Racism, Hatred and Southern Justice are alive and well in Jena, Louisiana
Etan Thomas and Dave Zirin want you to know about a modern-day lynching.
by Etan Thomas and Dave Zirin
“Outsiders need to stay away.”
That’s what Billy Fowler of the school board in Jena, Louisiana, said about those who have raised concerns about the sentencing imposed on six African American boys — aged 15-17 — facing 100 years in prison.
Outsiders are always what people in the South have called those who challenge racism. But the story of Jena is not an outsider/insider story. It’s a story about the worst tradition of what is known as Southern Justice. And like in the days of Jim Crow, it’s a story where any shades of gray matter far less than black and white.
The issue by now has become well known: discussed on CNN and in the pages of USA Today. At Jena High School, a black student received permission from school authorities to sit underneath what was known as “the white tree” (remarkable that he felt he had to ask!). The next day, in retribution, three nooses hung from the branches, threats that they would soon be harvesting “strange fruit.”
In protest, black students collectively decided to sit under the tree. This a bold and beautiful act in the spirit of the best traditions of the ’60s. They refused to comply with racist terror, even when those threats are as drastic as being lynched for simply not staying in your place.
And just like in the old South, the state made clear which side it was on. The town DA, Reid Walters, actually had the audacity to threaten only the black students, telling them that he had the power to ruin their lives with the stroke of his pen if they continued to make trouble.
Tensions escalated over the course of the semester. Two black students were beaten by a white student while another group of black students were threatened with a shotgun by a former classmate. Surprisingly, none of the white students or former students were punished in any way for these incidents.
But the following Monday when a white student was beaten up by six black classmates, they were immediately arrested and charged with attempted murder and conspiracy to commit murder, charges that would put them in jail for 100 years without parole. The Jena 6 ranges in age from 15-17. The white student spent three hours in a hospital emergency room and required no further medical care.
Mychall Bell was the first student tried. He was represented by a public defender that called no witness, and was quickly convicted by an all white jury, white judge, and now faces up to 22 years in prison.
Recently, in response to a public outcry about the case, prosecutors have announced that charges against Shaw and Jones had been reduced to lesser felonies. But the need to be heard on this continues. Two other students, Robert Bailey Jr. and Bryant Purvis, still await trial for attempted murder. Bell’s conviction has been allowed to stand even though the judge ruled he had been improperly convicted in an adult court when he should have been tried as a juvenile. Shaw and Jones still face years in prison.
As Billy Hunter, the head of the National Basketball Player’s association, said, “The situation in Jena, Louisiana is abominable and rotten to the core. The actions of the District Attorney demonstrate that racism and bigotry are live and well in Jena. As a former U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of California and Assistant Chief in the S.F. District Attorney’s Office, it is my opinion that the District Attorney’s has severely overcharged the case revealing his bias against the six black Jena youth. His actions should serve as a wake-up call for all Americans who believe in an impartial and fair criminal justice system.”
This is a case that should outrage any individual regardless of the color of their skin. When the justice system can be a direct symbol of racism, injustice and terror, the very moral fiber of our society is threatened. This is not a time for neutrality. Insiders and so-called outsiders will be marching in Jena on September 20th. We will also be circulating a statement in the world of sports for those who choose to support the efforts to have the charges against the Jena 6 dismissed.
The simple truth is that when it comes to issues of basic justice, there are no such thing as “outsiders.”
Etan Thomas is a center for the Washington Wizards and a columnist for SLAMonline.com. You can order Etan’s book “More Than An Athlete” on amazon.com here and through his publisher here. Dave Zirin is a columnist for SLAM, a regular contributor to The Nation, and a regular op-ed writer for the Los Angeles Times. Find out more about Dave here.
100 Responses to “Racism, Hatred and Southern Justice are alive and well in Jena, Louisiana”
Sep.19 at 12:11 pm
Myles Brown says:
Bravo, fellas. SLAMonline has now given as much attention to this travesty as all of the national media combined. Apparently OJ is more important. And Michael Vick.
Sep.19 at 12:11 pm
Goody says:
Black Thursday babyboy. Nice piece Etan and Dave. You Rock!
Sep.19 at 12:11 pm
Jake Appleman says:
That’s the most horrifying thing I’ve read in a long time
Sep.19 at 12:23 pm
Ryan Jones says:
Dave, I still need to get you up to the PA farm country for a book reading. Holla.
Sep.19 at 12:31 pm
Mo Charlo says:
Etan Thomas needs to write more often. Thank you for bringing more light on this awful occurrence.
Sep.19 at 12:33 pm
OneShot says:
I know the true abolition of racism is really a generational process, but i thought at least enough progress hade been made that intstutionalised racism and/or racism in institutions would not be tolerated at any level. To hear about something like this makes me sick, but i know greater awareness of these issues is still needed to combat them and i respect this site all the more for it’s humanitarism as well as its basketball coverage.
Sep.19 at 12:33 pm
Adrian says:
I would say it makes me glad I’m not American, except for the fact that similar racism exists in my country as well. Well written piece Etan and Dave. Horrible story.
Sep.19 at 12:34 pm
Adrian says:
Not, of course, to imply that all Americans are racist. Just sad that this type of thing not just exists, but is still so institutionalised, even in so called “developed” nations.
Sep.19 at 12:37 pm
H to the izzo says:
Adrian:I’m confused,where is you country?
This story is beyond ridiculous.
Sep.19 at 12:38 pm
Cheryl says:
The Justice Department needs to look into this case, like yesterday. This kid’s been in jail since last December, I think? For those who’re always protesting that racism is so yesterday–you need to recognize. Beneath the surface or in your face, it still is prevalent and the fight is so not over.
Sep.19 at 12:42 pm
DennLive says:
Great piece. Serves it’s purpose in getting the message to the masses. I’ve been following thsi story for sometime now and to see it pick to where is it now at the forefront in the minds of many is promising. Mos Def recently went down there to protest and raise awareness. But still more people need to get the message, namely the DA and officals responsible. Either way good job on this piece.
