Today in class we read three articles about the Jena 6 case, along with the lyrics to the PLIES' song "Real Testament." Here is a link to the artist discuss http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_29UNBVXREA. The assignment is to answer the following question:
1. The Jena 6 case an example of the unfair treatment of black males, in particular, by the American judicial system. PLIES speaks of this uneven sentencing pattern for similar crimes based on race in his song: "Real Testament." Use the Jena 6 case to explore issues of race, class, and justice. In a 4 paragraph essay, incorporate one source per paragraph. You can use direct quotes, paraphrase. Don't forget to site your sources in text and in a works cited.
Post it here.
Homework: Develop 4 essay questions from chapters 4 and 5 in Holler. Bring to class and be prepared to answer someone else's. We will meet in the lab again Thursday, October 4.
Reminder: The Color Purple money is due tomorrow also if you want to attend teh play with us Nov. 6, 8 p.m. ($25 per ticket).
1. The Jena 6 case an example of the unfair treatment of black males, in particular, by the American judicial system. PLIES speaks of this uneven sentencing pattern for similar crimes based on race in his song: "Real Testament." Use the Jena 6 case to explore issues of race, class, and justice. In a 4 paragraph essay, incorporate one source per paragraph. You can use direct quotes, paraphrase. Don't forget to site your sources in text and in a works cited.
Post it here.
Homework: Develop 4 essay questions from chapters 4 and 5 in Holler. Bring to class and be prepared to answer someone else's. We will meet in the lab again Thursday, October 4.
Reminder: The Color Purple money is due tomorrow also if you want to attend teh play with us Nov. 6, 8 p.m. ($25 per ticket).
posted by Professor Wanda's Posse at 11:20 AM
15 Comments:
Maurice Freeman
English 1a
JUSTICE/INJUSTICE
The question of Justice or injustice is kind of a difficult question to answer. There are times in life, and also society, were we as people regardless of race or color have to be able to recognize the differences in being political, diplomatic, for and against racism and The Judicial system. I feel as though Dr. Karenga hit did a masterful job coming up with the title of the piece, and for my sake the title goes along with my way of thinking right on the nose. “The Judgment of History Issues of Justice and Struggle” is saying a lot in a few words. Having had to deal with a similar situation in High School I can identify on a small scale of what these young men were dealing with.
On a normal mourning in Alameda, headed to Alameda High for the start of tenth grade. Just getting to school was a drag, but what unfolded was really unimaginable. Walking into first period “we” (me and a couple of me friends) were walking to class, when one our our friends came up to us with a piece of paper. The paper ended up being a racist “nigger letter.” Word got around and we found out who wrote the letter. A melee ensued and it ended up being a race fight for a couple of days. Mind the fact that I have a bunch of friends of all races including white. Well to make a long story short no charges were filed against nobody, to the best of my knowledge. So having dealt with a similar situation I feel there is even a difference in juvenile/adult but that’s another argument. Looking back at how things unfolded, attempted murder would have been a bit excessive. To me at least. Dr. Karenga also states that “we remember and reaffirm the need to rebuild the movement” to me is a great statement. I’ve been locked up before, and I just feel as the you do the crime you do the time. Does this crime fit the amount of time they are offering these young men in my opinion no. My opinion is not race biased, me being a Christian feel as though there are laws and we have to abide by them. In the same token I feel as though attempted murder for any “fight” is ridiculous. When you say fight that means the odds weren’t stacked in no favor. The movement of rebuilding the freedom is exactly what were going to have to do forever, based off the fact that there is always going to be 1.
I also feel as though we as a people need to come up with laws to protect racism. Hate crime laws are ok. But people also need to keep there views and there opinion to there selves which is very difficult when there are freedom of speech laws that allow folks to go outside of other peoples boundaries. The song plies wrote is a song based on feelings and emotional ties that are racially based. In conclusion we as a people, as a country, as blacks and whites, as Mexicans and Asians need to learn to live with one another regardless of were we live. Until were able to find a way to just live with one another; which we will be never be able to because there is always one bad apple in the bunch, just need to focus on ourselves.
