Jena 6 Media Stories
Just a couple of links. MSNBC has a pretty good story on the [tag]Jena 6[/tag] here, though that story also duplicates quite a bit of previous coverage.
Laura at Pursuing Holiness, who first alerted me to this story continues to be quite balanced, reading huge amounts and being quite willing to call people on either side for excesses. She has a good post today titled The Media Circus and Alan Bean. It’s an interesting picture that’s portrayed there.
Why am I blogging about this at all? It’s pretty simple. I think it’s an important story. Someone called my attention to it, and I want to make sure that others notice as well. [tag]Racism[/tag] is not dead in this country. But also law enforcement agencies have a great deal of power and discretion, and we the people need to keep our eyes on them. Support them, yes, but also expect integrity and fairness.
My own knowledge on this is second hand, but I’m linking to folks who have information that comes closer to the source. Read up and be informed, and help find those other cases where someone is being treated unfairly, but doesn’t have this type of support. It has to start somewhere.
Thanks for the kind words. If you could see the comments I’m getting – unbelievably hateful. I’m a race traiter and a n-lover. And I’m simultaneously a cracker b___ because I don’t want them to get out of jail scot-free. Nice to know someone thinks I’m balanced because I’m feeling positively UNbalanced. 🙂
Laura, On this issue I can’t think of a single time when I’ve disagreed, and I have been following the links and reading other sources as well. I’m happy to link to your work on it and help publicize a balanced approach.
I was annoyed to see “Free the Jena 6” signs at the rally. I’m not in favor of them getting off with nothing, always assuming any particular individual was involved with the beating. I just think it was carried over the top. “Fair and even-handed treatment for the Jena 6” would be more my slogan.
I think all of the publicity is ridiculous! I also believe two wrongs don’t make a right. Each should be held accountable for their actions. These protest marches are ridiculous. Look who is proffiting from this so called racist issue. I thought that racism was dead. But it seems that two races allow it to grow. Stop hating one another and grow up!
Also, the government/justice system is not thinking too clearly. I don’t think the inflated charges of attempted murder should stand. A far less charge is called for. This was a awful beating, however they should not be let off lightly.
This issue is definately a blatant race issue. The Jena 6 should be punished for their actions but calling someone the n word and hanging nooses is also wrong. Most of white america, especially the far right, would not understand how these actions can cut like a knife. If you aren’t looking for trouble avoid using such words and hanging ropes from trees. Actions like these tend to cause young black individuals to act an n word.