Lowcountry descends on 'Jena Six' rally in La.
The Post and Courier
Dot Scott (from left), Jacquez Brown and Carol Richardson of the Charleston chapter of the NAACP march in the 'Jena Six' rally Thursday in Jena, La.
JENA LA. — Hanging nooses. Accusations of unequal justice. Cries of racism.
These are what brought hundreds of people from South Carolina's Lowcountry to the tiny town of Jena, La.
The protesters traveled 900 miles, riding all night — all for just a few hours of activism — and then left on the return trip.
They made the journey to protest the treatment of the so-called "Jena Six."
This is 2007, but the demonstration hark back to the time when racism was an institution in the South.
No one had been lynched, but after white students hung nooses from a tree last year, fights broke out and ignited the racially torn town. That, and the arrests of young blacks that followed, attracted tens of thousands from across America on Thursday.
Diana Jefferson summed up the feeling for most: Everyone pulled together for a good cause.
Diana Jefferson summed up the feeling for most: Everyone pulled together for a good cause.
Jefferson, 48, of Mount Pleasant came with her 72-year-old mother, Louise Manigault, and more than 40 others on a bus chartered by the Charleston and Goose Creek branches of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.
"This is the first rally I've ever been to, and it certainly won't be my last," Jefferson said. "It was a wonderful experience."
Iris Jones and Angie Smith, both 46 and longtime friends, gave a simple reason for making the trek: "We have sons," Jones said.
They and others from the Lowcountry contingent held yellow NAACP placards, joining thousands of others who converged on Jena High School for speeches.
"Free Mychal Bell! Free Mychal Bell!" they chanted, referring to the first of six black students prosecuted in a case that captured America's attention.
Bell, now 17, is the only one of the "Jena Six" to be tried in connection with the beating of a white classmate. He was convicted of aggravated second-degree battery. He and the others were initially charged with attempted murder.
Bell's sentencing had been scheduled for Thursday but was canceled after a judge threw out the conviction last week, saying Bell should have been tried as a juvenile.
Bell remains in jail awaiting his second trial. The other five defendants are free on bond.
Late last year, after a black student asked if blacks could sit in the shade of a prized schoolyard tree used by whites, white students hung three nooses from the tree, an incident civil rights leaders called a hate crime.
The school superintendent dismissed the episode as an adolescent prank; and after a short suspension, the white students were back at school.
But more conflicts soon arose, culminating in a schoolyard fight, allegedly prompted by a taunt by a white student. In the brawl, one white teen was beaten unconscious, though he attended a school-related event later that night.
The white students were not charged with a crime.
Under a warm sun, protesters congregated before the LaSalle Parish Courthouse holding signs and wearing black T-shirts in support of the black students.
A small group in the crowd beat African drums, and many people chanted, "We want justice!"
The Post and Courier
A Louisiana sheriff's deputy stopped protester Jacquez Brown and the rest of the Charleston chapter of the NAACP on Thursday as they marched to Jena High School during the 'Jena Six' rally in Jena, La. He told them that he had been nervous about covering the rally but that he'd heard nothing but positive words from the protesters and was enjoying the experience.
Kenneth Sanders, 33, of Fort Worth, Texas, said this was the biggest rally he has ever attended. He said he felt obligated to show up.
"I came here to raise my fist one time and say 'Black power!' and equality for all," Sanders said.
It was Roz Hoffman's biggest rally too.
Hoffman, 45, of St. Louis brought her three teenage children and about 150 others in a caravan of three chartered buses she arranged.
"I was outraged," she said of the "Jena Six" controversy. "I have twin 14-year-old boys. It could happen to them," she said.
"Pops" Young, president of the Buffalo Soldiers Motorcycle Club of Georgia, rode his Honda from Savannah, joined by a friend for the 13-hour trip.
"There was a call put out," Young said. "We answered the call. It's totally unbelievable that today we still have things like this going on."
Late in the afternoon, the rally was still full of energy and people.
