The Exonerated Five: Hidden Voices in Justice and Identity
The Exonerated Five were five young Black and Latino men who were wrongly convicted of a crime they didn’t commit in New York City in 1989. Their story shows how the justice system can make mistakes and how things like race and where a person comes from can affect what happens in court. This is a hidden part of history that many textbooks don’t tell: the voices of young people who faced unfair treatment. Students should care about this story because the Exonerated Five were young like them, and their experiences show how unfair treatment and bias can affect real people. This story is important in education because it encourages students to think about fairness, whose voices are heard, and how bias can cause harm. It connects to the themes of social justice and identity from my Voices of Representation project by showing how real people stand up against unfairness and fight to tell their true stories. Ibi Zoboi’s book Punching the Air tells the story of Amal, a talented young Black artist who is also wrongfully accused and sent to prison. Like the Exonerated Five, Amal faces injustice because of his race and background. The book shows his struggle to keep hope, express himself through art, and fight for justice. In fact, one of the Exonerated Five helped Ibi Zoboi write the book, making it a powerful connection between real life and storytelling that helps us understand these important themes from many viewpoints.
What Happens when Justice Fails?
Click the red dot to find out.
As a future educator, I chose this topic because it’s essential to bring forward stories that are often ignored or silenced in our classrooms. The Exonerated Five’s experience, combined with the powerful storytelling in Punching the Air, gives students a chance to see how identity and justice affect real people’s lives.
Uncovering the truth: The Exonerated Fives Story
Click the image below to read about how the Central Park Five became the Exonerated Five. As you read, imagine yourself in their shoes. What would you do if you were in their situation?
Timeline of injustice and exoneration
Explore the timeline of the exonerated five by clicking on the red dots below.
1989
2002
2014
1990
How do you think reading different types of books (fiction, nonfiction, personal stories) can change the way we learn about history?
Watch this short documentary by PBS about the Central Park Five. Warning: Contains explicit language and senstive content. Viewer discretion is advised. Click the image to watch
Books to Explore the Exonerated Five
To deepen our understanding of the Exonerated Five and themes of justice and identity, here are three important books. Each offers a unique perspective through investigation, personal stories, or creative expression. Click each book to read a summary and see how the books explore wrongful conviction, bias, and resilience. These stories help us think critically about justice and the power of storytelling.
Taking Action Against Wrongful Accusations
The Innocence Project is a nonprofit organization that works to free people who were wrongfully convicted through DNA testing and legal support. They also work to reform the justice system to prevent future mistakes. Their website offers detailed information, real stories, and resources about wrongful convictions, including cases like the Exonerated Five.
To learn more about their work and how they help fight injustice, visit the link below:
Explore the Innocence Project
“Who’s Heard? Who’s Silenced? Understanding Voices in the Story
This chart shows how the voices of the Exonerated Five and others changed over time from being ignored or dismissed during their arrest and imprisonment to being heard through activism and storytelling after their exoneration. It also highlights that some important parts of their experience remain less visible, reminding us to keep listening closely to all sides of the story.
Pick one of the three quotes below from members of the Exonerated Five. Write a short reflection on what this quote means to you. How does it connect to fairness, standing up for yourself, or resilience?
"You have to unmute the uncomfortable. So we can be heard; so we can be seen. We have to work harder to do that" - Kevin Richardson
The Exonerated Five’s voices were silenced for many years, they were not believed, and their truth was ignored. Media and public opinion often painted a different picture. Over time, families, activists, and finally the men themselves fought to be heard, changing the story and the system.
"I was telling the truth and he just told me to lie". - Antron McCray
We were once known as infamous people, now we're famous and being given our flowers in life... to know we're being recognized because we stood up for ourselves. We survived" - Yusef Salaam
Think and Reflect:
After exploring this slide, discuss the four questions below with a partner:
- How would you feel if your voice was ignored?
- Why do you think some voices are louder than others?
- How does standing up change things?
- What message would you want to share with the world?
Click the red dot to hear Yasir Salem share his story. After years of being silenced, he now uses his voice to speak out for justice and equality. His actions are an example of activism, a broader theme that shows how individuals can stand up for fairness, fight bias, and make their voices heard in society.
Classroom Connection
Why are we learning about this?
What are we doing next?
