Black Youth Facing 22 Years for Schoolyard Fight

Well, of course “Actions by black students were treated more harshly than actions by white students.” It’s Louisiana for God’s sake, and “Bubba” rules. Integration may have been mandated years ago but the prejudice still stands in lots of places in the South. So it cuts both ways, sometimes,like the charges against the LaCross players (white boys) accused of raping a black girl. Race should NOT be an issue but I don’t see that happening anytime soon. Until people get over the “color” thing (both ways) injustice will prevail.

There are so many details missing from this story.

Some white guys beat up Mexicans for no reason in San Diego. They go prison time. 6 blacks against 1 white. Sounds about right. They should do some time.

Any action such as this one is a hate crime.Just because the bad actors were black does not make this kind of action any thing less. so yes LetsKeepItReal you are not correct.

GET SOME JUSTICE! WHAT IN THE SAM HENRY “HADES” IS THE DOJ DOING? THIS IS UNCONSCIONABLE.

These kids are all still young enough that they must be living at home. Therefore they have not ventured out into the real work-a-day world where responsible/civil behaviour is very important. If this is the case, maybe some time with a “scared stiff” program, and community service working as assistants to adult leaders with a youth counseling program might be a better idea. If behaviour like this happens again, then give them some jail time if the crime is serious enough.

You have a way with words, Dougster58.
The fact is that no one should be allowed to committ a crime and get away with it.
But, when a disparity of justice occurs respect for real justice diminishes because of what is percieved as an inability to obtain justice in the system.
Justice must be meted out without the issue of color being a determinig factor.
The DA office of LaSalle county made race an issue when the office choose to prosecutute the white perpetrators of a white on black assault with a lesser charge then the one choosen to be used against the black perpetrators of a black on white assualt.
Race has been and will always remain an issue for some in this country because they only see the superficial and not the beautiful heart and soul that dwells beneath.

I know I’m ignorant about this, but what does a noose hanging from a tree signify? It evidently means some racial slur? I agree with Mitch about the punishment, high schoolers are sometimes immature and don’t always make the right decision, but to send him to prison for 22 years when the victim was not severely injured does not make sense.

I love the people that are diminishing this crime. So Finch, 3 nooses hanging in a tree is, by definition, a hate crime huh? I took your suggestion and went to the FBI website. Absolutely nowhere did I find any definition whatsoever that even remotely said anything like that. If I ever saw 3 nooses in a tree, I certainly wouldn’t automatically assume that it must be some sort of a heinous conspiracy to threaten or intimate an African American or deprive him of his rights. What high school did you go to Uncle Same where it was OK to beat people up? Because in the town I grew up in, that kind of thing was sort of looked down upon and any perpetrator was punished. If I were you, I’d move. And Mitch, I guess we should go easy on someone if he gang assaults an innocent victim once, but hey, if he does it twice we’ll just be a little more strict then huh? Because the first victim for some reason is somehow less a human being then the second victim. In high school I still lived at home, but I still had the morals to know it wasn’t OK to violently assault someone because of their race. And RNKay, if the white students were charged with a lesser crime, maybe the FACTS of that case bore out the decision to charge them with a lesser crime. That’s how a crime gets charged: by whatever facts support that particular charge. To say that in every instance where two people get different charges brought against them, and they happen to be different races, is due to racism, is shear stupidity. And how do you know how hurt the victim was Deb? Because the “critics” say he only received minor injuries? Gee, I’m sure they wouldn’t try at all to trivialize the injuries caused by the people they’re defending. Let’s have you be viciously attacked by 6 thugs for no reason and let’s see how physically and psychologically hurt you are. Then let’s see what sentence you think is appropriate.

Do pay attention, informedone (sic).
Perhaps studying some history would help you understand why three nooses dangling from a tree on school property might intimidate black students. What *would* you assume about the purpose of those nooses?
My post was about the FBI not doing its job. Nowhere did I say it’s all right to beat people up. It is not. That statement applies equally to people of different races, which means it was not all right for white students to beat black students with bottles and fists. Why are you trying to diminish *that* crime?

Informedone, Your right on the money.

Informedone, I see where you are coming from. My thoughts are about justice being blind and not having an agenda. The DA threatened these kids prior to the incident. also one of the “witnesses was involved with an incident by brandishing a weapon. Also one of the black kids , during a fracas, was struck in the head with a bottle and his attackers only received probation…So I guess the bottle was not considered a weapon and the kids fractured skull was an accident … I know, I know , the kids head struck the bottle, thus making it his fault…What was I thinking. I guess your right , Its all paranoia because racism does not exist…

The student attacked by the 6 had nothing to do with the noose or any other transgressions… He just happened to be white. In the attack on him the 6 used racial epitaths. Sounds like a hate crime, smells like a hate crime, looks like a hate crime. If the rolls were reversed I’m sure Jesse Jackson would be making a beeline for the nearest camera.

