The Jena 6 Are Not Economically Viable

United States Racism against the Black Population

La Salle Parish Courthouse (Jena, Louisiana)

1 August 2007

by Stacie Adams

Racism remains one of the most confounding and damaging aspects of life in the United States and few issues contain such a vast difference of opinion. Some people seem to believe all racist thought has been thoroughly eradicated, while others are bound and determined to seek it out in all situations, whether warranted or not. There are unrepentant racists, loudly proclaiming their ignorance at every opportunity, while others coolly attempt to conceal it, only letting loose under duress. Despite this, I was under the impression that racial segregation was a thing of the past, similar to scurvy or trephining as a medical procedure. Surely this cruel and unnecessary social control has no place in the 21st century?

Recent events sickeningly suggest otherwise. Right now in Jena, Lousiana six black youths are suffering continued abasement thanks to the local judicial system. The events read like some sort of dystopian science fiction; in fall 2006, a black student requested permission to sit under the so called white tree, a spot on campus informally delineated by white students. School officials granted permission (as though they had a choice; segregation has been illegal since the 1960s) and the next day the student body was treated to the sight of three nooses, proudly ablaze in school colors, hanging from the aforementioned tree. Predictably, things grew worse from there.

When the Jena high school principal suggested that the perpetrators be expelled, he was overruled by superintendent Roy Breithaupt. Breithaupt recommended only a three day suspension and when black students protested, obviously aghast at the lax punishment doled out, they were allegedly threatened by the LaSalle Parish DA. At a school assembly DA Reed Walters claimed to be capable of ruining the lives of anyone making trouble over what he termed an “adolescent prank.” That December, a flurry of conflicts set in motion the most troubling events thus far. A black youth was attacked by a gang of white kids at a party. Those responsible received no punishment. A white man pulled a loaded rifle on a group of black men at a convenience store. When one of the men wrestled the weapon away from the assailant, he was arrested and charged with felony theft (conversely, the white man received on a $5,000 fine for carrying a loaded weapon). At another party, a group of black students attacked Justin Barker, a fellow student frequently named as an instigator in many of the events leading up to this altercation. Barker was taken to the hospital, released the same day and even felt well enough to attend a party later that night. The six youths arrested for beating him were charged with second degree attempted murder and each faced up to100 years in prison.

So far, only one of the six has been to trial. Mychal Bell refused a plea bargain and was convicted of the reduced charge of second degree aggravated battery, which entails assault with a lethal weapon. Bell ’s lethal weapon consisted of a shoe. Apparently in Louisiana a black teenager with a shoe is more dangerous than a white man with a loaded rifle. Bell faces a possible sentence of 22 years and is awaiting an appeal. The remaining members of the now named Jen 6 are awaiting trial.

Rumors of corruption during the proceedings abound. Bell ’s court appointed district attorney called no witnesses in his defense, nor did he dispute the selection of Bell ’s all white jury. In addition, some members of the randomly selected jury had uncomfortably close ties to either the DA or several witnesses, one of whom was actually related to a juror. The overwhelming sentiment from officials seems to be that justice was amply served and it’s best to put all this unpleasantness behind us.

Raynard Johnson, 17, was found hanging from a pecan tree in front of his home on June 16, 2000.

Adding insult to injury, this story has made nary a blip on the national news. The Jena 6 have received more thorough coverage from the international press, who no doubt use the situation to illustrate US’s waning moral authority. These are the same news outlets that relentlessly pummeled the public with hourly updates in Don Imus and the irreparable damage he supposedly caused, yet no one can be bothered with what is akin to a giant step backward in our social evolution.

There is no quick and easy solution for the plight of these young men. No sound bites, nor symbolic funerals, nor peaceful vigils can help them now. No amount of hand wringing or rhetoric will afford them the fair trial they obviously deserve. Consider that many of the citizens of Jena feel that nothing untoward has transpired at all. Many echoed the sentiments of the school superintendent and labeled those responsible for the initial hanging of the nooses as typical adolescent pranksters. A noose portends some dark things, especially in the south, where black men and women were not so long ago hanged with great frequency for often manufactured crimes. In light of this, I would not be so hasty to dismiss the appearance of three nooses as a mere prank.

* The Jena 6 petition

Louisiana Governor Kathleen Blanco contact info:

PO Box 94004
Baton Rouge , LA 70804 -9004
Phone: (225) 342-0991

Stacie Adams is an unassuming and introverted young woman with plans to take over the world and make it tolerable. Her heroes are few, but precious: Bill Hicks, Nat Turner, Orson Welles, and Hunter S. Thompson. She detests useless celebrity, bureaucracy, and unfettered stupidity. "I am disgustingly provincial and I’ve never stepped foot outside the US, but it is my dream to travel the world.