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ArdhysD3 karma
I would love for you to come to my school and tell the students your story. I feel like there is a big percentage in my school, specially in the younger grades, of kids who have this mind set of "This will never happen to me," and I feel that your story could break through this egotistical mentality and perhaps even change their perspective on life. How can we make this happen?
- How do you try to get your life back to normal?
- What do you want your child to learn from this?
- Since the release of the documentary has it been easier for you to integrate back into society, how so?
- What was it like being in jail through the eyes of a teenager?
- What is the innocent project exactly? How did it get started?
- Did you know it was Reyes who was responsible? If not, how did you feel when you found out?
ArdhysD2 karma
I agree with you on everything. It is unbelievable that because of the sequence of these events, you, an innocent person has had to endure and live through all of this. But I am glad that you have managed to find ways to still enjoy life, because at the end of the day, although it took a while, you made it. Your name was clean and you were exonerated, something that sometimes doesn't happen to those other innocent souls, sitting in jail.
Do you feel like this documentary has given your life back?
What are your plans for the future?
Do you still feel that there is still a small percent of people, specially your family that judges you today?
Why do you think this happened to you? If there was no association between you and the other four males, and you were simply at the wrong place, at the wrong time, why did they convict you? Was it more along the lines of discrimination?
If so, what do you think can be done or should be done to stop this from happening to other Latino teenagers in the future?
What have you learned from this experience?
What compelled you to share your story with us today?
ArdhysD2 karma
- Do you think this experience has made you stronger?
- You mentioned that you plan to continue talking to kids so they can learn from your story, but how exactly do you reach out to these kids? Do you attend schools and tell your story? If not, would you be interested in doing this in the near future?
- What kept you going while in jail? As in, what kept your spirits up and gave you hope that one day everything was going to work out?
- Did you ever think your name was going to be cleared? Why or why not?
ArdhysD1 karma
Hello Mr. Santana, My name is Ardhys, I am a student from WJPS in queens. I am working with El Diario on a piece about you regarding your experience. 1. How was it like living with this horrible accusation that you raped someone? 2. How did it feel to be convicted of this crime at such a young age? 3. How did you feel when you were exonerated? 4. What has it been like, trying to get past this wrongful social stigma?
ArdhysD5 karma
Wow! I cannot imagine how difficult that must have been. I am honestly inspired and amaze that you were able to cover come this. I cannot imagine what it would have been like to be in your shoes and think you are very brave for being able to get through it. I also want to know 1. How has this the sequence of these events changed your life? 2. How have you been trying to pick up the pieces? 3. What is your goal in telling your story?(As in what do you want others to take away from this)
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