Jena 6 Does Not Add Up

Jena 6! The name sounds like the Title and Sequel number of an erotic video. OK, you can stop pretending you have never heard of Jenna Jamison. This is, after all, the World Wide Web, and while every topic imaginable has a following, I can neither see who you are, nor read your mind. But I digress.

Now that I have your attention gentle reader, the term Jena 6 has gained notoriety, if not infamy, for being steeped in a completely different sociological genre. Though a sordid tale indeed, there are no sexual escapades or intrigues involved. This Jena has a population of about 3,000, and is the seat of La Salle Parish; a Central Louisiana community located Northwest of Baton Rouge. Dial Area Code 318, if helplessly hip.

The 6 refers to six 15-17 year-old Black students from Jena high school (where the school colors just happen to be black and gold), who were involved in an incident, December 4, 2006 (oh, the desecration and indignity of it all; how could they?), that led to their being charged with attempted second-degree murder. Mychal Bell, the first to be tried, was convicted June 26, 2007 of reduced, at the last moment, but still serious charges of aggravated second-degree battery, and conspiracy to commit aggravated second-degree battery. Sentencing has been set for September 20, 2007.

Often lost in the haze is a backdrop that includes serial instances of gross intimidation, inequitable treatment, lack of equal protection under the law, and apparent racially motivated behavior by the Jena School Board, and District Attorney. All these factors and more fueled an environment ripe for an explosion, which occurred December 4th.

There is something, no make a lot about the Jena 6 that simply does not add up. Bell, who was 16 at the time of the incident, was tried as an adult. Oh by the way, not saying it mattered (What do you think?), but the jury panel was all White. In another of many interesting developments, his public defender called no witnesses.

Conviction on the more serious charge of attempted second-degree murder could have resulted in a maximum sentence of life in prison. Alternately, a maximum sentence applied for the lesser charges could result in up to 22 years. It is expected that charges will also eventually be reduced for the remaining co-defendants.

Others charged in connection with the incident include Robert Bailey, Jr., Carwin Jones, Bryant Purvis, Theo Shaw, and an unnamed juvenile. Their trials will be scheduled for a later date. Justin Barker, a White student was unconscious and in need of medical attention after allegedly having been assaulted by the so-called Jena 6.

While this case has been buried in the National press by contemporaneous stories, including Iraq, Tim Donaghy (NBA Referee), Michael Vick (NFL Player), the MLB Barry Bonds-steroids saga, the heat wave…you name it, the case has still managed to attract its share of National and International attention. It has been featured by NPR, and the BBC. Stories have run in dailies in major American cities, albeit frequently not headliners. Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton, and the Nation of Islam have all been to Jena. And yet, it has not resonated with, or captured the imagination of the American people.

The point of referencing all the attention revolving around the case, the vast array of sources from which it has emanated, and directing you to the attached links is to have you contemplate and explore the depth of the racial dysfunction in this small town American community. Moreover, I exhort you to avoid the potentially perilous fate of falling for the okey doke, and contentedly thinking “everything is OK.”

The fact is, one day it’s lynching in Jasper, Texas, the next, it’s railroading young Black men in Jena, Louisiana, where since 1902, the motto of the State has been, Union, Justice, Confidence. There are those who argue the Jena 6 has had none of the above!

One day soon, the racial dysfunction could very well visit a street in a town near you. Will you be ready?

Holla back!


See links below:

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jena,_Louisiana
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-jena_wittjun26,1,3186370.story?coll=chi-news-hed.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19488285/
http://www.btimes.com/news/Article/Article.asp?NewsID=13762&sID=3
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/08/03/AR2007080302098.html
http://www.news-journalonline.com/NewsJournalOnline/Opinion/Columnists/Essays/opnESSAY082807.htm
http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/comments.php?id=14477_0_4_0_C