Some of you people say your blind to color.Well you aren’t some of the commencts you make are those of a person who is prejudice and doesn’t even know it . Yes the 6 boys should be charged with simple battery just like those who assaulted robert bailey(african american).There were 2 crimes in this article remember? Assault on a caucasian boy in the school yard by 6 african american boys AND an assault on a african amercian boy by caucasian boys (unspecified number) using not only there fist but beer bottles as well.Keep in mind that the attack on the caucasian child was in a school yard where adults are near by they were able to stop th efight and get the child medical help the enable him to return to school the same day! When the african american child was assault it was at a party probably with no adults around not to mention they were using BEER BOTTLES!!!!could you imagine what might have happened if no one had intervened? The point is BOTH sides did wrong BOTH side committed assault, and if you ask me the assualt against the african american was more serious since it could have been labelled assault witha deadly weapon.no major injuries were incured so tell me why and adolescent who has his whole life ahead of him would have to spen 22 year of his life in jail.If the justice system wants to play it like that then all the boys black and white should go to jail for that long that way they both pay for there actions and families on both sides feel the pain.I guess americians are so ani-terror the forgot how to run an equal and just society!

Surprised we haven’t heard from Al Sharpton yet, or did i miss that. It always becomes a racism issue when the blacks think they are getting the shortend of the stick.

Letskeepitreal says “Race should NOT be an issue…” right! unless its six white kids beating up a black kid! then the ACLU and the majority of the ppl on this blog would be hollering for life sentances and screaming for “justice”.
Face it ppl! Until we get past this white vs black vs yellow vs brown vs red vs etc etc, we as a ppl will never make any real progress. We are lucky to have gotten this far given the nature of the ACLU and its pentient for unrealistic goals, screwing up religion, and generally trying to control our lives worse then the Dems!

I just want to say that if they are wrong punish them. That took all of five seconds. Do the word Lemmings ring a bell?

I think that racism can go both ways. Maybe in this case they are being treated unfairly…but we don’t have all the facts…the media only tells readers what they want them to think. There is racism everywhere in this country.

Well I left Alexandria,LA. in 1966,April 30th..I see nothing has changed…as a matter of fact,Negro kids & Caucasion kids got along better then than now.
I use to play with Atty: Gravel kids in Alex,.LA. We had no problems..Read Proverbs 30th Chap and 11th verse -15th..you’ll know why this is happening today in this Generation.
It’s because of the Parent’s that dislike the Negro Race that these kids get this from.not all Caucasions are like that,tho.but the HATE is there..
It’s even worst here in the North.
Dora

Now in days you can’t go one day with out hearing a racist slur. As parents we should teach or kids what is wrong and that is right , 6 kid betting up 1 kid is wrong,betting him up because he is of another color , even worse. We should all take a good look around and see what is it that we are teching our children, and maybe we should not belive avething that the media says, because they always make evrthing sound worse than it is.

I don’t know about racial motivation and that white and black are treated different other than what I see on the news. I think they are taking all forms of punishment for normal childish school behavior to the extreme. Here in the Pacific NW we have to middle school boys that are facing prison time and a lifetime of registering as sex offenders for slapping someone on the behind. I think it is time we say enough is enough and start punishing real crimes. Let the punishment match the crime. Why should a parent who murders a child get less time in prison than some boys that jumped a fellow student.

I have been very upset about how these high school age black students have been treated. They are facing the outrageous charge of attempted murder. The district attorney reduced the charge for the one who was tried,and since the young man was 16 at the time it should have been handled in juvenile court. Racial hate is evil and does not reflect well on christian values in Jena, La.

Ok….I’ve been out of high school for a long time and I am not condoning what the young black men did, but give me a break sentencing high school kids for poor judgment for fighting on school grounds to 22 years. Come on, it just shows how ignorant and racist Jena, LA is. As for the Infoderme, you need to get real. Hanging nooses from a tree is definitely threatening and hateful to African Americans and as far as I am concerned it is a HATE CRIME. The KKK made sure to intimidate blacks in the south and they did there fair share of hanging blacks from trees (men and women). If you don’t know this you don’t know anything about slavery and blacks in America. I’m sure you are to young to remember how they hung Emmet Till (a young black man from Chicago visiting family in the south because he looked and whistled at a white woman). Every black person in America knows how some whites (notice I’m not saying all) look and treat us. Sure we may be a little sensitive but until you have walked in our shoes you really don’t know how we feel. As far as justice in this country…it has been historically harsher sentences for blacks. True, we don’t know all the facts but how would you feel if some black called you “out” and you and all your friends jumped him. You really expect me to believe that you would expect and be willing to serve 22 years. If you say yes, I don’t believe you. Race is and will always be a problem in this country. I moved to the new South (what a laugh) from California. Nothing has changed. They just sugar coat racism with a southern drawl.

racecard is right…imagine a black kid being attacked by six white kids. Those morons sharpton and jackson would never shut up about it. Oh, but the victim is white so it’s ok.
six on one, that’s about what i’d expect.
Why can’t hate crime laws be applied to crimes comitted by blacks? or was this a love crime? because we all know that all black people really, really love white people, right? only white people are capable of hate, right?
Throw the little punks in prison.

