Comments on: Justice in Jena http://www.dissidentvoice.org/2007/05/justice-in-jena/ a radical newsletter in the struggle for peace and social justice Thu, 20 Nov 2008 14:52:49 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.1 By: Julia http://www.dissidentvoice.org/2007/05/justice-in-jena/#comment-6367 Julia Mon, 24 Sep 2007 20:36:17 +0000 http://www.dissidentvoice.org/2007/05/justice-in-jena/#comment-6367 A letter I wrote to the free Jena 6 I am a woman, an American Indian, I am a small town wife, on the upper half of the poverty level, and I am a mom. I feel that what happened to the six youths of Jena is unjust and unfair, but it is the consequences you pay. I would never tell my children to fight physically with someone over words. Words are powerful but they also make you weak. It takes a strong man to walk away. I am sorry that these guys are facing a hard sentencing, but must we not forget that violence is NOT the answer. What were they expecting, if Jena is a racist town? Were they expecting a slap on the wrist. I would never allow my children to act inappropriatly. I teach my children there are cruel people in this world, there are mean people, and people will try to hurt you and keep you down. But it is up to you how you shall rise above these people and it is not with violence, NEVER will it be with violence! I hate the fact that you are asking these for these kids to go without punishment. These boys are not heroes and they should not be treated as one. It is a shame they could just not walk away. We all suffer in one way or another. As a mother, it is our duty to see that our children should never intentionally harm anyone and if they do, then there has to be some punishment. Ask the young man sitting behind bars, was it worth it? Was it worth kicking someone's butt, just to serve 20 to life? And if he says no, then he knows he shouldn't have done it. And if he says yes then let him sit. My favorite quotes are by a very loving man and they read "The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy." and "Returning violence for violence multiplies violence, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars... Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that. ""Nonviolence is the answer to the crucial political and moral questions of our time; the need for mankind to overcome oppression and violence without resorting to oppression and violence. Mankind must evolve for all human conflict a method which rejects revenge, aggression, and retaliation. The foundation of such a method is love. " These quotes get me by when I feel I am being descrimnated against. Even when Wesley Snipes made a comment about Being an Indian Giver,,,,I look to Dr. King and I can let it go. Thank you for your time. A letter I wrote to the free Jena 6
I am a woman, an American Indian, I am a small town wife, on the upper half of the poverty level, and I am a mom. I feel that what happened to the six youths of Jena is unjust and unfair, but it is the consequences you pay. I would never tell my children to fight physically with someone over words. Words are powerful but they also make you weak. It takes a strong man to walk away. I am sorry that these guys are facing a hard sentencing, but must we not forget that violence is NOT the answer. What were they expecting, if Jena is a racist town? Were they expecting a slap on the wrist. I would never allow my children to act inappropriatly. I teach my children there are cruel people in this world, there are mean people, and people will try to hurt you and keep you down. But it is up to you how you shall rise above these people and it is not with violence, NEVER will it be with violence! I hate the fact that you are asking these for these kids to go without punishment. These boys are not heroes and they should not be treated as one. It is a shame they could just not walk away. We all suffer in one way or another. As a mother, it is our duty to see that our children should never intentionally harm anyone and if they do, then there has to be some punishment. Ask the young man sitting behind bars, was it worth it? Was it worth kicking someone’s butt, just to serve 20 to life? And if he says no, then he knows he shouldn’t have done it. And if he says yes then let him sit. My favorite quotes are by a very loving man and they read “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.” and “Returning violence for violence multiplies violence, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars… Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that. “”Nonviolence is the answer to the crucial political and moral questions of our time; the need for mankind to overcome oppression and violence without resorting to oppression and violence. Mankind must evolve for all human conflict a method which rejects revenge, aggression, and retaliation. The foundation of such a method is love. ”

These quotes get me by when I feel I am being descrimnated against. Even when Wesley Snipes made a comment about Being an Indian Giver,,,,I look to Dr. King and I can let it go.
Thank you for your time.

]]> By: New Orleans http://www.dissidentvoice.org/2007/05/justice-in-jena/#comment-2192 New Orleans Mon, 02 Jul 2007 00:21:10 +0000 http://www.dissidentvoice.org/2007/05/justice-in-jena/#comment-2192 There's more to the story than just the white boi getting jumped but we'll never know. A high school fight is a high school fight and yet they charge these boys with attempted murder alittle fight and the sissy gets hurt they have the right to charge them with murder yea thats right that's the criminal justice system for you The person that made the last comment don't talk bout it be bout it . I'm from New Orleans i'll take it to another level.It's a race thing and it shouldn't be but yet it is. Justice system you can throw it out the window along with the constitution and the bill of right because they taking from our rights until theres nothing left. Land of the Free yea right this country's a joke . Like they say if u not White U Not Right. Let That Would have happened in new orleans u right it would've never happened.Dude with the badge an't shit to a dude on the edge There’s more to the story than just the white boi getting jumped but we’ll never know. A high school fight is a high school fight and yet they charge these boys with attempted murder alittle fight and the sissy gets hurt they have the right to charge them with murder yea thats right that’s the criminal justice system for you The person that made the last comment don’t talk bout it be bout it . I’m from New Orleans i’ll take it to another level.It’s a race thing and it shouldn’t be but yet it is. Justice system you can throw it out the window along with the constitution and the bill of right because they taking from our rights until theres nothing left. Land of the Free yea right this country’s a joke . Like they say if u not White U Not Right. Let That Would have happened in new orleans u right it would’ve never happened.Dude with the badge an’t shit to a dude on the edge

