Comments on: Jena, Louisiana and the United States http://afrospear.com/2007/05/22/jena-louisiana-and-the-united-states/ A Blog For People of Color Fri, 30 Jul 2010 10:22:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.com/ By: Jena Six Revisited « Problem Chylde: In Her Solitude http://afrospear.com/2007/05/22/jena-louisiana-and-the-united-states/#comment-6689 Jena Six Revisited « Problem Chylde: In Her Solitude Mon, 09 Jun 2008 04:03:09 +0000 http://afrospear.wordpress.com/2007/05/22/jena-louisiana-and-the-united-states/#comment-6689 [...] I first started writing about the case at the AfroSpear Think Tank blog, I relied heavily on the history of the case supplied by Friends of Justice for the framing of why [...] [...] I first started writing about the case at the AfroSpear Think Tank blog, I relied heavily on the history of the case supplied by Friends of Justice for the framing of why [...]

]]> By: “Listen Up!” « Dayo Olopade http://afrospear.com/2007/05/22/jena-louisiana-and-the-united-states/#comment-6161 “Listen Up!” « Dayo Olopade Mon, 11 Feb 2008 17:03:33 +0000 http://afrospear.wordpress.com/2007/05/22/jena-louisiana-and-the-united-states/#comment-6161 [...] assembled by a flood of black activism on the Internet and on black talk radio. Black blogs like AfroSpear, Mirror On America and Prometheus 6 have written reliably on the story for months. As a result, [...] [...] assembled by a flood of black activism on the Internet and on black talk radio. Black blogs like AfroSpear, Mirror On America and Prometheus 6 have written reliably on the story for months. As a result, [...]

]]> By: Accountability and men of color « my place http://afrospear.com/2007/05/22/jena-louisiana-and-the-united-states/#comment-5272 Accountability and men of color « my place Mon, 24 Dec 2007 11:02:27 +0000 http://afrospear.wordpress.com/2007/05/22/jena-louisiana-and-the-united-states/#comment-5272 [...] need our own history because we are continuously written out of [...] [...] need our own history because we are continuously written out of [...]

]]> By: Steve http://afrospear.com/2007/05/22/jena-louisiana-and-the-united-states/#comment-3635 Steve Wed, 24 Oct 2007 13:44:11 +0000 http://afrospear.wordpress.com/2007/05/22/jena-louisiana-and-the-united-states/#comment-3635 You may want to read this article re the various incidents in Jena: Media myths about the Jena 6 A local journalist tells the story you haven't heard. By Craig Franklin http://www.csmonitor.com/2007/1024/p09s01-coop.html You may want to read this article re the various incidents in Jena:

Media myths about the Jena 6
A local journalist tells the story you haven’t heard.
By Craig Franklin

http://www.csmonitor.com/2007/1024/p09s01-coop.html

]]> By: Friends of Justice http://afrospear.com/2007/05/22/jena-louisiana-and-the-united-states/#comment-3418 Friends of Justice Wed, 10 Oct 2007 14:46:49 +0000 http://afrospear.wordpress.com/2007/05/22/jena-louisiana-and-the-united-states/#comment-3418 [...] assembled by a flood of black activism on the Internet and on black talk radio. Black blogs like AfroSpear, Mirror On America and Prometheus 6 have written reliably on the story for months. As a result, [...] [...] assembled by a flood of black activism on the Internet and on black talk radio. Black blogs like AfroSpear, Mirror On America and Prometheus 6 have written reliably on the story for months. As a result, [...]

]]> By: tom- (ruff) diddy piddy dog http://afrospear.com/2007/05/22/jena-louisiana-and-the-united-states/#comment-3285 tom- (ruff) diddy piddy dog Mon, 01 Oct 2007 20:00:56 +0000 http://afrospear.wordpress.com/2007/05/22/jena-louisiana-and-the-united-states/#comment-3285 America,World,Universe. Take a clear lesson from this. If anyone makes you give up slavery, never ever release the slaves alive in your own country. America,World,Universe. Take a clear lesson from this. If anyone makes you give up slavery, never ever release the slaves alive in your own country.

]]> By: Getting attention « American Stranger http://afrospear.com/2007/05/22/jena-louisiana-and-the-united-states/#comment-3217 Getting attention « American Stranger Thu, 27 Sep 2007 03:40:14 +0000 http://afrospear.wordpress.com/2007/05/22/jena-louisiana-and-the-united-states/#comment-3217 [...] it took almost a year to reach evental proportions, while its counterpart took hours. Via chabert, this post at AfroSpear, dated May ‘07, has a good list of links one can use to piece together the [...] [...] it took almost a year to reach evental proportions, while its counterpart took hours. Via chabert, this post at AfroSpear, dated May ‘07, has a good list of links one can use to piece together the [...]

