The only way you don’t know about this case is if you’ve been living under a rock. I’ve heard about it- through bits & pieces- on news stories for a couple of weeks now. I’ll admit, I thought that this was just some way for Al Sharpton to get his name back in the news. (I have many views on Al Sharpton, but I’ll reserve those for another time….)
After hearing about this case, I finally sat down & did some research about it. I was astonished at what I read. I can only imagine what it’s like in Jena, LA right now. I won’t go into background on the case- if you’d like that you can here- but I just can’t believe in this day & age, something like this can go on.
I didn’t grow up in the civil rights era, but I’ve studied it in school. I’ve visited the Civil Rights Museum in Memphis & I was just shocked. I cannot fathom what horrific injustices they faced everyday. I am ashamed to be from the south, where all of this took place. I was raised by a father who is as racist as they get- along with a majority of my family members. Luckily, my mother taught me to see the PERSON, not their COLOR, RACE, OR CREED. This was a valuable lesson that I think is taken lightly.
When I was reading the background on the case, I was appalled. These boys were charged as adults (which was allowable under Louisana law) for a simple school yard fight. If the charges wouldn’t have been lowered recently, they would’ve been in jail until they were at least 50- for what? A fight? C’mon people. Would you have charged 6 white boys with the same list of charges? Honestly, I don’t think they would have. One of the charges brought against Mychal Bell (the boy who was the youngest at the time of the fight & was to be sentenced today) was orginally aggravated second-degree battery. Under Louisana law, this charge is to be handed down when the assaulter uses a “deadly weapon”. The district attorney Reed Walters said this was justified because Bell’s tennis shoes were considered a deadly weapon. WHAT?! Have you seen the picture of the boy that was beat up? He had a few bruises on his face & a black eye. He wasn’t hospitalized & he even attended a ring ceremony at the school later that night.
I tend to reserve judgement on cases like this until I have all the facts. After what I’ve read today, I’m certain that all of these boys charges should be DROPPED & they should be FREED. The DA should be looked into by the proper authorities for his gross mishandling of this case. I’m glad the Louisana Court of Appeals overturned the case on Mychal Bell & I hope the charges against the other boys will be dropped as well.
What are your feelings on this case?
You, and anyone else who supports this beating should be ashamed of speaking out on behalf of a violent thug. The noose incident was wrong and they should have been punished. Also, I cannot understand why it is ok for one race to have BET and other ethnic organizations and businesses, but whites cannot have white pride week without Al or Jessie getting riled up. Those two are the poorest excuse for spokespersons I have ever encountered. They use the black race to line their own pockets.
sadwhiteman- So what you’re saying is that those white boys hanging nooses was okay? If anyone should be prosecuted- it should be those boys. That is considered a hate crime- with a punishment much more severe than what these boys are facing.
To whom it may concern,
Yes unfortunately within my race there are those that are lazy and take the easy way out. But not all African Americans are not like that. Did these 6 reserve murder charges? No, the boy was not in a coma. He attended a school dance that same evening. Do the 6 need to be charged with something? Yes, assault charges. They broke the law and need to receive punishment but also community service and therapy. Should the boys who hung the nooses been expelled. YES, hanging nooses is nothing funny or seen as a prank. TP’ing someone’s house is a prank. Giving someone a wedgie is a prank…hanging nooses is seen as a DEATH THREAT. Period.
For those of you who are non minority and post all sorts of things such as “we should go back to Africa” please remember. ALL OF US are immigrants here…the only true Americans are the Native Americans, which I might add your people came over here and wiped out entire tribes. For those of you saying we are playing the race card, when white people threaten our people with weapons of racism that we were taught about, then yes I guess we are. Educate your own children FIRST that it’s not cute or funny to hang nooses. I was taught to respect people from every walk of life, BUT in order for you to get respect you must give it as well. Yes there are disrespectful people in my race that have no home training. Do I listen to all the garbage some of these “rap” stars put out there? No. Do I raise my daughter to disrespect a TRUE African American man like her Father who is teaching her values about herself? A Man who has never been to jail, has a college education and works hard? A true Man who revels in Fatherhood?No. She can look up to her Father with pride. Will I have to worry about my son being lost in this world? No, his Father will raise him to what it truly means to be a Man.
So before you lump the millions of African Americans together as thugs, why don’t you come from behind the sheet and actually expand your knowledge and get to know African Americans FIRST.
And by the way, unless you are God, you can not pass judgement on ANYONE
We have to PRAY for each other regardless of our backgrounds.
Very well put, Spiritual Gypsy.
I was personally offended by comments left by Snerdly that were here earlier today. I removed the comments. I can do so- because this is my site. I don’t care if your view differs from mine, but don’t stoop to a personal level as they did.
BLACK PEOPLE HAD TO FIGHT THEIR CIVIL RIGHTS ,SINCE 1620 TO PRESENT,// BLACKS S FOUGHT IN DURING REVOLUTION WAR, AMERICAN CIVIL WAR. SLAVERY SHIP TO AMERICAN PLANTATION…ABE LINCOLN LOST HIS LIFE IN 1865 DUE TO SLAVE FREEDOM,, FREDRICK DOUGLAS, MLK JR,JESSIE JACKSON, HARRIET TUBMAN, AL SHARPTON & NEW CIVIL RIGHT SPOKESMAN, RADIO ANNOUNCER MICHAEL Baisden,…black people want equal justice & want to be treated fairly… jena 6 brought to new reality.. racism still exist in 2007.. dred scott fought for his freedom 1857-1859… mychal bell & jena 6 are fighting for their equal since august 2006.. a famous quote,” If you don’t stand up in what you believe; you’ll fall for anything.” I only mention few great leader…but honorable mention for name I didn’t mention , rosa parks & other….. All races of people has learned to get along & live together peace.. last quote.”We all came to America on separate boats; We all in same boat, now.”