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| The Jena 6 |
by TC |
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The stories that our grandparents, parents, uncles, and aunts tell us about racism back in the day seem like fairy tales. It seems like times have changed so drastically that we can't even fathom living in that time period. Upon hearing about the Jena 6 in Louisiana, I was smacked back into reality. Not only does racism still exist, it has reared its ugly head in the south for the entire world to see. If you haven't heard about the Jena 6, here is some info on the situation.
Jena is a small town in the state of Louisiana of about 3,000 residents. This town is segregated. There are "white only" establishments, and in the schools the blacks congregate on one side, and the whites on another. Trouble began when a black student challenged the color line, and sat underneath a "whites only" tree in the schoolyard. The next day, three nooses were hanging from the tree where the black kids sat the day before. This action sparked off a set of racial encounters between the white and black kids at the school. While the actions of the white kids would go unpunished (the hanging of the nooses, brandishing a shotgun at black kids, the assault of a black kid who showed up at a "white only" party), the actions of the black kids involved resulted in aggravated assault charges, $90,000 in bail, and up to 22 years in prison. A white principal, white superintendent and a white prosecutor all downplayed the racial conflict.
Our generation has had it sweet. We reaped the benefits of the hard work that our elders put forth by marching, fighting and dying for equal rights. This case proves that we still have work to do. I urge everyone who is reading this email to go to:
http://www.colorofchange.org/jena/main.html. If we don't care about us, then no one else will. It is not a time for us to look for our leaders to take matters into their own hands; it's time for us to become leaders ourselves and get our own hands dirty. This is our time to step up, so let's get involved.
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submitted: 09/21/07
Very well written. Its really sad that in 2007 we have a situation like this. But I am glad to see everyone pulling together across the nation peacefully.
-Tiffany Luz |
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submitted: 09/20/07
mywebsite
I am overwhelmed about this, but not surprised. If the world think rasism is dead it is alive and well. I was never in chains as a slave, but me and my family might as well havae been, We are from the South, and that say it all. Iwill say this I have
-Frances W. Terrell |
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submitted: 09/20/07
mywebsite
I am overwhelmed about this, but not surprised. If the world thing rasism is dead it is alive and well. I was never in chains as a slave, but me and my family might as well been, We are from the South, and that say it all. I will say this I have a so
-Frances W. Terrell |
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submitted: 09/18/07
Awesome article TC and very well delivered :) Yes, I can't wait to get involved and take immediate action with the Congressional Black Caucus as well.
Reminder to everyone interested* (Wink) Congressional Black Caucus Convention (ALC) takes place f
-April L. Vance |
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submitted: 09/08/07
mywebsite
YES! I love it. ;-)
-Hazel |
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