The Real Story Behind ‘Candyman’: Dometi Pongo’s Journey into this Urban Myth
The Origins of the Legend
Once upon a time, standing in front of a mirror and chanting "Candyman" one, "Candyman" two, "Candyman" three… was enough to send chills through the bravest participants. The tension would build with each count, hearts racing as they reached "Candyman five"—and just before that final call, many would bolt from the bathroom, overcome with fear.
A True Story Behind the Legend
Unlike other urban legends like Bloody Mary, whose name is called three times (or sometimes more, depending on local lore), the calling of Candyman has its roots in a true story. True-crime host and Chicago native Dometi Pongo dives deep into the reality behind "Candyman"—the tale of a real woman named Ruthie Mae McCoy. Ruthie Mae, who lived in Chicago’s Abbott Homes public housing, repeatedly called the police to report that someone was entering her apartment through the bathroom mirror. Due to her mental health history, her reports were dismissed as paranoid delusions, but tragically, she was later found murdered in her home.
The Film’s Inspiration
This 1987 incident inspired the 1992 "Candyman" film directed by Bernard Rose and its 2021 sequel, directed by Jordan Peele, transforming Ruthie Mae’s chilling reality into an urban legend that lives on. In his podcast, Pongo unearths the true story behind the legend, taking listeners on an unforgettable journey into the real-life roots of Candyman.
A Deeper Message
While "Candyman" is widely known as a horror film, it’s essential to consider a deeper message: when Black women speak, voice concerns, or share their experiences, they deserve to be believed. Had someone listened to Ruthie Mae McCoy and taken her seriously, who knows how her story might have unfolded? There’s a very real possibility that her life could have been saved.
The Podcast
Nicole Joseph: What’s Candyman’s back story, and what really happened? Why does it still have relevance today?
Dometi Pongo: Now those who are unfamiliar with the film, the whole lore behind this supernatural killer, the Candyman, is that if you say his name five times into a mirror, he’ll pop up and he kills whoever summons him. The backstory for this character was that he was a well-to-do Black man in the 1800s named Daniel Robitaille. He ends up getting lynched by a mob for dating a white woman.
The Myth of Candyman
Nicole Joseph: Let’s talk about the myth of "Candyman" and its parallel to the real story.
Dometi Pongo: What actually happened in real life, there was a 52-year-old Black woman named Ruthie Mae McCoy. She calls the police and says, "Somebody’s trying to come through my bathroom mirror." The dispatcher doesn’t seem to fully understand what she’s saying. Few minutes later, other people in the building call the police, reporting they hear gunshots.
The True Story Unfolds
So, the police come to her door, but they don’t open the door. They don’t break it down because the door is locked, and the building is CHA property, so the Chicago police department can’t just break down the door. It actually takes them two days before they actually get into this woman’s apartment. Despite the fact that she called the police, that neighbors called and reported gunshots, it took for her neighbor, her friend who also actually appears as a guest in the podcast, Deborah Lastly.
The Power of a Name
Nicole Joseph: What journey are you taking your listeners on as they listen to this podcast?
Dometi Pongo: So, you know, I start off just letting them know that I was the kid who was scared to watch this movie. I’m a Chicago guy. You know, the film has these cultural touch points for me. And then you find out about this woman, Ruthie May, who could be all our grandmothers, our aunties.
Conclusion
The podcast, "Candyman," is a journey into the true story behind the urban legend. It’s a story of a woman named Ruthie Mae McCoy, who was murdered in her home in 1987. The film’s inspiration came from this real-life event, and the podcast delves into the reality behind the legend. It’s a story of racism, classism, and the erasure of Black women’s experiences.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the significance of the name "Candyman"?
The name "Candyman" is significant because it has the power to evoke fear and dread. In the film, if you say his name five times into a mirror, he’ll appear and kill whoever summons him. - What is the message behind the podcast?
The message behind the podcast is that when Black women speak, voice concerns, or share their experiences, they deserve to be believed. It’s a story of racism, classism, and the erasure of Black women’s experiences. - What will listeners gain from listening to the podcast?
When you listen to this podcast, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of the murder itself, what actually happened, who was charged, and why, but also a deeper understanding of how the system of public housing led to some of what we see today in America’s communities.