Latrice Collins Lampkins
Profesor Wanda Sabir
English 1A
10/3/07
The song 100 years by PLIES details the inequities within our countries judical system. The severity of punishment given to black males verses white males for the same or similar crimes are unjust.
The chorus in PLIES song reads “Pussy ass crackers give a nigga 100 years have ya mama leaving the court room in tears”. The charges that have been handed down to the six children in Jena for fighting do not fit the crime. “Mychal Bell was charged with attempted murder using a deadly weapon- his sneaker”. Whereas the white student that hung nooses in a tree to keep black student at bay were not criminally prosecuted. The district attorney in Jena Reed Walters has said “he could find no state law covering the act of hanging nooses”. The inability of considering their actions to be a hate crime remind me of the Jim Crow era where lynchings were recreational for white folks.
Reverend Jesse Jackson who has been very active in supporting this case said "He came because Jena isn’t simply in Louisiana”; “too many similar injustices take place in our criminal justice system routinely around the nation”. I have been moved by the support that black people have shown marching through the streets of Jena. We don’t see enough unification ad solidarity amongst one another that was so prevalent during the Black Freedom Movement.
Although all of the children have been released from jail the case is not over. White supremacy groups are urging the government to severely punish the Jena 6, or they vow to take matters in their own hands. There have been death threats made to the families. The FBI are slow in responding and the Governor and Attorney general of Louisiana are silent. PLIES puts this sad situation in perspective when he says “Crackers over sentencing niggas when this shit gon change"
Luchita Graham
Professor Wanda Sabir
Composition and Reading
English 1A
October 04, 2007
Justice vs. Injustice
The song 100 years by PLIES was full of anger due to the court system giving blacks unjust amounts of jail time vs. whites. Which is very closely related to the Jena 6 case.
The six young men receiving the unjust treatment in Jena, Louisiana are being tried as adults and facing a severe amount of jail time for a fight for their lives literally. PLIES mentioned a teen being tried as an adult in his song 100 years “my dog went to court today they gave him fifteen, cracker banned my lil, nigga he was seventeen(17)” which makes you look at the judicial system and really begin to think about the question at hand “justice or injustice”?
In his song PLIES also talks about whites not getting a lot of time for the crimes they commit for example he says “But give a cracker seven years for money launderin’ millions”. Which takes you back to the Jena 6 case where the white students only received an in school suspension for hanging three nooses over the “white tree”, while the black students received much harsher treatment. Basically this was total injustice.
This doesn’t just affect the Jena 6-Mychal Bell, Robert Bailey, Jr., Theo Shaw, Carwin Jones, Bryant Purvis, and Jesse Beard it also affects there families as well. Which takes you bake to the song 100years where PLIES says “Have ya mama leaven out the courtroom in tears”, this isn’t just happening in Jena, Louisiana it’s happening everywhere and it really makes you ask the question are our judicial systems for JUSTICE or INJUSTICE?
11:25 AM
Great responses. I be back with more specific comments later. Watch the grammar. Read your papers aloud first before posting.
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Jonell Ramos
English 1A
Prof. Wanda Sabir
11:00 – 12:00
Having found out about the Jena 6 case and the outcome of it thus far, are shocking. Many realize that even today that segregation still exist as well as racism, in the open. This case is pretty much stupid in my point of view cause, threats are out in the open, and anyone with common sense can see it’s wrong. Well, anyone that’s willing to see it’s wrong anyway. The people at fault are playing with the constitutional rights of every citizen in this country, especially if this whole travesty ends the way it is.
To summarize the whole incident that took place, from what I can gather is this; 3 black boys asked the principal if they can sit under a tree and was allowed, then nooses were found on the same tree the next day. The culprit of the so-called practical joke was expelled, afterwards the superintendent reverses the punishment of the culprit and said “we can’t punish them by expelling them for a simple practical joke” and the sentence was reduce to suspension. Then one of the black boys was jumped and later on, one of the white kids instigated a fight, and was beaten up. Brought to the hospital and a couple of hours later, released with a couple of bruises, and minor gashes. The adults later on shocked as to what occurred, filed for this “injustice” and surprisingly got a case out of the whole thing and even got the boys arrested charged with Attempted Murder. It doesn’t take a high powered criminal attorney to come up with the conclusion that this trial is “bullshit”, and it never should have turned out the way it did.
