INTRODUCTION TO WGS

EXTRA CREDIT: ABACUS AND STATES OF EXCEPTION

Doc/Film: ABACUS: Small Enough to Jail. This film is available via PBS. For the film, go to: https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/film/abacus/

After watching Abacus, discuss the following (in essay form; 2pgs):

1. In what key ways was Abacus Bank and the Sung Family made exceptions to the protections of the law (Identify several key issues/methods/processes)? Consider how differently they were treated in relation to other banks.

1. The film illustrates the ways that immigrant communities are particularly vulnerable to the winds of politics, particularly the politics of predatory politicians, such as Cyrus Vance, Jr. (who continues as the District Attorney of NYC).

1. How do such cases impact relations between these communities and the state, its authorities, or the "law," whether it be the police, the prosecutors, and/or government officials of any kind?

1. Such prosecutions are assumedly pursued in the name of "protecting" the immigrant community that the institution (i.e. Abacus Bank) services. Do such cases protect the community and/or reduce crime within those communities?

1. How has the film changed how you understand the justice system and American "law"?