And, in the wider sense, it is the community of black adults who should decide what happens to a black child who makes a mistake. White progressives do not need to interfere with the messages that black leaders are sending out about what needs to be done, and what needs to be demanded.
The Black Community--not just Rev. Al Sharpton, but also more moderate figures such as Rev. Jesse Jackson, Congressman John Conyers, and the NAACP--have said what they think is fair. They have expressed their understanding of the system and the situation, and they want to say what to do with this young child of theirs. All that white progressives need to do is follow the direction of the black leaders. The black leaders are the ones who can best identify with the students. The black leaders are the ones that the families’ of the black students have met with in person, to share the story with. Second-guessing the strategy of the people “in the frying pan”
Also, when a white person says that it is wrong to demand “that all charges be dropped”, that white person is judging the criminal justice system and what should be done by her own, personal integrity. She is saying, "The students deserve some small sentence, so I should go on record asking for a small sentence."
Here is the problem with that: The criminal justice system is totally unfair. And, sentencing and the law are executed as manipulative games by prosecutors. So, if the black community takes the time for 20,000 people to go down to Louisiana, and asks for "time served or 7 months", then that is their highest demand, and the system will probably negotiate them down from that, anyway.
Actually, prosecutor's almost always trump up the charges against a defendant. In this case, almost everyone agrees it was a distorted lie to have ever charged Mychal Bell with attempted murder. But, the prosecutor probably did that manipulative move partly in order to frighten the defendants into agreeing to something else. If the prosecutor can set a fake and wrong mark in the sand that overreaches, then the defendant--the weak person in the system--and his supporters need to be able to make a fake mark in the sand that overreaches. And, who is a white progressive in another part of the country to question the defendants’ right to do so?
When you are watching from the sidelines, removed, and not privy to all the history, and all the confidential information, you can not demand that the people more passionately involved-in this case the families of the students and the black leaders-act in the same way you would. You are most likely missing private information, important strategy, and the expertise of the legal team. Again, since you can’t understand everything, and you are not the person facing a long prison sentence, you should either help or get out of the way.
That is why I think that white people must understand that the white system "took" a 16 year old; the Black Community wants to propose we do and say xxxx to try to get the child back from the jaws of the racist criminal justice system. So, we should support the Black Community and say xxxx - even if that means to drop the charges. We should not consider if by asking to drop the charges, we are being too harsh on the criminal justice system, or troubling our own sensibilities about what the punishment should be.
Saying that criminal charges must be upheld, in order to teach Mychal Bell that violence is not acceptable, also assumes that he did not already learn his lesson based on what he has been through.
A white prism
It is so difficult for white people to hear accusations of racism.
I suppose that because I had recently attended a “Dismantling Racism Workshop” and happen to feel in an understanding flow about race issues, when I heard about the NAACP and thousands of people going to Jena to demand justice for the Jena 6 Students, I viewed it as a beautiful sign of support for young people caught up in the criminal justice system. It was even stated that part of the gathering was a celebration, because the appeals court had overturned the lower courts decision against Mychal Bell.
But, some white people in Jena became so reactive to the thought of all those demonstrators, they seemed convinced that the demonstrators’ presence was an indictment of their town. So, that some white people from Jena interviewed by the news seemed more interested in defending themselves as “not being racists”, than in considering the situation at hand. It is sad that the white people’s fear of being called racist is so dynamic, that it precludes those white people from hearing other important messages being communicated, such as: “We are blaming the system, not the people in the town for being racist” or “We know you are not being racist on purpose, but please help us with this subtle racism which is hurting our children.”
Though, it is not only the white people in Jena who are blinded by their abject worry to not be called racists. I believe some white progressives are tied in knots, trying to figure out which position they should take, to be sure that they are being objective and not racist. But, to truly free oneself from racism, you have to admit that, as a white person, you carry the burden of racism to some extent, because here you are in this culture, benefitting from your white privilege. And, honestly, I would say, that as a white person in our culture, it would be nearly impossible to not hold some subliminal racist stereotypes in our minds. (And, I beg you, please don’t let admitting to such baggage make you feel guilty. The situation can not bear more paralyzing feelings of shame. When we understand our white privilege and racism, we are supposed to face it and work through it.)