This project serves as an anticipatory set in a larger unit on justice and identity, leading up to the novel "Punching the Air" by Ibi Zoboi. Students will begin by learning about the Exonerated Five to understand how social justice and identity can affect real people. Through this project, they’ll explore how bias and unfair treatment shape people’s lives. Afterward, students will build on this topic by studying other individuals who have been wrongfully convicted, allowing them to make broader connections about fairness, justice, and activism. By the time students read Punching the Air, they will already have real-world examples that help them connect to Amal’s story and the themes of social justice, identity, and resilience.
After learning about the Exonerated Five, students will begin a new project titled "Justice Then and Now" as part of the anticipatory set for the Punching the Air unit. In this project, students will work in small groups to research another person who was wrongfully convicted and compare their experience with the Exonerated Five. They will explore how identity, bias, and justice shaped each case and present their findings through a short presentation, poster, or visual chart. Each group will include information about who the person is, what happened in their case, how identity influenced the outcome, and what lessons can be learned about fairness and change. This project helps students build on their understanding of social justice and identity, preparing them to make deeper connections to Amal’s story in Punching the Air.
Click the red dot to see the checklist for your final activity about the Exonerated Five.
Reflection
Through completing this project, I was able to learn who the Exonerated Five truly are, not just what they were convicted of. I had previously heard about the Exonerated Five, but by completing this project, I now know about them. Focusing on identity and social justice within this project allowed me to see how students can explore who they are, understand others' experiences, and recognize systemic inequities. This process has deepened my understanding of how representation in literature can empower silenced voices and inspire resilience among students. Reflecting on my teaching practice as a future teacher, I realize the importance of including stories that challenge assumptions and encourage empathy, critical thinking, and meaningful discussions. This project pushed me to question my prior assumptions about what middle school students can handle and how I can structure lessons that are accessible, interactive, and socially conscious.
Works Cited
Central Park Five: the True Story behind When They See Us. (2019, June 12). BBC News. https://www.bbc.com/news/newsbeat-48609693
Chang, J. (2014, June 20). The Central Park Five Exonerated settle lawsuit with NYC for $40 million - DOC NYC. DOC NYC. https://www.docnyc.net/show-on-homepage/the-central-park-five-exonerated-settle-lawsuit-with-nyc-for-40-million/
Editors, B. org. (2023, April 26). Revisit: THE CENTRAL PARK FIVE (1989). Black Art Story. https://blackartstory.org/2023/04/26/revisit-the-central-park-five-1989/
Evans, R. (2019, June 25). “When They See Us”: Researching the Story of the Exonerated 5 and Beyond at The New York Public Library. The New York Public Library. https://www.nypl.org/blog/2019/06/25/when-they-see-us-researching-story-exonerated-five-and-beyond-new-york-public
Google Books. (2019a). Google.com. https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_Central_Park_Five/H1yiJQR02z0C?hl=en&gbpv=1&printsec=frontcover
Google Books. (2019b). Google.com. https://www.google.com/books/edition/Punching_the_Air/HnDBDwAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PT4&printsec=frontcover
Google Books. (2019c). Google.com. https://www.google.com/books/edition/I_Am_the_Central_Park_Jogger/dJkgKHF-0tQC?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PA1&printsec=frontcover
Innocence Project. (2024). Research Resources. Innocence Project. https://innocenceproject.org/research-resources/
NowThis Impact. (2020, June 7). Exonerated “Central Park Five” Survivor Dr. Yusef Salaam on Black Trauma | NowThis. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jgYPqqHNPG4
Watch Clips | The Central Park Five | Ken Burns | PBS. (2025). The Central Park Five | Ken Burns | PBS. https://www.pbs.org/kenburns/the-central-park-five/video
1989
Antron McCray, Kevin Richardson, Yusef Salaam, Raymond Santana, and Korey Wise were arrested in New York City, accused of a serious crime they did not commit. The police acted quickly under public pressure, and the boys were questioned for hours, leading to false confessions.
1990
Despite weak and inconsistent evidence, Antron, Kevin, Yusef, Raymond, and Korey were found guilty in a trial heavily influenced by racial bias and public opinion. The media portrayed them as guilty before the trial even began, which affected how people saw their case. As a result, they were sentenced to prison, spending years behind bars for a crime they did not commit.
Punching the Air by Ibi Zoboi and Yusef Salaam
Punching the Air is a powerful novel inspired by the true story of wrongful conviction. It follows Amal, a talented young Black artist who is sentenced to prison for a crime he didn’t commit. The book uses both poetry and regular storytelling to share Amal’s feelings, struggles, and hope as he fights to prove his innocence. Co-written by Yusef Salaam, one of the Exonerated Five, the story highlights themes of identity, injustice, and resilience.
