teen writer did not believe that the confessions were real because they were been intimidated in the interrogation. Also the journalists didn't have a lot of facts and they just want to write to make their “work”. She wanted fact, facts that they didn’t have.

    Why do you think that this teenager was able to identify key points or inconsistencies about the case that most of the city seemed to miss?
    Tin: Being a teenager, she was curious enough to ask questions and found some loopholes in what most of the city seemed to believe. In addition, I believe she was not racist like others were. That’s why she did not give out biased information.
    Luisa: the police just wanted to end the investigations and find someone who can be guilty. she wanted to find the truth about the case and based in fact the suspects were not saying the truth. Also, the police just arrest the blacks men just because they were suspects and they can not refused about it.
    Do you believe this author was biased? In what way?
    Tin: No, I don’t think this author was biased. She was just highlighting the truth in this unjust crime.
    Luisa: no, she is not



    What did you learn at these websites?
    Tin: I never knew that these kinds of websites exist. These websites support wrongly accused people and let them be aware of their rights.
    Luisa: In the websites I learned that are many people accused by a crime that they never did. Also, there are many of them that were processing but they still in jail.

    How are they useful?
    Tin: Because of these websites, in case if we get into trouble, we know who to ask for help and who have our backs. Moreover, we are informed about our rights to protect ourselves.
    Luisa: It help us in many ways as knowing our right, when we are in problems we can know our right. Also, we see many cases that can happened so we can prevent it

    ReplyDelete
  16. What was this teen writer able to do that many journalists were not able to do?
    =>The teen writer was telling the truth by considering the evidence and the true facts of the events unlike the media which was bias against the blacks.

    Why do you think that this teenager was able to identify key points or inconsistencies about the case that most of the city seemed to miss?
    => Because the teen was able to see the truth behind the bias world rather than going the crowd.

    Do you believe this author was biased? In what way?
    => No, because the fact that he himself had watched more the police when he was part of a crowd especially when it was black boys.

    What did you learn at these websites?
    => I learned that through DNA testing the “Innocent Project” has been able to free people especially blacks who were wrongfully convicted of crime.

    How are they useful?
    => Well it is so important that an innocent person should not be convicted of something they didn't do.I think they are useful in a way that can influence others to stand for the truth and to not make false convictions about any case before evidences has been set.

    ReplyDelete
  17. What was this teen writer able to do that many journalists were not able to do?
    This teen writer unlike the media that simply makes assumptions without analyzing facts, takes time to scrutinize the situation. This teen comes to a path to analyze how the police didn’t have very little facts that the boys were attached to the crime. The media didn’t see the other side of the story, it just shaped the public opinion toward hatred for these innocent boys.

    Why do you think that this teenager was able to identify key points or inconsistencies about the case that most of the city seemed to miss?
    The teen was too close minded but instead he/she develops his/ her understanding of the case on different perspectives. The teen analyzes how the teens could have been innocent.There is no scientific evidence that can prove they committed the crime and he/she noticed that there was no evidence of the teens on the crime scene.
    Do you believe this author was biased? In what way?
    No, I don’t think he was biased because he emphasizes his point through various perspectives.

    1.What did you learn at these websites?
    I learned about certain basic constitutional rights that are reserved to individuals such as Miranda rights and right to counsel, 2.5 clause of the 6th amendment. these teens were deprived of these rights so they were unjustly sentenced.
    2.How are they useful?
    I think they are useful. Because a lot of people don’t know their rights and the websites can educate them.

    ReplyDelete
  18. 1What was this teen writer able to do that many journalists were not able to do?
    This teen writer was able to find the facts about the crime, and tell us the truth that many journalists were not able to do.
    2Why do you think that this teenager was able to identify key points or inconsistencies about the case that most of the city seemed to miss?
    Because most teenager can insist on something that you think you are right. They can find something that was covered.
    3Do you believe this author was biased? In what way?
    No, I don't think he was biased.
    1.What did you learn at these websites?
    When we involve in the crime, we have to protect ourselves. We can ask for a lawyer, keep silence.
    2.How are they useful?
    It's useful, because we can learn how to protect ourselves. And use rights in right ways.

    ReplyDelete
  19. What was this teen writer able to do that many journalists were not able to do?
    This teen writer investigate the whole situation elaborately and brought up those questions that other journalist did not come up with. He also had clinical reports and strong evidence that prove the boy innocent.
    Why do you think that this teenager was able to identify key points or inconsistencies about the case that most of the city seemed to miss?
    She was able to identify key points or inconsistencies about the case because she did not discriminates between black and white. She just focus on the main crime and determined to reveal the truth and she was successful.
    Do you believe this author was biased? In what way?
    No, I do not think she was biased. She just showed the truth.