College of Charleston faculty adviser and teacher Lisa Robinson, who traveled as a chaperone to 25 students, said the long haul was well worth it.
"This has been absolutely beautiful, absolutely wonderful," Robinson said. "It was also a good learning experience for young black students from the Lowcountry. It's empowering for them to be around so many powerful people."
Residents of Columbia, Sumter, Orangeburg, Spartanburg and Greenville joined the convoys, according to NAACP officials.
Many marchers went on school grounds to see the place where the infamous oak tree once stood. School officials cut down the tree shortly after the series of incidents that eventually led to this mass rally.
Dot Scott, president of the Charleston chapter of the NAACP, said cutting down the tree was "sad and inappropriate." It sent the wrong message to the young generation, she said. Conflicts are best solved by confronting the issues directly, Scott said, not removing them from sight.
At the podium in front of the courthouse, civil rights leaders called for an investigation of District Attorney Reed Walters, who prosecuted the six black students.
The Rev. Jesse Jackson compared Mychal Bell with civil rights figures such as Medgar Evers, Nelson Mandela, Malcolm X, Rosa Parks and the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.
"That is persecution, not prosecution," Jackson said of the case. "To try a child as an adult is child abuse."
He protested the continuing incarceration of Bell and the high bond set in his case, and used the occasion to draw attention to social issues that continue to affect the nation: the disproportionate number of blacks in jail, voter apathy and racism.
"We feel Jena everywhere!" Jackson said. "There is a Jena in every state! It's time for a move to higher ground. This is a defining moment in our struggle to make this a more perfect union."
The rally didn't galvanize locals, though.
On the bus-filled road leading into Jena, shops were dark, chairs were upside down on tables in restaurants and offices were vacant.
A sign posted in the window of Reid's Jewelry read, "Gone Fishing!"
Residents, anticipating one of the largest civil rights rallies in recent years, closed businesses, stayed indoors or left the area.
Reach Adam Parker at 937-5906 or aparker@postandcourier.com.
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Comments
greyrider (anonymous) says...
The incidents in Jena were a horrific injustice. But now the so-called "black leaders" made a mockery of genuine suffering. Somehow, the rally turned into an anti-war protest and Barrack Obama somehow found a connection between Jena and Scooter Libby. Obama did a major disservice to the black people of Jena by comparing the racist kids of Jena to Scooter Libby. NO ONE is defending the Jena racists, everyone agrees they're guilty. But there is still a huge cloud hanging over Scooter Libby's accusers who very well may have been on a political witch hunt. Stick to the issue. The DA in Jena is a racist, period. Racism is a moral issue. Don't use this for political attacks.
September 21, 2007 at 8:25 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
MinoritySouth (anonymous) says...
"By 2010, war expenses might total $600 billion, according to the Congressional Budget Office." THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR. I have heard of this organization but this is my first time checking out their chronicles. Do you know how many sets of spinners I could buy with that kind of money or in many of your cases how high you could make your 4 X 4?? I could have spinners for everyday of the year and scnative4ever could build a 4 X 4 to the MOON!! That money could build some major infrastructure for US citizens creating jobs, more industries, alternative fuel sources. Hold on, what is this article about. My bad, sorry for the trivial interruption, there are obviously more important issues being discussed here. I am heading back out into the forest with my monkey friends. They are actually pretty cool.
September 21, 2007 at 8:54 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
greyrider (anonymous) says...
scnative4ever - I have no idea how you came to the conclusions you did about my comments. There WAS a disparity of justice in Jena. If you read my comments yesterday, you'd know that I said that the black leaders had the solution wrong. The black kids were not unfairly charged. They ARE guilty. But only the most dedicated racist would defend the white kids. THe DA looked the other way for them. BOTH SIDES should go to jail. How long is debatable. I even joked that Jackson and Sharpton finally have a legitimate complaint (compared to some of their previous "invented" situations). By the way, OJ was guilty before, looks like he's guilty again. Ironically, Howard Cosell got slammed by the Jackson-Sharpton crowd when he warned years ago that Simpson had a dangerous temper.