Click here to read a preview of "Punching the Air" by Ibi Zoboi and Yusef Salaam
The Central Park Five by Sarah Burns
This nonfiction book tells the true story of five young men wrongfully convicted of a crime they did not commit in New York City. Sarah Burns carefully examines how racial bias, media pressure, and mistakes in the legal system led to their convictions. The book also explores the long fight for justice, including their eventual exoneration through DNA evidence. It helps readers understand the impact of prejudice and the importance of standing up for the truth.
Click here for a preview of "The Central Park Five" by Sarah Burns
1990
Despite weak and inconsistent evidence, Antron, Kevin, Yusef, Raymond, and Korey were found guilty in a trial heavily influenced by racial bias and public opinion. The media portrayed them as guilty before the trial even began, which affected how people saw their case. As a result, they were sentenced to prison, spending years behind bars for a crime they did not commit.
2002
After years of fighting to prove their innocence, new DNA tests finally showed that the five men did not commit the crime. The real attacker confessed, and the convictions were overturned. This moment was a powerful example of how science and persistence can help correct mistakes in the justice system
2014
The Exonerated Five, reached a settlement with the City of New York. The city agreed to pay them compensation as recognition of the wrongful convictions and the many years they lost behind bars. Since then, the Exonerated Five have become activists, using their experiences to raise awareness about injustice and to help prevent others from facing similar unfair treatment.
Justice Then and Now Checklist
After learning about the Exonerated Five, you will:
- Work in small groups to research another person who was wrongfully convicted
- Compare their story with the Exonerated Five
- Explore how identity, bias, and justice affected each case
- Create a short presentation, poster, or visual chart that includes:
- Who the person is
- What happened in their case
- How identity influenced the outcome
- What lessons can be learned about fairness and change
- Share your findings with the class
I Am the Central Park Jogger by Trisha Mieli
This book tells the story of the Central Park jogger attack from the victim’s perspective. It shares her experience of the crime and the impact it had on her life. The book also helps readers understand the emotional and social effects of the case, as well as the importance of justice and healing. It provides an important viewpoint that adds balance to the story of the Exonerated Five
Click here to read a preview of "I Am the Central Park Jogger" by Trisha Mieli
What happens when justice fails?
- When justice fails, innocent people can be wrongfully convicted, as happened to the Exonerated Five, five young Black and Latino men falsely accused in 1989. Their story shows how systemic bias and identity factors like race and socioeconomic status impact fairness in the legal system.
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Transcript
The Exonerated Five: Hidden Voices in Justice and Identity
The Exonerated Five were five young Black and Latino men who were wrongly convicted of a crime they didn’t commit in New York City in 1989. Their story shows how the justice system can make mistakes and how things like race and where a person comes from can affect what happens in court. This is a hidden part of history that many textbooks don’t tell: the voices of young people who faced unfair treatment. Students should care about this story because the Exonerated Five were young like them, and their experiences show how unfair treatment and bias can affect real people. This story is important in education because it encourages students to think about fairness, whose voices are heard, and how bias can cause harm. It connects to the themes of social justice and identity from my Voices of Representation project by showing how real people stand up against unfairness and fight to tell their true stories. Ibi Zoboi’s book Punching the Air tells the story of Amal, a talented young Black artist who is also wrongfully accused and sent to prison. Like the Exonerated Five, Amal faces injustice because of his race and background. The book shows his struggle to keep hope, express himself through art, and fight for justice. In fact, one of the Exonerated Five helped Ibi Zoboi write the book, making it a powerful connection between real life and storytelling that helps us understand these important themes from many viewpoints.
What Happens when Justice Fails?
Click the red dot to find out.
As a future educator, I chose this topic because it’s essential to bring forward stories that are often ignored or silenced in our classrooms. The Exonerated Five’s experience, combined with the powerful storytelling in Punching the Air, gives students a chance to see how identity and justice affect real people’s lives.
Uncovering the truth: The Exonerated Fives Story
Click the image below to read about how the Central Park Five became the Exonerated Five. As you read, imagine yourself in their shoes. What would you do if you were in their situation?
Timeline of injustice and exoneration
Explore the timeline of the exonerated five by clicking on the red dots below.
1989
2002
2014
1990
How do you think reading different types of books (fiction, nonfiction, personal stories) can change the way we learn about history?
