1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:01,968 [CLOCK TICKING] 2 00:00:08,375 --> 00:00:09,109 Good job. 3 00:00:09,175 --> 00:00:12,000 It's rare for 60 Minutes to follow a story for 15 years. 4 00:00:12,000 --> 00:00:13,646 It's rare for 60 Minutes to follow a story for 15 years. 5 00:00:13,713 --> 00:00:15,849 But tonight, you'll be reintroduced 6 00:00:15,915 --> 00:00:18,000 to Jennifer Thompson, a rape victim who 7 00:00:18,000 --> 00:00:18,685 to Jennifer Thompson, a rape victim who 8 00:00:18,752 --> 00:00:21,821 mistakenly identified an innocent man, who 9 00:00:21,888 --> 00:00:23,089 was sent to prison. 10 00:00:23,156 --> 00:00:24,000 And then I'm going to tie my string. 11 00:00:24,000 --> 00:00:25,258 And then I'm going to tie my string. 12 00:00:25,325 --> 00:00:28,328 Jennifer has created something called Healing Justice, 13 00:00:28,395 --> 00:00:30,000 a program that brings together crime victims, family members, 14 00:00:30,000 --> 00:00:32,399 a program that brings together crime victims, family members, 15 00:00:32,465 --> 00:00:34,100 and innocent men. 16 00:00:34,167 --> 00:00:36,000 "Dear Chris, you've failed in life. 17 00:00:36,000 --> 00:00:36,436 "Dear Chris, you've failed in life. 18 00:00:36,503 --> 00:00:37,704 Why did you confess? 19 00:00:37,771 --> 00:00:39,205 I would never have confessed." 20 00:00:39,272 --> 00:00:41,207 "Why can't you just be quiet"? 21 00:00:41,274 --> 00:00:42,000 "You are a angry Black man. 22 00:00:42,000 --> 00:00:44,244 "You are a angry Black man. 23 00:00:44,310 --> 00:00:45,779 You will never know love. 24 00:00:45,845 --> 00:00:47,247 You will always be a prisoner." 25 00:00:47,313 --> 00:00:48,000 [BREATHES DEEPLY] 26 00:00:48,000 --> 00:00:49,015 [BREATHES DEEPLY] 27 00:00:49,516 --> 00:00:51,251 [CLOCK TICKING] 28 00:00:51,317 --> 00:00:53,787 I'm here because I thought I want 29 00:00:53,853 --> 00:00:54,000 to be a part of a better world for our children 30 00:00:54,000 --> 00:00:56,723 to be a part of a better world for our children 31 00:00:56,790 --> 00:00:57,624 and our grandchildren. 32 00:00:57,690 --> 00:00:59,092 Yeah. 33 00:00:59,159 --> 00:01:00,000 I can't save the whole world, but I can do my part. 34 00:01:00,000 --> 00:01:01,928 I can't save the whole world, but I can do my part. 35 00:01:01,995 --> 00:01:04,030 What would happen if you put Americans 36 00:01:04,097 --> 00:01:06,000 from opposite sides of the political spectrum 37 00:01:06,000 --> 00:01:06,599 from opposite sides of the political spectrum 38 00:01:06,666 --> 00:01:09,669 across from one another and asked them to talk? 39 00:01:09,736 --> 00:01:12,000 Have a look at something called One Small Step. 40 00:01:12,000 --> 00:01:12,205 Have a look at something called One Small Step. 41 00:01:12,272 --> 00:01:15,875 People feel misunderstood and judged. 42 00:01:15,942 --> 00:01:18,000 In the history of humanity, nobody 43 00:01:18,000 --> 00:01:18,144 In the history of humanity, nobody 44 00:01:18,211 --> 00:01:21,080 has ever changed their mind by being 45 00:01:21,147 --> 00:01:23,116 called an idiot or a moron or a snowflake. 46 00:01:23,183 --> 00:01:24,000 [CLOCK TICKING] 47 00:01:24,000 --> 00:01:25,418 [CLOCK TICKING] 48 00:01:25,485 --> 00:01:27,020 I'm Lesley Stahl. 49 00:01:27,086 --> 00:01:28,321 I'm Bill Whitaker. 50 00:01:28,388 --> 00:01:29,622 I'm Anderson Cooper. 51 00:01:29,689 --> 00:01:30,000 I'm Sharyn Alfonsi. 52 00:01:30,000 --> 00:01:30,957 I'm Sharyn Alfonsi. 53 00:01:31,024 --> 00:01:32,292 I'm Jon Wertheim. 54 00:01:32,358 --> 00:01:33,626 I'm Norah O'Donnell. 55 00:01:33,693 --> 00:01:34,994 I'm Scott Pelley. 56 00:01:35,061 --> 00:01:36,000 I'm Cecilia Vega. 57 00:01:36,000 --> 00:01:36,429 I'm Cecilia Vega. 58 00:01:36,496 --> 00:01:39,566 Those stories in a moment, but we begin with President Biden's 59 00:01:39,632 --> 00:01:42,000 historic decision to step down as the Democratic candidate 60 00:01:42,000 --> 00:01:42,836 historic decision to step down as the Democratic candidate 61 00:01:42,902 --> 00:01:47,140 for president, bringing an end to his 50 year political career. 62 00:01:47,207 --> 00:01:48,000 Mr. Biden made the announcement this afternoon in a letter 63 00:01:48,000 --> 00:01:50,143 Mr. Biden made the announcement this afternoon in a letter 64 00:01:50,210 --> 00:01:52,545 to the American people, saying, quote, 65 00:01:52,612 --> 00:01:54,000 "while it has been my intention to seek reelection, 66 00:01:54,000 --> 00:01:55,482 "while it has been my intention to seek reelection, 67 00:01:55,548 --> 00:01:58,017 I believe it is in the best interest of my party 68 00:01:58,084 --> 00:02:00,000 and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely 69 00:02:00,000 --> 00:02:01,621 and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely 70 00:02:01,688 --> 00:02:04,290 on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder 71 00:02:04,357 --> 00:02:05,492 of my term." 72 00:02:05,558 --> 00:02:06,000 The president offered his full support and endorsement 73 00:02:06,000 --> 00:02:08,394 The president offered his full support and endorsement 74 00:02:08,461 --> 00:02:10,897 of Vice President Kamala Harris to replace him 75 00:02:10,964 --> 00:02:12,000 at the top of the ticket. 76 00:02:12,000 --> 00:02:12,298 at the top of the ticket. 77 00:02:12,365 --> 00:02:15,368 Whether another Democrat steps forward to oppose her, 78 00:02:15,435 --> 00:02:18,000 or the 59-year-old former Senator from California becomes 79 00:02:18,000 --> 00:02:18,705 or the 59-year-old former Senator from California becomes 80 00:02:18,771 --> 00:02:21,741 the nominee, will be determined at the Democratic National 81 00:02:21,808 --> 00:02:23,476 Convention next month. 82 00:02:23,543 --> 00:02:24,000 This evening, Vice President Harris released a statement, 83 00:02:24,000 --> 00:02:26,379 This evening, Vice President Harris released a statement, 84 00:02:26,446 --> 00:02:29,415 saying she intends to win the nomination and, quote, 85 00:02:29,482 --> 00:02:30,000 "defeat Donald Trump." 86 00:02:30,000 --> 00:02:31,251 "defeat Donald Trump." 87 00:02:31,317 --> 00:02:34,787 Questions about 81-year-old President Biden's age and mental 88 00:02:34,854 --> 00:02:36,000 acuity erupted in the weeks following his debate in June 89 00:02:36,000 --> 00:02:38,224 acuity erupted in the weeks following his debate in June 90 00:02:38,291 --> 00:02:40,260 against former President Trump. 91 00:02:40,326 --> 00:02:42,000 Nearly 40 congressional Democrats publicly 92 00:02:42,000 --> 00:02:42,829 Nearly 40 congressional Democrats publicly 93 00:02:42,896 --> 00:02:45,732 urged him to drop out, and supporters put a hold 94 00:02:45,798 --> 00:02:48,000 on tens of millions of dollars in campaign contributions. 95 00:02:48,000 --> 00:02:49,402 on tens of millions of dollars in campaign contributions. 96 00:02:49,469 --> 00:02:51,538 The president remains in Delaware tonight 97 00:02:51,604 --> 00:02:53,439 as he recovers from COVID. 98 00:02:53,506 --> 00:02:54,000 No sitting American president has ever quit the race so late 99 00:02:54,000 --> 00:02:57,410 No sitting American president has ever quit the race so late 100 00:02:57,477 --> 00:02:58,945 in the election cycle. 101 00:02:59,012 --> 00:03:00,000 [CLOCK TICKING] 102 00:03:00,000 --> 00:03:00,980 [CLOCK TICKING] 103 00:03:06,853 --> 00:03:11,357 15 years ago, we reported on a woman named Jennifer Thompson, 104 00:03:11,424 --> 00:03:12,000 a rape victim who was devastated to learn years after her assault 105 00:03:12,000 --> 00:03:16,329 a rape victim who was devastated to learn years after her assault 106 00:03:16,396 --> 00:03:18,000 that she and the police had identified an innocent man who 107 00:03:18,000 --> 00:03:20,934 that she and the police had identified an innocent man who 108 00:03:21,000 --> 00:03:24,000 was convicted and sent to prison, while the actual rapist 109 00:03:24,000 --> 00:03:25,238 was convicted and sent to prison, while the actual rapist 110 00:03:25,305 --> 00:03:28,508 had gone on to attack several more women. 111 00:03:28,575 --> 00:03:30,000 Not an uncommon story in this era of DNA 112 00:03:30,000 --> 00:03:32,245 Not an uncommon story in this era of DNA 113 00:03:32,312 --> 00:03:35,081 exonerations, and Jennifer Thompson 114 00:03:35,148 --> 00:03:36,000 has tried for years to do something about it. 115 00:03:36,000 --> 00:03:38,618 has tried for years to do something about it. 116 00:03:38,685 --> 00:03:42,000 Thompson knows firsthand that wrongful convictions 117 00:03:42,000 --> 00:03:42,822 Thompson knows firsthand that wrongful convictions 118 00:03:42,889 --> 00:03:46,392 scar not just the unjustly convicted, 119 00:03:46,459 --> 00:03:48,000 but also the original crime victims, who 120 00:03:48,000 --> 00:03:49,696 but also the original crime victims, who 121 00:03:49,762 --> 00:03:51,664 are often overlooked. 122 00:03:51,731 --> 00:03:54,000 As we first reported in March, she's 123 00:03:54,000 --> 00:03:54,767 As we first reported in March, she's 124 00:03:54,834 --> 00:03:57,403 doing something no one else has tried, 125 00:03:57,470 --> 00:04:00,000 and perhaps only she could pull off, bringing together 126 00:04:00,000 --> 00:04:01,441 and perhaps only she could pull off, bringing together 127 00:04:01,507 --> 00:04:06,000 crime victims and innocent men, from different cases, for what 128 00:04:06,000 --> 00:04:06,512 crime victims and innocent men, from different cases, for what 129 00:04:06,579 --> 00:04:10,116 she calls healing justice. 130 00:04:10,183 --> 00:04:12,000 What I'm going to ask you to do is turn your bowl upside down. 131 00:04:12,000 --> 00:04:14,187 What I'm going to ask you to do is turn your bowl upside down. 132 00:04:14,253 --> 00:04:17,957 What we saw on day one of a multi-day group retreat 133 00:04:18,024 --> 00:04:22,161 Jennifer Thompson is leading sure didn't look like healing. 134 00:04:22,228 --> 00:04:24,000 10 men and women, plus an observer-- 135 00:04:24,000 --> 00:04:26,299 10 men and women, plus an observer-- 136 00:04:26,366 --> 00:04:29,569 Nice job, Lesley. 137 00:04:29,636 --> 00:04:30,000 --smashing bowls with a hammer. 138 00:04:30,000 --> 00:04:32,772 --smashing bowls with a hammer. 139 00:04:32,839 --> 00:04:33,272 Nice. 140 00:04:33,339 --> 00:04:34,707 What I'm going to ask you to do now 141 00:04:34,774 --> 00:04:36,000 is I'm going to ask you to repair it. 142 00:04:36,000 --> 00:04:36,342 is I'm going to ask you to repair it. 143 00:04:36,409 --> 00:04:38,645 It was quite something to realize 144 00:04:38,711 --> 00:04:41,981 that gluing pieces back together at one table 145 00:04:42,048 --> 00:04:46,786 were two women who had been raped at the ages of 15 and 12 146 00:04:46,853 --> 00:04:48,000 sitting across from two men who, in unrelated cases, 147 00:04:48,000 --> 00:04:50,957 sitting across from two men who, in unrelated cases, 148 00:04:51,024 --> 00:04:54,000 had been wrongfully convicted of sexually assaulting children 149 00:04:54,000 --> 00:04:54,761 had been wrongfully convicted of sexually assaulting children 150 00:04:54,827 --> 00:04:58,331 and had each spent more than two decades in prison. 151 00:04:58,398 --> 00:04:59,966 Anyone need a little blob of glue? 152 00:05:00,033 --> 00:05:02,702 At the next table, another woman who 153 00:05:02,769 --> 00:05:06,000 survived a sexual assault sitting beside a man 154 00:05:06,000 --> 00:05:06,072 survived a sexual assault sitting beside a man 155 00:05:06,139 --> 00:05:08,841 exonerated for rape and murder. 156 00:05:08,908 --> 00:05:12,000 And at our table, the partner and daughter of a murder victim. 157 00:05:12,000 --> 00:05:13,179 And at our table, the partner and daughter of a murder victim. 158 00:05:13,246 --> 00:05:16,983 Everyone here, part of a case where the wrong man was sent 159 00:05:17,050 --> 00:05:18,000 to prison for years and years. 160 00:05:18,000 --> 00:05:19,886 to prison for years and years. 161 00:05:19,952 --> 00:05:22,755 You have said that wrongful convictions 162 00:05:22,822 --> 00:05:23,956 aren't a single bullet. 163 00:05:24,023 --> 00:05:25,058 Mm-hmm. 164 00:05:25,124 --> 00:05:26,025 You said they're bombs. 