Blacks and hispanics cause much more crime according to US Gov’t sttistics – not racial propaganda! Actually the Gov’t tries to cover up the criminality of blacks and hispanics by counting many non-white hispanics as white.
If this guy is white, I’m an eskimo!

“Racecard” and “Surrounded by Idiocy” are NOT right, as other commenters (not enough, apparently) have noted. The “beating” of the white child by the six accused was not an isolated, six-on-one, hate-crime incident: it was the culmination of a series of racially charged incidents initiated and perpetuated by white students.
Incident 1: Black adolescent tries to stand under “white kids’” tree. (Some of you probably think he was “asking for it.”)
Incident 2: Nooses, clearly suggesting lynching for those with any sense of history, appear in tree. Perpetrators are located; they’re given in-school suspension, and they are not accused of hate speech.
Incident 3: Black students organize silent, civil protest under tree. School calls assemby at which local D.A. makes statements that are read as threatening protestors with legal action. Whether statements really are threatening remains unclear.

No one here has mentioned the fact that a white boy pulled a gun on 3 black kids and received no punishment. The boys wrestled the gun away from the white boy and ran home, the black boys were charged with theft. Does that sound fair? Also what about the black boy that was beat up at the white party, or it doesn’t matter because he was black. Why are the black boy’s bails set so high? The white boy/boys that was charged with beating up the one black boy, his bail was set at $5000.00. Does that seem fair? Walk in our shoes and see what we see, when we walk in to a store and the owner follows us around, when we walk on the street and are asked by police what we are doing, ride in my car when I am pulled over and asked can I please step out of the car, when I ask the officer why am I being pulled over and get no answer. Some of you all will never encounter this so I don’t expect you to feel as I feel when I see a noose, because you have never went though some of the things that I have went through. Some of you don’t know of racism like I know of racism. Someone mentioned that there are no white only scholarship’s at historically black colleges they do have a minority scholarship’s, because at a historically black college guess who is the minority. The reason I know this is because my friend attended a historically black college on one.

The only problem I have with the prison sentence is that he goes to an institution, for 22 years, that feeds on racial discrimination. That would mean, he would get out at, approximately, at the age of 40. This is a life sentence. Who would hire a man in his 40′s with no college education and a hate crime felony? I wouldn’t, white or black. If the lesson to teach is that racism is wrong, prison should be the last place to consider. That to me is the problem. The courts job is to judge and punish, the prison’s job to carry out the sentence and try to rehabilitate the inmate. How do we fix the problem and punish accordingly? Remember folks, there is only one way to fight hate, and its called love. Peace be to all.

I am a 38yr old black male serving in the US NAVY. 1st, I often believe Jackson and Sharpton often speak to further their own respective agendas vs the black cause..just wanted to put that out there. Second, I agree with all of you who focus on the facts of the crimes committed. For any crime to have been perpetrated, the elements of that crime must be met. In the military, striking someone with a beer bottle would constitute aggravated battery(AV). Six individuals on 1 would also constitute AV. Three hangman’s nooses would definately constitute a hate crime. Don’t know La’s statute language, so can’t say. But if ANY of you believe that equal and fair treatment has been applied here, you are a fool..and the only person you’re fooling is yourself. It is completely unreasonable to believe that if you go upside someone’s head with a beer bottle that it should be considered simple battery and punished with probation. A SINGLE person committing this act is guilty of AV upon conviction. Conversely, 6 people attacking 1 person COULD also be adjudicated as AV, especially dependent upon the sustained injuries. 22yrs? Too long in my opinion, but both of these groups of people committed these crimes. Both should be sent somewhere to contemplate their actions for a while. How long, I don’t know, but long enough for it to hurt, definitely.

