2008 Woodie Awards
Commentary: Jena six deserve justice
Issue date: 9/24/07 Section: Editorial
Last Thursday, people all across the country wore black as a movement against racism. It's fairly well known by now that in Jena, Louisiana, six African-American boys were treated unfairly, both in the courtroom and in their own high school, largely as a result of the color of their skin.
After a string of incidents nearly a year ago, which included nooses being hung threateningly from a "white" tree after black students sat under it, a white male was beat up by the six boys. All six of the boys were tried in court for attempted murder and one of them, Mychal Bell, still remains in jail.
On Sept. 20, thousands of people, including Al Sharpton and Martin Luther King III, congregated in Jena to protest peacefully against hatred and prejudice, yet the nonviolent movement seems to have only ignited the hatred within the most ignorant in the nation.
A website detailing the names and addresses of the family members of the Jena Six has surfaced, and threats have ensued nearly around-the-clock to those being targeted. Here, in the tolerant city of Boston, little seems to be happening in regards to the events down in the South. In fact, there seems to be nothing more than a ripple of feelings about the Jena Six.
Few people seem to be aware of the movement going on, which has been called "the new civil rights struggle of the 21st century." Even the local newspapers have failed to give it any meaningful coverage. It's sad and unfortunate that people in other parts of the United States are still fueled by such hatred for others for no apparent reason, and that even our own justice system has failed to move from the uncivilized views many felt throughout the last century.
Despite the fact that our own school and state possess a majority of open-minded individuals, the Jena Six story should still be out in the open teaching all of us a lesson.
To those that still wallow in hatred, it should reveal the uselessness of harboring those feelings. To those who sit in ignorant bliss of the events taking place around us, it should be taught in order to reveal the misfortunes present in our fellow citizens' everyday lives, even if it may not be happening in our own immediate surroundings. And for those of us that are aware, yet inactive, it should teach us that actions speak louder than words, and taking a stand against something when you know you are right, even if it feels like the world is against you, can end up going a much farther way than you ever expected.
- Rachel Zarrell is a freshman journalism major.
After a string of incidents nearly a year ago, which included nooses being hung threateningly from a "white" tree after black students sat under it, a white male was beat up by the six boys. All six of the boys were tried in court for attempted murder and one of them, Mychal Bell, still remains in jail.
On Sept. 20, thousands of people, including Al Sharpton and Martin Luther King III, congregated in Jena to protest peacefully against hatred and prejudice, yet the nonviolent movement seems to have only ignited the hatred within the most ignorant in the nation.
A website detailing the names and addresses of the family members of the Jena Six has surfaced, and threats have ensued nearly around-the-clock to those being targeted. Here, in the tolerant city of Boston, little seems to be happening in regards to the events down in the South. In fact, there seems to be nothing more than a ripple of feelings about the Jena Six.
Few people seem to be aware of the movement going on, which has been called "the new civil rights struggle of the 21st century." Even the local newspapers have failed to give it any meaningful coverage. It's sad and unfortunate that people in other parts of the United States are still fueled by such hatred for others for no apparent reason, and that even our own justice system has failed to move from the uncivilized views many felt throughout the last century.
Despite the fact that our own school and state possess a majority of open-minded individuals, the Jena Six story should still be out in the open teaching all of us a lesson.
To those that still wallow in hatred, it should reveal the uselessness of harboring those feelings. To those who sit in ignorant bliss of the events taking place around us, it should be taught in order to reveal the misfortunes present in our fellow citizens' everyday lives, even if it may not be happening in our own immediate surroundings. And for those of us that are aware, yet inactive, it should teach us that actions speak louder than words, and taking a stand against something when you know you are right, even if it feels like the world is against you, can end up going a much farther way than you ever expected.
- Rachel Zarrell is a freshman journalism major.
Viewing Comments 1 - 7 of 11
Anon
posted 9/24/07 @ 10:16 AM EST
This really isn't complicated: don't beat people up and you won't go to jail. Yes the white kids involved belong in jail too, but two wrongs don't make a right. (Continued…)
Paul
posted 9/24/07 @ 1:18 PM EST
I can't believe the way people are overlooking the double standard at play here. If it was six white kids beating one black kid, you wouldn't have any DA uttering the phrase "attempted murder. (Continued…)
Dave
posted 9/26/07 @ 6:46 AM EST
Not only is there almost no media coverage of black violent crimes against white people, but in high profile cases the black criminals are turned into "real victims" by the media. (Continued…)
M. B.
posted 9/27/07 @ 8:48 AM EST
Yes what the white kids did was wrong and should have been punished for it, but at the same time, what the black kids did was wrong too. Just because they did something wrong to you, doesn't mean that you should respond with violence. (Continued…)
Anonymous
posted 9/30/07 @ 1:02 AM EST
Rachel,
Please check your facts before you begin writing editorials. Here are some background facts:
It's unclear whether any of the black students ever sat under the tree. (Continued…)
me
posted 10/26/07 @ 9:32 PM EST
The law states you have a freedom of speech,even if its not ethical like hanging nooses, but you cannot retaliate in the manner these THUGS did, you cannot go find someone to cause any harm to them, there are ways to handle nooses. (Continued…)
kl
posted 10/29/07 @ 2:38 PM EST
im glad to see im not in the minority on this artical. I really dont understand what is so wrong with what has happened with the jena six. It seems that its all gone the way of justice. (Continued…)
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