#rita isbell

[thoughtportal]

This is an as-told-to essay based on a conversation with Rita Isbell, the sister of Errol Lindsey, one of Jeffrey Dahmer's victims. Isbell's emotional victim impact statement, delivered in court at the 1992 sentencing, was recreated in Netflix's new show, "Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story." The essay has been edited for length and clarity. 

When I found out I could read a victim impact statement, I knew I was going to let Jeffrey Dahmer have it. I just didn't know what I was going to say.

I hadn't written anything down. If I had, I would've torn it up anyway. It wouldn't have gotten read. That was my first time ever being in front of him. Whatever I thought I was going to say, that didn't happen. It all just came out in the moment.

My plans were to get up there and say how it made my mother feel and what it did to her and all this other stuff. But no, when I got in front of his face it was a whole new ball game. I recognized evil. I was face-to-face with pure evil.

I wasn't scared. That's not me at all. I never had a scared bone in my body. I believe he knew that too. And then I was angry because he wouldn't look at me.

The reason why I said what I said during that impact statement was because, during the trial, they were portraying him as being so out of control he couldn't stop himself. But you have to be in control in order to do the things that he was doing. You have to very much be in control.

So that's why I said: "Let me show you what out of control is. This is out of control." I was out of body. I wasn't myself in that moment.

Whatever I had on the inside, I let it out. I didn't hold it in and later say: "Oh, I wish I had said or done this when I had the opportunity to." And I think I was speaking for a lot of the other family members of the victims.

The officers that pulled me away were really nice to me. They asked me if I needed water. I told them I had a headache and they offered me painkillers. They were understanding. And then right after that we went outside the courtroom and there were all these news people just rushing me. I didn't even have time to get it together.

I don't need to watch it, I lived it

When I saw some of the show, it bothered me, especially when I saw myself — when I saw my name come across the screen and this lady saying verbatim exactly what I said.

If I didn't know any better, I would've thought it was me. Her hair was like mine, she had on the same clothes. That's why it felt like reliving it all over again. It brought back all the emotions I was feeling back then.

I was never contacted about the show. I feel like Netflix should've asked if we mind or how we felt about making it. They didn't ask me anything. They just did it.

But I'm not money hungry, and that's what this show is about, Netflix trying to get paid.

I could even understand it if they gave some of the money to the victims' children. Not necessarily their families. I mean, I'm old. I'm very, very comfortable. But the victims have children and grandchildren. If the show benefited them in some way, it wouldn't feel so harsh and careless.

It's sad that they're just making money off of this tragedy. That's just greed.

The episode with me was the only part I saw. I didn't watch the whole show. I don't need to watch it. I lived it. I know exactly what happened.

Now I can talk about it without as much anger

That anger stuck with me for a long time. I didn't have the wisdom back then that I have now. But I had to make this stuff make sense and deal with it. I had younger children to provide for and protect. I still had to go to work every day.

As time goes by, I can handle just about anything. I still have a life. I still have my health. I have children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren. It's something that over the years I had to come to terms with.

Now I can talk about anything. I don't want to walk away from answers, questions, my opinions, how I feel, any of that stuff, especially if I can help. If what I say can help somebody else, even myself, then yes.

The show bringing up old feelings did hurt, but it also benefits me. I benefit from it because I can deal with it differently today than I did in the past. I can talk about it with not as much anger.

I'm still learning how to forgive, even if I don't understand, and keep on with my life. I can't change other people or things that have happened. I can only change myself.

My brother was a dad and grandfather

Errol's always going to be alive in my spirit. And then his daughter. I have to keep him alive so I can talk about him to her.

The positive thing to come out of this is that the world didn't know that my brother had any children. That has never been discussed to the public, but he had gotten someone pregnant before his death. Today, she's exactly 31 years old, and this happened 31 years ago.

It's not about me anymore, it's about her. So when they mention my name, I'm going to always refer to her, Tatiana Banks: Errol Lindsey's daughter. And now, he even has a granddaughter, too.

When I think of my brother, I think of how he was such a goofball, and I think he's going to appreciate the fact that I'm still standing for him until my last breath. He knows that I'm still here for him.

Netflix did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.