To those who say that more blacks commit crimes than whites, that depends on the crime.
For instance, what is one of the most shocking crime rash to stun the nation in the 1990s and 2000s? Answer: school shooting sprees by students.
Since the rash started on February 2, 1996, in Moses Lake, WA, ALL BUT TWO of the perpetrators of such incidents have been young WHITE males. The ONLY two exceptions were two of the most recent: Jeff Weise, the American Indian on the reservation; and Seung-Hui_Cho of the Virginia Tech massacre. NEITHER of them, and NONE of the others, were black. NOT ONE BLACK KID has EVER preditatively shot up a school! There have been one-on-one murders by blacks that took place at a school, and at least one NON-premeditated shooting spree by a black kid, but talking here about the Columbine / Virginia Tech style PREMEDITATED shooting SPREES, no, no black kid has EVER done that.
Also, with the SOLE exception of Jeff Weiss on the reservation, these have ALWAYS taken place in “NICE, PEACEFUL” MIDDLE-CLASS and UPPER-MIDDLE-CLASS SMALL TOWNS and SUBURBS. PEARL, MS., NOT JACKSON, for instance. LITTLETON, CO., NOT DENVER. And so on, and so on, and so on. NOT ONE has taken place in an inner-city slum, nor indeed in any poor predominantly black neighborhood, or “da ’Hood.”
You’d never know that from the media coverage, though. Don’t depend on them. Check it out for yourself. Look at the lists of premeditated school shooting sprees available online. Now look up where they happened, the demographics of the area, and what race and economic class the perpetrators are. Don’t take my word for it.

On August 2nd, George had the temerity to ask:
“How does one know if blacks didn’t place these nooses ?
Do you know ? No…you don’t.”
Uh, yes, yes we do. You see, the ones who set the nooses were caught and punished with a slap on the wrist (in-school detention). They were, of course, white. This is a known fact.
Ask another stupid question. Come on. Ask.
Oh, by the way, not that it matters, but I’m a middle-aged Southern white man, born in Texas and raised in the Deep South.

The media hasn’t mentioned the total situation at the convenient store. The white guy was walking in the store when 3 black guys started running towards him and he ran back to his truck and grabbed his gun.
Also, according to witnesses the 6 did things like slam Justin Barker’s head into the concrete and kicked and stomped him. Without teacher and student intervention he probably would have died.

I just hear about this on the Michael B.radio show here in ohio 93.1fm This is crazy, it took almost a month for me to hear about this story. I am outrage about this I don’t agree with fighting I do agree that the court system should be more mature in sentencing these young boys. I can’t believe that you would report info that important as 6 young men life that would basicly it over for them because of a school yard fight. I send all my love and support to the family…

I’ve also just heard about this story from the Michael Basin show on 92.3. I think this is very a horrible and racists situation. What we should think about are these boys future that could dramatically change over a yard fight. We clearly see that racism is still well and alive. This is clearly a hate crime motivated by deep rooted racism and unequal treatment. What I can’t understand is why weren’t the white kids involved in this situation sentenced the same. I do hope this will not stand, I send my prayer’s and love to those 6 boys family’s. I have a son myself I know how hard this must be for them. I wish there was more I could do.

I just heard about this whole issue today, August 21, 2007. Honestly, but for the Michael Baisden Show, I wouldn’t have known anything about it. I live in the Washington, DC metro area where this story has not been covered in the print media or on the television news. After hearing it on the show today, I decided to look it up on the internet and see now that it has reached the masses via the web. On the one hand, because I am an African American female, I find it sad that the media has spent weeks, if not months, focusing on the Michael Vick story and no time whatsoever discussing the issues being faced by these young people. On the other hand, reading all of the prior comments, I can see to some extent why the television media has focused so little on the story. It is devisive. Whites seem to believe that it wasn’t a big deal that the nooses were placed under the tree. Blacks are outraged by that act. I would suggest that we be honest with ourselves. We live in a country with a long history of racial injustice starting from the fact that this nation for several hundred years legally enslaved an entire race of people and to this day, refuses to apologize for that transgression. Once slavery legally ended, our government found a way to allow the stigma of slavery to remain with the Jim Crow laws and nearly one hundred years of failing to enforce the right to vote to African Americans. I was raised in the deep south (Mississippi) and saw first hand the effects of slavery. Our country has come a long way since the passage of the Civil Rights Act, but still has so much more to do. The effects of slavery will remain as long as our children are taught to hate. Nooses are a symbol of the Ku Klux Klan. People were ACTUALLY hung with nooses for many years after the Civil War. The children who placed the nooses in the school yard KNEW exactly what message they were sending when they placed that symbol of division and hatred. The events that happened subsequent to the noose placement were BOUND to happen. The war started with the nooses. As adults, we seem to dismiss much of what has happened as kids being kids. But these kids are simply acting and reacting based on what they have been taught by their parents and the lessons of history. The kid (to me, it doesn’t matter his race) that was beat up and went to a school function that same night was hurt I’m sure. After all, he did have to seek medical treatment. But I think that if the intent was to kill him, he might have suffered a lot more than a concussion. Crimes and punishment for crimes should be balanced. Please, let us not dismiss the law of acting and reacting. It seems to me like the 6 kids who beat the other kid were reacting. The 6 kids should be punished. But they shouldn’t be facing 20 to 100 years in jail as the reports are stating. It would be good if we could have a national conversation on these issues so that MAYBE we could try to understand each other and finally see how the things we teach our children help shape the world they live in.

