Comments on: Jena 6 Day of Action Round Up http://thecurvature.com/2007/09/21/jena-6-day-of-action-round-up/ Tue, 16 Mar 2010 00:24:35 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Sarah http://thecurvature.com/2007/09/21/jena-6-day-of-action-round-up/#comment-1566 Sarah Sat, 29 Sep 2007 03:33:18 +0000 http://thecurvature.com/2007/09/21/jena-6-day-of-action-round-up/#comment-1566 Cara, I need to apologize for saying that you believe the whole town to be racist. It was unfair of me to do so. I do agree that the charges for the "Jena Six" were too harsh. I also agree that the hanging of nooses in that tree was NOT a "prank". There was no excuse for either of those things happening here. The Jena times has its faults (southern grammar being a big one) but I know them personally and they are honest people who report the facts. I did not choose to participate in the rally here. Much as I agree that the charges were unjustifiably harsh I cannot bring myself to uphold the statement "Free the Jena Six!" I do not believe that six people who attacked one should walk free because of their race. Don't dismiss the charges, amend them to fit the crime. These kids don't belong in Adult court, keep in Juvenile court where it belongs. For those who have prior records, go with the harshest punishment the crime will allow. If someone has two prior battery charges they are a repeat offender. If the court rules that the defendant is guilty of the same offense for a third time, DO something about it! Those who have no prior record should get a lesser charge or probation. If they offend again, give a harsher punishment. I believe this to be true no matter a person's race, religion, sexual orientation, or anything else that may set them apart. The Rev. Al Sharpton was on Dr. Phil today and a woman from Jena asked why he didn't post bail for Mychal Bell himself when the boy's family couldn't raise the money. The man sat there and bold faced lied on TV saying that there was no bail because the judge had revoked it and if bail was set again he would gladly post it to release Bell. Bail was only revoked in Mychal Bell's case AFTER the third circuit court threw out the (adult charged) battery conviction. They were deciding what needed to be done and where to go from there. Where was Mr. Sharpton's money for most of the 10 months Bell was sitting in jail? It is better for the "cause" if there is a 17 year old sitting in a jail cell. Mychal Bell is free now, and will go to juvenile court as should have happened originally. If a rally is what it took to achieve that then I am glad it happened, but I do not believe that it is "justice" to let the perpetrators of an attack walk free. I will leave you in peace now. Thank you again for allowing me to voice my opinion on these matters. You are one of the few who listen to the other side. Cara,
I need to apologize for saying that you believe the whole town to be racist. It was unfair of me to do so. I do agree that the charges for the “Jena Six” were too harsh. I also agree that the hanging of nooses in that tree was NOT a “prank”. There was no excuse for either of those things happening here. The Jena times has its faults (southern grammar being a big one) but I know them personally and they are honest people who report the facts.
I did not choose to participate in the rally here. Much as I agree that the charges were unjustifiably harsh I cannot bring myself to uphold the statement “Free the Jena Six!” I do not believe that six people who attacked one should walk free because of their race. Don’t dismiss the charges, amend them to fit the crime. These kids don’t belong in Adult court, keep in Juvenile court where it belongs. For those who have prior records, go with the harshest punishment the crime will allow. If someone has two prior battery charges they are a repeat offender. If the court rules that the defendant is guilty of the same offense for a third time, DO something about it! Those who have no prior record should get a lesser charge or probation. If they offend again, give a harsher punishment. I believe this to be true no matter a person’s race, religion, sexual orientation, or anything else that may set them apart. The Rev. Al Sharpton was on Dr. Phil today and a woman from Jena asked why he didn’t post bail for Mychal Bell himself when the boy’s family couldn’t raise the money. The man sat there and bold faced lied on TV saying that there was no bail because the judge had revoked it and if bail was set again he would gladly post it to release Bell. Bail was only revoked in Mychal Bell’s case AFTER the third circuit court threw out the (adult charged) battery conviction. They were deciding what needed to be done and where to go from there. Where was Mr. Sharpton’s money for most of the 10 months Bell was sitting in jail? It is better for the “cause” if there is a 17 year old sitting in a jail cell. Mychal Bell is free now, and will go to juvenile court as should have happened originally. If a rally is what it took to achieve that then I am glad it happened, but I do not believe that it is “justice” to let the perpetrators of an attack walk free. I will leave you in peace now. Thank you again for allowing me to voice my opinion on these matters. You are one of the few who listen to the other side.

