Amanda Berry Rescuer Angel Cordero: “I did what had to be done.”

Angel Cordero. Please remember this name.

What is most important in the story that continues to unfold in Cleveland, Ohio, is the fact that three women and one child are free from a decade of captivity at the hands of accused Ariel Castro, and are trying to recover and make up for lost time. Amanda Berry’s daring escape while her captor was out buying food, led authorities to the other captive women.

In yet another development in the story, it is being reported Tuesday and Wednesday that in fact, it was another neighbor, Angel Cordero from the house across the street to where the women were being held captive, who was first on the scene, was actually the one who broke through the door, and was first to speak to Amanda Berry. He urged her to hurry before Castro returned to the house, and directed Berry to a neighbor’s house to use the phone. Cordero is also the one described as directing Charles Ramsey to another neighbor’s house to place his famous 911 call.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2321736/Angel-Cordero-Second-neighbor-claims-HE-freed-Amanda-Berry-kicking-locked-door-out.html

“In an earlier interview with local channel [sic], Mr Cordero went into a bit more detail about Ramsey’s role, saying that by the time Mr Ramsey arrived, Amanda was already ‘outside with the girl’.”

Another report omits Ramsey completely.

http://www.clickondetroit.com/news/man-helps-missing-women-escape-from-cleveland-home/-/1719418/20051968/-/9y9dgkz/-/index.html

Another story identifies Cordero as the neighbor Ramsey says he saw running to the house where the women where being held from across the street, whereupon Ramsey also ran to the house. In some of his accounts, Ramsey uses the word “we” when describing the rescue, as in “we can’t get in that way,” without specifying who else “we” was. That person, according to more recent reports, was Angel Castro.

How could the pack of media on the scene or flurry of later reports miss this important detail? In addition to Mr. Cordero being even more humble than Charles Ramsey (both downplay any heroism, Cordero also says he deserves no reward, and says he bears no grudge against Mr. Ramsey becoming acclaimed as “the” neighbor who rescued Amanda Berry), Cordero does not speak English well, relying on his niece to interpret for him in interviews. He is also reported to lack the “flamboyance” of media sensation Mr. Ramsey.

Three women are freed from a decade in captivity. One accused kidnapper, captor and rapist is being held and charged. Why worry the details over which neighbor did what, or who was first?

The reason is Angel Cordero is being overlooked by many, even being called a liar and glory seeker by some online, because of his lack of English speaking skills in front of the camera, and his humility. He was (his attitude could be changing) allowing the more outgoing Mr. Ramsey to have the spotlight. Ramsey is featured in online videos, and has his face on unauthorized t-shirts and other merchandise bearing slogans such as “Eatin Ribs & Savin White Girls” (sic) with 2,857 active listings on eBay. Hodges Cleveland, the restaurant where Ramsey works as “dish technician” is also selling t-shirts for charity.

Unless you are referring to the racehorse jockey of the same name, Angel Cordero does not have jack in his honor (yet). He does not have “American Hero” or “Angel Cordero for President” merchandise in his name. Police didn’t single him out in initial announcements on TV. People do not know who Angel Cordero is.*

Mr. Cordero’s story, and his role in the freeing of Amanda Berry deserve to be heard. His story should not be another example of how people of color go unnoticed in America.

*I see I spent too much time on this. Interviews with Cordero are now getting out. WTF. I see ABC reports Thursday, “Charles Ramsey, the neighbor who said he helped free three women from a Cleveland house of horrors, told ‘Nightline’ that another neighbor, Angel Cordero, got to Amanda Berry before him, then decided to walk away.” Ramsey refers to Cordero as “the Dominican,” who told him, “I’m not getting involved in that.” Ramsey tells Nightline, “I did what I had to do.” The men are neighbors. I hope it does not get ugly.

http://abcnews.go.com/US/amanda-berry-neighbors-dispute-rescue-details/story?id=19143927#.UYzLe5X8VFR