Like so many others, I just heard the story, and I watch and listen to national news daily. The story was no surprise to me and though it should provoke outrage, non-minority and minority families alike should set down with thier teens and discuss the story. Oops, most families do not set down to dinner or have familiar forums to discuss issues such as this.
If this story surprises many, wait 15 more years. I can only imagine the stories we will wake up to regarding race, government, ecomonics, business and the unsavory seeds of behavior which or being germinated as we speak. I see little hope for significant change in my life time
Do you?

I watch GMA every morning, I haven’t heard anyting about Jena 6. This is a very important story, why isn’t there any new coverage on your show. When Ms. Hilton went to jail, GMA had something to report everyday. Now a story that should be covered is swept under the rug. Innocent children are being sent to jail, because of racism!!

I too am upset about anyones child having to spend anytime in prison for anything that is deemed unjustified. However, our young black men need more guidance and drive in building for the future of our race as a people and their children. It is not a black or white issue as far as I am concerned. It is a human issue. We have got to start parenting again and stop allowing other children to raise our children for us. Peer pressure and encouragement from other young minds often lead to bad situations. I pray these kid get something out of this ordeal w/ little or no prison time and become better human beings and adults that we can all be proud of. Anger is an emotion that we choose. Stop getting mad about and take back control of these young mis-guided minds that breed ignorance and hurt families. Let the justice system of prayer guide them in this unfortunate ordeal and justice will prevail. God is always at the controls and there is nothing like the power of prayer. Let’s Pray people. Amen!!!!

Wow, if this is the usual punishment for school yard fights (NO MATTER WHAT COLOR)imagine how many of US would be in prison right know. Some MURDERS do not get that much time!!! The AMERICAN justice system is a JOKE! Everyone does somethings as adolescents that when you become an adult wouldn’t dare do today. I am in aww of how a KID could loose half of his life because of a fight. What is the average sentence for a hate crime? I don’t believe it is 22 years. If they want to send a message to people about hate crimes, why start now with kids? I believe the average sentencing term is up to 5 years, 22 years and NO DEATH is ridiculous!

I took the time to read many of the comments here . . . some were obviously well thoughtout responses . . . some were obviously idiotic comments coated with racism. I teach high school . . . mostly young men, just like the ones we are talking about here. As an educator I work hard to encourage my students to have faith in the justice system and their community leaders. It saddens me to see these young men facing 20+ years in prison for a crime that in most instances would involve probation and community service. I believe the acts should not go unpunished but I think there is an injustice here that obviously is doing more harm than good. All the boys involved (black and white) were wrong. No doubt about that. I just don’t believe that there is anything to be gained by a punishment this harsh for what was essentially a school yard fight where there were no weapons involved. As a teacher I would much rather break up a fist fight than to be dodging bullets. I’m also disappointed that the noose hanging was not taken more seriously. Coming from Canada . . . even we know what that means and how serious it is. A gesture like that, is never a prank. Maybe if that incident had been properly addressed all of these boys would be thinking about going off to college (having learned a very important lesson in life) rather than going off to prison (having learned nothing but disgust and disappointment in the justice system). My thoughts and prayers go out the boys and their families.

What is going on with the world. We are suppose to be gettin better about the hatred towards one another not worse. Yeah they may have jumped the black boy O.K. now that we got the cleared away what about the fact that the white boys jumped the black boy while using what is considerd weapons (bottles). I don’t hear anyone getting angry about that. I don’t hear anybody talking about giving then 22 years in prison. All they got was a slap on the hand (probation) and told don’t do it again. Why are the black boys being treated like the have committed the worst crime when the injuries the put on the boy was only minor bumps and bruises. Of course we all know that they should be punished for fightin but to that extent? I mean if you feel that the white boys can learn there lesson by probation why can’t the black boys. What should be persued is why the white boys got such a small punishment and the black boys are getting such a large one for a crime a little similar but with less force. We need to take a look at ourselves it is UNFAIR! THINK THEN RESPOND!

This sadden me because of all the things I went through as a young black male, growing up in the South. But, to hear that this kind of injustice is still going on in schools and some southern states makes me wonder what type of justice system do we have?

Keep fueling the fire. Keep fanning the flames. When all these little embers blow up to a national event, THEN you ALL will be asking, “What the hell is THEIR problem?”

It should’nt be black or white but it is, not by the leaders or the citiens, but by the justice department in Jena.
To the person that say he is color blind when it comes to justice, you may not have said black thugs, or the white innocent person, but you did say those six thugs, why do they have to be thugs. What about the people at the white party that beat up the black boy, shouldn’t they be called thugs and be sent away for a long time to. What about the kids that hung the nooses from the tree, how long should they be sent away.

