Calamities, tumults and grave injustices do not have to stain the soul and crush the spirit, according to Yusef Salaam, one of the “Central Park Five” wrongly convicted of the rape of “Central Park Jogger” Trisha Meili. Salaam talked about hope and purpose during his presentation on Monday, Nov. 4 at the Morris University Center’s Meridian Ballroom at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.
SIUE’s Campus Activities Board (CAB) sponsored the event that drew more than 500 people.
“CAB decided to bring Dr. Yusef Salaam to campus, because with the many tragedies that occur daily to black and brown children, it is important that modern society remain hopeful for better times,” said CAB chair Tamryn Williams, a junior majoring in industrial engineering. “The first step to change begins with having difficult conversations and listening to how others have overcome difficult situations.”
Described as one of the most publicized crimes of the 1980s by The New York Times, the Central Park jogger criminal case was based on the assault and rape of 28-year-old Trisha Meili who was jogging in the park on April 19, 1989. Eight others were also attacked. Five males, ranging in age from 7-13, were arrested, charged and convicted of the crime. The young males became known as the “Central Park Five.”
Their sentences were overturned in 2002, after the five men had spent 13 years in jail. A convicted murderer and rapist serving a life sentence confessed to the crime.
“Dr. Salaam emphasized that although it may not seem like it, everyone was born for a purpose,” said Williams. “Even when the unimaginable is happening, and you feel that you want to give up, remember that everything happens for a reason. Sometimes, you might have to walk through a storm, similar to how he did, before the sun comes out.”
“It was a joy to have Dr. Yusef Salaam on campus,” said Alexa Bueltel, coordinator of Campus Life with the Kimmel Student Involvement Center. “He was very engaging with the audience and students. He is an amazing individual whose story has inspired a nation, and I am so thankful SIUE could have him on campus.”
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Dr. Yusef Salaam addressed his audience on Monday, Nov. 4 at SIUE.
SIUE’s Campus Activities Board sponsored Dr. Salaam’s visit to campus.