James Gibson, an exoneree and Chicago police torture survivor, came to Harper and spoke about his life experience after being wrongfully convicted and incarcerated for 29 years. The Harbinger hosted this event on April 15th from 1 pm-2:30 pm in Building D (D195) with co-sponsorship from the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (ODEI) and Social Justice Studies (SJS).
Harbinger Co-Editor-in-Chiefs, Tori Malek and Hector Rodriguez, gave a short presentation and played a video montage touching on Gibson’s wrongful conviction and how Gibson fell victim to the torture of Jon Burge, a former Chicago Police Department (CPD) detective. Burge and his network of officers, referred to as the “midnight crew” were notorious for using torture to force false confessions from black suspects in custody.
Journalism Assistant Professor Maham Khan, interviewed Gibson and asked varying questions such as: What does resilience look like? What did you do to mentally and emotionally survive during that time? Is the world just?
After being sentenced to life in prison for a crime he didn’t commit, Gibson explained he spent his time connecting with God and reading. He read anything he could get his hands on to better understand the law and U.S. Constitution to fight for his freedom.
Gibson was exonerated in 2019 just before the COVID-19 pandemic swept the nation. As he has adjusted to life outside of prison, Gibson has since dedicated his time fighting for truth and uncovering the flaws of the justice system.
Rowan Blake, a student studying game design, was recommended by a teacher to attend this event and felt moved after hearing Gibson’s story.
“I came here with my class under my professor’s suggestion,” Blake said. “I didn’t know what was going on or what to expect. All I knew was that we were going to listen to a man who spent 29 years in prison discuss his entire experience.”
“I was impressed we invited a speaker like this to Harper,” Blake continued. “He was very active throughout his talk and didn’t want anyone to feel somber. Overall, it was a really good, eye opening experience.”
Blake shed light on the importance of guest speakers and hosting events like this one.
“It’s important to expose students to major issues that they tend to shy away from. It’s also a good way for them to get more involved,” Blake said. “I know it can be difficult to do your own research, which is why it’s important we continue to have more guest speakers at Harper.”
During the Q&A session current Student Trustee, Adekunbi Aransiola, came to the mic to ask Gibson about his future.
“I asked him about his dreams and what he wanted to see come out of all the work he’s put in,” Aransiola said. “His response was of the laws changing around incarceration because of his work.”
Aransiola stated that he had many takeaways from the program. But one that wouldn’t leave him: “Cling on to whatever you have left in your life. Because you might find yourself in a situation where it’s the only thing you have,” he explained.
At the end of the event, Gibson shared how April is a very special month for him. Not only was it the month he was released from prison, but the event was held in dedication to Clara Gibson, Gibson’s late mother who passed April 15th while he was still falsely imprisoned.
In her honor, Gibson played the song he wrote for her titled “Mama, Can You Hear Me?” and left the nearly 65 audience members teary-eyed and touched by the music.
“Pain is knowledge and knowledge is pain,” Gibson said. “Treat someone the way you want to be treated.”
For future Harper events, check out the Events Calendar and stay posted on The Harbinger’s Instagram @harbstudentnews.