IT’S A DAMN SHAME THAT IN THIS DAY AND TIME, THAT WE STILL HAVE THIS TYPE OF THINKING STILL GIONG ON. THE TIME DOES NOT FIT THE CRIME. IT’S TIME TO LET THESE YOUNG MEN MOVE ON WITH THEIR LIVES. THEY ARE FINE YOUNG MEN WHO DO NOT DESERVE THE TREATMENT THAT THEY ARE GETTING FROM A SCHOOL YARD RUMBLE. KIDS WILL BE KIDS, AND SCHOOL YARD FIGHTINGS WILL ALWAYS HAPPEN.

I think it’s a racial issue to the initial actions that lead up to the violent altercation. I also read in the article how Robert Bailey one of the six boys was assaulted with bottles (weapon)and fist and got simple assault charges. wow! very double standard.
People have to wake up, blacks and whites are still fighting over what? When will it end. I don’t see any good coming from neither situation. People need to grow up and learn how to respect each other. Forget about race, we are human beings.

I would like an update on the FBI’s investigation of the hate crime that ocurred in Jena. If the FBI is not doing anything about this case, as a tax paying American I want an explanation NOW! GMA and all the other news networks need to concentrate on these types of human atrocities and not the Micheal Vicks of the world. Maybe it’s just me but I value human lives more than dogs. Don’t get me wrong I’m not an animal hater I own 2 Boston Terriers, but lets keep life in perspective. For those of you who are living in oblivion next door to cloud 9 in La La land, until we’re all the same size, shape and color this world, especially THIS country will always be infected with racism. Unfortunately, the old antiboitics for racism (The Civil Rights Acts of 1866, 1871 and 1875) no longer work on the new mutated form of hatred, institutionalized racism.

First of all, is sad to see how ignorant people can be . People like that is what’s wrong now. No one is saying that what the Jena 6 did was right and what the caucasian kids did was not right either, but the reality of it is that the punishment for the two are just unfair. How can they even think on giving a KID 22 years for a school fight, when there have been cases like Jennifer Porter where she killed two kids and run from the scene and basically got off on HOUSE ARREST. Are this people really serious??? I don’t think this kids should just get off, but I also don’t think the punishment fits the crime. What is this world coming to? Racism is every where is sad to say, but is the reality. Is not just African americans and caucasians is every race. It seem like instead of progressing we are moving backwards.

I must ask how many that commented took the time to read the entire story. There were events that came out of this that shows there is a serious problem in Jena, LA. First there was the hanging of the noose. This caused a protest from additional students. Then there was the visit to the school for the DA’s office with his warning to the black students. Why was the warning not given to ALL students. That incident was followed by a Black child being beaten up by a group of whites for being at a White party. Though they were all charged with a crime they were charged as juveniles given probation for a sentence. Then there was the incident with the white teen pointing a SHOTGUN at a group of black teens. They took the shotgun and ran with it. In this case the white teen was not charged but the black teens were charged with theft. Is it theft to take a gun from someone threatening you and run away? That followed the taunting from the white students that were given probation against the black teen that THEY beat up on. Why were they allowed back in school? Finally there was the school yard fight. The six teens all were charged as adults of felonies that carry heavy sentencing. Putting this all together shows a serious problem exists in Jena. The issue is more the justice for the “Jena 6″. The issue is Justice for Blacks in that town. How many other things exist that we know nothing about. Come on America this is 2007. Something is terrible wrong here.

Justice for the Jena 6

why is this not on the new o i see this not about dog. if it was it would be big thing but it just black men .

I pray that these issues get the attention they deserve. This speaks of our country, pain and simply. It’s still about two things class and race. They both play a role in this society and when it comes to American Justice.We have to get back, we have to get back to standing up, we have to speak out.It’s still truth, that together we stand, divided we fall. The Truth never dies.It’s good to see people so passionate about what’s happening down there but, how many of you have written to the Prosecutors Office? How many of you have donated to the young black men legal team (I have). We have to do more the voice our opinions. We have to show face where we believe we have been wronged. We shouldnt wait until a battle is at our front door to become activist. I’m speaking of this incident and other like it that we may let slip right pass us. In this case, this is White mans justice and the only people they pay is JUST US. WORDS are still WORDS and as the old saying goes ACTION still speaks LOUDER then words. Don’t let this become your child or family member before you use more then just words, GOD bless you all.

it’s amazing that people who support this course of action by the jena courts is unaware are able to over look the fact that there was a whites only tree with 3 hangmen ropes on campus, several attacks on the black kids even involving a gun and no one faced 22yrs but a kid’s shoe is classified as a deadly weapon.(hello-the gun!)you can choose to be ignorant to the fact that justice in America is not handed out equally and be critical of those who stand up in protest. I don’t have a problem convicting white, black or whatever as long as the system is fair and this lacks fairness on every level.Kids wearing the support the jena one were allowed in the school but the kids with support the jena 6 were told they would be expelled.that’s LA justice which is a shame in America 2007.Blacks can’t move on and let race lie when stuff like this is still taking place.

