Racism rears its ugly head in Louisiana
The state flag of Louisiana
The website ColorofChange.org, set up after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, is now focusing its efforts on a new tragedy – the Jena 6.
There are countless cases of injustice across the globe, but this is one of those that defies logic.
The Jena 6, as they are now known, are six black students being tried because they physically fought against white students who had hung nooses on “their” tree in the schoolground, after one of the black students dared to sit there for the first time to escape the heat.
The below standard letter to Louisiana Governor Kathleen Blanco is for people to sign and send on the Color of Change website.
The letter details the injustice going on right now – read on and let us know what you think of the situation.
Dear Governor Blanco,
I am writing to request your intervention into a situation of great injustice taking place in Jena, LA, as well as a written response to this letter.
Last fall, when two Black high school students sat under the “white” tree on their campus, white students responded by hanging nooses from the tree. When Black students protested the light punishment for the students who hung the nooses, District Attorney Reed Walters came to the school and told the students he could “take [their] lives away with a stroke of [his] pen.”
Racial tension continued to mount in Jena, and the District Attorney did nothing in response to several egregious cases of violence and threats against black students. But when a white student–who had been a vocal supporter of the students who hung the nooses–taunted a black student, allegedly called several black students “nigger”, and was beaten up by black students, six black students were charged with second-degree attempted murder. Last month, the first young man to be tried, Mychal Bell, was convicted. Later this month, he will be sentenced to up to 22 years in prison for a school fight.
I would like to believe that what is happening in Jena is not consistent with your values, or with what the State of Louisiana sees as justice. I have asked District Attorney Reed Walters to drop all charges against the five young men awaiting trial. You should act immediately to prevent the sentencing of Mychal Bell–the young man who has already been convicted–via a pardon if necessary. And you must investigate the conduct of District Attorney Reed Walters, whose actions are a blatant and unacceptable abuse of power, to begin the process of healing in Jena and to make sure this never happens again.
Respectfully,
[your name here]
Dats fucked up, dats plain racism if I ever seen it how could they be charged wit attempted murder for fighting and wat was da punishment 4 the white students. Im from New Orleans so I know about the corruption n the state of louisiana, but this takes the cake, dats fucked up.
While the actions of the white individuals are sickening…lets not forget in this country we all have the freedom of speech to make our voices be heard without violence…..I’m sure racial slurs were used on both ends of this incident however the hanging of the noose should have led to expulsion for the white students responsible and was way over the line….needless to say- if the black students who became violent did intend to kill the white individual, the charges are absolutely correct……In this country, just can’t become violent simply because you don’t like what they’re saying- no matter how offensive it is…
“b” – If someone calls me a racially derogatory name (as they have done in the past), I have the right to get physical with them. And in addition to the name-calling, hung nooses off the tree???? End of story. Oh and PS – the black students “attacked” the white student with sneakers, which was recorded as a weapon with intent to kill. B**ch please.
People,this is getting bad! we as black people need to step up to the plate and stop letting white people do to us whatever in the hell they want too,If we keep lying down like doormats they are going to have us right back where they want us in the cotton field and believe me thats where most of them want us!!!!! LETS REUNITE PEOPLE BLACK POWER!!!
The point of this post seems to be, “It’s a racial injustice to put a piece of rope in a tree, but if six black guys want to gang up on a white guy and beat him up it’s perfectly ok.” People, it’s time to stop acting like violence is the solution to everything. It is the solution to nothing!
this is some crazy shit, how is this shit still goin on in America? what is wrong with white people?
HEY DONNA I AGREE WITH U 100% INSTEAD OF TALKING ,LETS WALK THE WALK. YOU KNOW WHY THIS KEEPS HAPPENING ? BECAUSE WE BRUSH THINGS UNDER THE RUG WHEN IT QUIETS DOWN .WE CONSTANTLY CALL EACH OTHER N**** ETC BUT IF A WHITE PERSON CALLS US A N**** WE ARE READY TO WHOP A**. IF WE WANT RESPECT WE FIRST HAVE TO RESPECT OURSELVES,OUR ANCESTERS DIED DEFENDING THEMSELVES AGAINST WHITES WHO DISRESPECTED THEM AND TODAY OUR GENERATION DISRESPECT OURSELVES SO MUCH THAT REALLY THE WHITES DONT HAVE TO DO IT ANYMORE THEY CAN SIT BACK AN WHAT THE BLACKS CALL EACH OTHER N****.B****,AND ANY NAME IN THE BOOK. WE CANT ALLOW THEM TO DISRESPECT US AS ANYMORE AND WE WONT ALLOW OUR SISTERS AND BROTHERS TO DO THE SAME,WE NEED TO STAND UP FOR EVERYTHING OUR GREAT,GREAT GRANDPARENTS STOOD FOR AND CONTINUE THE STRUGGLE FOREVER SO THAT OUR CHILDREN,GRANDCHILDREN WILL NEVER HAVE TO ENDURE WHAT WE DEAL WITH IN TODAYS SOCIETY.THE DIFFERENCE WITH THE GENERATION TODAY IS THAT WE WILL KICK BUTT AND WE NEED TO STICK TOGETHER BECAUSE WE FEAR NO WHITE PERSON!!!!!
