Jena 6

Everyone grows up with an assumption about race.  It’s the fact that our nation has to learn how to unlearn our unconscious behaviors.  This may seem like a difficult concept but as our nation progresses we neglect the fact that we are still active in our old habits.  The only reason why whites avoid calling themselves racist is they believe that being racist involves some sort of animosity towards another race.  In a sense this must be true, but what happens when these discriminatory bias’ reach our legal system.  A perfect example of the underlying racism that occurs in today’s society is a string of events that lead to six African American high school students being arrested after a school fight with white students; introducing to the world; the Jena 6.  But what really occurred to trigger such violence within these teenagers?  As we further investigate we find that the racial tensions began when a black student sat under a tree that had “supposedly” belonged to an all-white group of students.  The next day there were three nooses hanging from the tree; clearly implying signs of racist. The fight between the two groups resulted in the whites suffering from minor concussion and bruising, while the blacks were sentenced to life in jail for the attempt of second degree murder and conspiracy.  

The Story. Educate Yourself First.

These unjust acts of discriminatory enforcement triggered an uproar of social rallies around the nation.  On September 20, 2007, the date upon which Bell was scheduled for sentencing, an estimated 15,000- 20,000 supporters rallied in Jena from all over the nation.  Activist, artists, actors, musicians and key note speakers all came in support of Mychal Bell and the Jena 6.  Without the high amount of media coverage and public advocacy, these students would still be incarcerated under unethical authority today.  This case proves how much we have failed to learn.  We have gone years and years avoiding the fact that our past is still very much prevalent today.  We can’t seem to escape these unrighteous habits that we once followed before.  We seem to dehumanize the human being on merits of importance. 

I wonder what this scenario would be like if the tables had been turned.  If this was an all-black high school where a white individual sat at an all-black table and verbally abused through racial slurs, followed by an anti-white symbol of discrimination showcased on that table, how would the justice system respond to that?  The white individuals would still be seen as the victims because that is the social norm within our society.  Any group that has the power to be the oppressor will have the power to be oppressive.  Being white is privileged and transparent.  Whites, especially white men have the privilege to never think of their race as a trait of their characteristics.  They don’t have to wake up every day and wonder how they will face racism that day.  They don’t have to face cases like this where their actions are based off of the assumptions of their ethnicity.  It is times like this that proves the imbalance of visibility within our nation. 

THIS IS OUR NATION TOO.