Sep.19 at 12:45 pm
Steve O says:
I read about this awhile ago and signed a petition online. I’m glad to see SLAM get the word out there. I’m ashamed to live in a country where sh*t like this still happens.
Sep.19 at 12:46 pm
white hot eboy says:
Cheryl lives! There are so many parts of the south NOBODY would want to accidentally walk into. 2007 and this bullsh*t still goes on. It’s fuc*ing ridiculous. Props to SLAM for giving the story life in a different forum where diversified opinions can be voiced.
Sep.19 at 12:49 pm
Adrian says:
Izzo - Australia.
Sep.19 at 12:50 pm
H to the izzo says:
I was watching a show recently where three white guys went into the deep south with trucks.They wrote slogans like “Hilary 08′” “Gays are good” and “Equality for all” on the trucks.Within an hour they were threatened to be beaten twice.
Sep.19 at 1:00 pm
Isaiah Thomas says:
This is for all those people who like to say “racism doesn’t exist anymore”. Thanks.
Sep.19 at 1:08 pm
Kihwan says:
http://www.colorofchange.org/jena/
Sep.19 at 1:17 pm
sush carter says:
its wild that our federal government is so bent on meddling in affairs overseas and totally blind to such acts of domestic oppression. bush is down with the school board. myles brown had it right…it appears that mainsteam media is focused on issues such as britney’s iq and marc ecko buying barry bonds’ 756 ball to keep us from waking up to the real sh*t thats going on around us. good work etan.
Sep.19 at 1:20 pm
phunkykarma says:
It’s just horrible.
Sep.19 at 1:23 pm
Reggie Evans says:
Tried to talk to one of co-workers about this. Of course, all he wanted to talk about was O.J. Simpson. Sigh.
Sep.19 at 1:42 pm
Tara says:
Things like this shouldn’t happen today. For everyone who can’t make it to the march on the 20th, there is a nationwide protest being organized. If you have facebook, here’s a link:
http://hs.facebook.com/event.php?eid=4732653977 Basically, people are being asked to wear green that day, representing growth to surpass hate.
Sep.19 at 1:51 pm
Rubens says:
a shame, man… my heart will be at Jena on september 20th
Sep.19 at 1:54 pm
Tarzan Cooper says:
i am not surprised. the $hitstem has been like this for a long time. people have to realize that the government is not looking out for them, unless you are a lobbyist with a suitcase full of cash. they rally round the family, with their pockets full of shells……
Sep.19 at 1:59 pm
phunkykarma says:
I’m european and ihave to say it gives a horrible image of the USA. I just hope it won’t happen anywhere in the States or elsewhere.
Sep.19 at 2:22 pm
Mo Charlo says:
Tarzan quoted Rage Against the Machine. If there were a SLAM poster drinking game (and there should be) we would all be drinking right now.
Sep.19 at 2:27 pm
Phil B says:
this whole country is messed up. i live in portland, but have family in the south, so i’m down there a bit too. the only place i have ever experienced racism (not towards me, as i’m white, but towards a friend) was in portland. but portland is pretty much the whitest major city in the US. i believe it was mr. bonzi wells who commented how weird it was when he got here.
Sep.19 at 2:31 pm
Reggie Evans says:
Some of those that work DA’s offices, are the same that burn crosses
Sep.19 at 2:53 pm
Sko says:
Thank you SLAM crew, for putting this out there
Sep.19 at 3:01 pm
Sko says:
Oh and SLAM fam, yes generally, one of you has Chris Paul’s phone # right? seems as though, as much as you and others have spotlighted him as a person who is bringing a certain, let us say ‘class’ back to the L, and as he is largely the face of the L in LA, maybe somebody should ask him what he thinks, and what he plans to do…
discuss
Sep.19 at 3:03 pm
Luke says:
take it to the aclu!
Sep.19 at 3:15 pm
Dennard says:
I am going to try my best to go Jena tomorrow. This is bullsh*t! That DA knows it and anybody in their right mind knows it. For all indignation about things going on in the sports world, sh*t like this is what everybody should be raising cane about.
Sep.19 at 3:35 pm
RM # 0 says:
That is seriously f*cked up, I’m from Europe but I’m 100 % serious when I say the rest of the USA (and the world) should boycott Jena.
Just like they did with South-Africa in the apartheid era.
Sep.19 at 3:45 pm
JonR says:
phunkykarma, I wouldn’t be so condescending, European crowds continue to taunt African players with monkey imitations and vile racist chants and taunts and Nazi salutes at nearly every football venue in Europe.
Sep.19 at 4:00 pm
drew says:
This incident is an absolute travesty and I am glad that this is getting some attention. However, I don’t like the term “Southern Justice” in the title. Let’s not pretend that racism only happens in the south. This is still a nationwide problem and could have happened anywhere.
Sep.19 at 4:16 pm
Jed says:
I first heard about this case from an ESPN article several weeks ago. I then read twelve or thirteen articles about the case and several of them had a different interpertation about some of the events described above. I am not saying nothing bad happened, but google “the Jena 6″ and read several accounts of what happened.
Sep.19 at 4:16 pm
Hoop Dreamz says:
Makes me wonder if there are other cases like this going on right now that aren’t getting the same amount of publicity
Sep.19 at 4:22 pm
Tarzan Cooper says:
unfortunately hoop dreamz, that is very likely
Sep.19 at 4:41 pm
the Birdman says:
This sort of thing goes on far more that we realize. As a Sociology major I knw there are literally hundreads of current case studies detailing events such as these. Racism is not dead and happens everyday - in some places more than others. We should all wake up and realize that theses are not problems that have been put to bed. These issues deserve our ongoing attention. Only through grassroots and individual changes in attitude and perceptions can hope to make a difference. The media can bring up events like these every so often and people will be shocked, but true change only comes about by the actions of the people.
