It started earlier than that. If a black student feels the need to have to ask the principal if it is ok for him to sit under a certain tree, then there is a long standing deeply rooted problem that needed to be addressed.
This is what I'm saying ... this has to be one of the most distorted news stories I've ever seen in my life. Quote from the Jena Times newspaper: A quote from a Jena High School football player, about a week after the noose incident in the wake of local media hysteria:
These stories have been "white"-washed. The reason it wasn't a hate-crime (by the way, I don't even like the idea of a "hate" crime) was because the accused were juvenilles. That's why is failed to qualify - and the only reason. That football player - was he white or black. Does one quote from one person mean everything is a-ok? Whether these six deserve punishment is one thing, but man, that area is without a doubt messed up racially.
The noose was not an agitator ... the incident happened a whole three months before this incident. Out of over 40 statements that were taken with respect to this court case, NOT ONE mentioned anything with respect to the nooses. In the three month period that elapsed, there were no reports of racially motivated violence or racial fights at the school despite the persistent fanning of the flames by local media. The only people that claim the nooses had anything to do with this are the Al Sharptons who are marching on this town demanding the release of six criminals who rightfully deserve to be in jail. 2nd degree murder WAS excessive, and this is about the only valid argument I've seen. Nevertheless, the 2nd degree murder charges never actually made it to court -- they were reduced to aggravated assault by the first court day. Certainly a case of an overzealous DA trying to throw the book at these kids. Whether race had anything to do with this is subjective -- several of them did have criminal records and at least one was on probation. In any case, they were eventually tried on fair charges.
And the stories we're hearing now haven't been "black"-washed? I posted these links earlier. At the very least, a cursory read of the Wikipedia page should prove to be very informative.
But it's more than just those stories. And the time when the nooses were removed doesn't change the fact that the nooses were put there in the first place. Who cares what time they were removed.
Nobody's disputing the fact that the nooses were. Some reports claim that it was a misinformed prank -- as to be expected, these are highly disputed. Regardless, as a result of the external media going on nonstop about it and inciting racial tensions, the school eventually cut down the tree. Three months passed. The nooses had nothing to do with the assault on the white kid. Black kids go to party they're not invited to, get into a fight, get their tails kicked. There were, in fact, some blacks at that party even though it was mostly white -- the kids were even claiming that some of their friends were inside. Next Monday at school, random white kid decides to run his mouth about it, and black kids decide they'll teach him a lesson he'll never forget. He probably deserved to get his butt kicked for whatever he said, but they went way over the top and they deserve to go to jail for what they did. Like I said, lots and lots of distortion.
I'm not justifying the attack on the white kid. I'm all for punishing those that committed violent acts. But that problem is miniscule compared to rampant racism and injustice. the nooses were never misinformed pranks. They are a symbol of hate just like burning crosses aren't misinformed pranks. The fact that anyone could think those would be a prank shows how deeply imbedded the racism is.
I'm not getting the gist of the opposing argument. Is the argument is that the original charges were not excessive? If you commit a crime, you get the punishment that is fit to it. The dude got out of the hospital the same day, or next day, and you want these guys charged for attempted murder? On no life threatening injuries? If anyone is arguing that they need to take their ass to go live in Jena, or any other backwoods town your ass need to be at. Especially when prior the exact opposite thing happened to a black kid and the white guys that jumped him received NO jail time.
certainly, but racial tensions are just that, tension. And race is still a big issue today in the U.S. - and there are still inequalities stemming from race. I'm the first person to question many claims of injustice, but to me, in this case, there's strong evidence that there is some sort of inequality in the area. Now, that's not right. It's not an easy problem to fix, but it must be tackled. The law hasn't been applied equally, and this is especially frustrating because of the racial messages and symbols that are being communicated. Look, you have to have justice for all people, and if it only applies to one group - it's inequal. If you allow that situation to exist and continue, eventually it will blow up or result in negative effects for the community. Distortion occurs on both sides, but one side is being treated unjustly, and that must be corrected. If one group see the justice system as not being equitable, and that view is justified, than it's not a healthy situaiton. Beyond being immoral, it's also a powder keg for future violence.
I was referring to the barn incident. It didn't happen exactly like that, my bad. No one received jail time for that "congregating". But let me just ask you flat out. Do you agree with the original charge by the prosecutor?
Now ... exactly what law hasn't been applied equally? All I see is distortion and speculation, if you ask me. Look, nobody's going to hide their head in the sand and pretend like there's no racism. The point is that this whole thing was blown way, way out of proportion, partly by sensationalist media seeking readership and TV ratings, and mostly by so-called civil rights activists like Sharpton who are clearly attention whores. It's infuriating for those of us who are black and actually wish to see equal justice for all and an advancement of our communities -- stupidities like this (championing the case of criminals) only hurts the cause, rather than help.
A fight broke out after these guys tried to enter a party they weren't invited to. One white guy was arrested and eventually received probation. "The exact opposite thing happened to a black kid and the white guys that jumped him received no jail time." Distortion of the facts -- see what I mean? Sadly this is exactly how the story is being told in all these r****ded Myspace bulletins and Facebook groups popping up everywhere lately.
Like they should had been charged in the first place? I'm talking about the action, not the reaction.
Now my day is ruined, because Trader_Jorge says my "cred", whatever that is, is low. I will be sure to let you know when that means something to me. The point is the original charges were not fair. Maybe pressure made them downgrade the charges, who knows? I know Mychal Bell faced a possibility of 22-years as a part of a group of black guys that jumped a white guy.
MLittle is right. Second-degree murder charges are obviously excessive for this crime. We should demand that these charges be reduced to second degree assault. I will protest in front of the Jena courthouse until they comply with this demand.
