I am a white woman. This article is my perspective on the Jena 6 Students and their plight.
In one of the progressive organizations that I belong to, we have been having heated discussions about the Jena 6 Students. Our first press release, and the majority reaction, includes agreement in our organization to join the chorus of voices demanding that all the charges against the students be dropped entirely. Though, there are a few people in our organization--a few white people--who have questioned that stance. And, I have stumbled across some progressive writers who have also questioned the correctness of asking that all charges be dropped against these 6 black students who beat up a fellow student.
The bottom line is that Mychal Bell and the other 5 students from Louisiana charged in this incident, have faced racism from the institutions around them: the school, the district attorney’s office, and even the media. So, the only proper response is to free Mychal Bell from jail immediately, and to deal with this entire situation in a school-based manner, as it should have been from the beginning. Mychal Bell was a 16-year-old dutifully attending school. As a student, the school and the government had a responsibility to treat him as someone with the potential to succeed and the potential to change any bad patterns.
I would ask that white people who may be “doubters” on the issue of dropping all the charges, study the situation more, and reflect more on the racism surrounding the issue. I feel strongly that the only proper role for white people in this situation is to either join the demand for all the charges to be dropped, or stand aside while others struggle to do.
Of course, as with any injustice labeled as “racism”, someone is going to proclaim that it is not truly based on racism. Race is a hard word to swallow, especially for white people, who unlike most black people in America, can sometimes go for whole days, weeks, months or even years, without having to acknowledge racism. Racism is scary to admit to. And, often hard to prove.
Since the Jena 6 students did do something wrong, and since that something included violence, it is easy for white peace activists and progressives to believe that the system is just running its course. It is easy to want to believe that there was no racism, because this time, it might appear the black young men involved actually “deserve” the punishment they are receiving from the criminal justice system.
Though, it is clear that the 6 black students did not receive fair justice. First of all, it is easy to see in the abstract, that black people cannot receive justice from our inherently white and inherently racist criminal justice system. When white defendants enter the system, they almost always have “peers”, not only as jurors, but nearly always as judges, attorneys, prosecutors, and even court officers. And, to the extent some of those characters in this story may be black, to be truthful, because of our system, even those black judges, attorneys or prosecutors probably answer to white supervisors.
Though, in addition to this underlying racism, that precludes any black person from receiving justice in our white, racist criminal justice system, there are also the very specific failings evident in this case. It is clear that at every juncture, the Jena 6 students were treated more harshly, and entirely differently, than the white students who hung the nooses, and even differently from other white students who beat black students up in the weeks leading up to this incident.
Applying Education Law
One piece of logic which is missing from many people’s examination of the case is the whole body of education law. I work at an education advocacy center. Due to my experience there, I can see clearly the many junctures where this whole situation was handled in an absolutely unfair, negligent, and biased way by the school administrators and government people involved. Through the paradigm of education rights, law and processes, the whole Jena 6 saga - from nooses, to months of racial conflict that was not addressed properly, to the prosecution of the 6 black young men - was all handled entirely wrong and entirely biased.
I realize that it is a lot to call upon a casual observer and commentator on the Jena 6 Students' case to have a deep understanding of education law. But, I would say: If you believe you have a right to publicly assert that these children should face criminal charges, then you should have a responsibility to know something the law which exists, and these children’s rights under that law.
There are at least 3 federal laws, and 1 Louisiana law, which, if followed by the school system, would probably have stopped the whole Jena situation somewhere at (or maybe even before) the hanging of the nooses. If someone wants to assert that justice demands that Mychal Bell deserves some criminal charges because he did something wrong, then justice would have to admit that school administrators deserve criminal charges as well.
Louisiana State Law states: “Standard 5 of the Health Education Content Standards (2002) requires students to receive instruction in non-violent conflict resolution. RS 17:13.1 (1992) requires the State Department of Education to develop and implement minimum guidelines for a program on prevention of crime and disruptive behavior in public schools, which includes coordination of school safety programs and any other existing programs that address gang membership and violence.” A cursory study of the situation would show that there were not adequate prevention programs in the school, if nooses were hung. And, then, after the nooses were hung, the school did not manage in 3 months to apply non-violent conflict resolution and safety programs to stop the other events from happening.
The Safe Schools Act of 1994 is a federal law which demands that “every school in America will be free of...violence and will offer a disciplined environment, conducive to learning, by ensuring that all schools are safe and free of violence.”
The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 is a federal law which includes various responsibilities that a school has to make sure that schools are free from bullying and violence. This law also asserts that, “Parents of children who have been the victims of a violent crime at school or who attend ‘persistently dangerous schools’—as determined by the state—will be offered school choice.”
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is a federal law which provides that “A free appropriate public education must be available to all children residing in the State between the ages of 3 and 21, inclusive, including children with disabilities who have been suspended or expelled from school...” None of the Jena 6 Students stopped being students because they harmed another student. None of the Jena 6 Students should have been denied an education, and their full rights under education law. Mychal Bell did not stop having his right to a free and appropriate education when he beat up another student. He should not have been placed in adult prison as a first step.
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, 479 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, 30 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