Watch this short documentary by PBS about the Central Park Five. Warning: Contains explicit language and senstive content. Viewer discretion is advised. Click the image to watch
Books to Explore the Exonerated Five
To deepen our understanding of the Exonerated Five and themes of justice and identity, here are three important books. Each offers a unique perspective through investigation, personal stories, or creative expression. Click each book to read a summary and see how the books explore wrongful conviction, bias, and resilience. These stories help us think critically about justice and the power of storytelling.
Taking Action Against Wrongful Accusations
The Innocence Project is a nonprofit organization that works to free people who were wrongfully convicted through DNA testing and legal support. They also work to reform the justice system to prevent future mistakes. Their website offers detailed information, real stories, and resources about wrongful convictions, including cases like the Exonerated Five. To learn more about their work and how they help fight injustice, visit the link below:
Explore the Innocence Project
“Who’s Heard? Who’s Silenced? Understanding Voices in the Story
This chart shows how the voices of the Exonerated Five and others changed over time from being ignored or dismissed during their arrest and imprisonment to being heard through activism and storytelling after their exoneration. It also highlights that some important parts of their experience remain less visible, reminding us to keep listening closely to all sides of the story.
Pick one of the three quotes below from members of the Exonerated Five. Write a short reflection on what this quote means to you. How does it connect to fairness, standing up for yourself, or resilience?
"You have to unmute the uncomfortable. So we can be heard; so we can be seen. We have to work harder to do that" - Kevin Richardson
The Exonerated Five’s voices were silenced for many years, they were not believed, and their truth was ignored. Media and public opinion often painted a different picture. Over time, families, activists, and finally the men themselves fought to be heard, changing the story and the system.
"I was telling the truth and he just told me to lie". - Antron McCray
We were once known as infamous people, now we're famous and being given our flowers in life... to know we're being recognized because we stood up for ourselves. We survived" - Yusef Salaam
Think and Reflect:
After exploring this slide, discuss the four questions below with a partner:
Click the red dot to hear Yasir Salem share his story. After years of being silenced, he now uses his voice to speak out for justice and equality. His actions are an example of activism, a broader theme that shows how individuals can stand up for fairness, fight bias, and make their voices heard in society.
Classroom Connection
Why are we learning about this?
What are we doing next?
This project serves as an anticipatory set in a larger unit on justice and identity, leading up to the novel "Punching the Air" by Ibi Zoboi. Students will begin by learning about the Exonerated Five to understand how social justice and identity can affect real people. Through this project, they’ll explore how bias and unfair treatment shape people’s lives. Afterward, students will build on this topic by studying other individuals who have been wrongfully convicted, allowing them to make broader connections about fairness, justice, and activism. By the time students read Punching the Air, they will already have real-world examples that help them connect to Amal’s story and the themes of social justice, identity, and resilience.
After learning about the Exonerated Five, students will begin a new project titled "Justice Then and Now" as part of the anticipatory set for the Punching the Air unit. In this project, students will work in small groups to research another person who was wrongfully convicted and compare their experience with the Exonerated Five. They will explore how identity, bias, and justice shaped each case and present their findings through a short presentation, poster, or visual chart. Each group will include information about who the person is, what happened in their case, how identity influenced the outcome, and what lessons can be learned about fairness and change. This project helps students build on their understanding of social justice and identity, preparing them to make deeper connections to Amal’s story in Punching the Air.
Click the red dot to see the checklist for your final activity about the Exonerated Five.
Reflection
Through completing this project, I was able to learn who the Exonerated Five truly are, not just what they were convicted of. I had previously heard about the Exonerated Five, but by completing this project, I now know about them. Focusing on identity and social justice within this project allowed me to see how students can explore who they are, understand others' experiences, and recognize systemic inequities. This process has deepened my understanding of how representation in literature can empower silenced voices and inspire resilience among students. Reflecting on my teaching practice as a future teacher, I realize the importance of including stories that challenge assumptions and encourage empathy, critical thinking, and meaningful discussions. This project pushed me to question my prior assumptions about what middle school students can handle and how I can structure lessons that are accessible, interactive, and socially conscious.