Taking away the rights of one race in order to apply, and ridiculous punishment to an individual is making a mockery out of the amendments to the constitution and to this country. To get away with this kind of “bullshit” it doesn’t matter, the nationality of the individual at fault cannot and should not be labeled “justice”, for it defeat the whole purpose.
There are a whole lot of people fighting for the Jena 6 individuals, from Al Sharpton, to Michael Vick and so on. The simplest way to have young people to probably see the seriousness of this situation is to fight it through media to get support. One of the people to impact the ordeal is Plies with his album “the testament” with the song “100 years”. Which revolves around the Jena 6 incident, and how this is a repeated process time and time again? There is a video interview that can be viewed on Youtube.com with Plies on his album called “Plies World: Talks about The Real Testament” which is a brief explanation of his album regarding his own personal experience as a black man and current occurrences being black.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_29UNBVXREA
Cristina Pacio
Professor Sabir
English 1A
10/4/2007
For many decades injustice has been a problematic issue within the judicial system in the United States. From the Rosa Parks’ incident in December of 1955 to the present controversial issue of Jena Six. Rosa Parks influenced many northerners and lawmakers to look at the discrimination victimizing Alabama’s black people, and work to correct injustice.
Many people know Rosa Parks as an important part of the Civil Rights Movement; she was arrested for not giving up her seat on a public bus to a white man. She was sick of being pushed around and showed it by demanding respect. The Jena Six incident in Louisiana is similar to Rosa Parks when six children were put in jail for asking permission to sit under a tree where whites typically sat. The next day three nooses were hung from that tree. Since then, it has become the subject of intense media scrutiny in the state of Louisiana.
Just the other day there was a discussion in class about an apartment complex in the Oakland/Alameda area where African-Americans are prohibited to rent. This is another example of modern day racism. It goes to show that discrimination towards cultural groups still occur on a daily basis. When will it stop? We live in a diverse country and everyone in it has the ability to make a difference and stand up for what is right. Dr. Maulana Karenga states, “We must, with dignity, determination and defiance, reaffirm our right and responsibility to exist as a people…”
In the song 100 Years by PLIES details the unfair treatment of our judicial system. The chorus of the song reminds me the wrong-doings of the government; the way Jena Six was handled. It goes to show that African-Americans have a tougher discipline than any other race.
Work cited:
Karenga , Maulana Dr.; Jena and The Judgement of history: Issues of justice and struggle; article from: Los angeles Sentinel, 9-27-07
Rosa Parks Biography – Academy of Achievement
http://www.achievement.org/autodoc/page/par0bio-1
Rap artist Plies
song: "100 Years"
http://www.lyricsdepot.com/plies/100-years.html
Chantha Hack-Aguilar
English 1A
M-TH 11-12pm
October 05th, 2007
The case of the Jena 6 against the high school students is injustice. It is an example of racial discrimination that’s happening today. To receive unfair punishments doesn’t normally seem like what America would practice. The state of Louisiana was known to be racism in the past but it clearly comes to show that today that type of hatred still exists.
The sentences or punishments for each African American student is truly unjust. They are charged with attempted 2nd degree murder. It is estimated close to and even over $100,000.00 to bail each student. Not to mention that some could face up to 20 years and can serve in adult jails. That would mean having a shattered dream of working towards their future, which was also mentioned in the song by the PLIES’, “Real Testament“ in verse 1. It displays the unfair and wrong treatment that are unnecessary to create. If given a different or more appropriate punishment, justice could be served and its fairness.