September 21, 2007 at 8:59 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
MooMoo (anonymous) says...
As most who follow this story know, the series of incidents in Jena all flowed from a despicable act of white kids placing three nooses in a tree at Jena High School to signify to some black students their opposition to the blacks sitting under this same tree, which had been an unofficial "whites only" area. There were several follow-up incidents of black on white and white on black violence, unfortunately. In at least one of these incidents, some white kids that should have been charged with assault and/or weapons possession weren't, and that should not have happened that way. They should be charged and have their day in court.
The charges against the Jena 6 were originally aggravated assault, and later increased to attempted second degree murder. These charges have been reduced for all to second degree aggravated battery, a felony offense. One defendant, Mychal Bell, has been convicted, but his conviction was overturned by a state appeals court on the basis that he should have been tried as a juvenile. The remaining five await trial on second degree aggravated battery.
Now, I don't know about the rest of you, but in my mind, any and all parties who initiated and physically assaulted anyone should be charged and tried on aggravated assault at the very least. The noose hanging was unquestionably wrong, and the students in question were punished (suspension) although not to the degree some would have preferred (expulsion). Still, no matter what anyone may have SAID, it does not justify any of the physical violence that ensued. The fact is that the Jena Six premeditated their attack, and caused bodily harm to another. So, to see them portrayed as innocent victims is both inaccurate and racially motivated. It's also morally reprehensible.
My questions to those who support the Jena 6 are these: Where is the outrage over their premeditated violence? Where is the outrage over physical injury to anyone, whether white on black or black on white? Why isn't the NAACP more concerned about all the violence involved? Should the charges against them be completely dropped? Reduced?
I have yet to hear anyone decrying the "injustice" to the Jena Six say that they deserve some form of punishment. The cry of "Free the Jena Six" implies that their attack was justified, and that they should get off scott-free. NOT! The focus of the NAACP-led protest yesterday is all wrong.
The Jena Six should have their day in court. To let them off entirely is wrong, wrong, wrong.
September 21, 2007 at 9:05 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
MooMoo (anonymous) says...
Great post Greyrider - glad to see there are some of us who can remain objective!
September 21, 2007 at 9:08 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
MinoritySouth (anonymous) says...
The South has taken their anger out on African Descendants for too long. Don't you guys realize the while you(generalization) were reaping the spoils of slavery the North was taking their tax dollars and slavery investment profits and building infrastucture and industry. They simply took those resources from that shameful industry and beat you over the heads with it. I know, the nerve of those Yankees, leaving the South wrecked (poorest part of the country, lowest literacy, no jobs, etc..) well into many of our lifetimes. Looks like Jena still wears the scars, median income of $32,000 or so. Well, get over it and stop taking out your frustrations on African Descendants.. Ask this question, why is Haliburton making billions while you, white woman/man, are struggling!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Wake the @#@# up!!!!
Can't see the forest because there are oh,... oh so many trees (to hang nooses in). Well, I am off, into the forest to chill wit da monkeys and to try to teach them about free will, the concept of one limitlessly and infinitely can be divided in two, I think they have the potential to manage that concept better than others, they know Eden is all around, the Nile goes on and on and on.. (the earth, a regenerating machine), teach them the limitless blessings/potential(for agnostics) right in front of everyone's very eye. Yeah, they are probably a much more reasonable creature.. Let's pass the baton of reason to them. We can't handle it. Doesn't anyone have a noose I can stick my head in. I am done here...
September 21, 2007 at 9:25 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ln1959 (anonymous) says...
MOOMOO - You comments are great, but not once have I said the Jena6 are innocent of there crimes, and yes they should pay for what they did, but not 22 years of there life. But I have not heard you say anything about the young man that pulled the gun on these kids, and got a ticket, but the kids who took the gun from him, got charged with theft. Is that justice. It was a school fight, the kid make racial comments and got his but kicked. Kicking him when he was down may have been to much, but people are looking at hanging the nooses as a joke. Ask a Jew if seeing a swastika on his front door a joke. Michel Bell was tried as an adult, he is a child and that was not justice. Also, you need to read more about what happen doing the trial. If you were not allowed to be in the court room to support your child, because the lawyer you had was working the DA and set it up so that you were a witness but did not call you at all, would you say something was not right about this. Please keep you anger at JJ, Al Sharpton and Obama out of the real facts.