]]> By: WTF http://www.dissidentvoice.org/2007/05/justice-in-jena/#comment-2054 WTF Fri, 29 Jun 2007 03:25:02 +0000 http://www.dissidentvoice.org/2007/05/justice-in-jena/#comment-2054 What about the poor white kid jumped by these apes? If it had been the other way around it would have been a hate crime. Reverse racism at its best. It took six to take down the white boy? Oh give me a break - ALL THIS OVER SITTING BY A TREE? i don't buy that at all. If these kids had jumped my son you wouldn't have to worry about the justice system. i would have handled it myself. Always reverting back to those animalistic ways. What about the poor white kid jumped by these apes? If it had been the other way around it would have been a hate crime. Reverse racism at its best. It took six to take down the white boy? Oh give me a break - ALL THIS OVER SITTING BY A TREE? i don’t buy that at all. If these kids had jumped my son you wouldn’t have to worry about the justice system. i would have handled it myself. Always reverting back to those animalistic ways.

]]> By: Larry Jackson http://www.dissidentvoice.org/2007/05/justice-in-jena/#comment-1954 Larry Jackson Tue, 26 Jun 2007 18:35:01 +0000 http://www.dissidentvoice.org/2007/05/justice-in-jena/#comment-1954 It is a shame that these types of things still happend in the South. I was born and raised in Alabama and as a African American i know racism all too well. I lived in Louissianna for 5 years and people always asked me, why I carried a gun (with a concealed carry permit). I told them that my rights wont be violated by anyone. I earned my right to carry a weapon by defending my country in Iraq. I wont let some back woods person try to take them away without a fight. It is a shame that these types of things still happend in the South. I was born and raised in Alabama and as a African American i know racism all too well. I lived in Louissianna for 5 years and people always asked me, why I carried a gun (with a concealed carry permit). I told them that my rights wont be violated by anyone. I earned my right to carry a weapon by defending my country in Iraq. I wont let some back woods person try to take them away without a fight.

]]> By: jim http://www.dissidentvoice.org/2007/05/justice-in-jena/#comment-655 jim Sun, 27 May 2007 17:47:30 +0000 http://www.dissidentvoice.org/2007/05/justice-in-jena/#comment-655 america has its nose in every other countrys buisness but still treats its own people like dirt.blacks and native americans are good enough to fight and die for their country but there not good enough to live in it.since rosa parks and the lynchings of the 60s have things changed that much?america leave the rest of the world alone and sort your own country out. america has its nose in every other countrys buisness but still treats its own people like dirt.blacks and native americans are good enough to fight and die for their country but there not good enough to live in it.since rosa parks and the lynchings of the 60s have things changed that much?america leave the rest of the world alone and sort your own country out.

]]> By: karen http://www.dissidentvoice.org/2007/05/justice-in-jena/#comment-566 karen Thu, 24 May 2007 20:29:44 +0000 http://www.dissidentvoice.org/2007/05/justice-in-jena/#comment-566 It just saddens me that in this day and age there is still no justice for the black. I am a PROUD AFRICAN living in britain and watched a documentary on the jena high shcool kids incident. i was really touched because it potrayed the real truth that racism is still rife everywhere even in britain. No matter now educated, what hieghts you have reached, intelligent etc people never forget your colour and call yo all sorts of names. I honestly cannot wait to go back home since i came to britain only for an education. i also want to encourage people that eventhough Africa is made to look horrible all the time on TV, that is nt always the case where i am from. Imagine if we all made our nation just as good as the West. Lived together as one people who would dare to call us 'niggers' or 'coloured people' in our own country. I hope these kids get all the help they can but believe you me if they had been white this would not even be mentioned. Black people shall rise one day i just hope it is during my lifetime. It just saddens me that in this day and age there is still no justice for the black. I am a PROUD AFRICAN living in britain and watched a documentary on the jena high shcool kids incident. i was really touched because it potrayed the real truth that racism is still rife everywhere even in britain. No matter now educated, what hieghts you have reached, intelligent etc people never forget your colour and call yo all sorts of names. I honestly cannot wait to go back home since i came to britain only for an education. i also want to encourage people that eventhough Africa is made to look horrible all the time on TV, that is nt always the case where i am from. Imagine if we all made our nation just as good as the West. Lived together as one people who would dare to call us ‘niggers’ or ‘coloured people’ in our own country. I hope these kids get all the help they can but believe you me if they had been white this would not even be mentioned. Black people shall rise one day i just hope it is during my lifetime.

