The Jena 6 Case

[bufante]

Originally Posted by PlayadelSoul

Given Sharpton's history with Tawana Brawley, I would distance myself, too.

Don't forget Sharpton is an embezzler, tax evader, and drug dealer...

[Babaloo]

Originally Posted by bufante

Don't forget Sharpton is an embezzler, tax evader, and drug dealer...

picky picky picky

[kirbyfan]

Originally Posted by Babaloo

picky picky picky

[melliedee]

There was a mid-sized, peaceful, gathering on our campus today at noon. I had a meeting, but saw the local news covering so I will watch for it when I get home.

Here's another interesting article from The Gardian (a UK paper, and thier timeline and retelling of the events is very similar as the other two I posted). I think your complaint about sources, KF, could stem from the fact that this is only recently getting a lot of "mainstream" media coverage.

"If the symbolic threat of a schoolyard lynching makes this sound like a tale from a bygone era, then what happened next belongs very much to the present. It is a story of institutional indifference and judicial impunity that today condemns black American men: not to end their lives hanging from a tree, but to spend it rotting in jail. It illustrates to those who would like to draw a line under the civil rights era that they must first contend with its legacy before claiming to have conquered history. It serves as a salient example that legal barriers to integration may have been removed - itself no mean feat - but the ultimate goal of equality remains elusive. And it shows that just because you are allowed to do something - even something as basic as sitting under a tree - it doesn't mean that you are able to."

"At the high school's homecoming rally on Friday there were plenty of cheers for the black and gold of the Jena Giants, the school football team, but no talk of festering bitterness between black and white. White people here don't want to talk about it. They resent being portrayed as rednecks. They have a point."

Apart from the noose, this is an everyday story of modern America | Columnists | Guardian Unlimited

[PlayadelSoul]

The whole case sounds rather complex and open for a lot of interpretations. My question is why would someone ask to sit under a specific tree that was normally frequented by another group (it strikes me as Mean Girls, with the cafeteria table). Was the tree symbolic of a whites-only water fountain? Are there areas that are frequented by blacks, that white kids could insist on access to? Even in the most enlightened of school districts, kids hang around each other based on color. It is natural, obviously. Seems like that tree must have been some prime real estate to lead to all of this.

[flyingpig11]

Originally Posted by PlayadelSoul

The whole case sounds rather complex and open for a lot of interpretations. My question is why would someone ask to sit under a specific tree that was normally frequented by another group (it strikes me as Mean Girls, with the cafeteria table). Was the tree symbolic of a whites-only water fountain? Are there areas that are frequented by blacks, that white kids could insist on access to? Even in the most enlightened of school districts, kids hang around each other based on color. It is natural, obviously. Seems like that tree must have been some prime real estate to lead to all of this.

But thats the problem. The tree shouldnt be the property of one over another. Even if it were, based upon some sort of history or practice, its still just a tree. It became much more than just a tree. The way this matter unfolded thereafter, with nooses, guns, beatings shows that there is a simmering hatred going on. I am sure tha there are several sides to each part of this story. Cut down the tree. It stands for nothing good now.

This is exactly the opposite of the story recently posted here of bullies being peacfully bullied by the majority of a school wearing pink to support a new student who was being verbally abused for a pink shirt. An intelligent peaceful, reolution ot a problem. What a better read that was.

[kirbyfan]

Originally Posted by flyingpig11

But thats the problem. The tree shouldnt be the property of one over another. Even if it were, based upon some sort of history or practice, its still just a tree. It became much more than just a tree. The way this matter unfolded thereafter, with nooses, guns, beatings shows that there is a simmering hatred going on. I am sure tha there are several sides to each part of this story. Cut down the tree. It stands for nothing good now.

This is exactly the opposite of the story recently posted here of bullies being peacfully bullied by the majority of a school wearing pink to support a new student who was being verbally abused for a pink shirt. An intelligent peaceful, reolution ot a problem. What a better read that was.

I say cut the tree down as well, it symbolizes something now that nobody wants. Of course that wont solve the whole problem but it might help in a small way.

[STOGEY]

I'd like to know. What does it mean that a black person running for US President isn't black enough?

[melliedee]

Originally Posted by STOGEY

I'd like to know. What does it mean that a black person running for US President isn't black enough?

His father is from Kenya, and his mother is white. There are some in the black community who claim that because he was not a descendent of slaves he does not possess a "true" African American heritage (as if that's a uniform thing...)

I think he squashed the fire at the debates when asked if he was "black enough," and countered with "You know, when I'm catching a cab in Manhattan--in the past, I think I've given my credentials."

[PlayadelSoul]

Originally Posted by flyingpig11

But thats the problem. The tree shouldnt be the property of one over another. Even if it were, based upon some sort of history or practice, its still just a tree. It became much more than just a tree. The way this matter unfolded thereafter, with nooses, guns, beatings shows that there is a simmering hatred going on. I am sure tha there are several sides to each part of this story. Cut down the tree. It stands for nothing good now.

Kids are the masters of the routine. You walk into class on the first day, and you sit down. The next day, you expect that same chair. After a while, you consider it yours. The only reason I can think of that someone would all of a sudden want to sit in "my" chair, is to cause problems. Granted, the chair isn't mine. But, seriously, what's the point of wanting me to get out of it? Is it a special chair with superpowers or is it just that you want me to move out of spite? Or are you trying to prove that the chair really doesn't belong to me? Its childlike behavior made worse by the "adult" who handled the situation poorly.

[PlayadelSoul]

Originally Posted by STOGEY

I'd like to know. What does it mean that a black person running for US President isn't black enough?

There are certain actions and behaviors that are expected by the majority, that if you do not adhere to, get you questioned. The same is true for gays, as evidenced by the outing of men and women who want to stay in the closet. Or, Hispanics, who are expected to support illegal immigration because the majority of those immigrating are Hispanic. In essence, its a Democrat thing.

[roni]

I heard a radio news story about this today, so even though it was NPR I am still not an expert

I believe the one young man who was convicted may have been overcharged and under-represented by the public defender.

I also believe that people who break the law, particularly laws against violence to other people, should be held accountable for their behavior if convicted of the right charges in a fair trial with adequate legal representation.

That is all I have to say about the topic.

[gingele]

I, too, just heard a report on the story on NPR.

They have cut down the tree.

[Just Lucky]

Originally Posted by kirbyfan

Youre joking right...

No, I am not joking. Perhaps it is because I live in the south, but my experience has been that the NAACP is often the most objective source of information in situations like this. Historically I think this also holds up as a fact. Compared to the southern power structure, the NAACPs reports are not as influenced by local politics.

[roni]

Originally Posted by Just Lucky

No, I am not joking. Perhaps it is because I live in the south, but my experience has been that the NAACP is often the most objective source of information in situations like this. Historically I think this also holds up as a fact. Compared to the southern power structure, the NAACPs reports are not as influenced by local politics.

I trust the organization that Dees boy runs - you know, Morris. He's a fine fellow to sit down and have a glass of ice tea with on a hot Georgia afternoon.