When you are a white person, it is so hard to examine a situation and admit that racism is a factor. If you are a white person, you don’t have to deal with discrimination and prejudice everyday, as black people do. So, it is easy to look at a situation, write a script for yourself where it is fair, and assert that racism did not happen. A lot of white progressives are trying to do this with Jena. They tell themselves something like: The 6 kids actually did beat someone up. That is violence. I don’t like violence. The kids have to be punished. There is a court to take care of it. I know I would feel the same if 6 white kids beat up a black kid. The part about racism must be made up.
If you are a white person, and you want to test to see if there is any racism involved in a situation, you will have to go to extreme measures to overcome your own training, and your own desire for racism not to exist. In order to measure if there was racism, you might try various exercises to look as objectively as possible at the situation.
For example, you could apply a “white prism” to what happened in Jena. Imagine the Jena 6 Students as white, and reverse all the other roles. Then, write or recite this new, white story. And, study these new characters and how you feel about them.
Here are some ideas about how to examine the alternate universe of “The Jena 6 Story Through A White Prism”:
Change the two students hanging nooses -which white kids did as a blanket threat to all black people-to: What if two black kids wrote a letter saying that they would “bomb the school”. How does the reaction seem different in this alternate universe, where now all the kids - even the white kids- have been threatened?
A group of black kids declare a street corner is for blacks only. They hang out whatever they think will scare away white kids. They are punished by the proper authority for putting up whatever they thought would scare away white kids.
Later a black kid is attacked a group of 7 white kids and left for dead. The attack was because he was black and the white kids did not like something he said. Then let the KKK come down and demand the release of the 7 white kids.
Now let hundreds more outsiders demand the release of the 7 white kids because they are white and some other blacks would not let whites on their corner. What do you think should be done?
The judge did the right thing here. He based his judgment on the crime not the race or outside demands for release. This is one of the few times I applaud the actions of a judge and his actions have protected the rights of minorities.
by
Gallaher (2 articles, 0 quicklinks, 2 diaries, 538 comments)
on Friday, September 28, 2007 at 5:18:21 PM
what are we telling white children? That your white so your a racist which means you can't have a whites only organization or area? If black children or other non white children feel you are not being inclusive they have a right to demand you white children include them, by force if necessary? however we black children or non white children can have no white children allowed organizations because you are a racist white child! When we become adults we can have a black caucus no whites allowed we can have black Muslim religion no whites allowed we can have all kinds of blacks only organizations no whites allowed but you white racist cant? This is becoming nonsense if white children cant congregate by themselves in one area than no black child should be allowed to do so either and if there are any black children or non whites children only clubs they should be immediately disbanded if they are on government property. we are sending white children a mixed message and sooner or later its going to create animosity. Sometimes Black people cry racism where no racism exists and then they manifest racism. is there racism in America? Yes! Are their Black racists? Yes! Should that child be charged with a crime YES! Jews suffered for four hundred years under the Egyptians should we go back and fine the Egyptians while bringing their children to account indefinitely? Groups band together for protection some band together to oppress others thieves band together to rob honest hard working people. What are we telling white children really?
by
Christopher Ruggiero (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 6 comments)
on Friday, September 28, 2007 at 9:26:47 PM
The first comment does what the article suggests: reverse the situation racially and see how you feel. Apparently that didn't help this guy. I don't like reversing the situation in this case because Bell never should have been charged with murder in the first place. This was a school matter. Blacks were attacked by whites several times before the Blacks retaliated. Are Blacks just supposed to continue to turn the other cheek indefinitely. Just because the white student was knocked unconscious whites believe that deserves criminal prosecution because it fits with their media-influence stereotype of Black men as inherently violent and savage.
