2 Equals 12

2 Equals 12

Topic: Wrongful Convictions

Wrongful convictions have been a pervasive issue in American history, disproportionately affecting Black individuals. Some significant cases of wrongful convictions in Black history include:

1. The case of the Scottsboro Boys: In 1931, nine African American teenagers were falsely accused of raping two white women on a train in Alabama. Despite a lack of evidence and contradictory testimonies, all nine boys were convicted by all-white juries. The case drew national attention and highlighted the racial biases in the criminal justice system.

2. The case of Rubin "Hurricane" Carter: Rubin Carter, a professional boxer, was wrongfully convicted of a triple murder in Paterson, New Jersey, in 1966. He maintained his innocence throughout his imprisonment and became a symbol of racial injustice in the criminal justice system. After nearly 20 years in prison, Carter's convictions were overturned in 1985.

3. The case of the Central Park Five: In 1989, five Black and Latino teenagers were wrongfully convicted of the assault and rape of a white woman in Central Park, New York City. The boys, known as the Central Park Five, were coerced into making false confessions and served between 6 to 13 years in prison before their convictions were vacated in 2002.

4. The case of Anthony Ray Hinton: In 1985, Hinton was wrongly convicted of two murders in Alabama based on flawed forensic evidence. Despite maintaining his innocence, he spent nearly 30 years on death row before he was exonerated in 2015 with the help of the Equal Justice Initiative.

These cases represent just a few examples of the pervasive issue of wrongful convictions in Black history, highlighting systemic racism, bias, and injustice within the criminal justice system. Efforts to address and rectify these injustices continue today through advocacy, legal reforms, and initiatives aimed at preventing wrongful convictions.