The reputation of the Jena 6 was indeed about racial epidemic. To hang nooses, (which was used to hang blacks back when slavery existed in America) on a tree in modern day society indicates history repeating itself. Even though it appears as a threat to the African American students, it wasn’t as a sign of respect. To the boys, it reflected and signifies as a defense of culture and of respect. The right thing to do in this situation is to create a correction of the misunderstood; just walking away from it will lead to regrets of defending self righteousness though it would leave a non-violent but unsolved act of hatred. The Jena 6 made the decision about their actions and not just for themselves but for the society and its whole controversy. Usually these types of conflict would resolve quickly with punishments such as an expelled or a suspension in the school ground. Students wouldn’t have to face jail time for their misbehavior especially ending with no one dead. If the students were white, this issue would probably not be necessary to carry to court. This is not about class whether you’re rich or poor. A rich black kid would still get the same amount of punishment. He may have money to be bailed out, but realize that it’s not the normal amount or charges for the same action another student could create in another state. It was obvious the judge just so happened to be white because the population of the state of Louisiana is about 80 percent white. Especially when the well known “N” word, “nigga” is often used by some whites to label African Americans and blacks in this country surely defines racism today. The “N” word was also quoted by a white commander in the 3rd paragraph of the Homeland Security letter by Reverend Jesse L. Jackson, Sr.. Clearly, this is an act of racism and injustice.
The issue of the Jena 6 wouldn’t be known as a national attention if it wasn’t so huge or a big deal. It could’ve just remained a state issue and end of story. Because of the majority of whites, the justice system is built upon it. Louisiana is part of America; anything that happens in its states that needs to meet national attention will. Citizens black and white, yellow and brown, will discuss the issue and keep the topic flowing. It was mentioned that if any public activity or crowd of people supporting the event get out of control, squads of men armed with automatic and preferably machine guns will be forced to take action, spoken by the neo-Nazi white supremacy groups, also mentioned in the Homeland Security letter. Though it will never be solved because some places in America still perform these practices, the Jena 6 will continue to fight for themselves and do it publicly. Many supporters and peaceful demonstrators around the country made donations, set up events, and get involved to help release the Jena 6. Still, somehow this case will raise the question of when will justice be prevail, when will fair justice be revealed in this country, and when will the world change… As for the tree, the right thing to do with it, which was once useful but known to caused so much commotion, was to cut it down so the city can have a new start, even as the case continues.
Sources and works cited:
PLIES’ “Real Testament” lyrics.
Homeland Security By Reverend Jesse L. Jackson Sr., Tribune Media Services.
Jena and the Judgment of history: Issues of Justice and Struggle By Dr. Maulana- Karenga, LosAngeles Sentinel.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=za4B4KhIVTE
P.S. Im supposed to have 4 paragraphs which i do.
The first one starts with "The caase of...", second is "The sentences or punishments...", third is "The reputaion of...", and the fourth "The issue of...". Mrs. Sabir, Im sorry i didnt know i was suposed to press enter after each paragraph to show them... but i'll email u my essay and its proper work. I also want to comment on Maurices' essay that it was great how he shared his experience about getting racially harrassed. It definetly defines that evil still exists today.
And i also wanted to comment on Jonell, "J" on his work that i truely agree that this this case of the Jena 6 is "bullshit".
By Chantha Hack-Aguilar
Alastair Vargas
Ms. Sabir
English201A
10/04/07
Justice vs. Injustice: The Jena 6 Case and Plies 100 Years Testimony
All over the world trials are taking place, and in America it�s stated �Monday through
Friday, from eight in the morning to five in the evening.� Plies said that at the intro of his song
�100 Years�. There are times where justice is served resulting in the trial being balanced and
given close consideration depending on the jury, lawyers , and judges. Then there are those with
injustice is being served without moral consideration, like in Jena, Louisiana where six African
American male juveniles were being treated with injustice. The song �100 Years� speaks on
situations where minorities, but African Americans in particular are given whip lashes on the back
and Caucasians are receiving timeouts and slaps on the wrist for the exact crime. There may be
justice served in handing a person a sentence or a judgment for a crime he/she committed. It is
injustice when crimes aren�t balanced out on the blind scale of justice, and color tends to be the
heaviest weight that makes the white man�s scale imbalanced. Is the system really a blind scale,
or is the blindfold just covering the right eye for the white man?