]]> By: Marshalldoc http://www.dissidentvoice.org/2007/05/justice-in-jena/#comment-245 Marshalldoc Mon, 14 May 2007 23:01:01 +0000 http://www.dissidentvoice.org/2007/05/justice-in-jena/#comment-245 This is another disturbing story of the no so latent racism that continues to simmer, just under the surface, and then occasionally boil up down in these parts. Just to put things into geographic perspective consider that in June 1998 James Byrd was dragged to death by racist skinhead NeoNazis about 3 hrs southwest of Jena in Jasper, Tx (the three suspects were convicted and sentenced to life and/or long prison terms). In 2003 a group of white kids at a 'pasture party' beat Billy Ray Johnson senseless in Linden, TX (home of ragtime composer Scott Jopin, the Eagles' Don Henley, and birthplace of blues legend T-Bone Walker [They Call It Stormy Monday']) about 4 hrs drive northwest of Jena. The "kids" received minimal sentences from an all-white jury in their criminal trial - "Just boys being boys" - but the Southern Poverty Law Center's Morris Dees recently won a $9 million settlement for Mr. Johnson in Jasper's civil court . Mr. Johnson is confined to a care facility for the rest of his life as a result of his head injury. On December 30, 2006 newly elected black mayor Gerald Washington of Westlake, LA - 3 hrs southwest of Jena (right near Lake Charles) was found dead of a single gunshot wound to the chest in a parking lot. Although much controversy arose over this death and the evidently cavalier investigation by the local sheriff's dept it now appears that his death was a bona fide suicide brought on by the recognition that his new found notoriety would also make public his massive gambling losses and serial marital infidelities and the case has been closed. The family, it must be said, continues to contest the findings of several supporting investigations and a 3rd autopsy by an independent pathologist hired by the family was inconclusive due to insufficient material evidence - a likely result of the poor crime-scene management. On the 1st Sunday of the New Year, parties still unknown fired two shotgun blasts through the front window of the newly elected black mayor of Greenwood, LA - about 3 hrs northwest of Jena, just west of Shreveport - without injury to anyone. Despite an investigation including the FBI no charges have been filed. Viewed in this perspective, it's not at all surprising to see the kids in this story charged from the Jim Crow edition of the U.S. Penal Code. This is another disturbing story of the no so latent racism that continues to simmer, just under the surface, and then occasionally boil up down in these parts. Just to put things into geographic perspective consider that in June 1998 James Byrd was dragged to death by racist skinhead NeoNazis about 3 hrs southwest of Jena in Jasper, Tx (the three suspects were convicted and sentenced to life and/or long prison terms).

In 2003 a group of white kids at a ‘pasture party’ beat Billy Ray Johnson senseless in Linden, TX (home of ragtime composer Scott Jopin, the Eagles’ Don Henley, and birthplace of blues legend T-Bone Walker [They Call It Stormy Monday']) about 4 hrs drive northwest of Jena. The “kids” received minimal sentences from an all-white jury in their criminal trial - “Just boys being boys” - but the Southern Poverty Law Center’s Morris Dees recently won a $9 million settlement for Mr. Johnson in Jasper’s civil court . Mr. Johnson is confined to a care facility for the rest of his life as a result of his head injury.

On December 30, 2006 newly elected black mayor Gerald Washington of Westlake, LA - 3 hrs southwest of Jena (right near Lake Charles) was found dead of a single gunshot wound to the chest in a parking lot. Although much controversy arose over this death and the evidently cavalier investigation by the local sheriff’s dept it now appears that his death was a bona fide suicide brought on by the recognition that his new found notoriety would also make public his massive gambling losses and serial marital infidelities and the case has been closed. The family, it must be said, continues to contest the findings of several supporting investigations and a 3rd autopsy by an independent pathologist hired by the family was inconclusive due to insufficient material evidence - a likely result of the poor crime-scene management.

On the 1st Sunday of the New Year, parties still unknown fired two shotgun blasts through the front window of the newly elected black mayor of Greenwood, LA - about 3 hrs northwest of Jena, just west of Shreveport - without injury to anyone. Despite an investigation including the FBI no charges have been filed.

Viewed in this perspective, it’s not at all surprising to see the kids in this story charged from the Jim Crow edition of the U.S. Penal Code.

]]> By: joed http://www.dissidentvoice.org/2007/05/justice-in-jena/#comment-179 joed Fri, 11 May 2007 13:08:53 +0000 http://www.dissidentvoice.org/2007/05/justice-in-jena/#comment-179 Good ol' american ingenuity and capitolism has transformed our Justice System into a corporation. And like all corps. it needs customers. There is a surplus of people(customers) in the US. These people are considered to be, by the owners, more or less, "useless eaters." So, the surplus goes to jail and the "worthy" folks get a job at the jail. Now, do not hold your breath waiting for the surplus to rise up and shake off the worthy. A true struggle is now required, or at least a 5 day general strike. Good ol’ american ingenuity and capitolism has transformed our Justice System into a corporation. And like all corps. it needs customers. There is a surplus of people(customers) in the US. These people are considered to be, by the owners, more or less, “useless eaters.” So, the surplus goes to jail and the “worthy” folks get a job at the jail.
Now, do not hold your breath waiting for the surplus to rise up and shake off the worthy. A true struggle is now required, or at least a 5 day general strike.

]]>