Disclosure: Mathias Döpfner, CEO of Business Insider's parent company, Axel Springer, is a Netflix board member.

[dippyface]

The reason why I said what I said during that impact statement was because, during the trial, they were portraying him as being so out of control he couldn't stop himself. But you have to be in control in order to do the things that he was doing. You have to very much be in control.

--

When I saw some of the show, it bothered me, especially when I saw myself — when I saw my name come across the screen and this lady saying verbatim exactly what I said. 

If I didn't know any better, I would've thought it was me. Her hair was like mine, she had on the same clothes. That's why it felt like reliving it all over again. It brought back all the emotions I was feeling back then.

I was never contacted about the show. I feel like Netflix should've asked if we mind or how we felt about making it. They didn't ask me anything. They just did it.

[john-marshall]

people really calling rita isbell homophobic for shitting on dahmer. i’d get if dahmer just like, went on a few dates with her brother but guys. dahmer ate her brother. leave her alone

[sportsclipsandentertainment]

Jeffrey Dahmer victims families speak in court. Rita Isbell 😳🤯

[thegeekx]

Jeffrey Dahmer's 17 victims and what we knew about them

Jeffrey Dahmer’s 17 victims and what we knew about them

Netflix show “Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story” producers said the goal of the film was to tell the victims’ stories and not provide Dahmer’s point of view. But the 10-episode series spends little time with anyone besides Dahmer. That focus has led to criticism of the show, both from media outlets and from family members of the victims. Rita Isbell, sister of victim Errol Lindsey, told…

[yashit0009]

My Thoughts on "Dahmer" - A (Rant) Essay (3)

What makes me even angrier is the way that people even then handled it. The police who went over to the apartment building saw the man who did all this, saw the 14-YEAR-OLD CHILD, bleeding, barely being able to put words together, butt naked, clearly intoxicated CHILD, and just gave him back to Dahmer. Just gave this helpless child back to a grown-ass man who y’all know DAMN WELL knew what the fuck he was doing and just let him take this child back. There is no happy ending for him. There is no happy ending for the family. And no not one fucking child’s life did this monster steal but TWO. TWO FUCKING CHILDREN. As I said, They do not care. They didn’t care then and they still don't now and it’s fucking disgusting. Jeffery Dahmer deserves NO sympathy whatsoever. Jeffery Dahmer knew what the fuck he was doing and he has no excuse. The police who ignored all the calls have no excuse. The police that handed this disgusting human being back that child have no excuse. There is no feeling bad for Jeffery Dahmer. Jeffery Dahmer knew EXACTLY what he was doing when he chose to kill mostly people of color. People of color who were low class, and who the police neglected when they needed them most. He. Has. No. Excuse. There should be no people making excuses for this monster either. As a person of color, I am angry. And even though I am this angry now I am not even close to how these families feel right now or even how they felt at the moment they were told what happened to their loved one. I am nowhere near that level. Rita Isbell. Her brother, Errol Lindsey was murdered by Dahmer. She says, “I feel like Netflix should’ve asked if we mind or how we felt about making it. They didn’t ask me anything. They just did it, but I’m not money hungry, and that’s what this show is about Netflix trying to get paid.” Perfectly said. Such a shame that a multi-million-dollar company needs to make tragedy into entertainment. They are simply careless. Eric Perry, Errol’s cousin, says the show disregarded the pain of the victim’s families. Perry says “I’m not telling anyone what to watch, I know true crime media is huge rn, but if you’re actually curious about the victims, my family (the Isbell’s) are pissed about this show. It’s retraumatizing over and over again, and for what? How many movies/shows/documentaries do we need?” Shirley Hughes. Her son, Tony Hughes was a victim of Dahmer. She says in an interview with E News, “It didn’t happen like that.” “I don’t see how they can do that, I don’t see how they can use our names and put stuff out like that out there.” Tony was 31 years old when he was killed. Tony was deaf and non-vocal and in the show, “DAHMER -Monster: The Jeffery Dahmer Story”, his death was shown in episode 6, titled “Silence.” It shouldn’t be “The Jeffery Dahmer Story.” It should be about Tony Hughes. About Curtis Straughter. About Anthony Sears. About Ernest Miller. About Errol Lindsey. About Jamie Doxtator. About Joseph Bradehoft. About Richard Guerrero. About Oliver Lacy. About Konerak Sinthasomphone. About Edward Smith. About David Thomas. About Matt Turner. About Jeremy Weinberger. About Anthony Hughes. About Ricky Beeks. About Steven Tuomi. This should not be Jeffery Dahmer’s story. Why is it not about them? Why not the families? Why center a story around a monster? Because they do not care. Simple as that. 