What puzzles me is the fact that the school would allow the nooses to be hanging in a tree…The last time I checked hanging was considered a crime, and that is what a noose is used for. Those who feel like the 6 young men where justly charged because this happen on school grounds, should ask themselves why a no tolerance institution would allow nooses to be hung. The crime was committed before the attack; it just took the attack to bring it to light. If you think the punishment fits the crime. Ask yourself, how would I feel if it was my child getting 22 years for fighting in school?? Do you still think the punishment fits the crime???

if it were a Jewish person and they had Hitler and and other thing there and they felt their life was in danger. Just as I’m sure the young black boy did, noose hanging from a tree something within you tell you to fight or flight. So, they fought, We would have been outraged if it would have been any other group of individuals (jews, gays, handicapped) but because they were black sticking up for themselves because they felt threathen we blame them. It wrong we blame the victim, not the aggressor.

Scott did you read the WHOLE story? He wasn’t unconscious. But you are missing the big picture. These are teenage boys that got into a fight. Why should they be charged as adults? I’m a 34 year old BLACK woman who teaches 3 and 4 years old to show and speak respect everyday. This court system is taking away 6 young men lives because of their color. No matter how you look at this, it’s always about the color. I was born and raised in the south and my husband is from the north but we decided to live in the south.Even though I only left my home town for only 1 year, many white folks here thought I was stuck up because I looked them in the eye now and spoke my opinion in an educated way. Some even talked to my mother about it. I had to laugh when I heard that. Blacks here have to prove themselves more than anybody. Before I became a teacher, I volunteered at my nephews schools and saw how many of the black students ( especially boys) were taught differently and with a lot of attitudes that it made me want to make a difference. I try to help educate my young and many times single parents on positive ways to raise their child by providing things and ways for them. Every one of my parents have my home number just in case they need help, even if it’s babysitting for them on the weekend so they can go to work. After hearing about this story on the Michael Bisdsen radio show, I have been reading what ever I can on the Jena 6. Like many of you, I like animals but to have Michael Vick, Paris, Logan or even a new network show have more coverage than these boys is inhuman.If our society keeps this up, we will not have a country with a future. Terrorist don’t have nothing over injustice like this. Terrorist wouldn’t destroy our country but we will if we don’t wake up and do something.
To the people who commented about Sharpton and Jackson, they really a lot but not everything they do makes the paper. Do not get mad at them because they force society to look at themselves in a different light. Without them, how would we find out that injustice is being served.

I do not understand the system sometimes. We try and try to be equal but it is not. I am not saying that african americans are always being treated unfaily, but in this case it clearly shows the treatment that they are recieveing. These are children and it seems to me they are trying to destroy their future. Why is THAT DA prosecuting this case when it is clear that he is racist. Yes I said it racist….Where are the leaders for our community? I am sick with this society. We accepting to everyone else except our own. Just another hard working, fed up african american………..

This is not right and is based on racism in America. The Prosecutor’s office need to be investigated and the Police need to be fired.

IT AGAING IS A SAD DAY IN AMERICA,YOU HAVE SIX WHITE PEOPLE WHO DID THIS UNTHINKABLE CRIME TO THAT YOUNG BLACK LADY GET100,000 BOND,BUT THESE KIDS WILL SPEND A LIFE TIME ON ONE BAD DECESSION WAKE UP NOW IS THE TIME TO STAND UP FOR JUSTICE IF NOT NOW WHEN,WHEN IT’S YOU STANDING ON THE OTHER SIDE.DON’T JUST MAKE THE STATEMENT BLACKPOWER LETS SAY EQUALPOWER TO ALL

Being WHITE does not mean you are RIGHT. There are serious issues involved with this DISH-usation. Take off the blinders and give these young men the equality and justice they deserve.

ARE YOU PEOPLE CRAZY???? THE LEADERS OF THAT SCHOOL HAD PLENTY OF WARNINGS THAT SOMETHING LIKE THIS WOULD HAPPEN!!!!! THEY SHOULD BE THE ONES BEING CHARGED!!! ROPES HANGING FROM A TREE?/ THAT ITSELF IS A SERIOUS CRIME. COME ON PEOPLE THIS IS THE 21ST CENTURY AND EVERYONE KNOWS (WHETHER THEY WANT TO ADMIT IT OR NOT)THAT RACIST STILL EXIST. THIS IS A PRIME EXAMPLE OF IT. IM BIRACIAL AND I DONT HAVE SYMPATHY FOR EITHER SIDE BUT COME ON 22 YEARS FOR A FIGHT AT SCHOOL???????????????????????????????????

Seems many of you missed the articles were it turns out a black kid was JUMPED BY SEVERAL WHITES when the black attempted to go to a party that was majority white. One white student used a beer bottle to the black kid’s head yet he was charged with only a simple assautl charge and NONE of the other white kids were charged (that way no conspiracy charges would be filed demaning lengthy sentencing).
Does the FBI also deem jumping a black student and cracking his skull with a beer bottle as a hate crime as some goober mentioned above??!??