Sep.19 at 4:46 pm
Tarzan Cooper says:
birdman, what actions should people take in order to change racist peoples’ minds? you can preach to the choir all day and not change anything.
Sep.19 at 5:23 pm
Jukai says:
You CAN’T end racism. It’s pointless to try. You just have to punish those who commit these awful hate crimes. That white kid who beat up those two black kids should be tried for attempted murder as well.
Sep.19 at 5:30 pm
Dutch Rich says:
Thanks for bringing this to light guys.
Been thinking about the American race issue since yesterday as I’ve been witnessing some weirdness around my office.
My office is located in the heart of Manhattan and we have a studio space that we rent out to Photographers and corporations from time to time.
This week we are renting for an ad shoot for a knitwear baby hat company, so on monday they had 144 babies coming through for the casting for pretty much all races.
Anyone who’s familiar with this process knows that the parent or caretaker must provide the child’s info which will then be accompanied by a polaroid taken during the casting.
Yesterday was the prep day where they decide which babies to use, and which outfits to match.
Client, creatives and marketing referred to all the kids by their name, except when they mentioned the black boy. Say word!!!!
So lil’ Karen would be wearing the Azur hat with the pink shirt and Timmy will wear such and such and “the Black Boy” is gonna wear so and so.
I was absolutely amazed by this and then when I heard the word Chickenhead in the conversation I damn near stormed downstairs to go buckwild on these crackers. Lol
As I analyzed the situation I realized that they were referring to a hat with some kind of chicken design called the chicken hat. Nevertheless, for me the mood was set.
As I’m turning this into a laughing matter, they’re not quite lynching black babies, I do feel that it reveals this underlying tone of political incorrectness, ignorance.
I think we’re all guilty of summing up individuals by their race for the sake of humor. But these people were conducting serious matters and at no point did it occur to them
how bad it came across to the Black people they are renting from.
Some things will never change.
Sep.19 at 6:00 pm
Rob says:
I agree with everything said in this article. I must, however, make one commment. The DA’s threat to, “ruin their lives with the stroke of his pen if they continued to make trouble,” was made to an assembly of the entire student body. Not just the black students. The black students felt the District Attorney directed this threat to them and he may have, but I think this should be made more clear when discussing this topic. There are two more facts that should be mentioned in this story. First, the town and the school let these fights continue for quite some time. Allowing matters to escalate beyond repair before taking any action. Second, the school was burned to the ground in November. Has the town of Jena handled this situation horribly and with underlying rascism, yes. Should these kids be tried for murder, no. However, something drastic needed to be done before the entire town was burned to the ground. For the complete time line:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=12353776
Sep.19 at 6:04 pm
the Birdman says:
Tarzan, I’m not preaching to the choir - why would anyone take the devil’s advocate role in this conversation. All I’m saying is that to initiate change, we can talk about it all we want, and we can hear about it in the media and say how terrible it is, but we need more that. It can start with yourself:
When someone makes a racist comment of joke - don’t laugh, tell them its not cool.
If you have a chance to talk about racial issues with someone - do it.
Set a good example for others through your actions
Spread messages that work to break down the stereotypes society encourages. Its better than saying that it will never change and things will always be the same, isn’t it? Why should we be content to settle for the status quo?
Sep.19 at 6:12 pm
d.Y. says:
nice. i’m hoping this can eventually get enough mainstream steam to be noticed. i’m a bit heartbroken by this whole situation. in the last few years, i’ve seen tremendous growth in youth around the country of many different backgrounds, and have been enamored with how they see more similarities in each other than my generation did (does?). this just reinforces a belief that the law is not for the protection or benefit of the poor and minority.
Sep.19 at 6:32 pm
Eoin says:
Man I feel so ignorant but I had assumed that stories of institutionalised racism like this were a thing of the past.I guess not.It’s just hard to say anything that adequately sums up how awful this story is.I’d just like to say thank you to the Slam staff for highlighting this.If I didn’t live a few thousand miles away, I’d be trying to be there tomorrow.Good luck to anyone going to the demonstration!
Sep.19 at 7:09 pm
Kuldip says:
racism sucks im punjabi this is a smaller thing but still theres alot of racism to brown guys were better then the other guys in ball they dont give us enuf play tim eon teams racisms messed up
Sep.19 at 7:11 pm
NoName says:
Etan and Dave, I missed your piece on the hate crime committed in Long Beach, CA. The race-based beating, the race-based witness intimitation, the race-based cover up, and finally the inequality in the courtroom. It seemed like a really important conversation to be having but none of the usual speakers picked up on it. Seems like a good basis for another piece.
Sep.19 at 7:18 pm
morris says:
i believe that SLAM is doing the right thing, letting people as fellow americans that racism is still alive in the south and aslong as it it alive we as people are selves have to fight it, and also what is happening to others just because of their cultures/heritage..
Sep.19 at 7:49 pm
IllyPhilly6 says:
Yes it is a tragedy in the sense that white kids seemingly get away with the crimes (although not on the same magnitude) that the black kids committed. But the law should be looked at independently with each seperate case. 6 kids beating up 1 kid is more heinous than 1 kid beating up 2 kids. From a physical standpoint, it’s more serious than having nooses tied to a tree as a sign of racial bigotry. And it’s equally damaging from a psychological standpoint by being threatened with shotgun.
I’m not condoning the behaviour of the white students but at the same time just because a group of people committed rotten crimes doesen’t mean it’s acceptable for the victimized group to retaliate in similar fashion at a much higher magnitude. The sentence does fit the crime. The fact that you need six people to beat one person up is a golden example of cowardice and it’s sad to see Billy Hunter question the legal system that is remarkably soft on youth. The white kids should have been charged with their respective crimes but you can’t make an excuse for the crime the Jena 6 committed either.