In the Jena 6 case many wouldn�t have known if someone hadn�t spoke up against the
injustice. These young men would have suffered pain, anguish, and anger over a crime most
would get months to no more than a year. It�s sad that their parents had to speak up against
the injustice, and what makes it worst that there wasn�t a white person who viewed the case wrong
enough to speak up against it. In the intro to �100 Years� Plies states �It�s some niggas in the the
courtroom fighting for they muh�fuckin lives dog the crackers banning niggas everyday my
nigga.�, and that is how African Americans are portrayed after the Civil War, Civil Rights
Movement, Million Man March, and Black Panthers party the situation still hasn�t changed
Blacks are still �niggas� meaning an ignorant person. Well these �niggers� must have not been
ignorant enough because they voiced their opinion rightfully, and caught the attention of locals, media,
blogs, newspapers, magazines, national news, political figures, KKK, and maybe international
attention. Now that is justice a right to defend against injustice inequalities just as the article Dr.
Maulana Karenga it states a view of how whites would have like this to go. The article states,
�Its law is the right and interests of the ruling race/class camouflaged as a sacred code enshrining
Whites �rights� to degrade our life conditions, limit our life chances, and as the Jena D.A.
reminded us, to end (our) lives with a stroke of a pen.� Meaning blacks are worthless as far as
�Whites� are concerned and mocking that a black life is only worth a stroke of a fifty dollar pen if
that even the value. How they white they�re value �rights� than it is justifiable that blacks have equal
rights it only took some two hundred odd years to receive and still the rights are questionable
based on race. All this over a stupid tree that whites dominate in a white washed town, and the
black students had asking permission let�s you know how insecure the Jena 6 students were. This earth
doesn�t belong to me or you or the natives that occupied hundred of years ago instead this is god�s territory.
We are all created equal children of the lord if white Christians do believe in the truth of the bible from my
opinion.
After the black students decided to sit under the tree racial tension built up with nooses being hung, and this
didn�t just happen without heavy thought put into these activities. I assume that they discussed this with
their parents, and resulting in a meeting for resolution instead Plies chorus makes a point �Crackers don�t
love to have a nigga breathing� for real, take a nigga life from them they don�t know how it feel.� Truly they
don�t because that noose represents oppression, segregation, racism, hate, and war all over a white washed
tree that has no ownership. In Homeland Security there is a statement, �The demonstration shamed those
with a conscience, and roused those with hatred in their hearts.� Just that statement shows that it levels
down to no justice for racism, and the south is still segregated. Beliefs such as white students shouldn�t be
punished because they had reason, but yet the black students should suffer for anger towards defamation of
character and demoralization of ones race. The six black students ended up attacking one white student, and
he went to into a coma, bruised up but walked out the hospital the next day. Resulting in the Jena 6 to be
tried as adults at 16, attempted murder with a deadly weapon-a sneaker facing up to 35 years in prison. The
lines �Gave one of my dogs twenty seven on his first offense the time they giving niggas ain�t makin sense.�, �A judge sentecin niggas without a guilt�, �How in the hell can 4 kilos get you a life sentence, but a
white man get 7 years for money laundering millions?�, �You a nigga that mean you guilty til proven
innocent!�all these lines make sense from a black male�s view not a white male Plies reflects on his
experiences, and show how �crackers� feel about �niggas�. The way the trial is going there is no denying
the racism, even after two hundred years of oppression to African slaves no consideration is even thought
of. Racists white still have the audacity to make death threats, to this blacks don�t unit to speak up only
those who ignore the consequences and strive for a new way of un-oppressed life. Now that this case has
caught the attention has caught the attention of the media the D.A. is considering the new age Civil Rights
Movement that might occur, and the riots that could proceed for the injustice. In Homeland Security two
statements lets you know white dominated the government is, �If the �niggers� are released or acquitted, we
will find out where they live and make sure that white activists and white citizens in Louisiana knows it.�
and the other statement is, �The best crowd control for such a situation (with niggers) would be a squad of
men armed with fully automatics and preferably a machine gun as well.� All these allegations with
consequences and barely the F.B.I wants to step forwards with this situation. Why hasn�t the army been sent
in for protection of either sides, or President Bush address this situation? That was another good question in
the article it seems it�s not important enough to pay attention we must see bloodshed first before it�s
considered.