]]> By: Arab Americans Support the Jena 6 « no snow here http://afrospear.com/2007/05/22/jena-louisiana-and-the-united-states/#comment-3168 Arab Americans Support the Jena 6 « no snow here Mon, 24 Sep 2007 19:04:08 +0000 http://afrospear.wordpress.com/2007/05/22/jena-louisiana-and-the-united-states/#comment-3168 [...] Support the Jena 6DETROIT: 24 September 2007 In May of this year, news from Jena, Lousiana spread throughout the African American and “of color” blogospheres. After black high school students enjoyed the shade of a typically “whites-only” tree on [...] [...] Support the Jena 6DETROIT: 24 September 2007 In May of this year, news from Jena, Lousiana spread throughout the African American and “of color” blogospheres. After black high school students enjoyed the shade of a typically “whites-only” tree on [...]

]]> By: John Wilkins http://afrospear.com/2007/05/22/jena-louisiana-and-the-united-states/#comment-3127 John Wilkins Sun, 23 Sep 2007 01:28:53 +0000 http://afrospear.wordpress.com/2007/05/22/jena-louisiana-and-the-united-states/#comment-3127 Where's the outrage for the Black Entertainment Network? If we had a White Entertainment Network it would be an outrage. What about the Black "anything" of the Year Award? Maybe if blacks themselves would stop segregating themselves others wouldn't do it. Where’s the outrage for the Black Entertainment Network? If we had a White Entertainment Network it would be an outrage. What about the Black “anything” of the Year Award? Maybe if blacks themselves would stop segregating themselves others wouldn’t do it.

]]> By: LIL'Ashley Keys #1 http://afrospear.com/2007/05/22/jena-louisiana-and-the-united-states/#comment-3106 LIL'Ashley Keys #1 Fri, 21 Sep 2007 23:15:17 +0000 http://afrospear.wordpress.com/2007/05/22/jena-louisiana-and-the-united-states/#comment-3106 white people need to leave black people alone they really do one day a black person will knock tha devil out of a white male or a female it does not make any sense white people is just fooling around with a black person a white female or a male no mattter what color the white people are they can be yellow pink brown gray you name it like i said everybody need to wake up and pay attention one day some of this jena mess or what ever they are saying about the school one day it may happen to your kids if you dono't wake up and pay attention and listen what's going on around the world it is very imprortant that ya'll listen and watch the news and that stupid attorney is crazy that attorney walter reed have no sense at all. that attorney need to get a lif and leave the black people alone i will say it agoind wake up and pay attention so many people around the u.s.a is being killied over some money that is so childesh some of these youngsters have guns and they donot understand how dangerous a gun is they just go off and shoot at anybody they donot care who the person is they just don't care all of this jena mess is a crazy situation ya'll adults teenager's grandparents ya'll better listen or one day it might be you and your kids this is real............... white people need to leave black people alone they really do
one day a black person will knock tha devil out of a white male or a female it does not make any sense white people is just fooling around with a black person a white female or a male
no mattter what color the white people are they can be yellow pink brown gray you name it like i said everybody need to wake up and pay attention one day some of this jena mess or what ever they are saying about the school one day it may happen to your kids if you dono’t wake up and pay attention and listen what’s going on around the world it is very imprortant that ya’ll listen and watch the news and that stupid attorney is crazy that attorney walter reed have no sense at all. that attorney need to get a lif and leave the black people alone i will say it agoind wake up and pay attention so many people around the u.s.a is being killied over some money that is so childesh some of these youngsters have guns and they donot understand how dangerous a gun is they just go off and shoot at anybody they donot care who the person is they just don’t care
all of this jena mess is a crazy situation
ya’ll adults teenager’s grandparents ya’ll better listen
or one day it might be you and your kids
this is real……………

]]> By: tom- (ruff) diddy piddy dog http://afrospear.com/2007/05/22/jena-louisiana-and-the-united-states/#comment-3094 tom- (ruff) diddy piddy dog Fri, 21 Sep 2007 14:23:44 +0000 http://afrospear.wordpress.com/2007/05/22/jena-louisiana-and-the-united-states/#comment-3094 Yeup, Anyone who tries to convict a black person is an evil racist. Just wait until it happens to you or your kids. Yeup, Anyone who tries to convict a black person is an evil racist. Just wait until it happens to you or your kids.

