I commute by bus everyday. The first rule of riding the bus is making sure that when a bus pulls up you check to see if it's the right bus. If you don't, and you take the wrong bus, who knows where you will end up.
Such appears to be the case of those who supported the so-called Jena6. Those are the group of teen African American boys in Jena Louisiana that became the focus of many Black bloggers and then the likes of Rev. Al Sharpton.
The Jena6 for those who don't know were arrested for beating up a White youth. The beating incident may have been sparked by a White student putting a noose on a tree at the local high school. The noose was apparently some sort of message to Black students who had inquired about sitting under a tree that amazingly had been designated as a Whites only tree.
Anyway, I haven't written about the Jena6, because as I said I try to always get on the right bus. From what I have been reading about the Jena6 over the last several weeks, they are defiantly the wrong bus.
First they appeared at a Viacom/ BET event walking the red carpet and throwing up Jena6 (gang?) signs. Now it appears as if the parents of some or all of the boys are in the midst of a money grab with the help of some supposedly well known radio host called Michael Baisden. Whom I have only just recently heard of. I guess I'm out of the brand new celeb loop.
So it looks like many African Americans are now having to just shake their heads at the Jena6 and their families. Their behavior has been anything but what one would consider grateful.
I hope in the future all those well meaning African Americans who are willing to protest decide to better vet those they are protesting for.
This reminds me on some levels of those who protested to save the life of convicted murderer Stanley "Tookie" Williams. A man who is credited with, among other heinous things, founding one of the two most brutal gangs in America. Yet Jessie Jackson and others decided to protest for his life. My question, did Jessie protest for all the little kids who have been caught in the crossfire of the gang Williams founded?
Just because someone is Black does not mean they are worthy of support from the Black community. Some people end up in the trouble they get in because they deserve it.
Such appears to be the case of those who supported the so-called Jena6. Those are the group of teen African American boys in Jena Louisiana that became the focus of many Black bloggers and then the likes of Rev. Al Sharpton.
The Jena6 for those who don't know were arrested for beating up a White youth. The beating incident may have been sparked by a White student putting a noose on a tree at the local high school. The noose was apparently some sort of message to Black students who had inquired about sitting under a tree that amazingly had been designated as a Whites only tree.
Anyway, I haven't written about the Jena6, because as I said I try to always get on the right bus. From what I have been reading about the Jena6 over the last several weeks, they are defiantly the wrong bus.
First they appeared at a Viacom/ BET event walking the red carpet and throwing up Jena6 (gang?) signs. Now it appears as if the parents of some or all of the boys are in the midst of a money grab with the help of some supposedly well known radio host called Michael Baisden. Whom I have only just recently heard of. I guess I'm out of the brand new celeb loop.
So it looks like many African Americans are now having to just shake their heads at the Jena6 and their families. Their behavior has been anything but what one would consider grateful.
I hope in the future all those well meaning African Americans who are willing to protest decide to better vet those they are protesting for.
This reminds me on some levels of those who protested to save the life of convicted murderer Stanley "Tookie" Williams. A man who is credited with, among other heinous things, founding one of the two most brutal gangs in America. Yet Jessie Jackson and others decided to protest for his life. My question, did Jessie protest for all the little kids who have been caught in the crossfire of the gang Williams founded?
Just because someone is Black does not mean they are worthy of support from the Black community. Some people end up in the trouble they get in because they deserve it.
2 comments:
Mes Deux Cents writes "I commute by bus everyday. The first rule of riding the bus is making sure that when a bus pulls up you check to see if it's the right bus. If you don't, and you take the wrong bus, who knows where you will end up."
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You done said a mouthful right there. Great post.
I have to add your blog to my favorite site list.
Hi Attorney Mom,
Thanks. This Jena 6 thing has gotten out of hand. Those kids and families need better advice.
And thanks for adding my blog to your site list. I really like your blog too.
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