[gossipify]

Jeffrey Dahmer victim's sister complains about Netflix series: "Just Greed"

Jeffrey Dahmer victim’s sister complains about Netflix series: “Just Greed”

Rita Isbell, sister of Errol Lindsey, one of Jeffrey Dahmer’s victims, is outraged by the series “Dahmer: An American Cannibal” on Netflix. She said she was never contacted by the filmmakers. “I feel like Netflix should have asked us if we cared or how we would feel. They didn’t ask me for anything. They just did,” she told Insider. Isbell explained that he wouldn’t need any financial…

[cyarskj1899]

Netflix's 'Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story' Deserves The Backlash

"From their actions and the content, it's clear this show was not for the victims, it was for views."

Last week, Netflix quietly released Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story, a series about notorious serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer. Between 1978 and 1991, Dahmer murdered 17 men and boys, the majority of whom were queer and Black or Brown. The 10-part series focuses on Dahmer’s upbringing, trial, and narrative of the vulnerable victims he groomed and manipulated.

I believe this series is pointless and futhermore, hurtful. No new perspectives or interviews from those directly impacted (who this production claims it intended to prioritize) were included. In line with my own concerns, the series has received backlash because its necessity is in question. 

The series further desensitizes viewers to a serial killer by compacting the story, making it inaccurate.  

“Given [Ryan] Murphy’s history of disrespecting the LGBTQ+ community, it was irresponsible to allow him to produce Dahmer.”

The co-creator of the series, Ryan Murphy, has been repeatedly critiqued for how he narrates gay storylines. For the second-ever episode Pose, he was slammed for centering the story around Black gay men’s trauma. His musical The Prom was also called distasteful for curating the scene of a teenager being bullied for ‘coming out’ as goofy. Murphy was also called out for American Horror Story: Hotel for showing a gay character being gruesomely sexually assaulted. Murphy, who is gay, is usually unresponsive to the criticism but when he does address horrific scenes, he justifies them. With the American Horror Story: Hotel scene in particular, in an interview with Entertainment Weekly, he said that it was supposed to represent the “terror and that hold that [addiction] has over people.” Ryan Murphy seems to believe grisly scenes add value to his story-telling. It’s a part of his brand and what differentiates him from other writers. 

The series also made it appear as if Dahmer’s choice of men was coincidental—but it wasn’t. 

The first several episodes revolve around the killer’s childhood and his inability to adapt to society. As a result, he’s in between low-end employment and can only afford an apartment in a Black neighborhood in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. In episode five, a Black detective questions Dahmer about purposely moving to an ‘under patrolled and underserved’ community, ‘targeting’ his victims to get away with crime easily. The series portrays Dahmer as shocked that it was an accusation. He said, “It was just about if I thought they were beautiful,” and that the apartment was “all he could afford.” 

When you look at the historical context though, it can be perceived that Dahmer consciously targeted queer men of color and Black men. 

“Black gay men were an especially vulnerable group during this era.”

In the 1980s, there was a 49 percent increase in Black people living in poverty across cities in the United States from “Reagan’s Recession.” In addition to the economic crisis, the HIV/ AIDS epidemic was flaring. It was commonly referred to as the  “gay mans disease” and stigmatized the gay community. Black gay men were an especially vulnerable group during this era. Dahmer would seduce gay men by offering them money for photographs. Dahmer did not address this background, which provides more insight as to why Dahmer’s victims might have considered going with him. That background would have personified his victims more, but it’s clear this series wasn’t for them—or their loved ones.   

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The series was created without the consent of the victims’ families. The viral scene of Rita Isbell, the sister of Errol Lindsay, delivering her victim impact statement was accurate in its re-creation. Yet, Isbell had no idea the film was being produced. “When I saw some of the show, it bothered me, especially when I saw myself — when I saw my name come across the screen and this lady saying verbatim exactly what I said,” she told Insider. 