165 00:05:26,092 --> 00:05:26,659 Mm-hmm. 166 00:05:26,726 --> 00:05:30,000 A wrongful conviction doesn't hurt like a person. 167 00:05:30,000 --> 00:05:30,296 A wrongful conviction doesn't hurt like a person. 168 00:05:30,363 --> 00:05:33,499 It's not just Raymond Towler got hurt. 169 00:05:33,566 --> 00:05:36,000 His whole family got shrapnel, and the victims got shrapnel. 170 00:05:36,000 --> 00:05:38,438 His whole family got shrapnel, and the victims got shrapnel. 171 00:05:38,504 --> 00:05:41,307 And the community received shrapnel 172 00:05:41,374 --> 00:05:42,000 because a child molester was still in the community. 173 00:05:42,000 --> 00:05:44,043 because a child molester was still in the community. 174 00:05:44,110 --> 00:05:47,914 There's just so many people in a wrongful conviction case. 175 00:05:47,980 --> 00:05:48,000 In one case. 176 00:05:48,000 --> 00:05:48,648 In one case. 177 00:05:48,715 --> 00:05:52,251 I think it's hundreds of people for every single wrongful 178 00:05:52,318 --> 00:05:54,000 conviction case that are hurt. 179 00:05:54,000 --> 00:05:54,754 conviction case that are hurt. 180 00:05:54,821 --> 00:05:57,256 Jennifer Thompson was one of them. 181 00:05:57,323 --> 00:06:00,000 She was a college student in 1984 182 00:06:00,000 --> 00:06:00,226 She was a college student in 1984 183 00:06:00,293 --> 00:06:03,629 when a man broke into her off-campus apartment 184 00:06:03,696 --> 00:06:06,000 and raped her at knifepoint. 185 00:06:06,000 --> 00:06:06,065 and raped her at knifepoint. 186 00:06:06,132 --> 00:06:09,869 Jennifer worked with police to create a composite sketch, 187 00:06:09,936 --> 00:06:12,000 then identified a man named Ronald Cotton in the photo 188 00:06:12,000 --> 00:06:14,207 then identified a man named Ronald Cotton in the photo 189 00:06:14,273 --> 00:06:16,809 and physical lineups police showed her. 190 00:06:16,876 --> 00:06:18,000 Jennifer testified in court against Ronald Cotton 191 00:06:18,000 --> 00:06:19,979 Jennifer testified in court against Ronald Cotton 192 00:06:20,046 --> 00:06:23,449 and was relieved when he received a life sentence. 193 00:06:27,086 --> 00:06:30,000 But after 11 years in prison, DNA testing 194 00:06:30,000 --> 00:06:30,757 But after 11 years in prison, DNA testing 195 00:06:30,823 --> 00:06:33,726 proved Cotton's innocence and identified 196 00:06:33,793 --> 00:06:36,000 the actual rapist, whose photo had not been in the lineup. 197 00:06:36,000 --> 00:06:37,764 the actual rapist, whose photo had not been in the lineup. 198 00:06:37,830 --> 00:06:39,465 [APPLAUSE] 199 00:06:39,532 --> 00:06:42,000 Ronald Cotton was exonerated, and Jennifer 200 00:06:42,000 --> 00:06:42,702 Ronald Cotton was exonerated, and Jennifer 201 00:06:42,769 --> 00:06:47,173 was wracked with guilt, as she told us in 2009. 202 00:06:47,240 --> 00:06:48,000 Shame? 203 00:06:48,000 --> 00:06:48,107 Shame? 204 00:06:48,174 --> 00:06:49,108 Shame. 205 00:06:49,175 --> 00:06:50,910 Terrible shame. 206 00:06:50,977 --> 00:06:54,000 Suffocating, debilitating shame. 207 00:06:54,000 --> 00:06:54,947 Suffocating, debilitating shame. 208 00:06:55,014 --> 00:06:58,217 Jennifer turned that shame into action. 209 00:06:58,284 --> 00:07:00,000 She apologized to Ronald Cotton in person 210 00:07:00,000 --> 00:07:01,387 She apologized to Ronald Cotton in person 211 00:07:01,454 --> 00:07:04,524 and then started speaking around the country 212 00:07:04,590 --> 00:07:06,000 to police and prosecutors, sometimes together with Cotton, 213 00:07:06,000 --> 00:07:08,594 to police and prosecutors, sometimes together with Cotton, 214 00:07:08,661 --> 00:07:11,798 about how to make wrongful convictions less likely. 215 00:07:11,864 --> 00:07:12,000 [FAMILY MEMBERS SCREAMING IN JOY] 216 00:07:12,000 --> 00:07:13,800 [FAMILY MEMBERS SCREAMING IN JOY] 217 00:07:13,866 --> 00:07:17,103 But over the years, as exonerations of the innocent 218 00:07:17,170 --> 00:07:18,000 have multiplied-- 219 00:07:18,000 --> 00:07:18,604 have multiplied-- 220 00:07:18,671 --> 00:07:19,405 Finally we're free. 221 00:07:19,472 --> 00:07:22,575 --with more than 3,500 freed so far-- 222 00:07:22,642 --> 00:07:23,643 I'm free! 223 00:07:23,709 --> 00:07:24,000 --based on new evidence, including DNA, 224 00:07:24,000 --> 00:07:26,712 --based on new evidence, including DNA, 225 00:07:26,779 --> 00:07:30,000 Jennifer began focusing in on what was being overlooked. 226 00:07:30,000 --> 00:07:30,983 Jennifer began focusing in on what was being overlooked. 227 00:07:31,050 --> 00:07:34,587 What do you think most people feel and see 228 00:07:34,654 --> 00:07:36,000 when they see an innocent man come out of prison? 229 00:07:36,000 --> 00:07:37,223 when they see an innocent man come out of prison? 230 00:07:37,290 --> 00:07:38,958 [APPLAUSE] 231 00:07:39,025 --> 00:07:42,000 It's the day that that man or woman who's wrongfully 232 00:07:42,000 --> 00:07:42,328 It's the day that that man or woman who's wrongfully 233 00:07:42,395 --> 00:07:45,464 incarcerated, and their families are rejoicing. 234 00:07:45,531 --> 00:07:46,966 I know you didn't do it. 235 00:07:47,033 --> 00:07:48,000 I know. 236 00:07:48,000 --> 00:07:48,100 I know. 237 00:07:48,167 --> 00:07:50,236 It's the day they've been dreaming about, 238 00:07:50,303 --> 00:07:51,537 they've prayed for it. 239 00:07:51,604 --> 00:07:53,339 [CHEERING] 240 00:07:53,406 --> 00:07:54,000 They're on the court steps, and their arms are raised high. 241 00:07:54,000 --> 00:07:56,709 They're on the court steps, and their arms are raised high. 242 00:07:56,776 --> 00:07:58,311 And it's a day of celebration. 243 00:07:58,377 --> 00:08:00,000 But for the crime victims, for the murder victim family 244 00:08:00,000 --> 00:08:01,514 But for the crime victims, for the murder victim family 245 00:08:01,581 --> 00:08:03,749 members, they're sitting back here saying, hey, 246 00:08:03,816 --> 00:08:06,000 hold up a second. 247 00:08:06,000 --> 00:08:06,419 hold up a second. 248 00:08:06,485 --> 00:08:09,722 This is another nightmare on top of a nightmare. 249 00:08:09,789 --> 00:08:12,000 The victims have been forgotten. 250 00:08:12,000 --> 00:08:12,792 The victims have been forgotten. 251 00:08:12,859 --> 00:08:16,662 Victims, she says, like Tomeshia Carrington Artis, 252 00:08:16,729 --> 00:08:18,000 who was 12 years old when a man broke into her bedroom 253 00:08:18,000 --> 00:08:20,833 who was 12 years old when a man broke into her bedroom 254 00:08:20,900 --> 00:08:22,168 and raped her. 255 00:08:22,235 --> 00:08:24,000 He grabbed me by my throat and put a knife to my throat 256 00:08:24,000 --> 00:08:25,638 He grabbed me by my throat and put a knife to my throat 257 00:08:25,705 --> 00:08:29,642 and said if I scream, he was going to kill me and my mom. 258 00:08:29,709 --> 00:08:30,000 Grabbed me from behind, put me in a chokehold-- 259 00:08:30,000 --> 00:08:32,144 Grabbed me from behind, put me in a chokehold-- 260 00:08:32,211 --> 00:08:36,000 Penny Beernsten, sexually assaulted at age 36 261 00:08:36,000 --> 00:08:36,215 Penny Beernsten, sexually assaulted at age 36 262 00:08:36,282 --> 00:08:39,919 as she went for an afternoon run along the shore of Lake 263 00:08:39,986 --> 00:08:40,786 Michigan. 264 00:08:40,853 --> 00:08:42,000 And he said, now I'm going to kill you. 265 00:08:42,000 --> 00:08:42,388 And he said, now I'm going to kill you. 266 00:08:42,455 --> 00:08:43,589 Now you're going to die. 267 00:08:43,656 --> 00:08:48,000 And Loretta Zilinger-White, who was raped at age 15 268 00:08:48,000 --> 00:08:48,027 And Loretta Zilinger-White, who was raped at age 15 269 00:08:48,094 --> 00:08:52,064 on the way to school one morning after she'd missed her bus. 270 00:08:52,131 --> 00:08:53,432 It's hard. 271 00:08:53,499 --> 00:08:54,000 People expect you to just put it behind you 272 00:08:54,000 --> 00:08:57,603 People expect you to just put it behind you 273 00:08:57,670 --> 00:08:59,338 and not think about it again. 274 00:08:59,405 --> 00:09:00,000 And they don't realize that it's going to affect you 275 00:09:00,000 --> 00:09:01,908 And they don't realize that it's going to affect you 276 00:09:01,974 --> 00:09:03,976 for the rest of your life. 277 00:09:04,043 --> 00:09:06,000 All these women, like Jennifer, had identified 278 00:09:06,000 --> 00:09:07,213 All these women, like Jennifer, had identified 279 00:09:07,280 --> 00:09:11,117 a suspect the police showed them only, to learn years later 280 00:09:11,183 --> 00:09:12,000 that those men were innocent, and they were gripped 281 00:09:12,000 --> 00:09:14,553 that those men were innocent, and they were gripped 282 00:09:14,620 --> 00:09:17,290 by a whole new nightmare. 283 00:09:17,356 --> 00:09:18,000 I felt so bad for him, because I felt 284 00:09:18,000 --> 00:09:21,193 I felt so bad for him, because I felt 285 00:09:21,260 --> 00:09:23,195 like I sent this man to prison. 286 00:09:23,262 --> 00:09:24,000 That's all I could think about. 287 00:09:24,000 --> 00:09:24,897 That's all I could think about. 288 00:09:24,964 --> 00:09:25,731 I got scared. 289 00:09:25,798 --> 00:09:28,434 I felt like-- that he was going to try to come out and kill me. 290 00:09:30,703 --> 00:09:32,471 I shut down. 291 00:09:32,538 --> 00:09:34,573 Did people blame you? 292 00:09:34,640 --> 00:09:35,808 Oh, absolutely. 293 00:09:35,875 --> 00:09:36,000 The first time I went out in public, a friend came up to me 294 00:09:36,000 --> 00:09:40,513 The first time I went out in public, a friend came up to me 295 00:09:40,579 --> 00:09:42,000 and said, I can't believe you're showing your face. 296 00:09:42,000 --> 00:09:43,749 and said, I can't believe you're showing your face. 297 00:09:43,816 --> 00:09:46,619 They were saying that I needed to go to prison. 298 00:09:46,686 --> 00:09:47,987 That you needed to go-- 299 00:09:48,054 --> 00:09:48,587 Yes. 300 00:09:48,654 --> 00:09:51,457 That I intentionally sent the wrong man to prison. 301 00:09:51,524 --> 00:09:52,224 Oh, my gosh. 302 00:09:52,291 --> 00:09:52,925 Yeah. 303 00:09:52,992 --> 00:09:54,000 It was bad. 304 00:09:54,000 --> 00:09:54,794 It was bad. 305 00:09:54,860 --> 00:09:55,828 Yeah. 306 00:09:55,895 --> 00:09:58,864 Memory experts have long understood how 307 00:09:58,931 --> 00:10:00,000 crime victims can get it wrong. 308 00:10:00,000 --> 00:10:01,133 crime victims can get it wrong. 309 00:10:01,200 --> 00:10:04,103 In our earlier story about Jennifer's case, 310 00:10:04,170 --> 00:10:06,000 Professor Gary Wells showed us a simulated crime scene and then 311 00:10:06,000 --> 00:10:09,008 Professor Gary Wells showed us a simulated crime scene and then 312 00:10:09,075 --> 00:10:09,875 a lineup. 313 00:10:09,942 --> 00:10:12,000 Now you know now, after we've talked, probably 314 00:10:12,000 --> 00:10:12,912 Now you know now, after we've talked, probably 315 00:10:12,979 --> 00:10:13,713 not to pick anyone. 316 00:10:13,779 --> 00:10:14,447 No. 317 00:10:14,513 --> 00:10:15,781 No. 318 00:10:15,848 --> 00:10:18,000 I actually know who it is, because if I had-- 319 00:10:18,000 --> 00:10:18,617 I actually know who it is, because if I had-- 320 00:10:18,684 --> 00:10:19,719 Yeah, who is it? 321 00:10:19,785 --> 00:10:20,653 --come upon that-- 322 00:10:20,720 --> 00:10:21,787 I think it's this guy. 323 00:10:21,854 --> 00:10:23,055 Am I wrong? 324 00:10:23,122 --> 00:10:23,789 Am I wrong? 325 00:10:23,856 --> 00:10:24,000 Yeah. 326 00:10:24,000 --> 00:10:24,256 Yeah. 327 00:10:24,323 --> 00:10:24,790 I'm wrong? 328 00:10:24,857 --> 00:10:25,291 Yeah. 329 00:10:25,358 --> 00:10:26,325 It's none of them. 330 00:10:26,392 --> 00:10:27,426 [GASPS] 331 00:10:27,927 --> 00:10:30,000 Studies have shown again and again, 332 00:10:30,000 --> 00:10:30,196 Studies have shown again and again, 333 00:10:30,262 --> 00:10:33,499 when the actual perpetrator is not in the lineup, 334 00:10:33,566 --> 00:10:36,000 witnesses often picked the wrong man, 335 00:10:36,000 --> 00:10:36,302 witnesses often picked the wrong man, 336 00:10:36,369 --> 00:10:39,672 who then comes to replace the original offender 337 00:10:39,739 --> 00:10:41,807 in their memory of the crime. 