Works Cited
Central Park Five: the True Story behind When They See Us. (2019, June 12). BBC News. https://www.bbc.com/news/newsbeat-48609693
Chang, J. (2014, June 20). The Central Park Five Exonerated settle lawsuit with NYC for $40 million - DOC NYC. DOC NYC. https://www.docnyc.net/show-on-homepage/the-central-park-five-exonerated-settle-lawsuit-with-nyc-for-40-million/
Editors, B. org. (2023, April 26). Revisit: THE CENTRAL PARK FIVE (1989). Black Art Story. https://blackartstory.org/2023/04/26/revisit-the-central-park-five-1989/
Evans, R. (2019, June 25). “When They See Us”: Researching the Story of the Exonerated 5 and Beyond at The New York Public Library. The New York Public Library. https://www.nypl.org/blog/2019/06/25/when-they-see-us-researching-story-exonerated-five-and-beyond-new-york-public
Google Books. (2019a). Google.com. https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_Central_Park_Five/H1yiJQR02z0C?hl=en&gbpv=1&printsec=frontcover
Google Books. (2019b). Google.com. https://www.google.com/books/edition/Punching_the_Air/HnDBDwAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PT4&printsec=frontcover
Google Books. (2019c). Google.com. https://www.google.com/books/edition/I_Am_the_Central_Park_Jogger/dJkgKHF-0tQC?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PA1&printsec=frontcover
Innocence Project. (2024). Research Resources. Innocence Project. https://innocenceproject.org/research-resources/
NowThis Impact. (2020, June 7). Exonerated “Central Park Five” Survivor Dr. Yusef Salaam on Black Trauma | NowThis. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jgYPqqHNPG4
Watch Clips | The Central Park Five | Ken Burns | PBS. (2025). The Central Park Five | Ken Burns | PBS. https://www.pbs.org/kenburns/the-central-park-five/video
1989
Antron McCray, Kevin Richardson, Yusef Salaam, Raymond Santana, and Korey Wise were arrested in New York City, accused of a serious crime they did not commit. The police acted quickly under public pressure, and the boys were questioned for hours, leading to false confessions.
1990
Despite weak and inconsistent evidence, Antron, Kevin, Yusef, Raymond, and Korey were found guilty in a trial heavily influenced by racial bias and public opinion. The media portrayed them as guilty before the trial even began, which affected how people saw their case. As a result, they were sentenced to prison, spending years behind bars for a crime they did not commit.
Punching the Air by Ibi Zoboi and Yusef Salaam
Punching the Air is a powerful novel inspired by the true story of wrongful conviction. It follows Amal, a talented young Black artist who is sentenced to prison for a crime he didn’t commit. The book uses both poetry and regular storytelling to share Amal’s feelings, struggles, and hope as he fights to prove his innocence. Co-written by Yusef Salaam, one of the Exonerated Five, the story highlights themes of identity, injustice, and resilience.
Click here to read a preview of "Punching the Air" by Ibi Zoboi and Yusef Salaam
The Central Park Five by Sarah Burns
This nonfiction book tells the true story of five young men wrongfully convicted of a crime they did not commit in New York City. Sarah Burns carefully examines how racial bias, media pressure, and mistakes in the legal system led to their convictions. The book also explores the long fight for justice, including their eventual exoneration through DNA evidence. It helps readers understand the impact of prejudice and the importance of standing up for the truth.
Click here for a preview of "The Central Park Five" by Sarah Burns
1990
Despite weak and inconsistent evidence, Antron, Kevin, Yusef, Raymond, and Korey were found guilty in a trial heavily influenced by racial bias and public opinion. The media portrayed them as guilty before the trial even began, which affected how people saw their case. As a result, they were sentenced to prison, spending years behind bars for a crime they did not commit.
2002
After years of fighting to prove their innocence, new DNA tests finally showed that the five men did not commit the crime. The real attacker confessed, and the convictions were overturned. This moment was a powerful example of how science and persistence can help correct mistakes in the justice system
2014
The Exonerated Five, reached a settlement with the City of New York. The city agreed to pay them compensation as recognition of the wrongful convictions and the many years they lost behind bars. Since then, the Exonerated Five have become activists, using their experiences to raise awareness about injustice and to help prevent others from facing similar unfair treatment.
Justice Then and Now Checklist
After learning about the Exonerated Five, you will:
I Am the Central Park Jogger by Trisha Mieli
This book tells the story of the Central Park jogger attack from the victim’s perspective. It shares her experience of the crime and the impact it had on her life. The book also helps readers understand the emotional and social effects of the case, as well as the importance of justice and healing. It provides an important viewpoint that adds balance to the story of the Exonerated Five
Click here to read a preview of "I Am the Central Park Jogger" by Trisha Mieli
What happens when justice fails?