]]> By: Cara http://thecurvature.com/2007/09/21/jena-6-day-of-action-round-up/#comment-1552 Cara Fri, 28 Sep 2007 16:33:36 +0000 http://thecurvature.com/2007/09/21/jena-6-day-of-action-round-up/#comment-1552 Sarah, I would like to clarify that I do not think that the entire town of Jena is racist. And I don't ever think that I claimed it was. I claimed that everything about the way that this case has been handled is racist, and that is not the same thing. There are good people everywhere, only sometimes you have to look for them a little bit harder. I say that as someone who comes from a mostly white, Republican town with a lot of racism of its own. I disagree with just about everything else you've said, but I doubt that either of us is going to change the other's mind here. I just wanted to clarify, and though the whites who claimed that the town is not racist and yet refused to participate in the protest were more widely publicized, I'm sure that there were many white citizens who did participate, and many white citizens there who believe that the hanging of the nooses and all subsequent events are just as horrifying as I do. Sarah, I would like to clarify that I do not think that the entire town of Jena is racist. And I don’t ever think that I claimed it was. I claimed that everything about the way that this case has been handled is racist, and that is not the same thing. There are good people everywhere, only sometimes you have to look for them a little bit harder. I say that as someone who comes from a mostly white, Republican town with a lot of racism of its own.

I disagree with just about everything else you’ve said, but I doubt that either of us is going to change the other’s mind here. I just wanted to clarify, and though the whites who claimed that the town is not racist and yet refused to participate in the protest were more widely publicized, I’m sure that there were many white citizens who did participate, and many white citizens there who believe that the hanging of the nooses and all subsequent events are just as horrifying as I do.

]]> By: Sarah http://thecurvature.com/2007/09/21/jena-6-day-of-action-round-up/#comment-1550 Sarah Fri, 28 Sep 2007 16:22:03 +0000 http://thecurvature.com/2007/09/21/jena-6-day-of-action-round-up/#comment-1550 I respect that you feel that way. I'm sorry that you prefer to believe the entire town is racist and horrible. The things that deal with the "Jena Six" are detailed because that's what the article is about... the things that revolved around them. You don't mention that the so-called white violence against blacks was when black students showed up at a private party, and DEMANDED entrance and refused to leave, or that it was not six white students ambushing one black student, but a fair fight one on one that ensued. There were charges brought in that case, but again, the kids didn't have TWO prior assaults on their records. I am not asking you to like this town, but to give it a fair shot. I said before and I say again, there ARE problems in Jena. There are problems everywhere. This town is NOT what the media makes it out to be. I would like to say thank you that you actually took the time to read the article. It's more than most people bother to do. I sincerely hope that wherever you live never has the media turn its biased and self-serving attention on it. I didn't realize how much they rearrang things to suit their own purposes until experiencing it. Thanks for letting me voice my opinion. Have a great weekend. I respect that you feel that way. I’m sorry that you prefer to believe the entire town is racist and horrible. The things that deal with the “Jena Six” are detailed because that’s what the article is about… the things that revolved around them. You don’t mention that the so-called white violence against blacks was when black students showed up at a private party, and DEMANDED entrance and refused to leave, or that it was not six white students ambushing one black student, but a fair fight one on one that ensued. There were charges brought in that case, but again, the kids didn’t have TWO prior assaults on their records. I am not asking you to like this town, but to give it a fair shot. I said before and I say again, there ARE problems in Jena. There are problems everywhere. This town is NOT what the media makes it out to be. I would like to say thank you that you actually took the time to read the article. It’s more than most people bother to do. I sincerely hope that wherever you live never has the media turn its biased and self-serving attention on it. I didn’t realize how much they rearrang things to suit their own purposes until experiencing it. Thanks for letting me voice my opinion. Have a great weekend.

]]> By: Cara http://thecurvature.com/2007/09/21/jena-6-day-of-action-round-up/#comment-1544 Cara Fri, 28 Sep 2007 13:05:12 +0000 http://thecurvature.com/2007/09/21/jena-6-day-of-action-round-up/#comment-1544 Wow, Sarah, thanks for the laugh! That was one of the most biased pieces of "reporting" I have ever read! Hey everyone, did you know that according to the Jena Times, most students "did not even see" the nooses and "did not even know" about them? Oh, and they also insist on repeatedly pointing out that the nooses were NOT, I repeat NOT racially motivated! There are also some fun little comments from unidentified sources about how NOT, I repeat NOT racist the town/school is. It also completely glosses over white violence against blacks by calling them "several white-black altercations," but strangely every OTHER attack is gone into in detail. Hmm . . . No, seriously, go read it. It's hilarious if you're into that sort of thing (biased, poorly-written, racist "journalism). Wow, Sarah, thanks for the laugh! That was one of the most biased pieces of “reporting” I have ever read!

Hey everyone, did you know that according to the Jena Times, most students “did not even see” the nooses and “did not even know” about them? Oh, and they also insist on repeatedly pointing out that the nooses were NOT, I repeat NOT racially motivated! There are also some fun little comments from unidentified sources about how NOT, I repeat NOT racist the town/school is. It also completely glosses over white violence against blacks by calling them “several white-black altercations,” but strangely every OTHER attack is gone into in detail. Hmm . . .

No, seriously, go read it. It’s hilarious if you’re into that sort of thing (biased, poorly-written, racist “journalism).