338 00:10:41,874 --> 00:10:42,000 In Jennifer's case and, Tomeshia and Penny's, 339 00:10:42,000 --> 00:10:45,678 In Jennifer's case and, Tomeshia and Penny's, 340 00:10:45,745 --> 00:10:48,000 the real perpetrators, revealed by DNA years later, 341 00:10:48,000 --> 00:10:50,149 the real perpetrators, revealed by DNA years later, 342 00:10:50,216 --> 00:10:53,419 had not been in the original lineups. 343 00:10:53,486 --> 00:10:54,000 20 years later, when they come to me and say, by the way-- 344 00:10:54,000 --> 00:10:56,622 20 years later, when they come to me and say, by the way-- 345 00:10:56,689 --> 00:10:57,656 Oh. 346 00:10:57,723 --> 00:10:58,524 I can't imagine. 347 00:10:58,591 --> 00:11:00,000 --the person who raped you never went to prison. 348 00:11:00,000 --> 00:11:01,660 --the person who raped you never went to prison. 349 00:11:01,727 --> 00:11:06,000 And the person we thought is innocent, see ya. 350 00:11:06,000 --> 00:11:06,399 And the person we thought is innocent, see ya. 351 00:11:06,465 --> 00:11:08,601 And, oh, by the way, it's all your 352 00:11:08,667 --> 00:11:12,000 fault. It's not the system's fault. Here was my narrative-- 353 00:11:12,000 --> 00:11:13,005 fault. It's not the system's fault. Here was my narrative-- 354 00:11:13,072 --> 00:11:18,000 "rape victim falsely accuses an innocent man and sends him 355 00:11:18,000 --> 00:11:18,577 "rape victim falsely accuses an innocent man and sends him 356 00:11:18,644 --> 00:11:19,512 to prison." 357 00:11:19,578 --> 00:11:20,980 Everything's wrong with that. 358 00:11:21,047 --> 00:11:23,949 Because a false accusation denotes a lie. 359 00:11:24,016 --> 00:11:24,617 Deliberate. 360 00:11:24,683 --> 00:11:27,586 Why would a crime survivor, why would a victim, 361 00:11:27,653 --> 00:11:29,989 want the wrong person to go to prison? 362 00:11:30,056 --> 00:11:32,458 That doesn't make any sense at all. 363 00:11:32,525 --> 00:11:35,961 When you hear what you're saying, then we get it. 364 00:11:36,028 --> 00:11:37,263 But we don't hear it. 365 00:11:37,329 --> 00:11:39,698 As you said, there's a blazing headline. 366 00:11:39,765 --> 00:11:41,200 "Man is freed. 367 00:11:41,267 --> 00:11:42,000 Person who fingered him got it wrong." 368 00:11:42,000 --> 00:11:44,503 Person who fingered him got it wrong." 369 00:11:44,570 --> 00:11:45,538 That's it. 370 00:11:45,604 --> 00:11:48,000 And the system now doesn't get held accountable for how 371 00:11:48,000 --> 00:11:50,009 And the system now doesn't get held accountable for how 372 00:11:50,076 --> 00:11:51,944 it failed me. 373 00:11:52,011 --> 00:11:54,000 And it failed my family, and it failed the innocent person. 374 00:11:54,000 --> 00:11:54,613 And it failed my family, and it failed the innocent person. 375 00:11:54,680 --> 00:11:56,749 And it failed the innocent person's family, 376 00:11:56,816 --> 00:11:58,918 and it failed everybody. 377 00:11:58,984 --> 00:12:00,000 That failure, Jennifer told us, is also 378 00:12:00,000 --> 00:12:02,088 That failure, Jennifer told us, is also 379 00:12:02,154 --> 00:12:05,157 devastating for families of murder victims, 380 00:12:05,224 --> 00:12:06,000 even when they played no role themselves 381 00:12:06,000 --> 00:12:07,760 even when they played no role themselves 382 00:12:07,827 --> 00:12:11,097 in identifying the wrongfully convicted person. 383 00:12:11,163 --> 00:12:12,000 That's what happened to Andrea Harrison and her father, 384 00:12:12,000 --> 00:12:15,000 That's what happened to Andrea Harrison and her father, 385 00:12:15,067 --> 00:12:16,535 Dwayne Jones. 386 00:12:16,602 --> 00:12:18,000 Andrea's mother, Jacqueline, was raped and murdered in 1987, 387 00:12:18,000 --> 00:12:21,674 Andrea's mother, Jacqueline, was raped and murdered in 1987, 388 00:12:21,740 --> 00:12:24,000 when Andrea was just three years old. 389 00:12:24,000 --> 00:12:24,577 when Andrea was just three years old. 390 00:12:24,643 --> 00:12:27,179 It was one of the most horrendous crimes. 391 00:12:27,246 --> 00:12:30,000 She was brutally raped, tortured. 392 00:12:30,000 --> 00:12:30,149 She was brutally raped, tortured. 393 00:12:30,216 --> 00:12:33,619 Someone found her body, walking the dog. 394 00:12:33,686 --> 00:12:36,000 A local man named Larry Peterson spent more than 17 years 395 00:12:36,000 --> 00:12:38,057 A local man named Larry Peterson spent more than 17 years 396 00:12:38,124 --> 00:12:41,660 in prison for the crime before DNA testing proved 397 00:12:41,727 --> 00:12:42,000 his innocence, and he was released. 398 00:12:42,000 --> 00:12:44,730 his innocence, and he was released. 399 00:12:44,797 --> 00:12:47,399 Did you know that he was going to be released? 400 00:12:47,466 --> 00:12:48,000 Did they tell you? 401 00:12:48,000 --> 00:12:48,267 Did they tell you? 402 00:12:48,334 --> 00:12:48,601 No. 403 00:12:48,667 --> 00:12:49,135 No. 404 00:12:49,201 --> 00:12:50,002 No. 405 00:12:50,069 --> 00:12:53,739 For many, many years, someone was tried, convicted, 406 00:12:53,806 --> 00:12:54,000 and put away. 407 00:12:54,000 --> 00:12:54,874 and put away. 408 00:12:54,940 --> 00:12:55,808 Yes, ma'am. 409 00:12:55,875 --> 00:13:00,000 And then you find out that the DNA doesn't match. 410 00:13:00,000 --> 00:13:01,814 And then you find out that the DNA doesn't match. 411 00:13:01,881 --> 00:13:03,549 You go back into fight or flight. 412 00:13:03,616 --> 00:13:04,283 Yeah. 413 00:13:04,350 --> 00:13:05,484 You got scared? 414 00:13:05,551 --> 00:13:05,985 Absolutely. 415 00:13:06,051 --> 00:13:06,986 Absolutely we did. 416 00:13:07,052 --> 00:13:08,387 Can you tell us of what? 417 00:13:08,454 --> 00:13:11,023 Who hurt my mother? 418 00:13:11,090 --> 00:13:12,000 What happened to Jackie? 419 00:13:12,000 --> 00:13:12,091 What happened to Jackie? 420 00:13:12,158 --> 00:13:12,958 Who did it? 421 00:13:13,025 --> 00:13:15,427 Whoever that person is, they're still out there. 422 00:13:15,494 --> 00:13:18,000 But since Larry Peterson's exoneration, 423 00:13:18,000 --> 00:13:18,130 But since Larry Peterson's exoneration, 424 00:13:18,197 --> 00:13:20,699 with the case now cold, they feel 425 00:13:20,766 --> 00:13:24,000 the original crime and victim have become an afterthought. 426 00:13:24,000 --> 00:13:25,804 the original crime and victim have become an afterthought. 427 00:13:25,871 --> 00:13:28,374 It's always been, what do you think about Mr. Peterson? 428 00:13:28,440 --> 00:13:29,775 That is not my charge. 429 00:13:29,842 --> 00:13:30,000 I care about Jackie. 430 00:13:30,000 --> 00:13:31,010 I care about Jackie. 431 00:13:31,076 --> 00:13:32,077 I'm worried about Jackie. 432 00:13:32,144 --> 00:13:33,479 What about Jackie? 433 00:13:33,546 --> 00:13:36,000 But even while victims and their families 434 00:13:36,000 --> 00:13:36,282 But even while victims and their families 435 00:13:36,348 --> 00:13:39,752 are left reeling in the wake of wrongful convictions, 436 00:13:39,818 --> 00:13:42,000 Jennifer knows from her friendship with Ronald Cotton, 437 00:13:42,000 --> 00:13:42,955 Jennifer knows from her friendship with Ronald Cotton, 438 00:13:43,022 --> 00:13:45,758 and her work with other exonerees, 439 00:13:45,824 --> 00:13:48,000 that heady, blissful first day of freedom 440 00:13:48,000 --> 00:13:48,928 that heady, blissful first day of freedom 441 00:13:48,994 --> 00:13:54,000 is just the start of a tough, years-long struggle to rebuild. 442 00:13:54,000 --> 00:13:54,233 is just the start of a tough, years-long struggle to rebuild. 443 00:13:54,300 --> 00:13:56,702 (SINGING) Only freedom matters 444 00:13:56,769 --> 00:14:00,000 Raymond Towler, exonerated after 29 years in prison, 29 years, 445 00:14:00,000 --> 00:14:02,975 Raymond Towler, exonerated after 29 years in prison, 29 years, 446 00:14:03,042 --> 00:14:06,000 plays in a band with other exonerees 447 00:14:06,000 --> 00:14:06,178 plays in a band with other exonerees 448 00:14:06,245 --> 00:14:09,148 and says he struggles with the lingering stigma 449 00:14:09,215 --> 00:14:12,000 and hurt of being charged with such a heinous crime. 450 00:14:12,000 --> 00:14:13,519 and hurt of being charged with such a heinous crime. 451 00:14:13,586 --> 00:14:15,955 Tell us, if it's not too painful, what the crime was-- 452 00:14:16,021 --> 00:14:16,922 It's painful. 453 00:14:16,989 --> 00:14:17,489 I know. 454 00:14:17,556 --> 00:14:17,990 I'm sorry. 455 00:14:18,057 --> 00:14:21,293 I'm laughing over it, but it is painful. 456 00:14:21,360 --> 00:14:24,000 But it was rape of 11- and 12-year-old kids. 457 00:14:24,000 --> 00:14:25,331 But it was rape of 11- and 12-year-old kids. 458 00:14:25,397 --> 00:14:26,999 [APPLAUSE] 459 00:14:27,499 --> 00:14:30,000 When DNA testing finally proved Towler's innocence 460 00:14:30,000 --> 00:14:31,003 When DNA testing finally proved Towler's innocence 461 00:14:31,070 --> 00:14:34,974 and won his freedom, he says it was thrilling, 462 00:14:35,040 --> 00:14:36,000 but also daunting. 463 00:14:36,000 --> 00:14:37,142 but also daunting. 464 00:14:37,209 --> 00:14:39,011 The adjustment was difficult? 465 00:14:39,078 --> 00:14:39,645 Yeah. 466 00:14:39,712 --> 00:14:42,000 I couldn't even really go out the door by myself. 467 00:14:42,000 --> 00:14:42,348 I couldn't even really go out the door by myself. 468 00:14:42,414 --> 00:14:46,318 You don't feel like you fit in anywhere, at least I didn't. 469 00:14:46,385 --> 00:14:48,000 Exonerees' stories are often filled with egregious police 470 00:14:48,000 --> 00:14:50,522 Exonerees' stories are often filled with egregious police 471 00:14:50,589 --> 00:14:52,858 and prosecutorial misconduct. 472 00:14:52,925 --> 00:14:54,000 In Chris Ochoa's case, abusive interrogations that 473 00:14:54,000 --> 00:14:57,329 In Chris Ochoa's case, abusive interrogations that 474 00:14:57,396 --> 00:15:00,000 led to a false confession to rape and murder. 475 00:15:00,000 --> 00:15:00,966 led to a false confession to rape and murder. 476 00:15:01,033 --> 00:15:03,836 For Howard Dudley, evidence withheld 477 00:15:03,902 --> 00:15:06,000 by prosecutors that likely would have cleared him 478 00:15:06,000 --> 00:15:06,872 by prosecutors that likely would have cleared him 479 00:15:06,939 --> 00:15:12,000 of child sexual abuse, for which he served more than 23 years. 480 00:15:12,000 --> 00:15:12,444 of child sexual abuse, for which he served more than 23 years. 481 00:15:12,511 --> 00:15:14,513 I always dreamed of being there with my kids, 482 00:15:14,580 --> 00:15:17,549 see the football game, see them on the basketball court. 483 00:15:20,986 --> 00:15:22,588 Didn't get a chance to see none of that. 484 00:15:22,655 --> 00:15:24,000 So I would like for everybody to introduce themselves. 485 00:15:24,000 --> 00:15:25,357 So I would like for everybody to introduce themselves. 486 00:15:25,424 --> 00:15:29,061 So Jennifer came up with a novel idea. 487 00:15:29,128 --> 00:15:30,000 So I am Jennifer Thompson. 488 00:15:30,000 --> 00:15:30,929 So I am Jennifer Thompson. 489 00:15:30,996 --> 00:15:33,465 I am a victim-survivor. 490 00:15:33,532 --> 00:15:35,301 My name is Raymond, Raymond Towler. 491 00:15:35,367 --> 00:15:36,000 I'm an exoneree. 492 00:15:36,000 --> 00:15:36,902 I'm an exoneree. 493 00:15:36,969 --> 00:15:38,370 My name is Loretta. 494 00:15:38,437 --> 00:15:42,000 She started an organization, called Healing Justice, 495 00:15:42,000 --> 00:15:42,074 She started an organization, called Healing Justice, 496 00:15:42,141 --> 00:15:45,010 that brings together exonerees-- 497 00:15:45,077 --> 00:15:45,778 My name is Chris. 498 00:15:45,844 --> 00:15:47,313 I'm an exoneree. 499 00:15:47,379 --> 00:15:48,000 --and crime victims-- 500 00:15:48,000 --> 00:15:49,081 --and crime victims-- 501 00:15:49,148 --> 00:15:50,282 My name is Penny. 502 00:15:50,349 --> 00:15:52,284 --all from different cases-- 503 00:15:52,351 --> 00:15:53,552 I am Tomeshia. 504 00:15:53,619 --> 00:15:54,000 --as well as family members. 505 00:15:54,000 --> 00:15:55,854 --as well as family members. 506 00:15:55,921 --> 00:15:57,790 My brother was an exoneree. 507 00:15:57,856 --> 00:15:59,658 My name is Andrea. 