]]> By: Kaye http://afrospear.com/2007/05/22/jena-louisiana-and-the-united-states/#comment-3081 Kaye Fri, 21 Sep 2007 00:52:44 +0000 http://afrospear.wordpress.com/2007/05/22/jena-louisiana-and-the-united-states/#comment-3081 I believe that a white person will always receive better justice than black people (based on race). We need to take all the white judges off the bench because they are all racist. I believe that a white person will always receive better justice than black people (based on race). We need to take all the white judges off the bench because they are all racist.

]]> By: paulette http://afrospear.com/2007/05/22/jena-louisiana-and-the-united-states/#comment-2958 paulette Sun, 16 Sep 2007 17:59:02 +0000 http://afrospear.wordpress.com/2007/05/22/jena-louisiana-and-the-united-states/#comment-2958 I think things like this for along time. i think that we deserve better. we must stick together as a black family, to fight racial injustice. Kenneth Walker a unarmed black man, was gun down by a white sheriff. So i say no justice no peace. I think things like this for along time. i think that we deserve better. we must stick together as a black family, to fight racial injustice. Kenneth Walker a unarmed black man, was gun down by a white sheriff. So i say no justice no peace.

]]> By: Carol http://afrospear.com/2007/05/22/jena-louisiana-and-the-united-states/#comment-2935 Carol Sat, 15 Sep 2007 18:33:46 +0000 http://afrospear.wordpress.com/2007/05/22/jena-louisiana-and-the-united-states/#comment-2935 Please forgive my spelling... This really scares me...this is not the first time this has happened in this century and surely will not be the last...Until we as a Black Nation the true Native Americans rise together and get back to who we truly are and define what we like and remember our ancestors. Others will contine to divide and conquer us and feed us false dreams, by that I mean the american dream...to make a lot of money...nothing about helping one another... It has been long enough for us to have defined who we are as a nation and to stop living out another race dream of whom we are and whom we should be...all our rights were taken away and we are still fighting to get them back...the battle will never be over against discrimmination...just because the march ended does not mean the fight has...we, (as a nation who has been sought out to be destroyed) should be marching on the streets each time someone openly discrimminates against one of ours and are gunned down like an animal...and yet we do nothing Older generations have not taught us how to fight the way we are suppose to...arm ourselves with knowledge and learn our rights love ye one another as thy self...let's take it back to the streets our people are still opressed unto this day...just because many have made it to the top does not mean they will not be discrimmated against...and when the enemy starts to chaise one we usually allow them to until they have destroyed that person at the very core...and those who can help with money and knowledge usually will sit back and allow it to happen, many are quick to say I got mine they have to get theirs...but what about our children and our grand children and just children in general...who will watch out for them and keep them from being sent to jail for foolishness things children do...we sit and watch as countless lives are being destroyed...I would love to see a march take place on Washington D.C. allowing law makers know we refuse to sit back and watch lives be destroyed any longer...I am so passionate about this thing I can go on and on...it is just that all it took to get us here and now we think the fight is over...that was just in the early 60's not many years ago...and a lot of those who openly discrimminated are yet still alive and teaching it to others...the only difference today is, racist have taken off the hoods and have put on ties and use a pen and paper to beat us and lock us up for long periods of time for no reason at all...laws that are written by them but broken by them as well and they walk away...and yet we do nothing... There are enough black lawyers out there that these young men should not have to worry about a lawyer... I refuse to vote next year as it will not matter anyway...I began to encourage others not to even turn out to the polls as the only one who seens to profit from the election are the ones in office...why will I continue to waste my time voting for people who don't care about the people who put them in office, they make new laws to hurt us even more and we continue to vote, wake up...what good does it do to vote these days? Nothing seems to change...If we all stop voting and tell them it does not matter to us who is in office...maybe someone will listen...that is why we have to stop voting and start marching...if we as a nation can learn to love each other and accept who we are, were to seek out our own foundation and identify with what our people were about when they were coming along and how our people had their own customs and their own ways live off much less and were very happy...we would be much happier...but we have been following the white mans dream for to many decades...it time to define who we are as a people...our young have begun to identify with self and no longer other nations...they are smarter and are not afraid to stand up for what they believe in and I love them for that...and yet they still tell us we are the under dogs and our children are not learning as well as other races...that is where they are trying to keep us...as the under dog and truly divided... Please forgive me for ranting on... but like I said I have a true passion for this... Sincerely, Carol Miller Please forgive my spelling…

