I remember watching this miniseries a year ago when it was first released. And, in the light of recent events, I felt it was appropriate that this week we talked about When They See Us.
As I watched through these episodes I was confronted with a sea of emotions and the horrifying reality and injustice of the 1989 Central Park jogger case.
The scenes, stories, and harsh realities we are enlightened with when we watch this miniseries is uncomfortable. However, this isn’t a warning – this should not come as a surprise. In fact, the more uncomfortable we feel when watching this miniseries, the better.
But with that being said, this miniseries explores the lives and families of the five innocent male adolescent suspects who were falsely accused and prosecuted for the rape and assault of a woman in Central Park.
They were pulled into this nightmare for merely being at the wrong place at the wrong time – judged and unrightfully charged due to the colour of their skin. The five boys were all under 16 years of age, with one being Latino and four being African-American.
Directed by Ava DuVernay, When They See Us, explores how there is zero physical evidence that could tie them to the crime and moreover, the teenagers were left interrogated without any guardians for seven brutal hours.
As kids, they were easily persuaded during the police interrogation to say things that were false that harmed them and their future with no return.
DuVernay does a brilliant and careful job when presenting this story. This miniseries is chilling, to say the least.
There are no such things as ‘spoilers’ in this review. And, if you are looking for a way to educate yourself of the flawed justice system that has been around for decades with no avail, this miniseries will do just that.
Again, this will be an uncomfortable and confronting watch – but I encourage all to take the time out to see this.