508 00:15:59,725 --> 00:16:00,000 Healing Justice paid to bring them 509 00:16:00,000 --> 00:16:01,593 Healing Justice paid to bring them 510 00:16:01,660 --> 00:16:04,496 from around the country to this rented retreat 511 00:16:04,563 --> 00:16:06,000 center in Virginia, where they will spend three days 512 00:16:06,000 --> 00:16:07,866 center in Virginia, where they will spend three days 513 00:16:07,933 --> 00:16:11,370 sharing stories, playing games-- 514 00:16:11,437 --> 00:16:12,000 [LAUGHTER] 515 00:16:12,000 --> 00:16:12,905 [LAUGHTER] 516 00:16:14,506 --> 00:16:17,009 --and eating all their meals together. 517 00:16:17,076 --> 00:16:18,000 This is the 17th retreat Healing Justice has done. 518 00:16:18,000 --> 00:16:21,246 This is the 17th retreat Healing Justice has done. 519 00:16:21,313 --> 00:16:24,000 How effective is it when it's not the same crime? 520 00:16:24,000 --> 00:16:25,217 How effective is it when it's not the same crime? 521 00:16:25,284 --> 00:16:26,485 Very effective. 522 00:16:26,552 --> 00:16:29,188 There's something powerful and healing 523 00:16:29,254 --> 00:16:30,000 when an exoneree can hear what the victim in their case 524 00:16:30,000 --> 00:16:33,058 when an exoneree can hear what the victim in their case 525 00:16:33,125 --> 00:16:34,460 must have felt like. 526 00:16:34,526 --> 00:16:36,000 And for crime survivors, it's really 527 00:16:36,000 --> 00:16:36,595 And for crime survivors, it's really 528 00:16:36,662 --> 00:16:39,798 healing to also hear about the experiences of exonerees. 529 00:16:39,865 --> 00:16:42,000 The biggest thing I lost was trust. 530 00:16:42,000 --> 00:16:44,903 The biggest thing I lost was trust. 531 00:16:44,970 --> 00:16:48,000 Three days of emotional release, rebuilding trust, 532 00:16:48,000 --> 00:16:48,974 Three days of emotional release, rebuilding trust, 533 00:16:49,041 --> 00:16:51,577 and healing when we come back. 534 00:16:51,643 --> 00:16:53,612 [CLOCK TICKING] 535 00:16:59,485 --> 00:17:00,000 Jennifer Thompson's goal when she 536 00:17:00,000 --> 00:17:01,420 Jennifer Thompson's goal when she 537 00:17:01,487 --> 00:17:05,057 created the nonprofit organization Healing Justice 538 00:17:05,124 --> 00:17:06,000 in 2015 was to help all groups harmed by wrongful convictions. 539 00:17:06,000 --> 00:17:10,829 in 2015 was to help all groups harmed by wrongful convictions. 540 00:17:10,896 --> 00:17:12,000 Healing Justice now advises prosecutors' offices 541 00:17:12,000 --> 00:17:14,533 Healing Justice now advises prosecutors' offices 542 00:17:14,600 --> 00:17:17,636 around the country on dealing more effectively 543 00:17:17,703 --> 00:17:18,000 and empathetically with crime victims in exoneration cases. 544 00:17:18,000 --> 00:17:22,174 and empathetically with crime victims in exoneration cases. 545 00:17:22,241 --> 00:17:24,000 And they've recently gotten a grant 546 00:17:24,000 --> 00:17:24,009 And they've recently gotten a grant 547 00:17:24,076 --> 00:17:27,746 from the Justice Department to expand those efforts. 548 00:17:27,813 --> 00:17:30,000 But it's what they call the healing side of their work 549 00:17:30,000 --> 00:17:31,383 But it's what they call the healing side of their work 550 00:17:31,450 --> 00:17:34,286 that is most meaningful to Jennifer. 551 00:17:34,353 --> 00:17:36,000 She did coursework in trauma recovery 552 00:17:36,000 --> 00:17:37,589 She did coursework in trauma recovery 553 00:17:37,656 --> 00:17:40,993 and worked with psychologists to design a program 554 00:17:41,059 --> 00:17:42,000 to safely bring together victims of crime and exonerees. 555 00:17:42,000 --> 00:17:46,131 to safely bring together victims of crime and exonerees. 556 00:17:46,198 --> 00:17:48,000 They work in small groups on the wounds left 557 00:17:48,000 --> 00:17:49,468 They work in small groups on the wounds left 558 00:17:49,535 --> 00:17:52,805 behind when the justice system gets it wrong. 559 00:17:56,742 --> 00:17:57,276 Nice. 560 00:17:57,342 --> 00:18:00,000 Remember the breaking and gluing back together of those bowls? 561 00:18:00,000 --> 00:18:01,213 Remember the breaking and gluing back together of those bowls? 562 00:18:01,280 --> 00:18:04,850 Did anybody notice how fast and easy it was to break it 563 00:18:04,917 --> 00:18:06,000 and how hard it is to put it back together again? 564 00:18:06,000 --> 00:18:09,154 and how hard it is to put it back together again? 565 00:18:09,221 --> 00:18:12,000 That was just the start of this retreat's opening exercise, 566 00:18:12,000 --> 00:18:13,358 That was just the start of this retreat's opening exercise, 567 00:18:13,425 --> 00:18:16,662 and perhaps a metaphor for the whole endeavor. 568 00:18:16,728 --> 00:18:18,000 So what I'm going to ask you to do now 569 00:18:18,000 --> 00:18:19,198 So what I'm going to ask you to do now 570 00:18:19,264 --> 00:18:23,101 is to paint your broken places with gold. 571 00:18:23,168 --> 00:18:24,000 This is actually 24-karat gold paint. 572 00:18:24,000 --> 00:18:25,637 This is actually 24-karat gold paint. 573 00:18:25,704 --> 00:18:28,607 She told us it's called kintsugi. 574 00:18:28,674 --> 00:18:29,808 Kintsugi. 575 00:18:29,875 --> 00:18:30,000 Kintsugi. 576 00:18:30,000 --> 00:18:30,309 Kintsugi. 577 00:18:30,375 --> 00:18:31,043 Mm-hmm. 578 00:18:31,109 --> 00:18:32,678 What is that? 579 00:18:32,744 --> 00:18:36,000 It's the Japanese concept that even in our broken places, 580 00:18:36,000 --> 00:18:37,549 It's the Japanese concept that even in our broken places, 581 00:18:37,616 --> 00:18:38,984 we're still beautiful. 582 00:18:39,051 --> 00:18:41,587 Because we're strong at our broken 583 00:18:41,653 --> 00:18:42,000 places, and we're not disposable. 584 00:18:42,000 --> 00:18:43,956 places, and we're not disposable. 585 00:18:44,022 --> 00:18:47,493 But before they can paint their real wounds with gold, 586 00:18:47,559 --> 00:18:48,000 they have to look hard at the breaks that need repair. 587 00:18:48,000 --> 00:18:51,497 they have to look hard at the breaks that need repair. 588 00:18:51,563 --> 00:18:54,000 I lost part of my heart. 589 00:18:54,000 --> 00:18:54,399 I lost part of my heart. 590 00:18:54,466 --> 00:18:57,469 So sitting in a circle, using a rock 591 00:18:57,536 --> 00:18:59,771 to give whoever holds it the floor, 592 00:18:59,838 --> 00:19:00,000 and with a Healing Justice social worker always present, 593 00:19:00,000 --> 00:19:03,509 and with a Healing Justice social worker always present, 594 00:19:03,575 --> 00:19:06,000 they talked about their losses. 595 00:19:06,000 --> 00:19:06,478 they talked about their losses. 596 00:19:06,545 --> 00:19:08,146 I lost believing in myself. 597 00:19:08,213 --> 00:19:10,282 I had so much confidence. 598 00:19:10,349 --> 00:19:12,000 I had so much. 599 00:19:12,000 --> 00:19:13,485 I had so much. 600 00:19:13,552 --> 00:19:18,000 That first slamming the doors, everything got real right then. 601 00:19:18,000 --> 00:19:19,057 That first slamming the doors, everything got real right then. 602 00:19:19,124 --> 00:19:24,000 I seen people suicide, death by cop, just getting beat up, 603 00:19:24,000 --> 00:19:25,364 I seen people suicide, death by cop, just getting beat up, 604 00:19:25,430 --> 00:19:26,598 killed. 605 00:19:26,665 --> 00:19:27,966 It all comes back. 606 00:19:28,033 --> 00:19:30,000 And I have to keep reminding myself, right here, 607 00:19:30,000 --> 00:19:32,905 And I have to keep reminding myself, right here, 608 00:19:32,971 --> 00:19:36,000 I'm in the present, right now. 609 00:19:36,000 --> 00:19:36,675 I'm in the present, right now. 610 00:19:36,742 --> 00:19:41,179 The hardest part for me is hearing what the exonerees 611 00:19:41,246 --> 00:19:42,000 went through in prison. 612 00:19:42,000 --> 00:19:42,514 went through in prison. 613 00:19:42,581 --> 00:19:46,051 It's so hard to hear, but it's so necessary. 614 00:19:46,118 --> 00:19:47,819 So what I want to do today is-- 615 00:19:47,886 --> 00:19:48,000 On day two of the retreat, Jennifer led an exercise 616 00:19:48,000 --> 00:19:51,557 On day two of the retreat, Jennifer led an exercise 617 00:19:51,623 --> 00:19:54,000 on how the harsh words used against each of them 618 00:19:54,000 --> 00:19:55,193 on how the harsh words used against each of them 619 00:19:55,260 --> 00:19:58,096 end up becoming internalized. 620 00:19:58,163 --> 00:19:59,831 You might have been called a liar. 621 00:19:59,898 --> 00:20:00,000 You might have been called a rapist. 622 00:20:00,000 --> 00:20:01,333 You might have been called a rapist. 623 00:20:01,400 --> 00:20:04,836 And those words really do take on a life of their own. 624 00:20:04,903 --> 00:20:06,000 I'd like for you to write a letter to yourself, 625 00:20:06,000 --> 00:20:07,706 I'd like for you to write a letter to yourself, 626 00:20:07,773 --> 00:20:11,043 from the space of the critical mind, that loop that 627 00:20:11,109 --> 00:20:12,000 plays in your head over and over again. 628 00:20:12,000 --> 00:20:13,779 plays in your head over and over again. 629 00:20:13,845 --> 00:20:16,048 You had them write letters. 630 00:20:16,114 --> 00:20:18,000 What was the purpose? 631 00:20:18,000 --> 00:20:18,116 What was the purpose? 632 00:20:18,183 --> 00:20:19,651 I've done this before. 633 00:20:19,718 --> 00:20:22,554 When they're writing it, they're not happy. 634 00:20:22,621 --> 00:20:24,000 And then I had them read it out loud to the circle. 635 00:20:24,000 --> 00:20:25,424 And then I had them read it out loud to the circle. 636 00:20:25,490 --> 00:20:27,192 They didn't like it. 637 00:20:27,259 --> 00:20:29,561 "Dear Chris, you've failed in life. 638 00:20:29,628 --> 00:20:30,000 Why did you confess? 639 00:20:30,000 --> 00:20:30,862 Why did you confess? 640 00:20:30,929 --> 00:20:32,831 I would never have confessed." 641 00:20:32,898 --> 00:20:35,167 "Why can't you just be quiet?" 642 00:20:35,233 --> 00:20:36,000 "Dear Raymond, you are an angry Black man. 643 00:20:36,000 --> 00:20:39,938 "Dear Raymond, you are an angry Black man. 644 00:20:40,005 --> 00:20:41,807 You will never know love. 645 00:20:41,873 --> 00:20:42,000 You will always be a prisoner." 646 00:20:42,000 --> 00:20:46,345 You will always be a prisoner." 647 00:20:46,411 --> 00:20:48,000 And then there was Loretta's. 648 00:20:48,000 --> 00:20:50,349 And then there was Loretta's. 649 00:20:50,415 --> 00:20:54,000 "Dear Loretta, you deserved to be raped and beaten. 650 00:20:54,000 --> 00:20:54,953 "Dear Loretta, you deserved to be raped and beaten. 651 00:20:55,020 --> 00:20:57,055 You really don't deserve to be alive. 652 00:20:59,625 --> 00:21:00,000 You aren't brave nor strong. 653 00:21:00,000 --> 00:21:01,793 You aren't brave nor strong. 654 00:21:01,860 --> 00:21:04,396 You are a failure as a woman and a mother" 655 00:21:04,463 --> 00:21:06,000 Loretta, Jennifer told us, faces one of the most excruciating 656 00:21:06,000 --> 00:21:08,500 Loretta, Jennifer told us, faces one of the most excruciating 657 00:21:08,567 --> 00:21:12,000 situations for a victim in an exoneration case-- 658 00:21:12,000 --> 00:21:12,304 situations for a victim in an exoneration case-- 659 00:21:12,371 --> 00:21:16,308 when the DNA clears one man but doesn't identify 660 00:21:16,375 --> 00:21:18,000 who the actual assailant was. 661 00:21:18,000 --> 00:21:19,277 who the actual assailant was. 662 00:21:19,344 --> 00:21:20,345 I'm stuck. 663 00:21:20,412 --> 00:21:24,000 She told us she relives the assault daily 664 00:21:24,000 --> 00:21:24,149 She told us she relives the assault daily 665 00:21:24,216 --> 00:21:28,787 and can't get the exonerated man's face out of her memory. 666 00:21:28,854 --> 00:21:30,000 So even though he was cleared through DNA, 667 00:21:30,000 --> 00:21:32,224 So even though he was cleared through DNA, 668 00:21:32,290 --> 00:21:33,859 his face is still there? 669 00:21:33,925 --> 00:21:34,493 Yes. 670 00:21:34,559 --> 00:21:36,000 The DNA said it wasn't him. 671 00:21:36,000 --> 00:21:37,029 The DNA said it wasn't him. 672 00:21:37,095 --> 00:21:39,064 [SNIFFLES] 673 00:21:42,968 --> 00:21:44,436 You didn't believe it. 674 00:21:44,503 --> 00:21:45,404 No. 675 00:21:45,470 --> 00:21:46,571 I feel guilty. 676 00:21:50,308 --> 00:21:54,000 Because I feel like I did something wrong. 677 00:21:54,000 --> 00:21:54,012 Because I feel like I did something wrong. 