Sep.19 at 7:50 pm
Adrian says:
Sure the abolition of racism is a lengthy process that cannot and will not happen with the snap of a finger or signing of a new law. However, we as the people are enlightened as to short a distance we have come, and how far we have to go, when we can’t even count on a DA, who is suppossed to apply and uphold the law in a just and equitable manner, to act in a nondiscriminatory manner. We’re not talking about an average Joe Blow here, we’re talking about someone who has a doctorate degree in law, and a high powered position as a government prosecutor. These people should be held to a higher standard, and if the system doesn’t have procedures in place to weed out such racists, then shame on our government, and shame on our county. We should all be tired of listening to all the “freedom” propaganda that the government pumps out to us and the world. We are no different than the problems that exists in many other countries, only in that we act like we’ve solved them, when in actuality, we haven’t, NOR are we interested in solving them. We’re only interested in talking and fronting and acting like we have, are trying to, or will.
Sep.19 at 7:58 pm
bigmike407 says:
Quick question: Why weren’t the kids who put the nooses up not charged with a federal hate crime? This is not even discussed anywhere, and this is a tragedy by itself. Those kids are being railroaded down there, and something tells me if they physically harmed a black kid, it would be seen as ‘youthful indiscretion’ and they’d get a slap on the wrist.
Sep.19 at 7:58 pm
Jukai says:
I’ll agree with LilyPhilly6 here, to a point. The kids who went and took their frustrations out on one kid certainly deserve a harsh punishment. They shouldn’t get off the hook because the opposite side wasn’t punished, more so that the opposite side should be punished now. Another question I have here, who started the fight in BOTH situations… did this one white kid start beating the crap out of the two black kids, or was it mutually started? Same question, did these six black kids pick a random white kid to beat the hell out of, or did this white kid have something to do with the racist situation? SlamOnline made it out to be a much more black and white issue (excuse the pun) then some other media outlets are making it out to be, but chances are I’m not getting the whole story with the latter.
Sep.19 at 8:05 pm
ER says:
thats crazy- my U.S. history teacher read us a news article about this today.
Sep.19 at 8:12 pm
Jukai says:
It’s not really that crazy, ER. It’s front page news.
Sep.19 at 8:29 pm
JJ says:
I hear a lot of “institutionalized racism” and yes it exists and yes it is tragic and wrong. I hear very few condemnations of what the “Jena 6” did. Six boys savagely beat one boy unconscious. Why the selective discriminatory outrage? While ranting against racism many of you reveal your own. Try them as juveniles for assault and let the punishment fit the crime.
Sep.19 at 8:51 pm
Adam says:
Thanks to Etan and Dave for bringing this to my attention. I come from the same land as Adrian, and unfortunately, prejudice and racism still exist here, although not to the extent of Jena. This is an incredibly sad story, and one that the world needs to hear. I will concede that what the Jena 6 did deserves punishment, but everyone must concede that the six were driven to make a statement by the actions of those around them. It was the wrong statement, but perhaps the only one that would bring to light the major issues surrounding this, and I’m sure, many other American towns.
Sep.19 at 9:12 pm
jj says:
like kanye said …… “RACISIM STILL ALIVE, THEY JUST BE CONCEALIN IT”. And while I think Etan would’ve probably worded that in a better way (gramatically speaking), it’s the truth. I live in Argentina, and here, racism is very much alive. Not against african american people, but rather people from neighbouring countries. But it’s the same. Shameful that the King died for this exact cause DECADES ago, and still some people haven’t learned. And we’re talking about Kids here. Exactly the point where things should begin to change. But nah… I’m really very dissapointed. Not with the US as a nation. This happens everywhere. I’m dissapointed with humanity itself… shameful shameful shameful
Sep.19 at 10:19 pm
Paul says:
…….. What is wrong with people who wish to remain to themselves or amongst there own kind for whatever reason? Maybe its jocks, or nerds, religion, or the color of one’s skin that causes a particular group to feel a commonality. This is a free country and people have the right to congregate any way they choose. I am sure the black students at this school had an area of the school where they liked to be amongst themselves, and I am sure that area was respected. Its been like that at every school I have ever attended. Yet, I cannot imagine a white student insisting on being in a place he is not wanted. You never hear about about a white person complaining about exclusion from black people. Yet, that is exactly what the black student who insisted that he must be allowed under THAT particular tree did. He did it simply to stir things up and create an incident. While the justice handed the black hooligans who almost killed that white kid was harsh, they should not be compared to rosa parks or defended either. They should be punished as juveniles.
The fact of the matter is that most racial incidents these days are caused by black people forcing themselves into places where people don’t want them. Ask any white person if they would want to live in a predominantly black neighborhood. Of course they don’t… Any property agent will tell you off the record that property values go down when more black people move in. Ask any white parent if they would want their son or daughter to date or marry a black person. Of course they don’t. Ask any white person if they would want their child to attend a predominantly black school. Of course they don’t. Ask any white person if they wish slavery or poverty on black people. Of course they don’t! Their is a big difference between not wanting to socialize or live next to someone, and wishing bad things on them. To me, this incident in Jena is just a microcosm of the real world. You have white kids wanting to be amongst themselves. You have black kids insisting on being included. The white kids resent the fact they can’t just be left alone. The black kids resent the fact the white kids don’t want to be around them.
Sep.19 at 10:48 pm
Paul says:
So many people on this board miss the point. The hate goes both ways, but the violence was only perpetrated upon this one white kid. Whatever frustration or anger these kids were feeling, their decision to take to violence is not defendable. Hanging a noose is insensitive and mean. It offends, and warrants a school suspension or dismissal, but it is not an illegal act. Beating someone is an illegal act. See the difference? Perhaps the DA in this case was making a misguided attempt to teach that lesson. Whatever dislike you may have in your heart, you cannot physically harm someone.