This really scares me…this is not the first time this has happened in this century and surely will not be the last…Until we as a Black Nation the true Native Americans rise together and get back to who we truly are and define what we like and remember our ancestors. Others will contine to divide and conquer us and feed us false dreams, by that I mean the american dream…to make a lot of money…nothing about helping one another…

It has been long enough for us to have defined who we are as a nation and to stop living out another race dream of whom we are and whom we should be…all our rights were taken away and we are still fighting to get them back…the battle will never be over against discrimmination…just because the march ended does not mean the fight has…we, (as a nation who has been sought out to be destroyed) should be marching on the streets each time someone openly discrimminates against one of ours and are gunned down like an animal…and yet we do nothing

Older generations have not taught us how to fight the way we are suppose to…arm ourselves with knowledge and learn our rights love ye one another as thy self…let’s take it back to the streets our people are still opressed unto this day…just because many have made it to the top does not mean they will not be discrimmated against…and when the enemy starts to chaise one we usually allow them to until they have destroyed that person at the very core…and those who can help with money and knowledge usually will sit back and allow it to happen, many are quick to say I got mine they have to get theirs…but what about our children and our grand children and just children in general…who will watch out for them and keep them from being sent to jail for foolishness things children do…we sit and watch as countless lives are being destroyed…I would love to see a march take place on Washington D.C. allowing law makers know we refuse to sit back and watch lives be destroyed any longer…I am so passionate about this thing I can go on and on…it is just that all it took to get us here and now we think the fight is over…that was just in the early 60′s not many years ago…and a lot of those who openly discrimminated are yet still alive and teaching it to others…the only difference today is, racist have taken off the hoods and have put on ties and use a pen and paper to beat us and lock us up for long periods of time for no reason at all…laws that are written by them but broken by them as well and they walk away…and yet we do nothing…

There are enough black lawyers out there that these young men should not have to worry about a lawyer…

I refuse to vote next year as it will not matter anyway…I began to encourage others not to even turn out to the polls as the only one who seens to profit from the election are the ones in office…why will I continue to waste my time voting for people who don’t care about the people who put them in office, they make new laws to hurt us even more and we continue to vote, wake up…what good does it do to vote these days? Nothing seems to change…If we all stop voting and tell them it does not matter to us who is in office…maybe someone will listen…that is why we have to stop voting and start marching…if we as a nation can learn to love each other and accept who we are, were to seek out our own foundation and identify with what our people were about when they were coming along and how our people had their own customs and their own ways live off much less and were very happy…we would be much happier…but we have been following the white mans dream for to many decades…it time to define who we are as a people…our young have begun to identify with self and no longer other nations…they are smarter and are not afraid to stand up for what they believe in and I love them for that…and yet they still tell us we are the under dogs and our children are not learning as well as other races…that is where they are trying to keep us…as the under dog and truly divided…

Please forgive me for ranting on… but like I said I have a true passion for this…

Sincerely,
Carol Miller

]]> By: randall http://afrospear.com/2007/05/22/jena-louisiana-and-the-united-states/#comment-2778 randall Sat, 08 Sep 2007 03:28:19 +0000 http://afrospear.wordpress.com/2007/05/22/jena-louisiana-and-the-united-states/#comment-2778 Please send this to as many people as possible to sign for the Prosecution of the Jena Six... White kids need to be protected from these thugs..A message needs to be sent so more incidents like this doesn't happen.. Prosecute the Jena Six http://www.PetitionOnline.com/102179RC/ Please send this to as many people as possible to sign for the Prosecution of the Jena Six… White kids need to be protected from these thugs..A message needs to be sent so more incidents like this doesn’t happen..

Prosecute the Jena Six
http://www.PetitionOnline.com/102179RC/

]]> By: bb http://afrospear.com/2007/05/22/jena-louisiana-and-the-united-states/#comment-2684 bb Tue, 04 Sep 2007 15:16:09 +0000 http://afrospear.wordpress.com/2007/05/22/jena-louisiana-and-the-united-states/#comment-2684 This bears a faint resemblance to the Scottsboro case of the 1930s. The circumstances are only different, but young black men being railroaded into jail because racism is the same. This bears a faint resemblance to the Scottsboro case of the 1930s. The circumstances are only different, but young black men being railroaded into jail because racism is the same.