September 21, 2007 at 9:25 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
MinoritySouth (anonymous) says...
Median Family income of about 32K...
September 21, 2007 at 9:30 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
MooMoo (anonymous) says...
IN1959, please reread my entire post, especially the last two sentences of the first paragraph and the entire third paragraph. I do in fact address the issues you raised about all parties being charged and tried appropriately.
My remarks are not aimed at any one person, but rather at the general tone of the organized Jena Six movement and some of the biased and emotional propaganda still circulating. Read some of it and you will see that the leaders of these movements are advocating as I characterize it. My questions are valid, and should be asked in the mainstream media as well. Just yesterday, I got an email which had dated info about the attempted second degree murder charges as though they were still in effect.
I am dealing with facts, and offering some objectivity, not spewing a bunch of emotion.
September 21, 2007 at 9:37 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
crankyyankee (anonymous) says...
From what I've read on this subject and that's all I know, the idiots are opposing the idiots on this issue. If I were a judge in this case I would sentence the back kids to work in the school caffeteria serving food to the whites and I would have the white kids serve the blacks. Having been in the military I can tell you the last thing you want to do is tick off the kitchen help! Maybe both sides would get some humility! MinoritySouth you need to move to South Africa so you can bask in the ecconomic fruits of black leadership. They've done such a wonderful job of transforming that ecconomy! Better yet become a Rastafarian, then you could make hating whites part of your religion if it isn't already.
September 21, 2007 at 9:45 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
MinoritySouth (anonymous) says...
Hating whites would be self hate since I am part French Cajun...
September 21, 2007 at 10:02 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
MinoritySouth (anonymous) says...
Oh and the actual Plantation owners, well I think if you looked hard enough, you would find that they have long since stopped grinding that "axe" and have joined forces with those of similar power and status regardless of race, geography etc, yes the New Monarchs (though statistically not many minorities in this New Monarchy). They are the driving force behind the allocation of the $600 billion of your tax money/national debt that seems to be governed under FASB (Fuzzy Accounting Standards Board). This New Monarchy puts talking heads in charge of our money so they can have their way..
National Debt. In other words, lets just keep printing money and sending it to contractors in Iraq. We will lower the interest rates, print more money and soon the dollar will be worth less than the paper I used to clean myself with this morning. US citizens will work their butts off to fix the mess.... Wake up to the real problems people and you will find that the others will sort themselves out in a congruent fashion and indirect relationship to the larger issues. These issues are all intimately related to the frustrations that would put us against one another for inmaterial reasons once the bigger picture is realized. Do yourself a favor, take a few minutes from the hustle and bustle. Have some silence and think. Get out of the vacuum, look at the big picture.
New Monarch..., big business.., (those who control the PRESS/MEDIA(a big one, influence is worth more that gold, influence can give you gold), oil, major land investors,... you get the picture) Yeah, Jena is a problem but don't be overly distracted from the real problems.
September 21, 2007 at 10:04 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
geekboy (anonymous) says...
IN1959 decided to say:
"It was a school fight, the kid make racial comments and got his but kicked."
*******************
So because it was a school fight, that makes it somehow less of a hate crime?
He did NOT say ANYTHING to them. He did NOT do ANYTHING to them.
They cornered him because he was alone. They told him they were going to kill him. And then they tried to carry out their threat. That is ATTEMPTED MURDER.
I personally know the innocent white kid that was attacked by the 6 CRIMINALS for no reason, and that is what DID happen.
Everyone can try to excuse the actions of the six CRIMINALS all they want, but I KNOW they attacked him because he was white and therefore he was an easy target.
September 21, 2007 at 10:05 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Girleygirl (anonymous) says...