Sep.20 at 12:22 am
Jabba says:
@ Jukai and IllyPhilly While I would never disagree that the crimes are heinous, do you really think they warrant attempted murder charges? The white kid was in the hospital for 3 hours. Doesn’t make it seem like he had the type of life-threatening injuries that result from attempted murder, does it? That’s why Jukai’s suggestion that the white kids “should be tried for attempted murder as well” is ridiculous. The assailants in both fights should be charged with assault or aggravated assault, at most. The decision by the DA to charge the black kids with attempted murder is racist. The decision not to prosecute the white assailants or the white hate crime offenders is also racist. But let’s not completely ruin kids’ lives over actions that their parents probably would have condoned. Charges of attempted murder as simply not called for.
Sep.20 at 1:07 am
snepman says:
Whenever we read something like this here in europe, we say “only in america”.
Let’s hope we never have to say this again.
Sep.20 at 2:41 am
Holly MacKenzie says:
Paul, while you may feel this way, while certain places may be like this, I do not appreciate nor agree with your attempt to simplify the problem of racism by generalizing the feelings of people according to their race. Of course you are entitled to your opinion, as am I, but when you spit out words generalizing how I as well as anyone else who wears my skin color feels, we have a problem. As long as we are willing to categorize the feelings/wants/expectations of people by the color of their skin, then yes, racism is alive, because that is racism. I grew up in such a small town the only color was white. While I have not experienced racism personally, obviously, I am aware of its existence. For you to speak for me, based solely on the color of my porcelain skin, I cannot accept that. Furthermore, I will not accept that. Are you going to say that by standing up instead of slinking back, that I am trying to stir up trouble? Kind of like the black boy who decided he wasn’t going to take any more of the unspoken, unwritten racism that was being blatantly thrown in his face? To say that he was trying only to stir up trouble is to be unable to look past the initial action and see what this boy really was doing. You say he should not be compared to Ms. Rosa Parks…why not? You seem to think that it was just a tree, no big deal. Well, think back to Ms. Rosa Parks. In her day, it was just a seat on a bus, no big deal either. When you have freedom from birth you do not have to think of these things as being a big deal. It is when you have to stand up and fight for the same things that others have without incident that it becomes a big deal, and rightfully so. If she was willing to adhere to the expected norm of giving up her seat on that crowded, hot bus so many years ago where would we be now? Without these brave actions of those whom are unafraid to make waves, we as people and more importantly as a society are not challenged to look inside ourselves and see how we are acting. Without these acts of defiance against the “norm” (or, what these white students were trying to make out to be their norm), would we be able to re-evaluate our situation? Look outside ourselves and see the bigger picture? Would we have the opportunity to grasp hold of these precious opportunities for change? No, we would not. We would not because we would become complacent with the way things were, and assume that is how they should be.
While I cannot aruge with you on the legal basis of who moved the fight from a physical representation of racism to actual physicality –because I am not familiar with the eyes of the law- I will continue to argue against your simple rationale of why racism exists. To say that any white person would not want their son or daughter to marry someone who is black? I am proof that is not the case. I am also proof that just because you may grow up in a town with only one race, or that you may be in your teens before you even have the chance to experience diversity first hand, it does not mean that you will want your world divided by black and white rather than lived out in color. If you were to ask my mother if she wanted me to go to a predominantly black school she would look you in the eye and tell you she wanted me to go to the best school, simple as that. To suggest that “Their(sic) is a big difference between not wanting to socialize or live next to someone, and wishing bad things on them.” is to suggest that white people do not want to live in a world with black people. This, sadly, is true for certain people and certain towns but, to trivialize this horrible occurrence of injustice as a microcosm of the real world is to join in on the problem and create another one, that being one of ignorance. By failing to try and learn from this example of what is wrong in the world we are falling back rather than stepping up to the plate. To simplify this situation is to undermine its importance. I completely understand the reasoning behind thinking we should figure out why racism exists before we try to stop it, but ultimately, the attempts to simplify it to make it easy to understand comes secondary to what we are supposed to do to stop this from happening again. To quote Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” To quote him again, “You must stand for something or you will fall for anything”. Perhaps that is what this young, brave boy was thinking when he stood under the tree. Perhaps, he was forgetting the color of his skin and the expectation of how he should act and in choosing to stand for something, he chose to be brave. I am in no way, shape or form endorsing the violence that went on between all of these boys regardless of color. I am saying that we should not be blaming, instead we should be looking inside ourselves and trying to educate first the adults, and then our children, so one day there doesn’t have to be this unnecessary violence, or for children to have to be the brave ones, standing up to injustice in their own schoolyard.
Sep.20 at 2:46 am
Lang Whitaker says:
what she said.
Sep.20 at 3:17 am
bruchu says:
Big fan of both Etan and Zirin. Just this past week, a noose was found hanging outside of the Maryland’s black cultural affairs office building. You cannot deny nor dismiss the racial undertones of the Jena story. To do so is to completely ignore the past 400 years of American history in which the single most divisive issue was race relations.
Sep.20 at 5:42 am
Holly MacKenzie says:
http://www.colorofchange.org/jena/
Sep.20 at 8:35 am
white hot eboy says:
See, I knew I didn’t want to f*ck with Holly. Stand strong, lady.
Sep.20 at 9:27 am
Hisham says:
Wow, on top of this thread it says 65 comments, but it read like 165.. it’s good to see that issues like these spark intelligent discussions. That alone should be something of a light at the end of the tunnel right? I don’t think racism will ever completely disappear, but that is no excuse to ever stop trying to make it disappear. Keep trying to enlighten people wherever it goes on. I should become a preacher!
Sep.20 at 9:27 am
Hisham says:
Hi, eboy
Sep.20 at 9:37 am
Hisham says:
oh, and paul? you are absolutely as ignorant as it gets.. more than half of my friends are “mixed”, black/white, asian/white, latin/white, and i am half arab half white.. i may not live in the USA, but i don’t think that’s the point. i think/hope that you speak for a very small minority of white people.
