Six Lessons from the Jena 6 Controversy
School Boards and School Administrators Must Pay Heed
The racial, legal, moral and administrative matters in Jena have evolved into a maze of complexity that has multiple facets and is difficult to assess because the real facts seem to have been lost in the claims and counter-claims that have emanated from the individuals, factions and groups that have become involved.
Without addressing the specifics of the Jena event, there are a variety of lessons to be learned or perhaps relearned about race relations, the power of the press, the ambiguity of truth, the dangers of speaking without considering the impact of one's words, the realities of how facts can be used, misused, spun, fabricated or framed to suit individual or group purposes, the difficulties of attempting to identify intent as opposed to actions, the effects of over reaction to circumstances and an assortment of other lessons that impact on education, laws, individual and group responsibility and the underlying tension that exists between the races in America.
This story of Jena, which has all the elements essential for major national controversy erupted when the antics of a few Jena High School students who were not mature in their thinking and were likely the victims of uninformed teachings about racial respect resorted to inflammatory actions, remarks, intimidation, force and ultimately violence in an attempt to solve their social problems. Sounds a bit like the difficulties that often exist between nations, doesn't it?
The events unfolded slowly at Jena from one small action to another until our nation has become embroiled in the controversy. Now the difficulty is to untangle the web of actions and activities to identify the root cause. Was the cause the result of a larger problem in the Jena community? If a few youngsters have problems is it indicative of a larger community issue or is it in fact just a problem with a few misguided youth?
School administrators as well as local school boards and local law enforcement officials have an awesome and challenging responsibility that has become increasingly difficult as our society has changed. Controversy surrounds a myriad of activities outside of the normal challenge associated with effectively teaching the 3 R's within our schools. A few issues in addition to race relations issues that are evident every day in local or national news surround uniform and dress codes, cell/camera phones, sex/drug issues, teacher morality and overall order and discipline within our schools.
Here are six lessons from Jena that can be reviewed for applicability to this issue.
No race relations problem is a small problem. In fact, no school problem is a small problem. Schools must insure that they address potential controversial events or activities before trouble erupts. Problems in schools have to be fully analyzed for their impact on groups and individuals as well as the community or neighborhood.
Actions taken to solve school race relations, morale, discipline or educational challenges have to be addressed openly in the community among all affected parties. Every effort must be extended to insure that as many parties as possible "buy into" proposed solutions. There will be no solution that satisfies all.
Recognize that the press may become involved and it is critical to insure that facts, events and activities are presented in a timely and open manner whenever possible. Schools that attempt to solve a problem "inside the building" are deceiving themselves. The more ambiguity that is involved, the more likely the truth will be obfuscated or "spun" by disaffected individuals or groups and the larger the controversy will become.
Discipline and/or corrective actions have to be consistent and a system to seek review and redress must be available for those that are not satisfied with decisions.
All comments, directives and corrective actions must be carefully reviewed to insure they are completely understood by all affected parties and do not add unnecessarily to controversy.
Parents or guardians have to be involved immediately. A school assembly to address a major controversy like that which occurred in Jena with only students and teachers involved is not acceptable. Misunderstanding and misinterpretation are the likely result.
There is no doubt that the events in Jena will become a case study in colleges and universities that prepare teachers and administrators for service to the parents and youth of America. One can only hope that the study of Jena will aid in their ability to effectively serve.
Published by Clark Richards
Clark Richards is a retired soldier, business owner and teacher that has traveled extensively throughout Europe, South America, Asia and Australia. View profile
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18 Comments
Post a CommentAlyce: You were "Forced" to choose? What exactly do you think the punishment will be from the government if you declare yourself 'American' when filling out any government paperwork? The first place to stop racism is for people to stop saying "we're a different race" - whites, blacks, latinos...it's all the same crap. The difference is that a white person would be called a White Supremacist, but a black one is a Black Activist. They may use different tactics, but they are both promoting racism.
...so that white and Caucasian became interchangeable, which is as wrong as the word Negro to denote African heritage. I doubt that you will come back and read my reply to your question, Scott, but "Whites Only" signs and White Supremasts existance in a diverse multi-heritage USA are the biggest causes of the racial divide.
...and I learned in First grade, that I was a hypenated citizen, forced to choose my father's birth country, rather than a 1/2 including my mother's parents birth country. The label "Negro" (Latin for "black") was placed upon desendants of slaves. Everyone else had a country hypenated label, so it is not the same as the N-word, which was used to denote inferiority when not used properly (Negro). Again, it was a German scientist that created the Caucasin race, but not all light pigment people's ancestry dates back to the Cacaus area of Russia.
Thus, Scott, I stand by my statement: the first place to start with ending racism is with the US government's habit of dividing citizens into groups. My understanding, is that Italian and Irish immigrants in the 1900s had to lobby the government to be declared "white" for political purposes. Much like, Cuban immigrants or born in the USA of Cuban parents used to be Cuban/Americans, later classified as Hispanic and now considered Latino. Children learn what they live...
ScottlnMA: Prior to 1800 something there was no black or white race. That was invented by a German scientist, who created classifications based on skulls. A "Whites Only" sign on the Jena barber shop, is a constant reminder to desendents of slaves living in the South of the old Jim Crow laws. Thus, who is drawing the racial lines? The "white" folk in Jena. The US government forces citizens to declare a "race" or ethnicity. Why? I was born in the USA and that makes me an "American".
By the way, I agree with you that the terms Irish-American and Italian-American are equally racist, and that outlawing terrorist organizations is vital (which I believe it already is). However, I am pretty sure that the south is aware of the outcome of the Civil War and that human trafficking is not a significant problem with respect to that knowledge. I'm also not sure what the national holiday you are calling for is with regard to or what the rationale behind it would be.
Alyce: "What part of 'Whites Only' tree (and Barber Shop) on school property are you missing?" The part I'm missing is where that has ANYTHING to do with my comments about the fact that racism can only exist as long people continue to use race as a categorizing determinant. People from the countries you mention are called Brazilians, Chileans, and Canadians. Citizens of the US are called Americans. And it is perfectly acceptable and legal when filling out paperwork to select 'Other' and call one's self an American.
ScottlnMA, continued: Outlawing the hate/terrorist group the Ku Klux Klan is another good start, and it would do the South well to know that they lost their war to have the right to buy and sell other human beings. Perhaps the government could accomplish that by declaring Juneteenth a National holiday, like the 4th of July.
ScottlnMA: What part of "Whites Only" tree (and Barber Shop) on school property are you missing? Americans can be from Brazil, Chile or Canada, but we do not have a word for us USA citizens. It is ignorant to assume black or shades of brown skin equals "African/Americans. The people I personally know that use it, do trace their ancestry back to slavery and those ancesters did come from Africa. Thus, the use no more incorrect than those that call themselves, Irish/Americans or Italian/Americans. The US government does not allow for "Citizen" or "Non- Citizen" they make one declare "race" or nationality. That is the first place to stop the causes of bigotry and racist attitudes.
Darnit, I ran out of room and got cut off. mwtsaginaw says "When reparations are made, then the six lessons will carry more possibilities." Reparations for what?