100 Objects #6: "Sharpened Screwdriver"
In this episode, Roman and historians Heather Ann Thompson and Elliot Williams tell the story of the sharpened screwdriver: the object at the heart of the 1984 Bernhard Goetz subway shooting. In a difficult moment in New York City, four Black teenagers were transformed in the public imagination into armed criminals. What follows is a
Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
Episode Object #6 100 Objects #6: “Sharpened Screwdriver” PlayPause Click to enlarge image History Category History Date 06.26.26 Producer 99PI Add to QueueRemove from QueueDownload Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Leave a Comment In this episode, Roman and historians Heather Ann Thompson and Elliot Williams tell the story of the sharpened screwdriver: the object at the heart of the 1984 Bernhard Goetz subway shooting. In a difficult moment in New York City, four Black teenagers were transformed in the public imagination into armed criminals. What follows is a gripping account of how misinformation takes hold, how fear shapes public opinion, and how one narrative can ripple outward – echoing through decades of similar cases that continue to unfold today.
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Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at 99% Invisible.