Sep.20 at 9:54 am
white hot eboy says:
Hi, my little camel jockey. Hey it’s a new day right? Gil is the frontman today. Things have to be less tense around here.
Sep.20 at 9:59 am
white hot eboy says:
Seriously Hisham, I know a lot of different people, and yeah, racism is alive and well in this country. It sucks the biggest di*k, but like it’s been said on this board, it’s hard to get rid of something so hurtful when people can’t move past the ignorance that feeds it.
Sep.20 at 10:32 am
eric says:
Attempted murder? No, it wasn’t, but hate crime? It sure was. The kid was attacked because of his race, no one seems to be bringing that up. If 6 white kids had jumped a black kid, they would be facing hate crime charges no doubt. Is racism alive? Sure it is, and it goes both ways kids.
Sep.20 at 11:19 am
Kihwan says:
It’s sad that there are people who think like Paul in this world. To me he’s basically saying, “hey, accept your place in society, stay in line, and shut the f*ck up.” I can’t imagine where we would be as a society if more people thought this way.
BTW, thank you Holly for your thoughts.
Sep.20 at 11:40 am
IllyPhilly6 says:
@ Jabba just because a person stays in a hospital for 3 hours dosen’t mean that the charges should be lessned to assault. A person pointing a gun and firing at someone and missing also constitudes attempted murder charges does it not? From a psychological standpoint I’m sure the one kid being beaten by six people probably reasonably feared for his life which is why the DA pursued attempted murder charges. From a legal perspective forget color/ race, treat each case independent of each other. A crime is a crime, the media is sensationalizing the fact that since the white kids weren’t charged, the black kids also should be absolved of criminal responsibility. No it doesen’t work that way, the black kids got the punishement they deserved, and the white kids SHOULD also be held accountable for their respective actions as well.
We can just make the argument that for every crime a white person commmitted and got away with, for every crime a black person committed and was caught; isn’t that racist as well? No these things happen everywhere. Am I denying instutionalized racism? No but my main point is that it’s equally disturbing to see the 6 kids who beat up the 1 kid, are made out to be the victims.
The Code of Hammurabi, “Eye for an Eye” shows the primitive way of thinking of these individuals. Don’t tell me they don’t have a HR department in the entire state of Lousiana they could’ve filed a civilized complaint to.
Sep.20 at 11:45 am
Chris O says:
Just read in an article that the schoolboard cut down the tree that sparked this thing. How symbolic is that? The tree is cut down but the roots still run deep.
Props to SLAM for running this important story.
Sep.20 at 1:00 pm
Hisham says:
a thing to consider: when i was about 14, i was pretty blatantly confronted with racism.. when that happens to you, a total adrenaline shock of disbelief and anger starts to rage through you.. that night, i completely scratched up the dudes car with my keys. And i’ve never been in a fight, or acted agressively in any way. what i’m trying to say is, being the victim of racist hate will make you do crazy things. i don’t condone what these kids have done, and o do believe they should be charged (though not with attempted murder imo) and punished. i’m just saying what they did was very understandable.
Sep.20 at 1:02 pm
Hisham says:
and charge the white kids too, dammit!!
Sep.20 at 1:21 pm
Mo Daddy says:
attempted murder for 6 kids for beating up one black boy. how do we know that these kids werent just standing around and watching the fight? no matter, i dont condone any of them for fighting, because its the most primitive method of problem solving(actually i dont think its ever really solved them). however when u look at the facts of the case, it screams out racism. blatant, in your face bigotry. no way around it. and quite honestly racism exists in ever race, which is sad, its just that one race is always in power so they always have the upper hand. illyphilly6, have u ever been to an emergency room? u wait 2 and a half hours beofre u are even seen. which gives the kid a half hour to be checked up. if he was relesased the same day(which he was) there is no way he could have sustained life threatening injuries.
Sep.20 at 1:23 pm
Mo Daddy says:
the DA should be forced to step down and disbarred for life. his incompetency is ridiculous.
Sep.20 at 1:28 pm
Hisham says:
mo daddy, it’s the other way around. 1 white kid got beat up by six black kids
Sep.20 at 2:17 pm
Kihwan says:
“just because a person stays in a hospital for 3 hours dosen’t mean that the charges should be lessned to assault.” IllyPhilly, you’re right that this doesn’t mean the charges should be lessened. But attempted murder?? If a person stays at a hospital for 3 hours, then is released, and goes out to a social event later on that same evening, wouldn’t this indicate that this person’s injuries were not life-threatening? Therefore, I don’t understand how a reasonable person could view this crime as attempted muder. The Jena 6 should be charged with a crime, because they definitely committed one. But attempted murder? Seems over the top to me.
Sep.20 at 3:25 pm
d.Y. says:
I think the big deal is the degree of the charges. It’s something that constantly occurs with poor and minority populations. The prison industrial complex needs new workers all the time to do jobs that large corporations don’t want to pay Mexicans for. That’s why sentences in drug violations are higher for drugs commonly used by poor folk than “designer” drugs like coke. There is no parity in our legal system, and that’s why a number of people want to see charges against these white kids on some tit for tat. I don’t think it needs to go so far. As painful as this situation is, one thing to remember is that these are all kids, even the white ones. They’re learning serious lessons that we all go through to a degree. I had racial issues in high school and I know I’ve been in some scraps because of that. This was a heated situation that was allowed to go down by the school, police and community. It came to a logical ending, and rather than allowing that lesson happen for those white kids, all of a sudden the law wants to blow the whistle on some knick bavetta. When you push someone long enough, they are gonna eventually push back. A whuppin will learn you. This situation was allowed to boil over for so long that the eventual climax was a SERIOUS whuppin, but still just a fight. Oh and Holly, that last post of yours was excellent. Got to the heart of what I think has been stirred up in a number of folks. And yo Paul, while I disagreed with most of your comments, I would have been more willing to listen (read) if now for your reliance on anecdotes and absolutes as apparent evidence. As it was, your unfounded generalizations made it hard to finish. Remember, if I only need one example to disprove your theory, it’s probably an argument that needs more research.