My question is why has this not been covered on camera at ABC??? Why have I not seen this on Good Morning America??? I would think Robin Roberts would have an interest in the story.

I would like to know where I can find the most information on this case. I get involved with issues that I see to be unfair. I have two daughter following in my footsteps.
Thanks
Mary

I also only heard about this story from radio shows. The media is saturated with unimportant things like paris hilton, & anna nicole smith, but real news, not a chance. I hold the school district responsible for even allowing a “WHITE ONLY” tree on school property. Isn’t that illegal? Then nooses are hung in the tree. Well, no threat there, let’s give them inschool suspension, cause that will teach them a lesson.And since when is it legal to pull a gun on kids, & when they take it away, THEIR THE WRONG DOERS!Then white kids beat up a black kids using bottles, and it’s simple assualt! Then the DA goes to the school and threatens the black students with the schools permission! I want to know who that school superintent is, just in case he wants a job in our school district.Don’t tell me that’s fair!

Crime is crime I agree however if they had a simple school yard fight then I too agree race has become the bigger issue. For a simple assault they should receive some community service and /or probation. Life is too short for all races to cut it down by sending our youth to prison for simple assault. Black and white they are our future or doesn’t anyone in politics remember that slogan. Stop treating Black youth differently they too are deserving of opportunity to strive, fight and not be penalized for life. fighting after all is just that a fight, between kids its over tomorrow if knuckleheaded adults stay the hell out of it.

I have always supported civil rights in this country but never again. The black leadership in this country is outdated and doing more harm to race relations than anything. Black leaders only support thugs and criminals who break the law. Six boys beat up on one boy and you defend them. I hope they all go to jail.

Mr. Bell was never sentenced to 22 years. The sentencing would have been today 9-20-07…IF his conviction in adult court had not been vacated on appeal and the case remanded back to juvenile court. <– This was destined to happen from the start, and I suspect his original defense attorney (a slick old dude) figured that from the start!
Mr. Bell is very familiar with juvenile court, as he is currently on probation for priors that include battery and theft. The attack Barker was one of a series of violations of the law for anti-social behavior, including battery and theft. Some of the "crew" in that school yard "attack" also have prior juvenile records. It is well known in the Jena community (among both black and white) that that crew is no angels.
Mr. Barker, had absolutely nothing to do with the nooses, absolutely nothing to do the ejection of the uninvited and physically persistent party crashers (who also happened to be black) from a racially integrated private party, or absolutely nothing to do with the altercation at the convenience store…although I do suspect Mr. Barker may have run his lil' smart mouth with some racial slurs. Not very intelligent…but then attacking him at school, while your friends hold the doors shut so teachers cannot get in to stop the attack was even less intelligent…tends to majorly piss-off school personnel, school boards, and the law.
Use some common sense. If somebody offends you with words or actions, you cannot later go and legally beat that person or anyone else. That is called taking the law into your own hands.
Such perverted logic is contrary to the laws of civilized society. If you are white and have a family member or friend that was, maimed or killed by a black person, you and a group of your friends CANNOT go days later and pick out a random Black person and beat the Hell out of him. Why should it be different if the skin color is reversed?
150 jury summonses were sent out to people of ALL races in LaSalle Parish for the Bell trial. Only 50 showed up and none were black. Any person of color who boycotted that jury summons has not the remotest bit of a right to complain about that verdict because he or she did not discharge his or her civic duty.
The honest truth and facts of this case have been distorted and "tweaked" by people with agendas other than true and racial harmony in Jena.
Personally, I think the DA is an idiot. Not because Bell is an innocent choirboy but because the DA should have gone ahead and ajudicated Bell in juvenile court, where a judge would probably have ended up putting Bells' mean and aggressive little hindparts in juvenile lock up until age 21 or so…..four good solid years to reflect on the error of taking the law into his own hands and possibly nearly killing someone.
Bill Cosby has made some very intelligent and reasoned discourses on what is plaguing the black community in this country, and as a group it has refused to acknowledge just how correct he is. No one can change a community except that community, and it cannot be changed successfully outside the existing system of law.
Equality and parity are never "given" to anyone, they are earned (regardless of race or class) by those who educate and civilize their children…those who teach their children to work within a system to change it, not to take pride in becoming outlaws.
Would you want your children hanging with M. Bell?

A noose is what white men used to hang blacks on a tree and then burn their bodies. This type of behavior is unacceptable as well as violence.
The three noose that were there should not have been ignored because it is a threat of bodily harm to all blacks.
I believe the black boys acted in a wrong way but they should have gotten probation and community service not 22 years in prison. The crime don’t fit the punishment. I would say injustice in this case. Do a study on jim crow laws,and black history you will better understand the fight in this country to be treated equal as a black person.