]]> By: A Word From The Lord http://afrospear.com/2007/05/22/jena-louisiana-and-the-united-states/#comment-2452 A Word From The Lord Tue, 28 Aug 2007 12:18:55 +0000 http://afrospear.wordpress.com/2007/05/22/jena-louisiana-and-the-united-states/#comment-2452 Psalms 27 ...The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?............................................ ...For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock.......................... ...Teach me thy way, O LORD, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemiesDeliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies: for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty.................................................. ...Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD. Psalms 27

…The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?……………………………………..

…For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock……………………..

…Teach me thy way, O LORD, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemiesDeliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies: for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty…………………………………………..

…Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.

]]> By: Mad Mentality http://afrospear.com/2007/05/22/jena-louisiana-and-the-united-states/#comment-2439 Mad Mentality Tue, 28 Aug 2007 03:57:29 +0000 http://afrospear.wordpress.com/2007/05/22/jena-louisiana-and-the-united-states/#comment-2439 FIGHT THE POWER!!!! Racism is only awakening from its nap. His angry head has been quietly kept With one eye opened the other eye closed Who it arouses next, most everyone knows From grandmother past grandmother and granddads great The other side of the line will never segregate! Each one reach one Teach your children now When they are confronted They too will know how Remember Hisstory Never forget Our Story About the boundaries crossed about the victory and the glory still we rise from the ashes inside Walk tall and strong, on our backs Stamped PRIDE Our fathers stood and mothers laid down Not because they were helpless because therein lies the crown By the hands of Kings and Queens this country was made across seas for mere rice our dignity made to trade Our Papa's compelled to watch as mothers fought and cried Yet and Still on our backs stamped the marvel of PRIDE beyond all of this stronger than ever before Still we rise, while opening even more doors! Still we rise Still we rise Fighting the power!!! And we shall rise again!!! Mad Mentality™ 08-27-07 360 FIGHT THE POWER!!!!

Racism is only awakening from its nap.
His angry head has been quietly kept
With one eye opened the other eye closed
Who it arouses next, most everyone knows

From grandmother past grandmother
and granddads great
The other side of the line
will never segregate!
Each one reach one
Teach your children now
When they are confronted
They too will know how
Remember Hisstory
Never forget Our Story
About the boundaries crossed
about the victory and the glory
still we rise from the ashes inside
Walk tall and strong, on our backs
Stamped PRIDE

Our fathers stood and mothers laid down
Not because they were helpless
because therein lies the crown
By the hands of Kings and Queens
this country was made
across seas for mere rice
our dignity made to trade
Our Papa’s compelled to watch
as mothers fought and cried
Yet and Still on our backs
stamped the marvel of PRIDE
beyond all of this
stronger than ever before
Still we rise, while opening even more doors!
Still we rise
Still we rise
Fighting the power!!!
And we shall rise again!!!

Mad Mentality™
08-27-07
360

]]> By: kiera http://afrospear.com/2007/05/22/jena-louisiana-and-the-united-states/#comment-2391 kiera Sun, 26 Aug 2007 17:45:27 +0000 http://afrospear.wordpress.com/2007/05/22/jena-louisiana-and-the-united-states/#comment-2391 i think that the whole government needs to be fired and they need to find another one because the one that louisiana have now is triffilien and racist and should be behind bars to if i have anything to do with it thhose white boys that commited a crime and didnt get charged for nothing fair of what a black boy would be charged if the did it will be put behind bars espeacially the one that pulled the shot gun out i will bring that to justice if thats the last thing i do so yall government people need to straighten up and not act so cricket . i bet they white to though thats why they do what they do with racism. i think that the whole government needs to be fired and they need to find another one because the one that louisiana have now is triffilien and racist and should be behind bars to if i have anything to do with it thhose white boys that commited a crime and didnt get charged for nothing fair of what a black boy would be charged if the did it will be put behind bars espeacially the one that pulled the shot gun out i will bring that to justice if thats the last thing i do so yall government people need to straighten up and not act so cricket . i bet they white to though thats why they do what they do with racism.