although I am totally against violence, i 2 would have probably gotten physical w/ not only the white student(S) but possibly the administration also. i find it ridiculous that the black students are being hauled in2 court & sentenced while their white counterparts, who ARE just as guilty as them, simply walk away w/ a few scratches. not only are the white students guilty, the teachers, principals, lunch ladies, janitors, ect. are ALL guilty!! they all should B hauled in2 court also & charged w/ something!! its absolutely ridiculous that foolishness like this is still going on in 2007!!
This is terrorism.
The white kids and the DA should be investigated as terrorists.
“its absolutely ridiculous that foolishness like this is still going on in 2007!!”
Not to give you a hard time but this shit is ongoing.
Are you fucking serious, You let motherfuckas fight in hockey all day long over respect and when indiviuals fight back over respect you give a motherfucka 22 years. Bitch please. The best way to prevent this incident is they should shut them peckerwoods down from jump street. Don’t fault the black students for taking care of business the district attorney should have tooken care of the shit from jumpstreet
YES, ITS HARD TO BELIEVE THAT THESE RACIAL ACTS ARE STILL BEING COMMITED IN 2007. THE UNITED STATES CLAIMS JUSTICE FOR ALL… BUT EXACTLY WHO WERE THEY TALKING ABOUT WHEN THAT STATEMENT WAS TRANSPIRED? WE THE PEOPLE ARE THE ONES WHO VOTE THESE DERANGED POLITICS TO REPRESENT US AND WHEN THE TIME COMES THEY ARE THE ONES WHO ARE REALLY BEHIND THESE WRONG DOINGS. WE TO HAVE STEP UP AND DO OUR RESEACH ON THESE INDIVDUALS! HEARING SOMETHING LIKE THIS JUST TAKE ME BACK AND I FEEL LIKE HISTORY IS SLOWLY TRYING TO REAPEAT ITSELF. WE AS AFRICAN AMERICANS MUST DO SOME DEEP SEARCHING AND YOU WILL COME TO SEE THAT THE WORD NIGGER MEANS PRINCE AND PRINCESSES, WE ONLY DEGRADE OURSELVES WITH IGNORANCE, NO WONDER WHITE PEOPLE USE IT BECAUSE THEY THINK WE’RE TOO DUMB AND LAZY TO TRACK OUR HISTORY AND KNOW WHO WE ARE! ONCE WE GET NO WHO WE ARE I’M POSITVE THAT THE RACISM WOULD BE AT A DEAD HALT! FIGHTING IN NO WAY SHOULD EVER BE TOLERABLE BUT I GUESS THAT ‘S WHY IGNORANCE IS GROWING EVERYDAY!!!
Canuvthunda, COCO_BROWN, I’m sorry but to me you two sound like idiots, and, before we all jump on this fact, I am white, and I am not a racist whatsoever. While the white kids were wrong for hanging the ropes, and saying racial slurs, Canuvthunda heres what you sound like to me: “I hate RACIST WORDS, lock up those PECKERWOODS…” hypocrite much? and as for you, COCO_BROWN, you do realise what YOUR saying right? “Let’s beat up all the white people then white people won’t be racist against us!!!” yeah so beating people up nationwide won’t make the number of haters increase? Wow, never thought about it that way, bright idea…
Anyways, whatever, freedom of speech only applies to you two I guess, go ahead and flame me… But I haven’t heard of six white people beating your ass for saying peckerwood, but anyways, go ahead, beat us all up, then we’ll “love” you!
