Is Rubin “Hurricane” Carter a victim of racism or not?
Rubin Carter is a renowned “medium-weight boxer” in 1960’s. He became famous of his ability in the boxing ring- and infamous during the time because he is mistakenly identified as a crime offender. His convicted and serve almost 20 years of imprisonment in New Jersey. However, he is released when the prosecutor files a motion to dismiss the case. But the motion is file right after several rejections of their prior appeals to the court (CBC). Are the length of service in imprisonment is the gauge of individuals’ innocent? What if you are one of the victims of racism and impartial judgments? What if you have the same path of Rubin Carter, would you be able to handle the pressure calmly? Or use your weaknesses as your strength to surpass them.
The “Hurricane” boxer Carter grows in a not well-off family and sometimes a victim of racism. At the age of 11 years old, he is accused of stabbing a grown man and put in a juvenile reformatory. However, he is able to escape from the institution and decided to join the Army instead (Houston). From then on, he is acquiring a sort of weaknesses- a quick to anger and stubbornness that build him tough in the boxing ring. But during his dark years of adversaries, his weaknesses become his strength. He is able to withstand the rough, test of times in life. Based on CBC, documentary report- Carter has no evident of bitterness despite of 20 years imprisonment because he wanted to show his opponent that he wins the fight (CBC). But in our perspective, the case of Rubin Carter is not partially judge because the validity of evidence and testimonies of witnesses are compromised. The prosecutor did not carefully verify the actual crime scene and weapon evidences (Graphic witness). They should run a gunpowder test to the suspects and verified the type of weapons the criminals are using before accusing them. They are just the same as someone that randomly picked out black guys that fits the description of the witnesses.
Work Cited
CBC. News Post. 21 April 2014. http://www.cbc.ca/television/posts/the-legacy-strength-of-the-late-rubin-hurricane-carter. 30 May 2014.
Graphic witness. Graphic witness: Carter-Valentine. 10 May 1967. http://www.graphicwitness.com/carter/pdfs/Valentine--1967-Trial.pdf. 30 May 2014.
Houston, Frank. Salon: Entertainment News. 25 December 1999. http://www.salon.com/1999/12/24/hurricanecarter/. 30 May 2014.