    1.What did you learn at these websites?
    From these website I have learned that we all have right to fight for our rights. The arrested person have rights to remain silent when police arrest, and have right to ask for lawyer. 2.How are they useful?
    Since USA is diverse country and have different rules, so every person should have know about these rules. And I think these website will help them to understand well what to do when arrested or face trouble with police.

    ReplyDelete
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    ReplyDelete
  21. 1 . What was this teen writer able to do that many journalists were not able to do?
    This teen writer this did not stand any side . She was hair to think about that .
    2 . Why do you think that this teenager was able to identify key points or inconsistencies about the case that most of the city seemed to miss?Because most teenager can insist on something that you think you are right. They can find something that was covered.
    3 . Do you believe this author was biased? In what way?
    I do not think so . The teen did not biased everybody . She wrote this book to show how influential the media can be .
    1. What did you learn at these websites?
    This websites is very good show us what is human right . We can ask for a lawyer, keep silence.
    2. How are they useful?
    because we can learn how to protect ourselves. These websites support wrongly accused people and let them be aware of their rights.

    ReplyDelete
  22. 1.What was this teen writer able to do that many journalists were not able to do?
    This teen writer was able to points out that many policemen and journalists hide the truth and prejudge those young black teenagers.
    2)Why do you think that this teenager was able to identify key points or inconsistencies about the case that most of the city seemed to miss?
    I think that this teenager was able to identify the key points because most teenager can insist on something that you think that is right. They can find something that was covered.
    3)Do you believe this author was biased? In what way?
    No,because this author knew that these five boys were innocent. She knew it was not right to accuse them for a crime.
    1.What did you learn at these websites?
    I have learned that we all have right to fight for our rights. These teens were deprived of these rights so they were unjustly sentenced.
    2.How are they useful?
    I think they are useful. Because a lot of people don’t know how to fight for their rights.So, they can know how to do .

    ReplyDelete
  23. What was this teen writer able to do that many journalists were not able to do?

    This teen writer doesn’t have significant bias on black people. Also he points out that many policemen and journalists hide the truth and prejudge those young black teenagers.

    Why do you think that this teenager was able to identify key points or inconsistencies about the case that most of the city seemed to miss?

    Because this teen was writing it from his heart. Thus, he says it honestly and clearly from what he knows.

    Do you believe this author was biased? In what way?

    I think he was on boys side. He was trying to say that they are not suspects and even provided evidences.


    What did you learn at these websites?

    From these websites, I learned that there are ways for people to stand out against injustice. Those websites provide information on how to get help if one is being accuse for things s/he does not do.

    How are they useful?

    The education is the most powerful way to help people fight for their rights, and these website is giving the useful knowledge to us.

    ReplyDelete
  24. What was this teen writer able to do that many journalists were not able to do?
    The teenager seemed to be willing to talk honestly about the case and not to stick with the common sense understanding of the case.

    Why do you think that this teenager was able to identify key points or inconsistencies about the case that most of the city seemed to miss?
    The teenager used her personal experiences and her advantage as an outsider to look at the case from a point of view nobody had taken before, Also, as a teenager, she had the freedom to make these assumptions without being scrutinized in any way.

    Do you believe this author was biased? In what way?
    We can say that she was biased because she strongly believed there was a mistake with the conviction of the five suspects.

    What did you learn at these websites?
    These sites show cases of people who were wrongly convicted and who are trying to prove their innocence.

    How are they useful?
    The websites provide useful information and resources for people who want to learn about wrong convictions and take action on related topics.

    ReplyDelete
  25. What was this teen writer able to do that many journalists were not able to do?
    This teen writer investigate the whole situation elaborately and brought up those questions that other journalist did not come up with. He also had clinical reports and strong evidence that prove the boy innocent.
    Why do you think that this teenager was able to identify key points or inconsistencies about the case that most of the city seemed to miss?
    She was able to identify key points or inconsistencies about the case because she did not discriminates between black and white. She just focus on the main crime and determined to reveal the truth and she was successful.
    Do you believe this author was biased? In what way?
    No, I do not think she was biased. She just showed the truth.

    1.What did you learn at these websites?
    From these website I have learned that we all have right to fight for our rights.

    ReplyDelete
  26. 1. What was this teen writer able to do that many journalists were not able to do?
    This teen writer was very honest, he pointed out the facts that the journalists missed and described the crimes.

    2. Why do you think that this teenager was able to identify key points or inconsistencies about the case that most of the city seemed to miss?
    I think he did not discriminate black people like other white men did and he didn’t believe what society told him so he tried to find evidence about the case.

    3. Do you believe this author was biased? In what way?
    I don't really think the author was biased in any aspect.
    4. What did you learn at these websites?
    These websites are very useful since they let us know rights that we might not know and teach us that there are many people wrongly accused for crimes they did not do only because their skin color.
    5. How are they useful?
    They are useful because they inform us about our rights and also rights of people accused by mistake.

    ReplyDelete