The second person says white people deserve the right in a public school, that everyone pays taxes to support, to have a tree reserved just for whites. This is Jim Crow plain and simple. No one can lay claim to public space. That's why people have private property. Whites created a caste system in this country hundreds of years ago and have perpetuated its existence. Statistics on incarceration, drug arrests, racial profiling, employment, healthcare, education and the like all prove that whites are passing racism on from generation to generation. That is outside the realm of deniability. Now for whites to say that they deserve their "own" when everything in society except a few minority organizations is for them is positively ludicrous and insanely selfish. The problem with whites is that they don't see the white privilege thet get so they assume it doesn't exist. When Black History Month comes in February every year some whites decry it when the rest of the year is dedicated to all things white. It is as though whites refuse to share anything with anyone that is not white. Everything is not enough for them. They must have even more than that even thought it's not possible. Whites equate anything negative that happens to them with something positive that happens to Blacks and other US minorities. How ridiculous is that? If whites don't get into college it's because somone Black did. If they don't get a job, it's because someone Black did. Black people are the national scapegoat but we will not accept the responsibility for white personal shortcomings.
I understand perfectly fine that whites don't want their lives negatively impacted because their ancestors practiced slavery but the legacy of slavery lives on because white people and society keep teaching it to children who pass it on to their children. How fair is that to Blacks? To not have chattel slavery but still have the socioeconomic barriers to our happiness and succcess? You cannot have it both ways. Either racism must be expunged or their must be safeguards in place to ensure that Blacks are included at every junction.
In an ideal world for whites that fear Blacks, which is most of them, Blacks would stay moderately integrated with whites at a distance like now but with no rights at all and in the worst jobs with no healthcare and no education, etc. Black people want to separate from whites but all you hear about is White Flight. Blacks don't want to be around whites either, except for Clarence Thomas and Armstrong Williams. We are tired of suffering under this persistent yoke of oppression. I want and demand total geographical separation from whites.
Blacks deserve our on piece of land in this contiguous United States. We were born here and this is our home. We never got forty acres and a mule and I'm tired of working on appealing to the conscience of people that don't have one or suppress it entirely. Most whites continue to tacitly support the imperial misadventues of Bush and Cheney as well all in the name of patriotism, nothing but a euphemism for white supremacy, Manifest Destiny, nativism and exceptionalism. Being white does not make you better than anyone and until whites get that through their thick heads, nothing will change. I am not hopeful. I have gone so far as to not even have children in this country so that they don't have to be subjected to the daily racist mindset of whites and the media. Black people do not have to take this treatment and we will NOT take this treatment any longer.
There will either be equality or there will be total separation of the races. Racism is a mental problem that whites themselves have to repair individually. We will not be your whipping boys any more. If whites refuse us land, as they almost certainly will and have to this day, then expect bloodshed and much of it the longer these conditions exist. Whites don't want Black people to leave them though. They want us here so they can continue to blame us for the ills of society even though whites created this society. We will not comply and we will not continue to accept our de facto role as the boogeyman. If whites fear retaliation from Blacks then stop doing things to cause blowback, just like with Arabs. If whites fear being robbed by Blacks then stop keeping us out of good jobs and education. You will see minority crime plummet when opportunity arises. The problem for whites is breaking the cycle. How could a white man, who has been told for his entire existence that he is the epitome of civilization, ever listen to the words of a Black man that has come to represent the nadir of the same? That is white people's problem, not mine.