678 00:21:54,079 --> 00:21:57,149 So you're having both the feeling that he was the one 679 00:21:57,215 --> 00:21:59,484 and that you did something wrong. 680 00:21:59,551 --> 00:22:00,000 Yes. 681 00:22:00,000 --> 00:22:00,686 Yes. 682 00:22:00,752 --> 00:22:03,288 Oh, my god, you really are stuck. 683 00:22:03,355 --> 00:22:05,857 I don't know who did this. 684 00:22:05,924 --> 00:22:06,000 For Andrea Harrison, whose mother's killer 685 00:22:06,000 --> 00:22:09,094 For Andrea Harrison, whose mother's killer 686 00:22:09,161 --> 00:22:12,000 also remains unknown, it's a familiar struggle. 687 00:22:12,000 --> 00:22:13,231 also remains unknown, it's a familiar struggle. 688 00:22:13,298 --> 00:22:16,134 What was told to me was that he was the person who 689 00:22:16,201 --> 00:22:18,000 murdered my mother, and so that was a belief of mine 690 00:22:18,000 --> 00:22:19,504 murdered my mother, and so that was a belief of mine 691 00:22:19,571 --> 00:22:21,740 for a lot of years. 692 00:22:21,807 --> 00:22:23,442 I can't get that out of my head. 693 00:22:23,508 --> 00:22:24,000 On his side of it, that's sad. 694 00:22:24,000 --> 00:22:27,646 On his side of it, that's sad. 695 00:22:27,713 --> 00:22:28,313 It is sad. 696 00:22:28,380 --> 00:22:28,880 It is sad. 697 00:22:28,947 --> 00:22:30,000 The justice system failed him, just like it did us. 698 00:22:30,000 --> 00:22:31,817 The justice system failed him, just like it did us. 699 00:22:31,883 --> 00:22:32,684 Yeah. 700 00:22:32,751 --> 00:22:35,887 Until now, Andrea and her father had not 701 00:22:35,954 --> 00:22:36,000 been willing to attend a retreat with exonerees present. 702 00:22:36,000 --> 00:22:39,891 been willing to attend a retreat with exonerees present. 703 00:22:39,958 --> 00:22:42,000 Do you think that the exonerated person and the victim 704 00:22:42,000 --> 00:22:43,595 Do you think that the exonerated person and the victim 705 00:22:43,662 --> 00:22:47,966 are almost pitted against each other when they shouldn't be? 706 00:22:48,033 --> 00:22:51,903 They're both victims of the same perpetrator, 707 00:22:51,970 --> 00:22:54,000 who knows someone sitting in jail for what he or she did. 708 00:22:54,000 --> 00:22:55,207 who knows someone sitting in jail for what he or she did. 709 00:22:55,273 --> 00:22:55,741 That's right. 710 00:22:55,807 --> 00:22:59,010 At the end of the day, when an innocent person is in prison, 711 00:22:59,077 --> 00:23:00,000 a guilty person is not. 712 00:23:00,000 --> 00:23:00,779 a guilty person is not. 713 00:23:00,846 --> 00:23:02,647 We should all be concerned about that. 714 00:23:02,714 --> 00:23:05,884 And maybe they go off and do it many more times. 715 00:23:05,951 --> 00:23:06,000 In my case, the person who wasn't caught 716 00:23:06,000 --> 00:23:08,386 In my case, the person who wasn't caught 717 00:23:08,453 --> 00:23:11,022 committed six more first-degree rapes 718 00:23:11,089 --> 00:23:12,000 before he was ever apprehended. 719 00:23:12,000 --> 00:23:13,625 before he was ever apprehended. 720 00:23:13,692 --> 00:23:15,994 I just love that we're here, working on this. 721 00:23:16,061 --> 00:23:18,000 In the circle, after reading the critical letters, 722 00:23:18,000 --> 00:23:19,397 In the circle, after reading the critical letters, 723 00:23:19,464 --> 00:23:21,767 Jennifer turned the tables. 724 00:23:21,833 --> 00:23:24,000 So I want you to write a second letter now to yourself 725 00:23:24,000 --> 00:23:25,837 So I want you to write a second letter now to yourself 726 00:23:25,904 --> 00:23:29,040 from the self-compassion voice, the voice 727 00:23:29,107 --> 00:23:30,000 that you would use for the person you love the most. 728 00:23:30,000 --> 00:23:31,977 that you would use for the person you love the most. 729 00:23:32,043 --> 00:23:33,478 So they rewrote it. 730 00:23:33,545 --> 00:23:34,112 They did? 731 00:23:34,179 --> 00:23:34,813 They turned it-- 732 00:23:34,880 --> 00:23:35,313 Oh, yeah. 733 00:23:35,380 --> 00:23:36,000 And then they read that out loud, and their faces-- 734 00:23:36,000 --> 00:23:38,016 And then they read that out loud, and their faces-- 735 00:23:38,083 --> 00:23:39,417 they smiled when they read it. 736 00:23:39,484 --> 00:23:42,000 "Dear Raymond, you have a kind heart. 737 00:23:42,000 --> 00:23:42,387 "Dear Raymond, you have a kind heart. 738 00:23:42,454 --> 00:23:43,889 You are loved. 739 00:23:43,955 --> 00:23:46,892 Raymond, your dreams have come true, 740 00:23:46,958 --> 00:23:48,000 and you are free to dream more and create." 741 00:23:48,000 --> 00:23:50,629 and you are free to dream more and create." 742 00:23:50,695 --> 00:23:53,398 "You are a great mother, grandmother, wife, daughter, 743 00:23:53,465 --> 00:23:54,000 sister, friend, and so on and on. 744 00:23:54,000 --> 00:23:56,001 sister, friend, and so on and on. 745 00:23:56,067 --> 00:23:56,968 Keep going. 746 00:23:57,035 --> 00:23:58,370 You got this." 747 00:23:58,436 --> 00:24:00,000 "I've seen you stumble, and I've seen you bounce right back." 748 00:24:00,000 --> 00:24:02,841 "I've seen you stumble, and I've seen you bounce right back." 749 00:24:02,908 --> 00:24:05,610 "Dear Loretta, you know that it's never 750 00:24:05,677 --> 00:24:06,000 too late to follow your dreams. 751 00:24:06,000 --> 00:24:07,379 too late to follow your dreams. 752 00:24:07,445 --> 00:24:09,815 You should never stop believing in yourself. 753 00:24:09,881 --> 00:24:12,000 You didn't deserve to be hurt by anyone or anything. 754 00:24:12,000 --> 00:24:13,385 You didn't deserve to be hurt by anyone or anything. 755 00:24:13,451 --> 00:24:16,321 I will always be your biggest fan and supporter. 756 00:24:16,388 --> 00:24:17,989 I love you." 757 00:24:18,056 --> 00:24:19,925 Well, that was different. 758 00:24:19,991 --> 00:24:24,000 So why is it that we speak to ourselves in a way 759 00:24:24,000 --> 00:24:24,196 So why is it that we speak to ourselves in a way 760 00:24:24,262 --> 00:24:27,165 that we would never speak to the people that we love? 761 00:24:27,232 --> 00:24:30,000 Something I need to change is that it was actually harder 762 00:24:30,000 --> 00:24:31,570 Something I need to change is that it was actually harder 763 00:24:31,636 --> 00:24:34,039 to write the happy letter for me. 764 00:24:34,105 --> 00:24:36,000 I do believe the good things about myself, 765 00:24:36,000 --> 00:24:37,943 I do believe the good things about myself, 766 00:24:38,009 --> 00:24:42,000 but I don't think I really say them to myself enough. 767 00:24:42,000 --> 00:24:42,280 but I don't think I really say them to myself enough. 768 00:24:42,347 --> 00:24:47,719 And the reality is, if we really want to do good in the world, 769 00:24:47,786 --> 00:24:48,000 hating ourselves serves nobody at all. 770 00:24:48,000 --> 00:24:52,324 hating ourselves serves nobody at all. 771 00:24:52,390 --> 00:24:53,158 Who's ready? 772 00:24:53,225 --> 00:24:54,000 After two emotion-filled days came a scene 773 00:24:54,000 --> 00:24:56,628 After two emotion-filled days came a scene 774 00:24:56,695 --> 00:24:58,263 we weren't expecting. 775 00:24:58,330 --> 00:24:58,763 Catch it. 776 00:24:58,830 --> 00:25:00,000 The group gathered together for improv games-- 777 00:25:00,000 --> 00:25:02,167 The group gathered together for improv games-- 778 00:25:02,234 --> 00:25:02,901 Ribbit. 779 00:25:02,968 --> 00:25:03,702 Ribbit. 780 00:25:03,768 --> 00:25:04,970 --acting like animals-- 781 00:25:05,036 --> 00:25:06,000 [IMITATES BIRD SQUAWKING] 782 00:25:06,000 --> 00:25:06,738 [IMITATES BIRD SQUAWKING] 783 00:25:06,805 --> 00:25:08,506 [IMITATES MONKEY CHATTERING] 784 00:25:08,573 --> 00:25:10,542 --smiling and laughing. 785 00:25:10,609 --> 00:25:11,977 [LAUGHTER] 786 00:25:12,043 --> 00:25:13,545 [IMITATES WHALE MOAN] 787 00:25:13,612 --> 00:25:15,680 You play a lot of games. 788 00:25:15,747 --> 00:25:17,983 Well, the games are just really a way 789 00:25:18,049 --> 00:25:21,186 of inviting that child to come back and play again. 790 00:25:21,253 --> 00:25:23,922 If you feel safe, you can pretend like you're a monkey. 791 00:25:23,989 --> 00:25:24,000 [IMITATES MONKEY CHATTERING] 792 00:25:24,000 --> 00:25:25,624 [IMITATES MONKEY CHATTERING] 793 00:25:25,690 --> 00:25:27,392 [LAUGHTER] 794 00:25:27,459 --> 00:25:30,000 You can do all kinds of ridiculous things, 795 00:25:30,000 --> 00:25:30,629 You can do all kinds of ridiculous things, 796 00:25:30,695 --> 00:25:33,498 and it's OK, because everybody else is doing it, too. 797 00:25:33,565 --> 00:25:35,467 I know, but don't you feel guilty. 798 00:25:35,533 --> 00:25:36,000 We noticed a loosening and connecting later that night 799 00:25:36,000 --> 00:25:40,038 We noticed a loosening and connecting later that night 800 00:25:40,105 --> 00:25:42,000 over an art project, the kind of impromptu conversation Jennifer 801 00:25:42,000 --> 00:25:45,043 over an art project, the kind of impromptu conversation Jennifer 802 00:25:45,110 --> 00:25:47,979 says this retreat is all about. 803 00:25:48,046 --> 00:25:49,948 How can somebody look at me and think 804 00:25:50,015 --> 00:25:52,717 that I would do something so heinous like that? 805 00:25:52,784 --> 00:25:54,000 That's part of the trauma for me. 806 00:25:54,000 --> 00:25:55,287 That's part of the trauma for me. 807 00:25:55,353 --> 00:26:00,000 When you hear some of our stories, do you ever blame us? 808 00:26:00,000 --> 00:26:04,129 When you hear some of our stories, do you ever blame us? 809 00:26:04,195 --> 00:26:06,000 Me being a exoneree and-- 810 00:26:06,000 --> 00:26:07,032 Me being a exoneree and-- 811 00:26:07,098 --> 00:26:07,933 Yeah. 812 00:26:07,999 --> 00:26:12,000 Do you ever see yourself blaming the victims for-- 813 00:26:12,000 --> 00:26:12,337 Do you ever see yourself blaming the victims for-- 814 00:26:12,404 --> 00:26:14,906 You didn't do anything wrong. 815 00:26:14,973 --> 00:26:18,000 It's not your fault. 816 00:26:18,000 --> 00:26:18,843 It's not your fault. 817 00:26:18,910 --> 00:26:21,813 The next morning, as they gathered in the circle 818 00:26:21,880 --> 00:26:24,000 for the third and final day-- 819 00:26:24,000 --> 00:26:24,082 for the third and final day-- 820 00:26:24,149 --> 00:26:25,717 I feel blessed. 821 00:26:25,784 --> 00:26:26,952 I feel light as a feather. 822 00:26:27,018 --> 00:26:30,000 --the mood had shifted dramatically. 823 00:26:30,000 --> 00:26:30,188 --the mood had shifted dramatically. 824 00:26:30,255 --> 00:26:35,427 I feel open. 825 00:26:35,493 --> 00:26:36,000 I feel courageous. 826 00:26:36,000 --> 00:26:37,762 I feel courageous. 827 00:26:37,829 --> 00:26:39,264 I feel nurtured. 828 00:26:39,331 --> 00:26:41,633 Even though it's painful to let it out, 829 00:26:41,700 --> 00:26:42,000 I think you guys do it because it's 830 00:26:42,000 --> 00:26:43,635 I think you guys do it because it's 831 00:26:43,702 --> 00:26:45,337 going to help the next person. 832 00:26:45,403 --> 00:26:47,172 And it has. 833 00:26:47,238 --> 00:26:48,000 So how did the retreat go? 834 00:26:48,000 --> 00:26:49,474 So how did the retreat go? 835 00:26:49,541 --> 00:26:51,309 Very enlightening. 836 00:26:51,376 --> 00:26:52,844 Very powerful. 837 00:26:52,911 --> 00:26:54,000 We took off the mask that everybody sees. 838 00:26:54,000 --> 00:26:55,547 We took off the mask that everybody sees. 839 00:26:55,613 --> 00:27:00,000 What questions did you ask each other, exonerees to crime 840 00:27:00,000 --> 00:27:01,486 What questions did you ask each other, exonerees to crime 841 00:27:01,553 --> 00:27:03,355 victims and back around? 842 00:27:03,421 --> 00:27:05,156 I asked, what happened to you? 843 00:27:05,223 --> 00:27:06,000 And everyone was honest. 844 00:27:06,000 --> 00:27:06,358 And everyone was honest. 845 00:27:06,424 --> 00:27:07,993 And everybody was honest. 846 00:27:08,059 --> 00:27:11,029 Right away, I shook Mr. Howard's hand. 847 00:27:11,096 --> 00:27:12,000 And I feel for this man and my other two friends 848 00:27:12,000 --> 00:27:14,599 And I feel for this man and my other two friends 849 00:27:14,666 --> 00:27:16,334 back there that are exonerees. 