]]> By: Jake http://afrospear.com/2007/05/22/jena-louisiana-and-the-united-states/#comment-2340 Jake Sat, 25 Aug 2007 17:55:15 +0000 http://afrospear.wordpress.com/2007/05/22/jena-louisiana-and-the-united-states/#comment-2340 Of course, this is an horrendous situation. Unfortunately, when you have a public defender you get what you pay for. I mean no offense to the 1 or 2 public defenders out there who are actually working in an attempt to do the right thing, caseloads that are legion notwithstanding. Assuming that these Jena PD's actually attended and completed law school and passed the Louisiana Bar, there is virtually no excuse for this situation to continue. Allow me to explain. Any idiot with internet access can locate and navigate FindLaw.com. Yet there was no mention of Batson v Kentucky which sets legal precedent for prosecutorial discrimination during jury selection, and also no mention of Georgia v McCollum which supports a person's right to be included in the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment of our Constitution particularly during jury selection. And Due Process is also required under the 14th Amendment. In the case of the Jena 6 I find no indication that any prosecutorial misconduct was ever considered. Appalling!! This, alone, could have resulted in mis-trials for some and changes of venue for others. The judge is not allowed to be the first one to mention this kind of thing at trial, it must come from the "attorneys". Why, then, did the Jena PD's never go that route when there is plenty of legal precedent (not only the two I mentioned)?? Could it be that the Good Ole Boy network is alive and well in Louisiana?? Were the PD's "convinced" in one way or another that it was in their own best interests to "go along". Do the PD's have families that live in the area?? Or, perhaps, are the PD's just as much Neanderthals as their legal counterparts? We have Constitutionally guaranteed Rights to be represented by counsel at trial, but there is no requirement that said counsel be committed to fending off the allegations of the prosecution. This is why it is required that a person be able to "assist in his own defense". Are these young men effectively capable of "assisting in their own defense"? They have no legal training or practical experience, and they can only request that their attorneys present a decent case. They cannot MAKE their attorneys do anything. Their attorneys, instead, choose/chose to present no case at all. Can we say "RAILROAD", boys and girls?? In parting, I must mention something that no one else has, to my limited knowledge. Why does a "whites only" tree even exist? Why does any student acknowledge the need to ask permission to sit under said tree? Why does Jena think cutting the tree down serves any real purpose?? Such symbolism is offensive to the sensibilities. Are we to think that if we don't want lynchings then we cannot sell rope? Does the town of Jena really think people are that stupid? I suppose they do. Will we continue to let them think so?? Of course, this is an horrendous situation.

Unfortunately, when you have a public defender you get what you pay for. I mean no offense to the 1 or 2 public defenders out there who are actually working in an attempt to do the right thing, caseloads that are legion notwithstanding.

Assuming that these Jena PD’s actually attended and completed law school and passed the Louisiana Bar, there is virtually no excuse for this situation to continue. Allow me to explain.

Any idiot with internet access can locate and navigate FindLaw.com. Yet there was no mention of Batson v Kentucky which sets legal precedent for prosecutorial discrimination during jury selection, and also no mention of Georgia v McCollum which supports a person’s right to be included in the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment of our Constitution particularly during jury selection. And Due Process is also required under the 14th Amendment.

In the case of the Jena 6 I find no indication that any prosecutorial misconduct was ever considered. Appalling!! This, alone, could have resulted in mis-trials for some and changes of venue for others. The judge is not allowed to be the first one to mention this kind of thing at trial, it must come from the “attorneys”.

Why, then, did the Jena PD’s never go that route when there is plenty of legal precedent (not only the two I mentioned)?? Could it be that the Good Ole Boy network is alive and well in Louisiana?? Were the PD’s “convinced” in one way or another that it was in their own best interests to “go along”. Do the PD’s have families that live in the area?? Or, perhaps, are the PD’s just as much Neanderthals as their legal counterparts?

We have Constitutionally guaranteed Rights to be represented by counsel at trial, but there is no requirement that said counsel be committed to fending off the allegations of the prosecution. This is why it is required that a person be able to “assist in his own defense”. Are these young men effectively capable of “assisting in their own defense”? They have no legal training or practical experience, and they can only request that their attorneys present a decent case. They cannot MAKE their attorneys do anything. Their attorneys, instead, choose/chose to present no case at all.

Can we say “RAILROAD”, boys and girls??

In parting, I must mention something that no one else has, to my limited knowledge. Why does a “whites only” tree even exist? Why does any student acknowledge the need to ask permission to sit under said tree? Why does Jena think cutting the tree down serves any real purpose?? Such symbolism is offensive to the sensibilities. Are we to think that if we don’t want lynchings then we cannot sell rope? Does the town of Jena really think people are that stupid? I suppose they do.

Will we continue to let them think so??

]]>