Yet we take people of all races too retrive oil from another country that is not white, and it shows
who is favored in politics. Jeffrey Dahmer a Caucasian serial killer was given life in prison for 19
murders not execution for the killings of adults and children. Louis Felt is another white adult male he was
given 25 years for a capital murder of his friend and an attempted murder for a victim with his friend. I also
knew about three adult black males who beat a colored woman almost to death, left deep lacerations, left
her traumatized for life and attempted to kill her again. These males were given seven years but only served
two years due to good behavior with prior convictions of these type of crimes. If the white males were
spared and the black males committed a more serious crime, then why should these young men get 35
years for a medium beat down? Maybe because the victim who was involved was whit and the criminals
were black in a white dominated town. I also have another incident were two white males, a black male,
and me a Latino man were smoking. Right before the black male left he commented to the owner, �You
paid $150,000.00 for this modular home.� I guess the whit guy didn�t take it lightly so when the black male
left he stated , �What a little rich motherfucker. I bet you his parents support him living a good life, what a
disrespectful nigger.�. He then realized I was there, and he said �I�m not racist I like black people, but that
guy is just a true, rude ignorant fucking little nigger!� I told him that was real disrespectful and he should
have said it to his face instead of talking behind his back. I also stated that I grew up in a black
neighborhood having friends that are black, people that are like family that are black, and have Afro
Latin people in my country he just rambled about how sorry he was. I felt like telling him off and hitting
him across the mouth but that was my friend Steffan�s uncle, but I probably would have got arrested so I
left angry. I imagined he stated, �God I even have to apologize to that spick ass nigger too!�, but no matter
what the situation is should one base they�re decision off race. This just shows how ignorant anyone can be,
and how white people (Aryans) have influenced racism and blind rage against races. I guess Plies was right
when states at the end of �100 Years�, �crackers playin a dirty game boy the shit wild�, and like Tupac�s
song �Changes� we need too also make some. The change needs to start in us, and take a stance against the
government's system. United we stand up for justice against all odds, or divided we fall to injustice's
immoral victories.
work cited- By. Karenga , Maulana Dr.; Jena and The Judgement of history: Issues of justice and struggle; article from: Los angeles Sentinel, 9-27-07
By. Sr Jackson, L. Jesse Rev.
Homeland Security; article from: tribune Media services
By Rap artist Plies
song: "100 Years"
lyrics; lyricas from: raplyrics.com
Cristina Pacio
Professor Sabir
English 1A
10/4/2007
For many decades injustice has been a problematic issue within the judicial system in the United States. From the Rosa Parks’ incident in December of 1955 to the present controversial issue of Jena Six. Rosa Parks influenced many northerners and lawmakers to look at the discrimination victimizing Alabama’s black people, and work to correct injustice.
Many people know Rosa Parks as an important part of the Civil Rights Movement; she was arrested for not giving up her seat on a public bus to a white man. She was sick of being pushed around and showed it by demanding respect. The Jena Six incident in Louisiana is similar to Rosa Parks when six children were put in jail for asking permission to sit under a tree where whites typically sat. The next day three nooses were hung from that tree. Since then, it has become the subject of intense media scrutiny in the state of Louisiana.
Just the other day there was a discussion in class about an apartment complex in the Oakland/Alameda area where African-Americans are prohibited to rent. This is another example of modern day racism. It goes to show that discrimination towards cultural groups still occur on a daily basis. When will it stop? We live in a diverse country and everyone in it has the ability to make a difference and stand up for what is right. Dr. Maulana Karenga states, “We must, with dignity, determination and defiance, reaffirm our right and responsibility to exist as a people…”
In the song 100 Years by PLIES details the unfair treatment of our judicial system. The chorus of the song reminds me the wrong-doings of the government; the way Jena Six was handled. It goes to show that African-Americans have a tougher discipline than any other race.
Work cited:
Karenga , Maulana Dr.; Jena and The Judgement of history: Issues of justice and struggle; article from: Los angeles Sentinel, 9-27-07
Rosa Parks Biography – Academy of Achievement
http://www.achievement.org/autodoc/page/par0bio-1
Rap artist Plies
song: "100 Years"
http://www.lyricsdepot.com/plies/100-years.html
Even though Jay's comments might be right-on, the audience is an academic one so profanity is not acceptable. It distracts from the message which is quite compelling, so Jay, next time, edit it out.