Netflix did not consider how chilling it would be for the victims’ families to see heart-wrenching memories turned into entertainment. They were too worried about “getting paid,” Isbell also said to Insider. 

“From their actions and the content, it’s clear this show was not for the victims, it was for views.”

Dahmer did attempt to address some aspects of the political and social climate at the time. It shows Milwaukee police ignoring the calls of Dahmer’s neighbor, Glenda Cleveland and law enforcement dismissing a victim’s Laotian American family. It also shows the military giving Dahmer a slap on the wrist when two men accused him of sexual assault while he was in the military. While these moments were approached with care and accuracy, they are juxtaposed with attempts to humanize the killer. That choice dismisses the impact of his actions. 

We should not be desensitized to the pain Dahmer caused because the story has acclaimed actors and flashy production. How and why podcasts, films, docuseries and more media continue to sensationalize Jeffrey Dahmer is disheartening. True crime is popular, and Netflx’s audience demands it—but this show’s approach is inappropriate and irresponsible. It is marketed as a project that focuses on “centering victims and unsung heros.” Meanwhile, the victims’ families were not notified of its production nor asked to participate. Netflix turned real-life murders into content. From their actions and the content, it’s clear this show was not for the victims, it was for views.

Officer Who Killed Atatiana Jefferson Charged with Murder

[mimelord1]

Netflixs Jeffrey Dahmer Series Gets Slammed By the Family of Another One of His Victims

Netflix’s Jeffrey Dahmer Series Gets Slammed By the Family of Another One of His Victims https://ift.tt/RTbOCAZ The hits keep on coming for Netflix’s Jeffrey Dahmer series. Shirley Hughes, whose son Tony Hughes was murdered by notorious serial killer Dahmer in May 1991, has joined the chorus of detractors of Ryan Murphy‘s series DAHMER – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story, which hit the streamer last month.  On how the show, which stars Evan Peters as the killer, depicted her son’s murder, Shirley, 85, told The Guardian, “It didn’t happen like that.” “I don’t see how they can do that,” she continued. “I don’t see how they can use our names and put stuff out like that out there.” Tony, who was deaf and non-vocal, is played by Rodney Burford in DAHMER‘s sixth episode, titled “Silence.” He was 31 years old at the time of his murder. Shirley’s concerns echo criticism levied at the show by Rita Isbell, whose 19-year-old brother Errol Lindsey was murdered by Dahmer in April 1991. “I feel like Netflix should’ve asked if we mind or how we felt about making it. They didn’t ask me anything. They just did it,” Rita told Insider Sept. 25. “But I’m not money hungry, and that’s what this show is about, Netflix trying to get paid.” The post Netflix’s Jeffrey Dahmer Series Gets Slammed By the Family of Another One of His Victims first appeared on Suave Media. Tags and categories: Uncategorized via WordPress https://ift.tt/3TG9MIp October 13, 2022 at 10:17PM

[parttimereporter]

A family member of one of Jeffrey Dahmer’s victims is publicly speaking out against the Netflix hit show..

In an essay for Insider, Errol Lindsey’s sister Rita Isbell felt that Netflix should have asked for their thoughts on the project. Instead, she feels like “they’re just making money off of this tragedy. That’s just greed.”

MORE..

“When I saw some of the show, it bothered me, especially when I saw myself — when I saw my name come across the screen and this lady saying verbatim exactly what I said.

If I didn’t know any better, I would’ve thought it was me. Her hair was like mine, she had on the same clothes. That’s why it felt like reliving it all over again. It brought back all the emotions I was feeling back then.

I was never contacted about the show. I feel like Netflix should’ve asked if we mind or how we felt about making it. They didn’t ask me anything. They just did it.”

[shewhotellsstories]

[sephirajo]

Netflix’s Dahmer - Monster Makes Me Uncomfortable - And Not in the Way the Authors Intended

So, I watched and finished Netflix’s “revolutionary” crime drama and I’m going to have to stop them right there.  The only thing really revolutionary about this crime drama is how they claimed to be supporting victims stories, while apparently not having asked for permission in order to add some of the more explosive memories everyone has from the ‘91 trial peppered in near the end to keep people watching.

