Lets stop putting on this facade that a person is, Innocent until proven guilty, as society loves when justice is served. When justice has so many translations and perceptional views, it is hard to comprehend what definition is used at any given time. The media swings into action breaking down components of the case as much as possible targeting the accused, pointed to by arresting officers. Being real with your thoughts will expose how there was no doubt, Luigi Mangione was the killer, after he was escorted by ex-New York City Mayor Eric Adams. Was that justice as define by law or through the lens of his exposed eye brows comparison analysis? Even in courtrooms the ploy continues as defendants plead, not guilty and news reporters provide details of the case filter through the district attorneys office. You could almost hear the shock behind the reporters tone as they give accounts of the crime then say how the person plead not guilty. When 99% of defendant plead not guilty at arraignment, a protocol to see what evidence the prosecution has collected.
In New York City, there has been a different problem that has plagued the city for decades and the Amsterdam News has covered it accurately step by step for quite sometime. In fact, their commendable persistent reporting has led me to the conclusion that society has no clue what justice really means. The filtered reporting of politicized news rooms has placed society in a category of being visually impaired stopping thoughts of questioning actual truths. For several years talks of closing Rikers Island has filled these pages with a targeted date in mind. Whether the goal is reached or not, is a notion that seems to trouble many politicians who just want to stop the barrage of law suits that drain the citys funds. The conditions on the island have been horrible for years and its closing draws near each day. However, one question looms in my mind like a predictable movie ending with a plot twist right before the credits.
Why were they there?
Back in January, the Amsterdam Newspaper reported an insightful history lesson on the island and explained how its origins was founded and grounded in racism. Richard Riker, was a former enslaver and judge, who would prosecuted black people without due process. Sending them to the South as slaves after only hearing the charges against them. Yet still, New York City purchased the land over 100 years ago, then had countless black men and women to be housed on the island each day BUT never changed the name. Now its closing is the result of the horrible treatment and living conditions, NOT because of history. Maybe your thinking they deserve to be treated like that look at what they did. Again, justice says, innocent until proven guilty, so that argument does not line up with the definition of the word. Then, somehow the treatment of New Yorkers journeying through Rikers aligns with the name of the island it not coincidence. It should be a wake up call to the point where society reviews its steps towards tomorrows paths. Why were they there? An island, named after a heinous person whos actions were deliberate and precise holding an official position in New York City.
Hopefully, reading this you not only ask the question mentally but take a look into how there is a problem and you can help fix it. As always you need to be in the know where you understand that places like Rikers Island should concern you. Think of a caged dog being sleep deprived, malnourished, full of fear and constantly having to fight for their life. Could a dog like that be adopted? The same happens to detainees housed in jails awaiting to go to trial and suffering at the hands of the environment. These damaged individuals rides on public trains or simply walks down the street with the internal mental damage hidden from view. Society does not understand why people go back and forth to jail or prison, when it similar to a person who suffers from Stockholm syndrome. As a whole, we need to do more for the mental of health of those around us, detained and incarcerated before someone we love, you or me become a victim at the hands of a tormented mind. We are quick to detain and provide no mental health assistance something has to change. Your Voice Matters