by
Nfamous (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 40 comments)
on Saturday, September 29, 2007 at 10:29:24 AM
Whenever a Black Marxist racist shouts bloodshed every American should be concerned! White people get that. This is what we are really talking about. Blacks feel that they can attack whites with violence because they are victims of alleged racism without retaliation. we have courts for this kind of thing that are working mind you better than ever at changing racist attitudes where it counts, in the pocket book. The U. S. military has been outstanding at drumming this in to all the branches and very successful I might add. THE WHOLE YOU OWE US Mentality is part of the problem, this gentleman is still talking about 40 acres and a mule it would really save the white tax payer a lot of money if we paid you off but first lets get to the DEDUCTIONS! Young black men apparently haven't been told that selling drugs is illegal! can we get a refund on how much racist white America is spending on housing black Drug dealers who sell drugs to their white oppressors and other black Americans? we could probably deal with more racist cases if we didn't have to deal with so many drug dealing cases. when I wake up in the morning and look at cleaning toilets or selling drugs I decide to clean the toilets until I get a promotion or can get something better. White racist America does not have a problem with the laws in place to guarantee blacks jobs in every public sector or private sector and that's been working can it work better I am sure it can. So once again can we DEDUCT for that? You wanting your land or country would only bring reality in light because then you can get third world loans from white racist America to run your country like SOME of the the other non- white countries on the planet. can we deduct for that? but lets face it if you don't ask racist white America for a loan you will ask somebody and then they will be your new oppressors. I am an outspoken advocate of REPARATIONS BUT WITH STRINGS ATTACHED. Once paid we do away with all the section eight housing, free abortions, food stamps, Wic and every other free-be handed out by White racist America this republic was never intended to be a socialist government. Now once reparations are paid can we do away with the school system we have to day and let Americans pay for their own education in private institutions? That would be way cheaper for everyone. The best thing that has happened to this country in the last twenty years is the immigration of African Nationals from countries like Nigeria and more people who practice true Islam because its been able to offset the mentality that we are are just a bunch of white devils whether we know it or not. listen, pull yourself up by your bootstraps fight for yourself legally and responsibly like all the rest of us working or middle class America. Once thing on George Bush and the Republicans, They were voted in by Christians and conservatives for very specific reasons, he and the party failed to deliver and the democrats walked backed into congress not because they were voted in but because Christians and conservatives didn't go to the polls!
P.S. the Hispanics aren't crying foul, they are to busy taking over Florida, Texas and Southern California, Black America has swiped the race card so many times that you need to replace the magnetic tape on the back of it because it isn't working anymore. If a White guy says a racist comment well fire him, If a black guy makes a racist comment he is justified because of all the years of oppression and he's like only 34. Black people don't like to be criticized in anything they do and White America is going along with it, silently. I ask the tough questions Why don't you own your neighborhood yet? Why don't you stop your young black men from selling drugs? why do you despise the people that are not black who operate business in your areas? Why wont you snitch on black criminals? I myself cannot believe how many Black people have been gunned down by Black people in Philadelphia. U.S.A. This republic is only as good as ALL of its people are doing. P.S. we cant give you land that really belongs to the American Indian their the only ones getting land, BACK. but if you save your money and get enough commitment from other blacks maybe you can BUY the land to start your own country. I'd like to see you give it a go. also for a good return I would buy stock but you have to sign over mineral rights or some assets as collateral ya know as a secured loan.
by
Christopher Ruggiero (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 6 comments)
on Saturday, September 29, 2007 at 1:21:36 PM
we have a state appeals court and a state supreme court and of course the Federal court system.
Also I am not going to say the prosecutor was overzealous or racist not when you take into consideration COLUMBINE and all these other school shootings. Teachers want tough responses to student actions and prosecutors have complied. Black people were shouting racism so loud that no one could hear the facts and when I heard the facts I thought the child was overcharged but I have some knowledge of the law.
by
Christopher Ruggiero (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 6 comments)
on Saturday, September 29, 2007 at 1:34:30 PM
Will any Black judge Please stand up and admit you
have a white supervisor. what the hell, this position paper appears to be Marxist - Leninist drivel more hell bent on undermining the Constitution of the United States than addressing Justice. you just stated that through out government Black leadership is still subjugated under White rule. That's ridiculous. Black people have had some Autonomy for centuries and total autonomy for decades how they have used it is the only thing subject for review by them if they feel its necessary but definitely not by me.
by
Christopher Ruggiero (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 6 comments)
on Sunday, September 30, 2007 at 1:46:35 AM
To those who are limited in their American Mental Process...