Sep.20 at 6:56 pm
Allenp says:
Paul ignored the gun pulled on black kids and the fact that a black kids was beaten at a party by white kids. But yeah, hanging nooses from a tree is an appropriate response for black kids inquiring about sitting under a tree. What I find funny is that all the black people in Jena say racism is a problem and almost all of the white people say it’s no big deal. That’s the America we all live in.
Sep.20 at 10:36 pm
Ben Osborne says:
I’m glad Holly is on the SLAM team.
Sep.21 at 2:10 am
Sesa says:
I can’t believed that there’s no white man that actually stand up to the african-american in Jena.
and I also don’t believe that The President of USA didn’t do anything about this, oh wait! My bad, the current president is George Bush.
Sep.21 at 3:30 am
Noname says:
Just because he only spent 3 hours in a hospital, doesn’t mean their intent wasn’t to murder him. Folks fail to do things all the time. Sometimes you and 5 close friends intend to murder someone, to the point that he has to go to the hospital, but afterward you find out you failed. Doesn’t mean you and your 5 friends didn’t INTEND to murder him.
Sep.21 at 3:15 pm
NoName says:
Is there a reason, that in the section outlining the races of all the folks in court, you chose to omit that the public defender who you accuse of calling no witnesses, was black? Did that not fit your narrative? Maybe he didn’t call any witnesses because these 6 kids, including this Bell who was already on probation for assault, are very guilty of this heinous crime and there was no witness who could help make the case otherwise? Or is that not a possible reality? The more I read about this case, I’m becoming more and more disappointed with the modern civil rights movement everyday. Taking up the cause of violent thugs (yes, being thrice sentenced for assault makes one a thug) and using tactics ranging from lies of omission to outright lies to make their case: For shame.
Sep.21 at 4:00 pm
Allenp says:
No Name, are you saying that if a black person is involved racism can’t be factor? that because the public defender, a position that is often staffed by incompetents, was black, well this whole thing was no big deal. And you mentioned Bell’s convictions, but what were the other “thugs” convicted of? Because if I remember correctly there were six boys charged with attempted murder. Did you miss that, or did it not fit your narrative? For shame.
Sep.21 at 4:10 pm
IllyPhilly6 says:
Thank you NoName!! Regardless of how long you stay in an emergency room it dosen’t mean that the mens rea of the 6 kids was not to kill him. By getting 6 kids to beat up 1 kid just shows what a bunch of cowards these kids are, and shows that they wanted to do some damage. So if it was not to kill this 1 kid, why else would you need 6 people to beat up one kid? Robbery wasn’t mentioned as a motive for the assault so i’m guessing the DA built a solid case for attempted murder. By being harsh on youth, it sets the precedent and thereby acts as a deterrent not only to black kids but all juvenile deliquents of every color in America. So again it’s outrageous that Billy Hunter and Etan Thomas make this an issue of race. It’s preposterous that the six kids are the victims in this situation. Vigilantism is a very dated way of bringing justice. I reassert the fact that the white kids need to be punished; which is the spark of this debate but it does not excuse the actions of the Jena 6. Unless you tell me another motive as to why you need 6 people to “randomly” beat up one kid while considering the circumstance of the already tense situation, the charges to the accused are just.
Sep.21 at 4:59 pm
d.Y. says:
that, no name, is my big gripe with western culture. lots of blaming and labeling (ironic considering your moniker), rather than finding out why high school kids have violent pasts and attempting to deal with it (jail does not count as dealing, only exacerbating things). Nothing makes someone a thug. situations make one violent. this problem, on all sides, is that the community in jena allowed this to go on, to the point where the national community had to get involved. i thought heads were christian in this country. i’m not, but love your neighbor like you love yourself is a good concept for any belief system.
Sep.22 at 10:43 am
The Best Yet says:
Big up to Holly for putting Paul in his little place. I’m ashamed to share the same name with a total moron. I’m a black Caribbean male living in Europe and although cries of racism are usually heard from the US, its no different in the Netherlands. As young as America is, it has more influence than it can handle. Before I moved to Europe my father always made comments and statements regarding the issue of race and I would always get upset having not grown up around it (thinking it was dead). Now that I live in Europe, the Netherlands for that matter, I can saidly say that racism is more than alive and kicking. I read posts on this site often now and alot of what I read usually turns into a racial matter. That by itself turns me as well as some others off, but it is still important to see how the responses to those comments develop. As much as people dont want to admit racism or being racist themselves, we all have it in us. I spend 98% of my time around white people and i’m fine with it. Would I like to see more blacks in my school or in my surroundings? Sure!
Another thing, a lot of words that are constantly used in the entertainment industy (ex. b!tche, N-word) need to stop. America does not seem to realize that outside countries pick up on all the do, don’t know the purpose behind it, but use it regardless. For that reason, I have Dutchies and Germans referring to me as ‘Boy’, ‘Hommie’ and the dreaded N-word. Words I dont even use amongst my black friends or allow them to use towards me. Although they MIGHT know the origin of the word, they have no clue of the power such a word has. Those boys shouldnt have beaten the one by his lonesome. But think about it. 6 on 1 and only 3hrs in the hospital, obviously they weren’t trying to end this person’s life. If it were a common Caribbean mele, that guy would be on life support if so lucky. 15-17yr olds don’t need to be tried as adults, nor for murder. IllyPhilly6, Jukai and Paul: wise up, by the solution not the problem. We, as the world’s people, should be about progression and challenging the status quo. This case is ridiculous as is Isaiah Thomas.