850 00:27:16,401 --> 00:27:18,000 I see it now, because we only looked 851 00:27:18,000 --> 00:27:18,636 I see it now, because we only looked 852 00:27:18,703 --> 00:27:20,438 from our side of the table. 853 00:27:20,505 --> 00:27:22,841 We never seen it from their side. 854 00:27:22,907 --> 00:27:24,000 I had that fear, even when I came here. 855 00:27:24,000 --> 00:27:25,877 I had that fear, even when I came here. 856 00:27:25,944 --> 00:27:28,613 I didn't know if I'd be coming into hate because I 857 00:27:28,680 --> 00:27:29,948 was exoneree. 858 00:27:30,015 --> 00:27:33,651 Because nobody believed me for 30 years. 859 00:27:33,718 --> 00:27:35,754 I think we believe it. 860 00:27:35,820 --> 00:27:36,000 Thank you. 861 00:27:36,000 --> 00:27:36,321 Thank you. 862 00:27:36,388 --> 00:27:36,821 [LAUGHTER] 863 00:27:36,888 --> 00:27:37,856 We do. 864 00:27:37,922 --> 00:27:41,359 I have questions myself for an exoneree. 865 00:27:41,426 --> 00:27:42,000 And I was able to build up the courage to even ask Raymond, 866 00:27:42,000 --> 00:27:46,064 And I was able to build up the courage to even ask Raymond, 867 00:27:46,131 --> 00:27:48,000 because I still hold this guilt. And I was finally 868 00:27:48,000 --> 00:27:49,667 because I still hold this guilt. And I was finally 869 00:27:49,734 --> 00:27:52,637 able to let it go after talking to him. 870 00:27:52,704 --> 00:27:54,000 I knew he was speaking from his heart. 871 00:27:54,000 --> 00:27:55,440 I knew he was speaking from his heart. 872 00:27:55,507 --> 00:28:00,000 And it took 30 years for him to let me get that guilt off of me. 873 00:28:00,000 --> 00:28:02,147 And it took 30 years for him to let me get that guilt off of me. 874 00:28:02,213 --> 00:28:03,515 Wow. 875 00:28:03,581 --> 00:28:04,482 I thank you. 876 00:28:07,352 --> 00:28:10,922 May you keep spreading your love to everyone that needs it. 877 00:28:10,989 --> 00:28:12,000 So as the retreat drew to a close, 878 00:28:12,000 --> 00:28:13,525 So as the retreat drew to a close, 879 00:28:13,591 --> 00:28:17,996 they clasped hands and shared wishes for one another. 880 00:28:18,063 --> 00:28:22,333 Penny, may you continue on your journey of healing. 881 00:28:22,400 --> 00:28:24,000 What happened in your case that allowed you to heal? 882 00:28:24,000 --> 00:28:28,740 What happened in your case that allowed you to heal? 883 00:28:28,807 --> 00:28:30,000 I think I'll always be healing. 884 00:28:30,000 --> 00:28:31,142 I think I'll always be healing. 885 00:28:31,209 --> 00:28:34,946 But I think what has helped me more than anything 886 00:28:35,013 --> 00:28:36,000 is the relationships I've built along the way 887 00:28:36,000 --> 00:28:37,849 is the relationships I've built along the way 888 00:28:37,916 --> 00:28:42,000 with people that have been harmed and hurt just like me. 889 00:28:42,000 --> 00:28:42,454 with people that have been harmed and hurt just like me. 890 00:28:42,520 --> 00:28:45,924 Because you're helping other people. 891 00:28:45,990 --> 00:28:48,000 Jennifer, may you always be in our lives and may 892 00:28:48,000 --> 00:28:50,428 Jennifer, may you always be in our lives and may 893 00:28:50,495 --> 00:28:52,997 you always be courageous. 894 00:28:53,064 --> 00:28:54,000 I'm helping other people, but what they don't realize 895 00:28:54,000 --> 00:28:56,601 I'm helping other people, but what they don't realize 896 00:28:56,668 --> 00:29:00,000 is they're also helping me. 897 00:29:00,000 --> 00:29:00,538 is they're also helping me. 898 00:29:00,605 --> 00:29:02,407 [LAUGHTER] 899 00:29:02,474 --> 00:29:03,641 I didn't know that move. 900 00:29:03,708 --> 00:29:04,709 They're healing. 901 00:29:04,776 --> 00:29:06,000 They are healing. 902 00:29:06,000 --> 00:29:06,077 They are healing. 903 00:29:06,144 --> 00:29:09,981 And I want to walk with them on that journey. 904 00:29:10,048 --> 00:29:11,449 Whoo-wee! 905 00:29:11,516 --> 00:29:12,000 [CLOCK TICKING] 906 00:29:12,000 --> 00:29:13,451 [CLOCK TICKING] 907 00:29:22,127 --> 00:29:24,000 Tonight, you'll meet someone trying 908 00:29:24,000 --> 00:29:24,062 Tonight, you'll meet someone trying 909 00:29:24,129 --> 00:29:27,565 to build a bridge over the nation's political divide. 910 00:29:27,632 --> 00:29:30,000 Dave Isay has created a program called One Small Step 911 00:29:30,000 --> 00:29:31,436 Dave Isay has created a program called One Small Step 912 00:29:31,503 --> 00:29:35,640 to get Americans on the left and the right to stop demonizing one 913 00:29:35,707 --> 00:29:36,000 another and start communicating face-to-face, 914 00:29:36,000 --> 00:29:38,877 another and start communicating face-to-face, 915 00:29:38,943 --> 00:29:41,246 one conversation at a time. 916 00:29:41,312 --> 00:29:42,000 One Small Step grew out of StoryCorps, 917 00:29:42,000 --> 00:29:44,215 One Small Step grew out of StoryCorps, 918 00:29:44,282 --> 00:29:48,000 the oral history project Dave Isay founded 21 years ago. 919 00:29:48,000 --> 00:29:48,853 the oral history project Dave Isay founded 21 years ago. 920 00:29:48,920 --> 00:29:52,023 As we first reported in 2022. 921 00:29:52,090 --> 00:29:54,000 It has taped more than half a million Americans telling 922 00:29:54,000 --> 00:29:55,426 It has taped more than half a million Americans telling 923 00:29:55,493 --> 00:29:59,564 their stories, to become the largest single collection 924 00:29:59,631 --> 00:30:00,000 of human voices ever recorded, with one aim at its core. 925 00:30:00,000 --> 00:30:05,570 of human voices ever recorded, with one aim at its core. 926 00:30:05,637 --> 00:30:06,000 What if we just give the entire country the chance 927 00:30:06,000 --> 00:30:08,506 What if we just give the entire country the chance 928 00:30:08,573 --> 00:30:10,508 to be listened to and have a chance 929 00:30:10,575 --> 00:30:12,000 to talk about who they are? 930 00:30:12,000 --> 00:30:12,410 to talk about who they are? 931 00:30:12,477 --> 00:30:13,978 Do you think part of the problem we're 932 00:30:14,045 --> 00:30:16,381 having in America is that people are 933 00:30:16,447 --> 00:30:18,000 so angry because they don't feel like anybody's 934 00:30:18,000 --> 00:30:18,616 so angry because they don't feel like anybody's 935 00:30:18,683 --> 00:30:19,684 listening to them? 936 00:30:19,751 --> 00:30:22,787 Yeah, I think people feel misunderstood 937 00:30:22,854 --> 00:30:24,000 and judged and heard. 938 00:30:24,000 --> 00:30:25,423 and judged and heard. 939 00:30:25,490 --> 00:30:28,026 In the history of humanity, nobody 940 00:30:28,092 --> 00:30:30,000 has ever changed their mind by being 941 00:30:30,000 --> 00:30:30,962 has ever changed their mind by being 942 00:30:31,029 --> 00:30:33,298 called an idiot or a moron or a snowflake. 943 00:30:33,364 --> 00:30:36,000 But many minds have been changed by being listened to, 944 00:30:36,000 --> 00:30:36,367 But many minds have been changed by being listened to, 945 00:30:36,434 --> 00:30:38,636 by conversation, being told that they're loved. 946 00:30:38,703 --> 00:30:41,139 Something that we would all consider maybe so simple 947 00:30:41,206 --> 00:30:42,000 is so powerful. 948 00:30:42,000 --> 00:30:42,507 is so powerful. 949 00:30:42,574 --> 00:30:45,243 Yeah, being told that all of our stories 950 00:30:45,310 --> 00:30:48,000 matter equally and infinitely is something everyone 951 00:30:48,000 --> 00:30:50,114 matter equally and infinitely is something everyone 952 00:30:50,181 --> 00:30:50,982 needs to hear. 953 00:30:51,049 --> 00:30:54,000 Dave Isay seems to always be listening, always taking notes, 954 00:30:54,000 --> 00:30:55,086 Dave Isay seems to always be listening, always taking notes, 955 00:30:55,153 --> 00:30:56,588 even during our interview. 956 00:30:56,654 --> 00:30:59,724 He told us journalism should be a public service 957 00:30:59,791 --> 00:31:00,000 and now hopes that one small step 958 00:31:00,000 --> 00:31:01,726 and now hopes that one small step 959 00:31:01,793 --> 00:31:05,597 can help end what he calls the culture of contempt that 960 00:31:05,663 --> 00:31:06,000 is tearing apart the country. 961 00:31:06,000 --> 00:31:07,865 is tearing apart the country. 962 00:31:07,932 --> 00:31:12,000 The situation is so bad that if the culture of contempt wins, 963 00:31:12,000 --> 00:31:14,839 The situation is so bad that if the culture of contempt wins, 964 00:31:14,906 --> 00:31:18,000 things are just not going to end well for the United States. 965 00:31:18,000 --> 00:31:18,443 things are just not going to end well for the United States. 966 00:31:18,509 --> 00:31:21,112 What's fueling the culture of contempt? 967 00:31:21,179 --> 00:31:21,879 It's media. 968 00:31:21,946 --> 00:31:23,448 It's social media. 969 00:31:23,514 --> 00:31:24,000 There's a multi-multi-multi-billion dollar 970 00:31:24,000 --> 00:31:27,185 There's a multi-multi-multi-billion dollar 971 00:31:27,252 --> 00:31:30,000 hate industrial complex, where people can make money by making 972 00:31:30,000 --> 00:31:32,590 hate industrial complex, where people can make money by making 973 00:31:32,657 --> 00:31:34,092 us hate and fear each other. 974 00:31:34,158 --> 00:31:36,000 It's a little bit of a David and Goliath fight here. 975 00:31:36,000 --> 00:31:38,062 It's a little bit of a David and Goliath fight here. 976 00:31:38,129 --> 00:31:41,399 Long before he started StoryCorps and One Small Step, 977 00:31:41,466 --> 00:31:42,000 Dave Isay fought to tell stories of the forgotten 978 00:31:42,000 --> 00:31:44,435 Dave Isay fought to tell stories of the forgotten 979 00:31:44,502 --> 00:31:48,000 by making radio documentaries in flophouses, coal mines, 980 00:31:48,000 --> 00:31:48,306 by making radio documentaries in flophouses, coal mines, 981 00:31:48,373 --> 00:31:50,041 and public housing projects. 982 00:31:50,108 --> 00:31:53,745 I need you guys from here on in to be really on top of stuff. 983 00:31:53,811 --> 00:31:54,000 He first appeared on 60 Minutes more than 25 years ago, 984 00:31:54,000 --> 00:31:58,049 He first appeared on 60 Minutes more than 25 years ago, 985 00:31:58,116 --> 00:32:00,000 in a story with Lesley Stahl about two teenagers from Chicago 986 00:32:00,000 --> 00:32:02,387 in a story with Lesley Stahl about two teenagers from Chicago 987 00:32:02,453 --> 00:32:05,189 who made their own documentary with his help. 988 00:32:05,256 --> 00:32:06,000 The pair won a Peabody Award, one of the highest 989 00:32:06,000 --> 00:32:08,426 The pair won a Peabody Award, one of the highest 990 00:32:08,493 --> 00:32:10,094 honors in broadcasting. 991 00:32:10,161 --> 00:32:11,829 Thank you. 992 00:32:11,896 --> 00:32:12,000 In 2003, he got the idea for StoryCorps. 993 00:32:12,000 --> 00:32:15,466 In 2003, he got the idea for StoryCorps. 994 00:32:15,533 --> 00:32:17,468 Everybody, my family, everybody, thought 995 00:32:17,535 --> 00:32:18,000 it was absolutely insane. 996 00:32:18,000 --> 00:32:19,570 it was absolutely insane. 997 00:32:19,637 --> 00:32:22,907 We started with a booth in Grand Central Terminal, 998 00:32:22,974 --> 00:32:24,000 and it's a very simple idea. 999 00:32:24,000 --> 00:32:24,342 and it's a very simple idea. 1000 00:32:24,409 --> 00:32:26,177 You come to the booth with your grandmother, 1001 00:32:26,244 --> 00:32:28,479 with anyone who you want to honor by listening to them. 1002 00:32:28,546 --> 00:32:30,000 So people think of it as, if I had 40 minutes 1003 00:32:30,000 --> 00:32:30,415 So people think of it as, if I had 40 minutes 1004 00:32:30,481 --> 00:32:32,450 left to live, what would I say to this person who 1005 00:32:32,517 --> 00:32:33,685 means so much to me? 1006 00:32:33,751 --> 00:32:35,620 To attract people, he reached out 1007 00:32:35,687 --> 00:32:36,000 to the people's library, specifically 1008 00:32:36,000 --> 00:32:38,122 to the people's library, specifically 1009 00:32:38,189 --> 00:32:41,693 the director of the Library of Congress's American Folklife 1010 00:32:41,759 --> 00:32:42,000 Center. 1011 00:32:42,000 --> 00:32:42,360 Center. 1012 00:32:42,427 --> 00:32:45,129 And I said, I'm going to try and record the whole country. 1013 00:32:45,196 --> 00:32:46,364 Will you accept the materials? 