]]> By: Sarah http://thecurvature.com/2007/09/21/jena-6-day-of-action-round-up/#comment-1543 Sarah Fri, 28 Sep 2007 04:01:08 +0000 http://thecurvature.com/2007/09/21/jena-6-day-of-action-round-up/#comment-1543 In answer to huh? The full report on the "shotgun toting" white man is also on the Jena Times website. He was attacked by the three black students when leaving the store and grabbed his shotgun from his truck to scare them off. Eyewitness reports support this. It's all in the police reports. Considering he also happens to be my cousin by marriage I know that he was beaten bloody by these same 3 boys about a week or so before the incident at Gotta-Go. I saw what they did to him. It wasn't pretty. Media also doesn't bother to report that the shotgun was not loaded. In answer to huh? The full report on the “shotgun toting” white man is also on the Jena Times website. He was attacked by the three black students when leaving the store and grabbed his shotgun from his truck to scare them off. Eyewitness reports support this. It’s all in the police reports. Considering he also happens to be my cousin by marriage I know that he was beaten bloody by these same 3 boys about a week or so before the incident at Gotta-Go. I saw what they did to him. It wasn’t pretty. Media also doesn’t bother to report that the shotgun was not loaded.

]]> By: Sarah http://thecurvature.com/2007/09/21/jena-6-day-of-action-round-up/#comment-1542 Sarah Fri, 28 Sep 2007 03:56:53 +0000 http://thecurvature.com/2007/09/21/jena-6-day-of-action-round-up/#comment-1542 I would like to let you know that CNN and other major media have not only been selective about what they have said about Jena, they have flat-out lied and twisted things to make this town seem like it is stuck in the time of slavery. If you would like a FACTUAL account of happenings in Jena, based on court documents, police reports and firsthand eyewitness accounts please visit the Jena Times website and read the article " Chronological Order of Events Concerning the 'Jena Six'". http://www.thejenatimes.net/index2.html (scroll down on the page) I'm not saying that there was nothing wrong with charging these boys with attempted murder. I do NOT agree with that, but there is NO excuse for six on one. This was NOT a schoolyard fight. What kind of people attack from behind and then continue to kick and beat someone after they are unconscious?? YES, the boys who hung the nooses should have been more severely disciplined, but again, the media says they only received 3 days suspension. This is FALSE. Please get the facts before you judge our town. We do have work to do, and so does the rest of the world. I would like to let you know that CNN and other major media have not only been selective about what they have said about Jena, they have flat-out lied and twisted things to make this town seem like it is stuck in the time of slavery. If you would like a FACTUAL account of happenings in Jena, based on court documents, police reports and firsthand eyewitness accounts please visit the Jena Times website and read the article ” Chronological Order of Events Concerning the ‘Jena Six’”. http://www.thejenatimes.net/index2.html
(scroll down on the page)
I’m not saying that there was nothing wrong with charging these boys with attempted murder. I do NOT agree with that, but there is NO excuse for six on one. This was NOT a schoolyard fight. What kind of people attack from behind and then continue to kick and beat someone after they are unconscious?? YES, the boys who hung the nooses should have been more severely disciplined, but again, the media says they only received 3 days suspension. This is FALSE. Please get the facts before you judge our town. We do have work to do, and so does the rest of the world.

]]> By: Cara http://thecurvature.com/2007/09/21/jena-6-day-of-action-round-up/#comment-1491 Cara Mon, 24 Sep 2007 17:23:54 +0000 http://thecurvature.com/2007/09/21/jena-6-day-of-action-round-up/#comment-1491 I did see that already, but thank you. Publicity is always fun :) I did see that already, but thank you. Publicity is always fun :)

]]> By: Natalie http://thecurvature.com/2007/09/21/jena-6-day-of-action-round-up/#comment-1490 Natalie Mon, 24 Sep 2007 17:21:46 +0000 http://thecurvature.com/2007/09/21/jena-6-day-of-action-round-up/#comment-1490 Hey, Cara. Semi-regular reader here. Just wanted to let you know that this post was linked by Slate.com: http://www.slate.com/id/2174569/nav/fix/ Hey, Cara. Semi-regular reader here. Just wanted to let you know that this post was linked by Slate.com: http://www.slate.com/id/2174569/nav/fix/

]]> By: huh? http://thecurvature.com/2007/09/21/jena-6-day-of-action-round-up/#comment-1489 huh? Mon, 24 Sep 2007 16:27:02 +0000 http://thecurvature.com/2007/09/21/jena-6-day-of-action-round-up/#comment-1489 cool. cool.

]]> By: Cara http://thecurvature.com/2007/09/21/jena-6-day-of-action-round-up/#comment-1488 Cara Mon, 24 Sep 2007 16:17:44 +0000 http://thecurvature.com/2007/09/21/jena-6-day-of-action-round-up/#comment-1488 Yeah, I got the ”we don’t allow comment spam here” message yesterday, too. I'm assuming that it's a random wordpress issue that will work itself out. Yeah, I got the ”we don’t allow comment spam here” message yesterday, too. I’m assuming that it’s a random wordpress issue that will work itself out.

]]>