Sep.22 at 11:23 am
IllyPhilly6 says:
It’s people like you that inadvertantly perpetuate youth crime, which in turn lead to more serious crimes (although what can be more serious than aggravated assault?). It’s sad to say you share the same non-chalant attitude as most judges in let’s say Canada. Your “Boys will be Boys” reasoning is the problem that young kids need to learn there is acceptable way of acting. If the legal system was hard on the white kids as well im sure the black kids would have thought twice before beating up the one white kid.
But i guess just becasue the kid only spent 3 hours in the emergency room despite the fact that he was all bloodied and brused on his face; i guess 2 months of community service would be sufficient right??? That will really teach kids not to act cowardly and to really fight fair. Ironically your soft thinking is the problem not the solution.
Sep.22 at 12:55 pm
d.Y. says:
boys will be boys? what the hell? i don’t even like the idea of that phrase. i perpetuate youth crime? that doesn’t sound sensible. my day gig involves dealing with at risk and imprisoned youth. i can attest through my own experience and statistical data, that my philosophies have helped keep youth from committing crimes. soft thinking? your idea of “punishment” is not stern or balanced, it is uninformed and does not work. years of evidence points to that. our prisons do not deter or rehabilitate, they merely provide large corporations with free labor. maybe that sounds crazy because it may be new information. i guess the news found britney spears’ fatness a more important topic. i don’t see how you consider these kids cowardly. i mean, the situation with the shotgun alone showed that the law was not interested in protecting these kids, so where do you go from there? i don’t want to harp on white or middle class people, but often the people making arguments such as yours, have never had to deal with the fact that the law often does not protect the poor and minority. i have been unfairly harassed, jailed, and had guns drawn on me by the police (and i’m MAD lightskinded), so when i’m in trouble, my first thought is not to call the police. yours may be, but i hope you can understand that many americans live very different lives from you.
Sep.22 at 3:05 pm
The New Wilt says:
I LOVE HOLLY
Sep.23 at 1:49 pm
canadiandude says:
I’m just looking at this not taking who’s white and who’s black into account, whenever a 6 on 1 beatdown takes place to the extent that a guy is put in the hospital, all the cowards who ganged up on the one guy should be in a jail for a long time. If you do have a problem with a guy, at least have the balls to go one on one, or better yet, be a real man and walk away.
Sep.25 at 7:35 pm
Brett Moran says:
well i first of all was looking for info on racism about Jena6 for my english class at CAT high school in San Francisco i fould this and i think it explains alot of how racism is still existing in the united states even in the court of law…
im very disapointed about this.and i feel that they need to give a break to the students know as the jena 6. i hope they dont get 20+ years in prision from jumping some kids yet the kids who hung the nooses dont get in any troble. that is a buch of bs if u ask me.
Sep.26 at 3:29 am
zzmobar says:
This Jena 6 case has really become an emotional topic. I wonder if the whole situation could have been avoided if the original three people who hung the nooses would have stayed expelled. That was a horrible decision by the school board to let them back in school. Things simmered and escalated out of control from there. Its all blatant stupidity. Having said that, as far whether or not the Jena6 are innocent. They did beat the kid up pretty good. You cannot deny that. I really wish the situation would not be happening, period. This is a very legit case of race problems. Unlike what Donovan McNabb was talking about last week. Donovan quit crying wolf! When you are making 100 million and you stink, people have every right to criticize you. When you throw 4 touchdowns and pass for 390 yards, people are going to say Donovan! holy cow! You are the greatest! I want you on my fantasy team! and then they’ll follow that up with Drew Brees you stink! and you are killing my team! 4 interceptions and 1 fumble last night. I need to remove you from my team, asap! Donovan I don’t know what you were trying to say last week. When you are making 100 million, people are going to hold you to a higher standard. If you let your game do the talking, the criticism goes away. Football is a “what have you done for me lately,” sport. It sucks to be a wealthy ball player. A-Rod has gone through very bad times in New York, but not this year. He let his game do the talking and it shuts people up. I am sure there are plenty of people across America who would trade their career with Donovan’s if they could. Although, I don’t wish being a QB in Philly on anybody. Maybe being a 3rd string backup holding a clip board would be cool. Donovan, when you cry wolf, all you do is cheapen the legit cases of racism that seriously need to be looked at. Don’t worry, I am sick of Brett Favre QB praise, too! I think most people are.
Sep.27 at 12:49 am
john says:
your wrong they should be tried and hung if it were white kids beat up a black kid the blacks would be screaming race and the white kids would go to jail forever jessie jackson goes down there says the boys should be freed come on they tried to kill the poor kid but cause hes white its ok but if it was a black that got beat up jesse jackson would get the nooses himself that guy is a joke hes king racist treat all fair and may justice prevail
Sep.27 at 1:39 pm
Ericka says:
The only way to receive justice in Jena and America is by affecting pockets. As long as we continue to fund systems that enslave, we can never expect to make progress. If we really want world wide attention, then we should boycott Louisiana. Louisiana is known for tourism especially during Mardi Gras. We could make an impact if we boycott all tourism in LA until justice occurs in Jena. It would be more powerful if Americans would protest during Mardi Gras instead of part-taking in the festivities. I for one will forsake going to the 2008 American Chemical Society meeting in New Orleans to show my outrage toward the racist judicial and executive systems within Louisiana. Does anyone else have ideas on how we can boycott the LA? We are often told of how ruthless strict Islamic and/or communist governments are for not caring to have sanctions lifted from their country that were placed in response to human rights abuses. Let’s see if LA cares enough? The only reason we can choose any seat on the bus in the South is because the bus boycott touch pockets- the nature of our capitalist nation.
Feb.15 at 12:24 pm
brandon says:
Does no one else see that none of this would have happened if the black individual had not been trying to spark contoveresy from the start.1 white guy beat up 2 black guys, so it took 6 blacks to beat down one white. it sounds like the locals may just be against gang violence.