The commonality of Jena Louisiana High School, and Lowndes County High School in Valdosta, Georgia--without the PROTEST??????
1. IS JENA, LOUISIANA A STAND-ALONE INCIDENT OR IS THERE OTHER SMALL TOWNS ACROSS AMERICA WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS. BUT HAVE GONE UNNOTICED BY AMERICA’S WHITE DOMINATED MASS MEDIA BY SO CALLED RELIGIOUS LEADERS AND THEIR FOLLOWERS.
ALONG WITH UNJUST JUDGES, SPECIALLY SELECTED JURIES AND JURORS, SELLOUT PUBLIC DEFENDENTS UNEQUAL REPRESENTATION OF BLACKS ON TOO MANY ALL WHITE JURIES, AND MANY OTHER THINGS AMONG US IN AMERICA?
2. As a United States Armed Forces Vietnam Era Veteran. I am eternally happy for the thousands upon thousands of concerned citizens that participated in the Protest March for Justice in Jena, Louisiana on behalf of six American youths. Who could have very well been have been serving in the combat Zone of Iraq or Afghanistan with their lives on the line. So WAS JENA SIX, a stand-alone incident and limited to this small Southern Town?
3. Wait! Be cool, and read what happened at Lowndes County High School located in Valdosta, Georgia on October 3, 2002. Don’t believe me, I may be lying, so let the LINKS of TRUTH, be known and revealed for the good of our beloved Republic! PAINTED BLACK DOLLS ON A TREE: http://whiteprivilege.com/2002/10/09/doll-lynching-at-georgia-school/
4. Valdosta Black Dolls at local High School: Editorial Information/Hate crime or insensitive prank? click here
5. On the record Para. (9), Black Dolls Lynched on a Local High School Tree… (2002), Posted August 3, 2006. “A highly respected Blackman critical of Civil Rights organization, “Backs should find more important things to protest.” - MORE LINKS OF INFORMATION:
12. VALDOSTA FIFTEEN. Yes! They were arrested for addressing their City Mayor and Council on the renaming of a local public park. This arrest seems to reveal how Blacks and White Right people concerns are ignored in the 21st Century by America’s Media. Again, where were, CNN, MSNBC, and the rest of the GANG? LINK NEEDED: Valdosta Daily Times - Fifteen arrested at Valdosta City Council meeting ,
13. We are now talking about the Jena six (6), but what about perhaps the other 6,000 plus, in other small towns who are without media coverage and Godly concerns. It seem that an alien force has taken over America’s News Media Network, and soon the freedoms that Americans thought they had will be gone forever.
LASTLY: I truly love this nation and the people therein. We must understand that these problems are not just a Black Problem. But an interplanetary problem that must be addressed. Just imagine what will happen if they found space people in outer space. I bet we will unite then against them or will they destroy us because we are so divided as a people and nation?
Well, God Bless America, and everybody else… Jena 6, Jesus, Justice, Juice, Vick, and the power of Truth!
George Boston Rhynes Retired United States Veteran (Vietnam Era) A concerned citizen and brother of humanity
by
drluke4_18 (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 5 comments)
on Monday, October 1, 2007 at 9:25:08 PM
Just Six (6) insifnificant Black Bys in Louisiana-Why March?
Just Six (6), insignificant Black Boys in Louisiana----so Why March? The PRESS, rather report on O.J. Simpson, and The Hell with....
Just Six (6), insignificant Black Boys in Louisiana----so Why March? The PRESS, rather report twenty-four seven, on O.J. Simpson, Michael Vick, and The Hell with the Civil Rights Protesters!