Zareth Benavides
english 1A
“One nation under God indivisible with Liberty and Justice for all.”
As a nation, growing up, we always stood up 5 minutes after class started, hands over our hearts, to pledge allegiance to a Flag, representing a country, our country. Sharing a cry of Liberty and Justice for every one of its peoples. But in reality, to which of its people does this cry actually have meaning for? And just as our society is polluted with racism, white supremacy, and misogyny, our laws and courtrooms are worse. With a white man, the rich man, at the head of it all, Justice and Liberty for those who deserve it, will never be sought.
Take what Dr. Maulana Karenga has to say for example. “ The struggle in Jena, then, is not only about the case of the Jena Six-”… “Jena is also a raw-nerve reminder that the race, racism, and racialization are real in spite of old and new books suggesting their decline and early death.” The Jena Six, a perfect example of the injustice of the so-called justice system in America. Like Dr. Karenga, I believe that this is an outcry by the people of America for its people to unite and fight for justice. These black youths are being tried for attempted murder, while the white kids are living about without a worry in mind other than what classes they’ll be taking next semester. Justice?
Jena not only brings a raw reminder of the civil rights movement, and the black freedom movements, but it reminds us that white supremacy still exists, it still runs wild. Rev. Jesse L. Jackson Sr. reminds us of this in his article in the Tribune media Services.
“Neo-Nazi web pages have burned with vile denunciations of the Jena six…” “If these niggers are released or acquitted, we will find out where they live and make sure that white activists and white citizens of Louisiana know it.” (1) Should be illegal right? These men posting such threats should be looked into or the safety of all black Louisiana citizens is in major danger. If you ask me, its men like this that should be in those courtrooms, and not these kids.
Does the judge not realize that he is slowly but surely taking their lives away “with a stroke of a pen” (2) Putting teens away for years for misdemeanors while sex offenders run free. Like rapper Plies states in his song Real Testament: “Ain’t talked to my dog yet but I know he sick/ next fifteen years of his life behind a fence/ Cracker find a n**** guilty and hit him wit’ the bench/ Gave one of my dogs twenty-seven on his first offense/ The time they givin’ the n**** for the crime ain’t makin’ sense…” They are making it harder for a black male to make it out in the world without getting a life sentence. And according to further lyrics, if you don’t have a lawyer might as well not show up to court because you’re bound to lose. “ A public defender don’t get you s*** but a long trip…You ain’t got a paid lawyer then go to trial/ Crackers owe each other favors, they’ll swap you out/ ‘you give us him, we’ll give you him’ Know what I’m talkin’ ‘bout/ N**** thirty on a cop out/ F*** you get thirty years for breakin’ in a B**** house/ Crackers playin’ a dirty game boy this s***wild.” The game changes when your black. 27 years for a first offense? But still if he were white, it would be 5, Like what happened to Mychal Bell. first and only of the six to be tried so far, and until recently like an adult, On September 26, 2007, Louisiana governor Kathleen Blanco announced that the prosecution would not appeal the appellate ruling, but would try Bell as a juvenile. Walters confirmed this on the 27th, and Bell was then released on $45,000 bond.
Bell was bonded out once $5,400 was paid to Cut-Rate Bail Bonding by Dr. Stephen Ayers of Lake Charles, Louisiana. Bell is subject to electronic monitoring and is under the supervision of a probation officer.[Wikipedia.com]
All in all, It can be clearly drwan out that there is more injustice in our justice system, than in anyother system at all. Whether or not it is a matter of reviving the Civil Rights movement, or the Black Freedon Movement, we as a people have to take action. it isn't legit to allow our court systems take these peoples lives away.
"killing us one by one/ in one way or another/America will find a way to eliminate the problem/ one by one." Tupac Shakur, Words of wisdom
Works cited :
1. Homeland Security, By Reverend Jesse L. Jackson Sr. 9/25/2007, tribune Media Services
2. Jenna and the Judgment of History: Issues of Justice and Struggle. By Dr. Maulana Karenga
3. Song Lyrics by Plies " Real Testament"
Zareth Benavides
english 1A
“One nation under God indivisible with Liberty and Justice for all.”
