After High Temperatures, Jena Outrage at a Low Fever
Denesha Thompson
4/4/08
Nation & World
Nation & World
Hundreds of students gathered in Cramton Auditorium to rally for teenage boys in Louisiana -- more commonly known as the Jena "6" on Sept. 5, 2007.
Student leaders, along with representatives from African-American progressive organizations gave stirring speeches. Adorned in "Free the Jena '6'" T-shirts, the campus of Howard University was reminiscent of the days of Stokely Carmichael and other revolutionary figures. The spirit to effect change was contagious as students embarked on their journey to Jena, La. But now, after Howard received such accolades for organizing the fight for the Jena "6," the fight seems to be over. Jerome Brooks, of Bay St. Louis, Miss. who was a member of the planning committee for the trip to Jena, said that Howard students are essentially over it. "It was great to see students around the nation mobilize in order to seek justice for the proper punishment for the Jena "6," but there has not been a push to end the clear segregation and mistreatment of African Americans in Jena," said Brooks, a sophomore biology and political science double major. "The politics are the same as they were before the case." Following the rally that had an estimated 20,000 people in attendance, a defense fund was established by Color of Change, an empowerment organization with a desire to mobilize the black community. Close to $300,000 was raised in order to secure payment for attorneys and other legal fees.
But the segregated environment of Jena continued when the FBI became aware of a white supremacist Web site that listed the names, addresses and phone numbers of the Jena "6" and their closest family members and friends. The FBI investigation surfaced after threats of lynching were received by the Jena "6" and their family members.
Another member of the planning committee, sophomore finance major Brian Cox from Harrisburg, Pa. said conscious students are aware of what is currently happening with the Jena "6," as well as what is going on in Jena, La. "Students who were already actively involved with politics are aware of what is going on. For others, I think they were mainly involved only because of the hype surrounding the case, so they are completely over it now," Cox said. "But politically-aware students understand that Jena is still a conservative, Southern, Baptist town that has little to no plans on changing their politics."
The teens known as the Jena "6" have received less harsh charges and await trials scheduled for later this year.
Student leaders, along with representatives from African-American progressive organizations gave stirring speeches. Adorned in "Free the Jena '6'" T-shirts, the campus of Howard University was reminiscent of the days of Stokely Carmichael and other revolutionary figures. The spirit to effect change was contagious as students embarked on their journey to Jena, La. But now, after Howard received such accolades for organizing the fight for the Jena "6," the fight seems to be over. Jerome Brooks, of Bay St. Louis, Miss. who was a member of the planning committee for the trip to Jena, said that Howard students are essentially over it. "It was great to see students around the nation mobilize in order to seek justice for the proper punishment for the Jena "6," but there has not been a push to end the clear segregation and mistreatment of African Americans in Jena," said Brooks, a sophomore biology and political science double major. "The politics are the same as they were before the case." Following the rally that had an estimated 20,000 people in attendance, a defense fund was established by Color of Change, an empowerment organization with a desire to mobilize the black community. Close to $300,000 was raised in order to secure payment for attorneys and other legal fees.
But the segregated environment of Jena continued when the FBI became aware of a white supremacist Web site that listed the names, addresses and phone numbers of the Jena "6" and their closest family members and friends. The FBI investigation surfaced after threats of lynching were received by the Jena "6" and their family members.
Another member of the planning committee, sophomore finance major Brian Cox from Harrisburg, Pa. said conscious students are aware of what is currently happening with the Jena "6," as well as what is going on in Jena, La. "Students who were already actively involved with politics are aware of what is going on. For others, I think they were mainly involved only because of the hype surrounding the case, so they are completely over it now," Cox said. "But politically-aware students understand that Jena is still a conservative, Southern, Baptist town that has little to no plans on changing their politics."
The teens known as the Jena "6" have received less harsh charges and await trials scheduled for later this year.
Viewing Comments 1 - 6 of 7
MAURICE SAINT-AMAND
posted 4/04/08 @ 2:20 PM EST
That is not true...I have not lost my concern for the Jena 6 issue. I just don't know what I can do to address it at this time. But I plan on getting involved in public policy in the future and approach the issue that way. (Continued…)
Tom
posted 4/11/08 @ 7:23 PM EST
Jena was a scam
Myth 2: Nooses a Signal to Black Students. An investigation by school officials, police, and an FBI agent revealed the true motivation behind the placing of two nooses in the tree the day after the assembly. (Continued…)
Don't Even
posted 4/11/08 @ 9:59 PM EST
Tom?? Short for Uncle Tom maybe? Don't even try and disrespect our intelligence by spreading your lies. Sure...a group of WHITE boys living in the SOUTH of all places didn't know that a noose has a long and painful history in the black community. (Continued…)
tom
posted 4/12/08 @ 11:43 AM EST
Hey Don't even. Facts are facts. You are being fed lies my the people that profit from race baiting. By the way you uncle tom comment just proves to me that you are a racist. (Continued…)
TerribleTommy
tom
posted 4/12/08 @ 12:17 PM EST
Don't even: Here's some more information on the nooses
Last September, 20,000 traveled to Jena to march against this prosecutorial outrage. Fortunately, however, there are still a few real journalists around. (Continued…)
janice
posted 5/28/08 @ 1:45 AM EST
To keep Jena 6 on people's mind, keep doing what you do. Further, to get this news to a must larger audience, try contacting the Huffington post (Arianne), I forgot her last name. (Continued…)
Post a Comment