Black people aren’t the only victims for racism, Latinos are also victims. I hate it when some white guy tells me to cut his lawn. Black People and Latinos should unite start a riot or something.
i cant believe that in the year 2007 we as a people are still dealing with racism. we need to come together and unite as one as Carlos said because this has to change.
Look, starting a riot….fighting…beating up anyone who’s done wrong to you or any other person is definitely not going to do anything but cause more problems. YES, our government officials should act quick on the racism in certain places (Louisiana..etc.) But all you can do really is pray and respect yourself and others. Fighting and hating others will not help anything. Be careful not to be a hypocrite….if you hate racism don’t go about showing it by being a racist yourself. I love everybody, as Jesus did…and YOU ALLLLL SHOULD TOO. God made each and every ONE of you…all different shapes….colors….diff. personalities…..This is not the kind of behavior your father wants to see out of you. AND THIS IS CERTAINLY not the kind of responses he wants to see..Don’t put out HATE…because you’ll get it right back in return….Love…and you will be loved..
Such a Lady
GOD BLESS
dam laosinana has been on a straight downward hill from the baggy pants and that club that doesnt allow ceratin brands like phatfarm and stuff and now this…the way i see life is that we need to just love one another God created all equally but just a little bit different and to all those people saying kill the honkeys and crackas and start rioting thats what not needs to be done that will only increase the problem an eye for an eye will leave the whole world blind i got white friends who would give a nice beatdown to those racist kkk bitches jus cus a one group of peopole does somthin doesnt mean that that whole race of peopole are evil or whatever…
peace,love
God bless the jena 6 and ask God to bless them with patience and tolerance of these ignorant misguided children that attend their school..It is not the children that actually believe in this racism it is their family values or lack there of being taught by their parents..so it is their parents that should be chased down and repremanded for even for a second thinking that this would be tolerated in a public school setting. These parents should be charged with neglect…for neglecting to let their children know if they come to with all this racism mess a beat down will be in order.
no lie.
government would not incarcerate me on such charges
I would find the license plate of that judge……….. get his home address…. take care of him
the students that pulled what they did, I’d leave a note saying this is your fault
My life will not be over off the strength of a racist judge…………….. tyep of note to make them aware of the product of their actions
then i’d shoot it out with the cops who came to get me for supporting such racist ways
Are you kidding me? I could only skimp through most of your comments but please remember that we live in a society that is destined to repeat itself. These situations continue to arise because we as a people expect them not to. Racism is still alive in every since of the word. We still continue to be treated like second class citizens, in work, (those boys back at the plantation) in life (when the white woman at the grocery store comes up to rub our children’s bald head for good luck) and in play (every time you see a pro ball player receive a sentence stronger than his white co part). The Jena 6 should have taken a stand. Yes, our culture has changed but it continues to change to our detriment. Those white kids are allowed to have freedom of speech, as our we. Just understand that Freedom of speech no longer becomes speech when you use jesters or violence. When its taken to that level, I feel that it should be ended on that level. I agree those “boys” needed to be taught a lesson but their lesson should have been a hard lesson that their school, their families and their communities should have given. In addition, to being punishable by law. The district attorney should have directed his comments to the proper parties, the “flick of a pen” should have ruined their lives. He as well as the school are all responsible, had they have “handled” this situation promptly and efficiently. This may not have happened. Also, if this type of boorish behavior was perceivably UNACCEPTABLE then this would never have happened. These are children in a High School, the district as well as the principal should be fostering a positive teaching environment where this is UNACCEPTABLE AND NOT TOLERATED, THOSE BOYS SHOULD HAVE BEEN AFRAID TO EVEN THINK UP SUCH AN IDEA, LET ALONE ACT ON IT ESPECIALLY ON CAMPUS. That can only happen if those in power ACT instead of REACTING. STOP THE PROBLEMS BEFORE IT STARTS!!!
