Spring Break
Students discuss, support Jena Six, seek information
CAROLYN CRIST
Issue date: 9/21/07 Section: News
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The Jena Six, the name given to six black students in Jena, La. who initially were charged with attempted murder for beating a white peer in December 2006, have sparked citizens across the country to protest and students across campus to discussion.
"It's 2007. It all seems backwards," said Francis Onukwuli, a junior from Jonesboro. "Hate just breeds more hate, and I feel bad for those who have prejudice."
The event, spread by word-of-mouth and Facebook, was created when students talked about current issues at Memorial Hall last week. Students across the country wore black Thursday, and reports say between 20,000 and 50,000 people traveled to Jena to protest.
"Because of the blackout happening today, we decided to do something to show our support, even if we aren't in Louisiana," said Ambre Reed, who is a part of the campus NAACP chapter.
Students gathered to share their views and sign a petition that will be sent to representatives in Georgia and Louisiana.
"I can't believe ... we're just now hearing about it," said Tre Wright, a junior from Fayetteville. "I didn't know about that kind of racial separation in 2007."
For some of the students who came, knowledge and truth are still elusive.
"I just want to be updated," said Gerald Durden, a junior from College Park. "There have been so many different points of view, and I want to educate myself."
Students such as Durden said they have been reading about the trials and protests online.
"Look how word-of-mouth and Facebook have gotten us here," said Marie-Christelle Tshinanga, a senior from Atlanta. "We need to take advantage of our resources and use technology to change the world in smaller ways."
Yasmin Yonis, a freshman in the Black Affairs Council, closed the gathering.
"Don't read about a situation like this, click off Facebook and go watch MTV," she said. "Today, you made a difference."
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 19
Donna Wilcox
posted 9/21/07 @ 6:55 AM EST
As I read what seems to be the only coverage of the Jena 6 trials, I am beginning to understand just how the whites of that small town have come to see the situation as being blown out of proportion. (Continued…)
Cajie
posted 9/21/07 @ 11:04 AM EST
In 2005 a similar incident happened in Gaffney, SC except it was 5 white boys that attacked 1 black male walking down the rd. These boys are all now in jail sentenced to 15 years. (Continued…)
cajie
posted 9/21/07 @ 12:11 PM EST
Mychal Bell's Criminal History
* Battery - 12/25/2005
* Criminal damage to property - 7/25/2006
* Battery - 9/2006
* Criminal damage to property - 9/2006
*BATTERY on Justin Barker - 12/6/07
Justin Barker has since dropped out of school - a fine looking young white man. (Continued…)
Nat
posted 9/21/07 @ 12:54 PM EST
Give me a break...this is ridiculously overrated...only because the black kids are facing penalties for the crimes they have committed. It should not matter in today's society whether those who commit the crimes are black, white, yellow, green or whatever color. (Continued…)
fedup
posted 9/21/07 @ 3:06 PM EST
"Lets not rush to judgement". That was the NAACP stance on Mike Vike, a black man. Now once again the same people (Sharpton and Jackson) who "rushed to judgment" in the Duke Lacrosse case (against white men)are in Jena making victims of people (black) who committed a CRIME. (Continued…)
Clay Kimbro
posted 9/21/07 @ 9:43 PM EST
Brit,
Wasn't that badly injured?
The kid was knocked unconscious and then he was continually kicked in the head while he was unconscious. He was sent to the hospital. (Continued…)
John
posted 9/22/07 @ 2:50 PM EST
Did they commit a crime? Yes. Does the prior non violent act of another student excuse the felony crime? No. You do the crime you do the time. Guess what, no matter what is "going on" in the community between whites and blacks none of it is going to come up in a criminal trial. (Continued…)
Concerned Citizen
posted 9/22/07 @ 4:19 PM EST
Actually the National NAACP never had an official stance on the Michael Vick incident. It was the President for the Atlanta branch of the NAACP who said that he supported Vick but the National President came out to say that the views of the Atlanta President did not reflect the views of the national organization. (Continued…)
Cajie
Cajie
posted 9/23/07 @ 7:18 AM EST
Two of the mama's DO have new cars- 1 is a Jaguar and 1 is a Lincoln Navigator.
On MySpace a unknown person posted the truth; on Yahoo an AP reporter tells the truth, these truths will hardly see the light of day in the biased media pushing the lies of the black activist. (Continued…)
zaid
posted 9/23/07 @ 11:50 PM EST
Jeese, the white supremacists are really coming out in force on this one...
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