Jena 6: Is it Wrong to Expect More of Our Justice System?
The incident with the tree, which was cut down after the students were arrested, resulted in protests among African American students who were essentially addressed by the small town's District Attorney letting them know they could essentially be handled legally if they caused too many problems regarding the tree. This incident was followed by a fight at a local party where an African American male was assaulted by some Caucasian partygoers. And in another incident, a Caucasian male pulled a gun on some African American males, and after they managed to wrestle the gun from him, were charged with theft of a firearm, second-degree robbery and disturbing the peace. None of the Caucasians in mention were given more than probation.
I've read comment after comment from people who are confused as to why the focus of the Jena 6 is not placed more on the student who was injured in the schoolyard fight, essentially the reason the students were arrested. I would love to set the record straight for them. No one is ignoring the fact that the students were wrong for what they did. No one is trying to dismiss the encounter as only a "simple schoolyard fight." The fact remains that six people wrongfully attacked one person, and whether they were taunted or provoked does not excuse this. But since when has a weapon-free fight equated to attempted murder (and conspiracy to do so) but pulling a gun on someone doesn't AT LEAST equate to conspiracy? Why does one person getting beat up by several have different results depending on who is doing the attacking and who is being attacked? I think the nation agrees that the boys should be held accountable for their actions, but those who are watching how our Justice System handles each case in our country also want to rest peacefully at night knowing that all cases are handled equally and fairly. We want to know that the years of marching, protesting and demonstrating during the 60s were not pointless. Ultimately, we want these boys to be treated fairly, and attempted murder, in this case, is not fair.
As citizens of the United States, we have a right to feel protected under law. We also deserve to feel that those in positions of power will fairly and justly serve each individual equally. In this day and age, no U.S. citizen should feel that there is a chance that they will be mistreated or underserved under the same legal system created specifically to protect and serve all human beings. We are to expect more of those who say that they have worked to correct the wrongs of African Slavery, the Japanese Internment, Native American massacres, etc. And yes, I recognize as an African American woman that this nation has made great strides to provide equality to all races, and the proof is essentially in the pudding; there are individuals of all racial and cultural backgrounds in all positions (maybe even Presidency soon). But for all of the people granted an unobstructed view of the change, remember there is a young man in jail, originally charged with attempted murder for a weapon-free school fight, who is thinking not much has changed at all.
When we protest what is clearly an attempt to legally pursue racial divide and injustice within the confines of our country, it is a way to remind those who enforce the laws that we are watching, and we care, because we do and should expect the best from our Justice System. And we would be doing it a disservice if we allowed this and other injustices to slip through the cracks, not encouraging and expecting our country to be the best it can be.
Published by S. B.
I am a charismatic St. Louis native with a strong passion for expressing the cultural, familial and inter-relational aspects of life. I have definite opinions on tons of topics but am also an avid learner wh... View profile
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13 Comments
Post a CommentAC and those double posts. : > Using coarse and insulting language is abuse and the TOS strictly forbids it. One of the reasons they do it is to feel powerful; they know it hurts. Know that you are better than them and you might smile sweetly next time (hope there is not a next time) and say, "You are so jealous!" or something like that. You look to be quite cute judging by your photo, pretty smile and lovely shade of brown.
I had to stop reading comments anywhere on the web where there was an article about the Jena 6 because I was getting too angry. It is a frustration of getting people to see what they are actually saying. I have lived around people that use that kind of language~the things people called you~and they also use ugly words to describe people from other cultures. It is truly verbal abuse. I started a forum topic on the subject, because I think those people need to banned form AC on violation of Terms of Service.
I had to stop reading comments anywhere on the web where there was an article about the Jena 6 because I was getting too angry. It is a frustration of getting people to see what they are actually saying. I have lived around people that use that kind of language~the things people called you~and they also use ugly words to describe people from other cultures. It is truly verbal abuse. I started a forum topic on the subject, because I think those people need to banned form AC on violation of Terms of Service.
I liked what you said, especially at the end when you said that people would do the justice system "a disservice" by NOT protesting. That is a good way to put it. Our justice system is only as good as we make it. When doing research for one of my own articles, the facts and figures are very hurtful. Such as, if you take two teens accused of the EXACT SAME CRIME, the black kid has a 40 percent higher chance of being detained and double the chance of being tried as an adult. This isn't just in a little Southern place like Jena, but nationwide. Please stay strong; I liked your writeup.
See ... I have to calm myself down or I'll get mad all over again. All I can say is I can't blame them for their ignorance if they've never been exposed to it. But if it's been shoved in the world's face for everyone to see, then what in the hell is the problem? It's bigger than anyone wants to admit - and that in itself is a problem.
I've read many of the horribly racist comments around here and my temper shoots through the roof. I can't comment on such ignorance (at least until I calm down). They have NO idea what it means to experience blatant racism ONE DAY IN THEIR LIVES. Let alone more than once. But they give an air of "Oh, it doesn't happen anymore" or "That was only once. Stop being so sensitive." But in our eyes, we've seen it, are seeing it now, and know with all of the examples presented, will continue to see it. We were born in this country as were the majority of our ancestors but still get treated like a side show and are told to "ignore them." We can't if they're wrapped up on our legal system and put us in jail for more time than we're due - if we're due any at all!
Anyway, I stopped back because I thought you might like to read a first hand account from Shamontiel who attended the rally. www.associatedcontent.com/article/388808/jena_6_rally_part_1_the_scene.html
Tennis shoe as lethal weapon? That is absurd. The DA warned the kids that he could make their lives disappear with the stroke of a pen and that is what he set out to do. I do not know if you have seen the types of comments about this story, but they are a horror. To put it bluntly if this were 1950 something the townspeople would have taken those kids and hung them from trees already. Even if one of them happened to be at home sleeping in bed that day.
Sorry I picked on that little sentence. I have read so many articles and comments about this issue, that I have become frustrated. The typical comment will be: "so you don't think 6 black kids jumping 1 white boy deserves to be punished". Two of those charged said they did not get to the scene of the fight until it was over. The witnesses that did testify were not reliable by court standards and a better lawyer would have proved that to the jury. The way media reports incidents does much to form Public opinion and once formed, some people are not open to anything, like the fact that the teens were not treated fairly.
(cont.) to ensure that those who are truly guilty (to the best we are able to prove) are treated in a fair and equal manner.