X X X X X X
WAKE UP AMERICA! And see what is taking place before our very eyes! How much news coverage was given to the American People concerning the march in Jena, Louisiana a few days ago?
America’s Associated Press, News Media Networks reported that thousands converged on that small Louisiana town concerning the arrest of the Black Jena six (6). However, America’s news media WHITEOUT Machine, never reported the following to the American People:
1. The number of people that actually attended and participated in the march.
2. They only reported that Rev. Jackson, Al Sharpton, and one other person were in attendance as far as the civil rights leaders were concerned. When there were many other Black and White Right leaders at the march, but not reported by America's WHITEOUT Machine.
3. They totally failed to provide us with information as far as the SCLC, NAACP, PUSH, NATION OF ISLAM, National Action Network, or any other National Black or White Right Organization being at the march. We can only ask why?
4. Was former Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney at the march? And if so what if anything did she say concerning the arrest of the six children arrested?
5. Who were the major speakers at the march? Who spoke and how many speakers at the march did our News Media WHITEOUT machine show giving their speeches in defense of the SIX American students on the evening NEWS on the major NETWORKS.
6. What Speaker did they show giving their actual speech at the protest march, as is normally done at any large protest march? Americans, please wake up before it is toooo late…
7. Did they ask which presidential candidate addressed the issue of the Jena six (6), Black Students that were arrested? How could they not ask these questions of the many presidential candidates? Do they believe that Black and White Right people are afraid because of the present administration and the FOX in the hen house?
8. Why did American News Giants not ask the presidential candidate their views on the Jena six (6) issue. Was it because, Blacks are not important enough to be given equal coverage unless it is something negative. Such as the O.J. Simpson or the Michael Vick show case?
9. Did the time allotted to covering the Jena 6, protest march, equal to that FOX and others gave to the coverage of O.J. Simpson? Is O.J. Simpson more important to Blacks and White Right people than these six Black African American school students?
10. Did they not see the NAACP, Chief of Field Operations Nelson Rivers at the Protest March. He appeared on C-Span live on Washington Journal. So many Black and White Right people can say in truth the HELL with our controlled WHITEOUT media.
11. O Yes! CNN gave an hour of coverage that was the most valuable to the American People. And we must give them a little credit.
However, they too could have interviewed more of the Black and White Right Leaders in attendance. But the media believe that the majority of American people are too stupid, deaf, dumb, and blind to stand up for what is right, just, and in the best interest of our beloved Republic.
These are my views of our News Media WHITEOUT machine. However, all informed Americans must understand. That our news media has been taken over by the few, and is definitely being controlled.
Our media learned a very profound lesson from the Civil Rights struggle. That the best way to keep the American people both Black and White Right People----in check. Is for them to keep US, deaf, dumb, and blind to the times.
Yes! They have established a system to control what we SEE, SMELL, HEAR, TASTE, and FEEL. And as long as they can control our five senses. Then they can CONTROL us without us ever really knowing it. But I believe like God himself. That WE, shall know the truth and that the truth will make and set you free----as a people and nation.
Moreover, as it is written in the Volume of Sacred Law as some of US believe. That there is nothing hidden that would not be revealed. So just stay tune, and we all shall see the truth unfold before our very eyes in our time. As never before in the history of our beloved Republic.
Then White Right people will finally understand. That it may be Blacks today who gets little to no news coverage. But tomorrow the same FATE, will be AWAITING them, and it could very well SPELL the end of our FREEDOMS that we long cherished. And the founding fathers and mothers of this nation fought so hard to protect. But then again, who cares—until they are completely taken away?
GEORGE BOSTON RHYNES Retired United States Armed Forces (Vietnam Era Veteran), A Concerned Citizen and Brother of ALL Humanity!
P.S. I speak out because I hate what I see in the only nation I put my life on the line for over twenty (20) long years. But then again, who cares?
by
drluke4_18 (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 5 comments)
on Monday, October 1, 2007 at 9:28:22 PM