1014 00:32:46,431 --> 00:32:48,000 And she said those magical three letters, yes. 1015 00:32:48,000 --> 00:32:50,201 And she said those magical three letters, yes. 1016 00:32:50,268 --> 00:32:51,336 And that was it. 1017 00:32:51,402 --> 00:32:52,704 And here we are. 1018 00:32:52,770 --> 00:32:54,000 The StoryCorps archive is in good company 1019 00:32:54,000 --> 00:32:55,506 The StoryCorps archive is in good company 1020 00:32:55,573 --> 00:32:58,876 at what is the largest library in the world. 1021 00:32:58,943 --> 00:33:00,000 Other treasures here include a rare Gutenberg Bible, as well as 1022 00:33:00,000 --> 00:33:03,047 Other treasures here include a rare Gutenberg Bible, as well as 1023 00:33:03,114 --> 00:33:06,000 a draft of the Declaration of Independence handwritten 1024 00:33:06,000 --> 00:33:06,484 a draft of the Declaration of Independence handwritten 1025 00:33:06,551 --> 00:33:10,688 by Thomas Jefferson, and a preliminary draft of President 1026 00:33:10,755 --> 00:33:12,000 Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation. 1027 00:33:12,000 --> 00:33:14,158 Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation. 1028 00:33:14,225 --> 00:33:17,929 Dr. Carla Hayden serves as the librarian of Congress. 1029 00:33:17,995 --> 00:33:18,000 Until recently, it was a lifetime appointment, 1030 00:33:18,000 --> 00:33:20,598 Until recently, it was a lifetime appointment, 1031 00:33:20,665 --> 00:33:24,000 so only 14 people have held the job since 1802. 1032 00:33:24,000 --> 00:33:26,003 so only 14 people have held the job since 1802. 1033 00:33:26,070 --> 00:33:28,239 How does having StoryCorps here fit 1034 00:33:28,306 --> 00:33:30,000 into your vision for the Library of Congress? 1035 00:33:30,000 --> 00:33:30,808 into your vision for the Library of Congress? 1036 00:33:30,875 --> 00:33:34,679 StoryCorps is an important part of adding 1037 00:33:34,746 --> 00:33:36,000 history and context and the individuals who make history, 1038 00:33:36,000 --> 00:33:39,317 history and context and the individuals who make history, 1039 00:33:39,384 --> 00:33:41,753 not just the ones that we see on the news, 1040 00:33:41,819 --> 00:33:42,000 but the people who are part of the fabric of our American life, 1041 00:33:42,000 --> 00:33:45,790 but the people who are part of the fabric of our American life, 1042 00:33:45,857 --> 00:33:47,992 the everyday people. 1043 00:33:48,059 --> 00:33:49,794 What did they feel? 1044 00:33:49,861 --> 00:33:52,463 What did they believe? 1045 00:33:52,530 --> 00:33:54,000 To try to find out, StoryCorps rolled out a mobile booth 1046 00:33:54,000 --> 00:33:55,867 To try to find out, StoryCorps rolled out a mobile booth 1047 00:33:55,933 --> 00:33:58,603 in 2005 to travel the country. 1048 00:33:58,669 --> 00:34:00,000 They also launched partnerships and story collection programs 1049 00:34:00,000 --> 00:34:01,973 They also launched partnerships and story collection programs 1050 00:34:02,039 --> 00:34:04,175 in multiple American cities. 1051 00:34:04,242 --> 00:34:06,000 This is Dave Isay, founder of StoryCorps. 1052 00:34:06,000 --> 00:34:06,878 This is Dave Isay, founder of StoryCorps. 1053 00:34:06,944 --> 00:34:09,981 When the pandemic hit, they created a new way for people 1054 00:34:10,047 --> 00:34:12,000 to submit stories online. 1055 00:34:12,000 --> 00:34:12,316 to submit stories online. 1056 00:34:12,383 --> 00:34:14,085 Share your interview far and wide 1057 00:34:14,152 --> 00:34:18,000 and know that someday, future generations will be listening. 1058 00:34:18,000 --> 00:34:18,790 and know that someday, future generations will be listening. 1059 00:34:18,856 --> 00:34:22,026 Every Friday, for the last 19 years, 1060 00:34:22,093 --> 00:34:24,000 National Public Radio sends one story 1061 00:34:24,000 --> 00:34:24,695 National Public Radio sends one story 1062 00:34:24,762 --> 00:34:28,699 into the homes, headphones, and cars of 6 million people. 1063 00:34:28,766 --> 00:34:30,000 [MUSIC PLAYING] 1064 00:34:30,000 --> 00:34:31,202 [MUSIC PLAYING] 1065 00:34:31,269 --> 00:34:33,805 Hey, it's Friday, which is when we hear from StoryCorps. 1066 00:34:33,871 --> 00:34:36,000 We were at NPR's Washington studio 1067 00:34:36,000 --> 00:34:36,207 We were at NPR's Washington studio 1068 00:34:36,274 --> 00:34:39,610 to hear Morning Edition host Steve Inskeep introduce 1069 00:34:39,677 --> 00:34:42,000 the story of Miguel Encinias, a decorated fighter 1070 00:34:42,000 --> 00:34:43,481 the story of Miguel Encinias, a decorated fighter 1071 00:34:43,548 --> 00:34:48,000 pilot who passed away in 2016 at the age of 92. 1072 00:34:48,000 --> 00:34:48,686 pilot who passed away in 2016 at the age of 92. 1073 00:34:48,753 --> 00:34:51,889 He served as a US military pilot in World War II 1074 00:34:51,956 --> 00:34:53,958 and Korea and Vietnam. 1075 00:34:54,025 --> 00:34:56,894 Two of his children, Isabel and Juan Pablo Encinias, 1076 00:34:56,961 --> 00:34:58,930 came to StoryCorps to remember him. 1077 00:34:58,996 --> 00:35:00,000 When I was little, I remember him flying in his fighter jet 1078 00:35:00,000 --> 00:35:02,467 When I was little, I remember him flying in his fighter jet 1079 00:35:02,533 --> 00:35:04,702 and us waiting for him on the tarmac and thinking, 1080 00:35:04,769 --> 00:35:06,000 oh, my god, what a hero my father is. 1081 00:35:06,000 --> 00:35:06,971 oh, my god, what a hero my father is. 1082 00:35:07,038 --> 00:35:11,509 As he got older, he was diagnosed with dementia. 1083 00:35:11,576 --> 00:35:12,000 But even at the end, when he cognitively he wasn't all there, 1084 00:35:12,000 --> 00:35:16,147 But even at the end, when he cognitively he wasn't all there, 1085 00:35:16,214 --> 00:35:18,000 he would hear a plane and just look up 1086 00:35:18,000 --> 00:35:18,649 he would hear a plane and just look up 1087 00:35:18,716 --> 00:35:20,017 and stare at it in the sky. 1088 00:35:20,084 --> 00:35:23,721 And you could tell that he just wanted to be up in that plane 1089 00:35:23,788 --> 00:35:24,000 with every ounce of his being. 1090 00:35:24,000 --> 00:35:25,756 with every ounce of his being. 1091 00:35:25,823 --> 00:35:27,758 Maybe he's listening to us somewhere up there. 1092 00:35:27,825 --> 00:35:28,759 [LAUGHS] 1093 00:35:28,826 --> 00:35:30,000 I hope so. 1094 00:35:30,000 --> 00:35:30,027 I hope so. 1095 00:35:30,094 --> 00:35:32,663 Sometimes in an interview, you can almost 1096 00:35:32,730 --> 00:35:34,899 see sparks flying out of someone's mouth. 1097 00:35:34,966 --> 00:35:36,000 There's just this kind of magnificence and grace 1098 00:35:36,000 --> 00:35:37,802 There's just this kind of magnificence and grace 1099 00:35:37,869 --> 00:35:38,803 to the story. 1100 00:35:38,870 --> 00:35:40,938 And those are the ones where you just-- 1101 00:35:41,005 --> 00:35:42,000 it almost demands to be shared with a larger audience. 1102 00:35:42,000 --> 00:35:44,642 it almost demands to be shared with a larger audience. 1103 00:35:44,709 --> 00:35:48,000 In 2010, StoryCorps began to animate conversations 1104 00:35:48,000 --> 00:35:48,579 In 2010, StoryCorps began to animate conversations 1105 00:35:48,646 --> 00:35:51,582 to be viewed by new audiences online, 1106 00:35:51,649 --> 00:35:54,000 like this one recorded in Mississippi between Albert Sykes 1107 00:35:54,000 --> 00:35:55,653 like this one recorded in Mississippi between Albert Sykes 1108 00:35:55,720 --> 00:35:58,289 and his nine-year-old son, Aidan. 1109 00:35:58,356 --> 00:35:59,590 Are you proud of me? 1110 00:35:59,657 --> 00:36:00,000 Of course. 1111 00:36:00,000 --> 00:36:00,691 Of course. 1112 00:36:00,758 --> 00:36:02,493 You're my man. 1113 00:36:02,560 --> 00:36:06,000 I just love everything about you, period. 1114 00:36:06,000 --> 00:36:06,397 I just love everything about you, period. 1115 00:36:06,464 --> 00:36:10,801 The thing I love about you, you never give up on me. 1116 00:36:10,868 --> 00:36:12,000 That's one of the things I will always remember about my dad. 1117 00:36:12,000 --> 00:36:15,172 That's one of the things I will always remember about my dad. 1118 00:36:15,239 --> 00:36:16,941 Have you thought about selling Kleenexes? 1119 00:36:17,008 --> 00:36:18,000 You could make a lot of money? 1120 00:36:18,000 --> 00:36:18,175 You could make a lot of money? 1121 00:36:18,242 --> 00:36:20,177 We've always wanted to get Kleenex as a sponsor, 1122 00:36:20,244 --> 00:36:22,780 but they've never agreed. 1123 00:36:22,847 --> 00:36:24,000 Only a tiny fraction of StoryCorps' hundreds 1124 00:36:24,000 --> 00:36:25,917 Only a tiny fraction of StoryCorps' hundreds 1125 00:36:25,983 --> 00:36:29,186 of thousands of stories ever make it onto the radio. 1126 00:36:29,253 --> 00:36:30,000 They're selected by StoryCorps' facilitators, who make up 1127 00:36:30,000 --> 00:36:33,257 They're selected by StoryCorps' facilitators, who make up 1128 00:36:33,324 --> 00:36:35,626 the actual core of StoryCorps. 1129 00:36:35,693 --> 00:36:36,000 Once I press record, we're going to have 1130 00:36:36,000 --> 00:36:37,295 Once I press record, we're going to have 1131 00:36:37,361 --> 00:36:39,263 you introduce yourselves. 1132 00:36:39,330 --> 00:36:41,566 Facilitators are trained in both the art 1133 00:36:41,632 --> 00:36:42,000 and the technical aspects of story collection. 1134 00:36:42,000 --> 00:36:45,469 and the technical aspects of story collection. 1135 00:36:45,536 --> 00:36:46,604 Wonderful. 1136 00:36:46,671 --> 00:36:48,000 Jason Reynolds serves on StoryCorps' board of directors. 1137 00:36:48,000 --> 00:36:50,474 Jason Reynolds serves on StoryCorps' board of directors. 1138 00:36:50,541 --> 00:36:53,544 He's also one of the most popular and celebrated 1139 00:36:53,611 --> 00:36:54,000 young adult authors in the country. 1140 00:36:54,000 --> 00:36:55,880 young adult authors in the country. 1141 00:36:55,947 --> 00:36:58,549 19 years ago, fresh out of college, 1142 00:36:58,616 --> 00:37:00,000 he was a facilitator who conducted 1143 00:37:00,000 --> 00:37:00,818 he was a facilitator who conducted 1144 00:37:00,885 --> 00:37:04,922 close to 300 StoryCorps sessions over 18 months. 1145 00:37:04,989 --> 00:37:06,000 I felt like I was privy to something 1146 00:37:06,000 --> 00:37:07,858 I felt like I was privy to something 1147 00:37:07,925 --> 00:37:10,428 special, something sacred, and something 1148 00:37:10,494 --> 00:37:11,963 that would last forever. 1149 00:37:12,029 --> 00:37:14,031 And no one would know that I'm in the room, right? 1150 00:37:14,098 --> 00:37:17,001 But I was in the room for some of the most beautiful tales I've 1151 00:37:17,068 --> 00:37:17,802 ever heard. 1152 00:37:17,868 --> 00:37:18,000 So it sounds like what you heard in the booth is 1153 00:37:18,000 --> 00:37:21,672 So it sounds like what you heard in the booth is 1154 00:37:21,739 --> 00:37:24,000 very different than what people may hear on the radio. 1155 00:37:24,000 --> 00:37:24,775 very different than what people may hear on the radio. 1156 00:37:24,842 --> 00:37:25,509 Absolutely. 1157 00:37:25,576 --> 00:37:29,614 Sometimes you can almost hear the anxiety of it all. 1158 00:37:29,680 --> 00:37:30,000 And other times you can hear the gentle tenderness 1159 00:37:30,000 --> 00:37:33,884 And other times you can hear the gentle tenderness 1160 00:37:33,951 --> 00:37:35,152 of human beings, 1161 00:37:35,219 --> 00:37:36,000 I think StoryCorps and the facilitators, 1162 00:37:36,000 --> 00:37:37,488 I think StoryCorps and the facilitators, 1163 00:37:37,555 --> 00:37:40,458 they get to see who we really are as Americans, 1164 00:37:40,524 --> 00:37:42,000 and it's not what you see on 24-hour news. 1165 00:37:42,000 --> 00:37:44,228 and it's not what you see on 24-hour news. 1166 00:37:44,295 --> 00:37:47,765 Around the time of the 2016 presidential election, 1167 00:37:47,832 --> 00:37:48,000 Dave Isay says he got the idea for a new kind of StoryCorps 1168 00:37:48,000 --> 00:37:51,902 Dave Isay says he got the idea for a new kind of StoryCorps 1169 00:37:51,969 --> 00:37:54,000 that could perhaps help unite a country becoming increasingly 1170 00:37:54,000 --> 00:37:55,606 that could perhaps help unite a country becoming increasingly 1171 00:37:55,673 --> 00:37:56,507 divided. 