It seems like a lot of us is lost we still trying to be equal and taught that we are equal its in your face most white people dont believe that ,And you act like you shocked wake up its in your face its on tv its on the internet,its down south up north east and west, in staten island new york tottonville high school a couple years back it was a riot and the white kids jumped the black kids one of the black kids was a blood so the white kids ratted and told the police alot of bloods was coming back they had police all over the school to protect they kids and arrest bloods but no white kids was arrested for jumping the small population of blacks that go to that school. Also the drug epidemic and aids is a form of racism black people was coming up in the 70 we had alot of black owned property we was on our way slowly to the top and here comes crack and aids all drugs except trees where made in a lab by a scientist a mad white scientist creating frankenstiens , even godfather part 2 the italians said they going to have drugs sold to blacks and coloreds. Yes there are blacks that are strong headed and use condems and dont do the hard drugs are no drugs at all but we still subconsciencely suffer from the affects of slavery and the crack epidemic we getting strong again and more of us are waking up the so-called jesus is amongst us thats why the bible said he is going to the sick and poor we living in babylon red black and green
I’m live in Louisiana (New Orleans to be exact), and there is hardly any coverage of this in my area. Tons of my friends have emailed Al Sharpton through his website’s “crisis” email address, and we have wrote Blank-ho many times as well. No one who has a voice loud enough is standing up for these kids & it’s entirely unfair to them & black people as a unit.
Please believe that Blank-ho will not be in office anymore, and she is not even thinking about running with all the mistakes she has made in the past with trying to get rid of the Saints when they sucked, her actions (or lack thereof) during/after Katrina, and the Jena Six. She is only concerned with LSU Tigers football.
Al Sharpton claims that he fights for injustices done to minorities, but the only thing he wants to fight & defend is damn roboho comments about Beyonce. This is real racism going on in Jena, LA, but he rather fight cloaked racism from some old man who is near death and who probably will get his radio show back anyway(Imus), Hannity & Colmes, & Bill O’Reilly.
This whole ordeal is in outrage loud & clear for the world in what is supposed to have been a new era/century. Racism still exists, and whoever denies it, is probably racist themselves.
The fact of the matter is black people have been too relaxed and comfortable in what has been giving to us as equality, when we are constantly reminded every minute of our lives that we are not equal and racisms is still alive and well, especially in the US “the land of the free“. It is appalling that these kids are still living in a segregated city in The USA in 2007, and that this school even allowed this kind of behavior to go on. To think that many people say racism does not exist. Violence is never the solution but many people feel that this is the only alternative when you are back into a corner and all the odds are against you. These young men are not to be blamed for fighting back against racism a system that these white kids, school officials and that attorney were perpetuating. The letter failed to highlight all of the threats and situations that happened to lead up to this event, like a white student threatening black students with a SHOT GUN AND NOTHING happened, two white boys assaulted a black student and was not reprimanded or charged, and to add insult to injury they hang nooses in a tree. These are all acts of terrorism. The school officials and everyone that allowed the torment of these black students to go on should be in jail for life.
EVERYBODY TODAY IS RACIST>>>>WHITE PEOPLE AND BLACK PEOPLE MUSLIMS>
MY WHITE FRIENDS GO INTO A BLACK NEIGHBORHOOD…THEY ARE THREATEND AND CURSED AT WHITE BOY AND CRAP………..I GO IN A WHITE NEIGHBORHOOD THEY JUST STARE….THEY DONT TRY TO KILL ME AS MY OWN BLACK PEOPLE TRY TO DO TO WHITES
chick above me HUSH… just because people do it doesnt make it okay. i just moved to sac town and i dont stand up for the flag salute because of shyt like this.
Ok America when some of the smallest things in life takes away your life then this is when we come together. First when Emmit Teal was hung with that nuse did his family new he was gonna die that day NO, so why u think black people werent gonna do something about it, you reached deep down and hit a soft tender area for black folks our great ancestors had to go thru those trial and tribulations like hell we are as blacks in 2007, that is the most disrespectful thing any person can gesture to black person and call it a prank BULLS*** I hold everyschool official responsible for all the kids action they are the ones who need to be on trial. This right here couldnt be me cuz if im going to jail for 22 years over a school fight ignite by the whites u best believe im killing then cuz guess what while u figuring a way to deal with a lost one im still living why u only got memories im talking to my family once a week, u paying for funeral arrangements u also paying for me to eat n sleep so who losing out in the end GO FIGURE u will never be a peace for comminting Racist Acts parents teach our kids well cuz if not they are only secs from 6 feet deep.We work to hard to go back down memory lane.
To forestall any conjecture,I’m as white as they come.And I see an ancient pattern.White people started it once again.They’ve usually been the aggressor and are once again.Most countries on most continents have been content to stay home and mind their own business.Not so Europe.I think most white people have this innate arrogance and insolence.WTF is a white tree? Jesus,kindergarteners don’t act that asinine.
Im white n i am agreeging with all the things everyone is saying..im white n im saying that stuff is disgusting…