As a nation, growing up, we always stood up 5 minutes after class started, hands over our hearts, to pledge allegiance to a Flag, representing a country, our country. Sharing a cry of Liberty and Justice for every one of its peoples. But in reality, to which of its people does this cry actually have meaning for? And just as our society is polluted with racism, white supremacy, and misogyny, our laws and courtrooms are worse. With a white man, the rich man, at the head of it all, Justice and Liberty for those who deserve it, will never be sought.
Take what Dr. Maulana Karenga has to say for example. “ The struggle in Jena, then, is not only about the case of the Jena Six-”… “Jena is also a raw-nerve reminder that the race, racism, and racialization are real in spite of old and new books suggesting their decline and early death.” The Jena Six, a perfect example of the injustice of the so-called justice system in America. Like Dr. Karenga, I believe that this is an outcry by the people of America for its people to unite and fight for justice. These black youths are being tried for attempted murder, while the white kids are living about without a worry in mind other than what classes they’ll be taking next semester. Justice?
Jena not only brings a raw reminder of the civil rights movement, and the black freedom movements, but it reminds us that white supremacy still exists, it still runs wild. Rev. Jesse L. Jackson Sr. reminds us of this in his article in the Tribune media Services.
“Neo-Nazi web pages have burned with vile denunciations of the Jena six…” “If these niggers are released or acquitted, we will find out where they live and make sure that white activists and white citizens of Louisiana know it.” (1) Should be illegal right? These men posting such threats should be looked into or the safety of all black Louisiana citizens is in major danger. If you ask me, its men like this that should be in those courtrooms, and not these kids.
Does the judge not realize that he is slowly but surely taking their lives away “with a stroke of a pen” (2) Putting teens away for years for misdemeanors while sex offenders run free. Like rapper Plies states in his song Real Testament: “Ain’t talked to my dog yet but I know he sick/ next fifteen years of his life behind a fence/ Cracker find a n**** guilty and hit him wit’ the bench/ Gave one of my dogs twenty-seven on his first offense/ The time they givin’ the n**** for the crime ain’t makin’ sense…” They are making it harder for a black male to make it out in the world without getting a life sentence. And according to further lyrics, if you don’t have a lawyer might as well not show up to court because you’re bound to lose. “ A public defender don’t get you s*** but a long trip…You ain’t got a paid lawyer then go to trial/ Crackers owe each other favors, they’ll swap you out/ ‘you give us him, we’ll give you him’ Know what I’m talkin’ ‘bout/ N**** thirty on a cop out/ F*** you get thirty years for breakin’ in a B**** house/ Crackers playin’ a dirty game boy this s***wild.” The game changes when your black. 27 years for a first offense? But still if he were white, it would be 5, Like what happened to Mychal Bell. first and only of the six to be tried so far, and until recently like an adult, On September 26, 2007, Louisiana governor Kathleen Blanco announced that the prosecution would not appeal the appellate ruling, but would try Bell as a juvenile. Walters confirmed this on the 27th, and Bell was then released on $45,000 bond.
Bell was bonded out once $5,400 was paid to Cut-Rate Bail Bonding by Dr. Stephen Ayers of Lake Charles, Louisiana. Bell is subject to electronic monitoring and is under the supervision of a probation officer.[Wikipedia.com]
All in all, It can be clearly drwan out that there is more injustice in our justice system, than in anyother system at all. Whether or not it is a matter of reviving the Civil Rights movement, or the Black Freedon Movement, we as a people have to take action. it isn't legit to allow our court systems take these peoples lives away.
"killing us one by one/ in one way or another/America will find a way to eliminate the problem/ one by one." Tupac Shakur, Words of wisdom
Works cited :
1. Homeland Security, By Reverend Jesse L. Jackson Sr. 9/25/2007, tribune Media Services
2. Jenna and the Judgment of History: Issues of Justice and Struggle. By Dr. Maulana Karenga
3. Song Lyrics by Plies " Real Testament"
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