1172 00:37:56,574 --> 00:37:59,210 He decided to call it One Small Step. 1173 00:37:59,276 --> 00:38:00,000 What's the difference between regular StoryCorps and One 1174 00:38:00,000 --> 00:38:02,146 What's the difference between regular StoryCorps and One 1175 00:38:02,213 --> 00:38:02,913 Small Step? 1176 00:38:02,980 --> 00:38:04,882 So every regular StoryCorps interview 1177 00:38:04,949 --> 00:38:06,000 are people who know and love each other, 1178 00:38:06,000 --> 00:38:06,550 are people who know and love each other, 1179 00:38:06,617 --> 00:38:09,487 and every One Small Step interview are strangers. 1180 00:38:09,553 --> 00:38:11,322 And in the case of One Small Step, 1181 00:38:11,389 --> 00:38:12,000 it's people who are across the political divide. 1182 00:38:12,000 --> 00:38:13,557 it's people who are across the political divide. 1183 00:38:13,624 --> 00:38:15,159 After you read each other's bios, 1184 00:38:15,226 --> 00:38:18,000 I'm going to ask, why did you want to do the interview today? 1185 00:38:18,000 --> 00:38:18,429 I'm going to ask, why did you want to do the interview today? 1186 00:38:18,496 --> 00:38:23,234 So we match strangers who disagree politically to put them 1187 00:38:23,300 --> 00:38:24,000 face-to-face for 50 minutes. 1188 00:38:24,000 --> 00:38:25,302 face-to-face for 50 minutes. 1189 00:38:25,369 --> 00:38:26,937 It's not to talk about politics. 1190 00:38:27,004 --> 00:38:28,873 It's just to talk about your lives. 1191 00:38:28,939 --> 00:38:30,000 Facilitators begin by asking the participants to read 1192 00:38:30,000 --> 00:38:32,777 Facilitators begin by asking the participants to read 1193 00:38:32,843 --> 00:38:36,000 one another's biography out loud, as in this session 1194 00:38:36,000 --> 00:38:36,447 one another's biography out loud, as in this session 1195 00:38:36,514 --> 00:38:37,915 in Richmond, Virginia. 1196 00:38:37,982 --> 00:38:40,117 The project tries to match people 1197 00:38:40,184 --> 00:38:42,000 who may be from different political parties 1198 00:38:42,000 --> 00:38:42,653 who may be from different political parties 1199 00:38:42,720 --> 00:38:45,056 but have something else in common. 1200 00:38:45,122 --> 00:38:45,690 Hi. 1201 00:38:45,756 --> 00:38:48,000 I grew up as an Army brat and an evangelical Christian surrounded 1202 00:38:48,000 --> 00:38:50,628 I grew up as an Army brat and an evangelical Christian surrounded 1203 00:38:50,695 --> 00:38:54,000 by a very powerful ideology of conservatism, patriotism, 1204 00:38:54,000 --> 00:38:54,498 by a very powerful ideology of conservatism, patriotism, 1205 00:38:54,565 --> 00:38:55,933 and religion. 1206 00:38:56,000 --> 00:38:58,302 I am a Baptist pastor and performance 1207 00:38:58,369 --> 00:39:00,000 artist, a native Charlottesville, 1208 00:39:00,000 --> 00:39:00,838 artist, a native Charlottesville, 1209 00:39:00,905 --> 00:39:02,907 graduate of the University of Virginia, 1210 00:39:02,973 --> 00:39:06,000 and Union Theological Seminary in New York City. 1211 00:39:06,000 --> 00:39:06,010 and Union Theological Seminary in New York City. 1212 00:39:06,077 --> 00:39:10,347 Participants are encouraged to focus on what they share. 1213 00:39:10,414 --> 00:39:12,000 We're pastors, and we're helping people to find their path 1214 00:39:12,000 --> 00:39:15,386 We're pastors, and we're helping people to find their path 1215 00:39:15,453 --> 00:39:17,288 and find their voice. 1216 00:39:17,354 --> 00:39:18,000 Oh, Brenda, I love what you just said 1217 00:39:18,000 --> 00:39:18,856 Oh, Brenda, I love what you just said 1218 00:39:18,923 --> 00:39:20,591 about helping people find their path, 1219 00:39:20,658 --> 00:39:22,560 because I feel such a connection there. 1220 00:39:22,626 --> 00:39:24,000 The format is derived from a psychological concept developed 1221 00:39:24,000 --> 00:39:25,930 The format is derived from a psychological concept developed 1222 00:39:25,996 --> 00:39:28,999 in the 1950s called contact theory. 1223 00:39:29,066 --> 00:39:30,000 Which says that when you have two people who are enemies 1224 00:39:30,000 --> 00:39:34,739 Which says that when you have two people who are enemies 1225 00:39:34,805 --> 00:39:36,000 and you put them face-to-face under very, very 1226 00:39:36,000 --> 00:39:37,308 and you put them face-to-face under very, very 1227 00:39:37,374 --> 00:39:39,910 specific conditions and they have 1228 00:39:39,977 --> 00:39:42,000 a conversation and a kind of visceral, 1229 00:39:42,000 --> 00:39:42,880 a conversation and a kind of visceral, 1230 00:39:42,947 --> 00:39:47,218 emotional experience with each other, that hate can melt away, 1231 00:39:47,284 --> 00:39:48,000 and people can see each other in a new way. 1232 00:39:48,000 --> 00:39:49,587 and people can see each other in a new way. 1233 00:39:49,653 --> 00:39:51,989 I'm here because I thought I want 1234 00:39:52,056 --> 00:39:54,000 to be a part of a better world for our children 1235 00:39:54,000 --> 00:39:55,159 to be a part of a better world for our children 1236 00:39:55,226 --> 00:39:56,260 and our grandchildren. 1237 00:39:56,327 --> 00:39:57,128 Yeah. 1238 00:39:57,194 --> 00:39:57,895 Yeah. 1239 00:39:57,962 --> 00:40:00,000 I can't save the whole world, but I can do my part where I am. 1240 00:40:00,000 --> 00:40:01,832 I can't save the whole world, but I can do my part where I am. 1241 00:40:01,899 --> 00:40:04,168 And, dagnabbit, I'm going to. 1242 00:40:04,235 --> 00:40:06,000 So far, One Small Step has completed more than 2,500 1243 00:40:06,000 --> 00:40:08,939 So far, One Small Step has completed more than 2,500 1244 00:40:09,006 --> 00:40:09,707 sessions. 1245 00:40:09,774 --> 00:40:11,942 It has a presence in Wichita, Kansas; 1246 00:40:12,009 --> 00:40:14,345 Richmond, Virginia; and Columbus, Georgia. 1247 00:40:14,411 --> 00:40:16,647 So I'm just going to give you a quick rundown on what's 1248 00:40:16,714 --> 00:40:18,000 been going on with One Small Step since we last spoke. 1249 00:40:18,000 --> 00:40:19,583 been going on with One Small Step since we last spoke. 1250 00:40:19,650 --> 00:40:22,253 Once a month, Dave Isay meets with what he calls 1251 00:40:22,319 --> 00:40:24,000 One Small Step's braintrust. 1252 00:40:24,000 --> 00:40:24,321 One Small Step's braintrust. 1253 00:40:24,388 --> 00:40:26,791 It includes social psychology professors 1254 00:40:26,857 --> 00:40:29,927 from Yale and Columbia, former political advisors 1255 00:40:29,994 --> 00:40:30,000 from both the right and the left-- 1256 00:40:30,000 --> 00:40:31,929 from both the right and the left-- 1257 00:40:31,996 --> 00:40:33,964 I like how you can't tell who's a Democrat 1258 00:40:34,031 --> 00:40:35,099 and who's a Republican. 1259 00:40:35,166 --> 00:40:36,000 --and pollsters who found data to support 1260 00:40:36,000 --> 00:40:37,802 --and pollsters who found data to support 1261 00:40:37,868 --> 00:40:41,872 the idea that there is an exhausted majority in America. 1262 00:40:41,939 --> 00:40:42,000 They're tired. 1263 00:40:42,000 --> 00:40:42,873 They're tired. 1264 00:40:42,940 --> 00:40:43,641 They're scared. 1265 00:40:43,707 --> 00:40:45,209 They're sick of the division, and they 1266 00:40:45,276 --> 00:40:46,610 want to figure out a way out. 1267 00:40:46,677 --> 00:40:48,000 And we've got to give them a way out. 1268 00:40:48,000 --> 00:40:49,780 And we've got to give them a way out. 1269 00:40:49,847 --> 00:40:52,550 Dave Isay makes it a point to venture outside 1270 00:40:52,616 --> 00:40:54,000 of StoryCorps' home turf on NPR to increase the project's reach. 1271 00:40:54,000 --> 00:40:56,921 of StoryCorps' home turf on NPR to increase the project's reach. 1272 00:40:56,987 --> 00:40:58,522 I have no idea what your politics are, 1273 00:40:58,589 --> 00:41:00,000 which is one of the reasons I like you 1274 00:41:00,000 --> 00:41:00,057 which is one of the reasons I like you 1275 00:41:00,124 --> 00:41:02,493 so much, because I don't think you are primarily political. 1276 00:41:02,560 --> 00:41:04,929 You're really interested in bringing people together. 1277 00:41:04,995 --> 00:41:06,000 You actively seek out media outlets 1278 00:41:06,000 --> 00:41:07,665 You actively seek out media outlets 1279 00:41:07,731 --> 00:41:11,735 that appeal to conservatives, like Tucker Carlson, Glenn Beck. 1280 00:41:11,802 --> 00:41:12,000 Yeah I think what makes One Small Step special 1281 00:41:12,000 --> 00:41:16,373 Yeah I think what makes One Small Step special 1282 00:41:16,440 --> 00:41:18,000 is that all of us believe in every cell of our body 1283 00:41:18,000 --> 00:41:21,712 is that all of us believe in every cell of our body 1284 00:41:21,779 --> 00:41:24,000 that there is a flame of good in you, whether you're liberal 1285 00:41:24,000 --> 00:41:26,851 that there is a flame of good in you, whether you're liberal 1286 00:41:26,917 --> 00:41:28,419 or whether you're conservative. 1287 00:41:28,485 --> 00:41:30,000 And our job is to fan that flame until it becomes a roaring fire. 1288 00:41:30,000 --> 00:41:32,990 And our job is to fan that flame until it becomes a roaring fire. 1289 00:41:33,057 --> 00:41:34,291 I take my hat off to Dave. 1290 00:41:34,358 --> 00:41:36,000 I think once more he's proving that he's 1291 00:41:36,000 --> 00:41:36,927 I think once more he's proving that he's 1292 00:41:36,994 --> 00:41:38,329 willing to walk the walk. 1293 00:41:38,395 --> 00:41:40,497 When you heard about the One Small Step initiative, 1294 00:41:40,564 --> 00:41:41,532 what did you think? 1295 00:41:41,599 --> 00:41:42,000 It is very, very difficult for us to hate one another when 1296 00:41:42,000 --> 00:41:47,071 It is very, very difficult for us to hate one another when 1297 00:41:47,137 --> 00:41:48,000 I'm looking you in the face and we're 1298 00:41:48,000 --> 00:41:49,039 I'm looking you in the face and we're 1299 00:41:49,106 --> 00:41:52,376 talking about what we like to cook our children for dinner 1300 00:41:52,443 --> 00:41:54,000 and we're talking about how difficult it is 1301 00:41:54,000 --> 00:41:54,311 and we're talking about how difficult it is 1302 00:41:54,378 --> 00:41:55,813 to get our babies into college. 1303 00:41:55,880 --> 00:41:56,947 It isn't an easy fix. 1304 00:41:57,014 --> 00:42:00,000 It isn't some kind of hocus-pocus, kumbaya, 1305 00:42:00,000 --> 00:42:00,317 It isn't some kind of hocus-pocus, kumbaya, 1306 00:42:00,384 --> 00:42:01,185 or it's all fine. 1307 00:42:01,252 --> 00:42:02,052 It isn't any of that. 1308 00:42:02,119 --> 00:42:03,888 He knows that. 1309 00:42:03,954 --> 00:42:05,689 But somebody gotta do something. 1310 00:42:05,756 --> 00:42:06,000 Our dream with One Small Step is that we convince the country 1311 00:42:06,000 --> 00:42:09,760 Our dream with One Small Step is that we convince the country 1312 00:42:09,827 --> 00:42:12,000 that it's our patriotic duty to see the humanity in people 1313 00:42:12,000 --> 00:42:13,097 that it's our patriotic duty to see the humanity in people 1314 00:42:13,163 --> 00:42:14,265 with whom we disagree. 1315 00:42:14,331 --> 00:42:15,733 It's going to take a lot of stories 1316 00:42:15,799 --> 00:42:17,167 to bring this country together. 1317 00:42:17,234 --> 00:42:18,000 We're banking on a bit of a miracle here. 1318 00:42:18,000 --> 00:42:19,403 We're banking on a bit of a miracle here. 1319 00:42:19,470 --> 00:42:20,738 You just don't give up. 1320 00:42:20,804 --> 00:42:22,606 [CLOCK TICKING] 1321 00:42:24,408 --> 00:42:27,578 The StoryCorps session Jason Reynolds never forgot. 1322 00:42:27,645 --> 00:42:30,000 What a gift to be allowed to watch such an incredible thing 1323 00:42:30,000 --> 00:42:30,381 What a gift to be allowed to watch such an incredible thing 1324 00:42:30,447 --> 00:42:30,881 happen. 1325 00:42:30,948 --> 00:42:32,950 At 60minutesovertime.com. 1326 00:42:36,654 --> 00:42:37,955 [CLOCK TICKING] 1327 00:42:38,022 --> 00:42:39,356 I'm Bill Whitaker. 1328 00:42:39,423 --> 00:42:42,000 We'll be back next week with another edition of 60 Minutes. 1329 00:42:42,000 --> 00:42:44,094 We'll be back next week with another edition of 60 Minutes. 1330 00:42:47,398 --> 00:42:48,000 [CLOCK TICKING] 1331 00:42:48,000 --> 00:42:48,599 [CLOCK TICKING] 1332 00:42:57,274 --> 00:42:59,743 [AUDIO LOGO]