Note, I’m not upset at the women who played Rita Isbell, she did a good job with what is an older sister breaking down in the face her brother’s killer, a scene really only added to be bombastic as several other less famous victim statements exist, some of whom I’m sure would have given permission for this, if asked.  This is, sadly, a side effect of a public trial, all of these victim statements are public record and with that permission isn’t a legal requirement.  Only a desire to put the pain of others on display.

Dahmer is in living memory, we had just moved in to my family’s first house when the case broke all over, and living in Minnesota we heard about it over and over, jokes made their way around my school as a way for a bunch of ten year olds to deal with what they were hearing every night on the news. And those statements are ones that not only do quite a few of us alive today still remember but weren’t even really necessary to show on screen for the story the REST of the series is trying to tell.

The rest of the series actually does do something I haven’t seen more than a handful of times, it lays the blame where it belongs, on racism and police incompetence and willingness to believe a white man over a black woman. It covers Rev. Jesse Jackson going to Milwaukee, it focused more than lightly on Glenda Cleveland, another thing I haven’t seen done outside a documentary.  The episode “Silenced” is another amazing stand out, being from the point of view of Tony, one of Dahmer’s victims.  A deaf, black, gay man in Milwaukee in the 90s and focuses on his community and trying to connect in a hearing world.  Then, that itself seems ruined as he’s dangled in front of Dahmer as hope at redemption, a soulmate, someone he could have bonded with before Dahmer does what Dahmer did. If only the other victims got more attention.

That aside there’s details I hadn’t heard before, one I’m sure is a change which... um why when you have so many young men to choose from would you have to add someone who lived in the Oxford Apartments?  Unless I’m misremembering, that didn’t happen.  Also a claim that Dahmer was digging up and sleeping with recently deceased men from the neighborhood, now, I admit I don’t know every detail of the case or how cemeteries in Milwaukee are, but I do think that would have been something that had come up in any other doc before if there was any evidence of it, which I can’t see how there wouldn’t be. Graves are not easily dug up.  It is not easily hidden, especially if, like the show has someone claim, he was doing it more than just once or twice.  I get making changes to a true story when putting it to screen because real life is messy and our brains can’t process it with the ease we do a good story, but it seems really disrespectful on top of everything else for the writers to do.

I don’t doubt they think they were telling all the victims stories, but I’m going to leave you with this news segment I found from a local Milwaukee news station:

Milwaukee LGBTQIA+ Community reacts to Jeffrey DHamer Netflix Series

[krispyweiss]

Quarter Notes: Blurbs & Briefs from Sound Bites

FAMED NYC DJ RITA HOUSTON DIES: WFUV program director and on-air personality Rita Houston died Dec. 15 after a long battle with cancer, the station said, adding that “listeners ... regarded her as their radio friend.”

One of them was a “gutted” Rosanne Cash.

“(Houston) boosted so many musicians, and was a beam of light on WFUV and everywhere she went,” Cash tweeted.

A GRATEFUL SURPRISE IS COMING: “Bake a 10-minute break into your schedule,” reads a post on the Grateful Dead’s socials that promises a “Dead thank you” on the band’s YouTube channel at Noon, Eastern Dec. 17.

JASON ISBELL AND THE 12/31 UNIT: Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit will play a livestream New Year’s Eve concert from Nashville beginning at 9 p.m. Eastern. Ticketing info here.

QUESTLOVE FILM TO PREMIERE AT SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL: Questlove’s directorial debut, “Summer of Soul (…Or When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised),” will debut at the virtual 2021 Sundance Film Festival, Rolling Stone reports. The movie tells the story of the 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival, known as “the Black Woodstock.”

12/15/20

[scarletnews]

Sister of Jeffrey Dahmer victim Errol Lindsey slams Netflix's reenactment of courtroom breakdown

Sister of Jeffrey Dahmer victim Errol Lindsey slams Netflix’s reenactment of courtroom breakdown

Rita Isbell, the sister of Errol Lindsey – who was 19 when he was brutally killed by Dahmer – has blasted the ‘greedy’ platform for ‘making money off of this tragedy’