I support the Jena 6 because the DA wrote this off as a silly prank and now it went to far. Noone never said they should not get charged for anything. People are asking why were they charged and the other kids that started the hate crime has not. Why were they charged with theft of a gun when they had to disarm someone that pointed it at them? WHy the kid that had the gun was not charged with anything?Why was this written off as a prank? Why did the DA tell the kids that he can take their life away with a strike of a pen? This was a race crime when students hung up a noose in protest of black students sitting under the tree at a public school. IT WAS ALREADY A RACE ISSUE WHEN THAT HAPPENED. a noose under a tree.......c'mon yall. Do you really don't know what that means? THAT WAS A HATE CRIME!! I support justice for all so I support the Jena 6. I support that they should have a new trial and all that has been invloved with all of the violence white and black for the PAST 4 MONTHS should be tried. See what people fail to realize is that the DA whom is also over the school board failed alot of people and he is trying to cover his butt. HE MADE IT A RACE THING, not black pleople. Talking about sticking to the facts! I am not choosing the white side or the black side, I'm choosing the right side and what is fair when it comes to equal justices for all. Scnative what facts do you have in reference of this case? I would love to hear them and see how you concluded that the kids in Jena are receiving a fair trial.
September 21, 2007 at 10:13 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
MinoritySouth (anonymous) says...
Ah crankyyankee, you know.. I don't know much about the South African state of affairs. I will read up on the subject matter, there really is a forest out there. But I do know that historically "Non-African influence" has propped up government throughout the region of Africa for hundreds of years. Many of these governments are more likened to thugs than civil servants mis-appropriating funds (sounds familiar) amidst the turmoil. Many times if you follow the money trail in these instances you will find that those propping these folks up sometimes played both sides of the fence support the government and rebels at the same time. Creating a perfect situation to steal all these outsiders can carry as well. Example of some irony, Non-Africans over threw the Jewish Monarchy(source the Jewish Virtual Library http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/)in Ethiopia by backing Islamic rebels... Ironically, we, Americans, are now involved in a war in this same region fighting against Islamist..??
I will say this about South Africa, given my American experience and the lingering effects of Slavery on this country, and them just recently overcoming Apartheid. It maybe a 100 years or more before they can take a breath... They really have not had much time in comparison.
September 21, 2007 at 10:19 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
geekboy (anonymous) says...
Hanging a noose in a tree is not a crime under Louisiana law. It should be, but it isn't.
I also know the DA in LaSalle Parish. He is one of the nicest, most unprejudiced people you will ever meet. I wish he could have found something to charge the noose hangers with, but to smear him as a racist is just so, so wrong.
September 21, 2007 at 10:24 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
MinoritySouth (anonymous) says...
Citizen Girleygirl, I know what it means, see link for those who do not know. Some of these were made into POSTCARDS!!!! http://www.withoutsanctuary.org/
That is like make postcards out of scence from Auschwitz concentration camp. You know many businesses close or open their names in Charleston with the word Plantation. I am down with freedom of speech but to me and I am sure many other people who have a common background with me liken the word Plantation to a scene similiar to the concentration camps at Auschwitz. And don't hand me that crap about Slaves were a valuable commodity so they were well taken care off... You must keep in mind more Africans died in the Middle Passage than all of the Holocaust... Millions
September 21, 2007 at 10:28 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
grannyofsix (anonymous) says...
why is it that something that happen 300 400 years ago to others that wont benifit from anything now, has to come into play now. I dont own slaves the african american are not slaves now, so why should the white americans have to pay resitution to the african americans for something that happen to thier people hundreds of years ago. I know that racism plays a big part in what is going on now it will always be there and I know pleanty of northerns that are realllllly bad racist. IT is the media that plays a big part in all this if it were a bunch of white kids that did this I bet there would be no march. Maybe dignity would play a part in that just my opinion and like butt hole every one has one
September 21, 2007 at 10:29 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
MinoritySouth (anonymous) says...
Didn't hear you crankyyankee
September 21, 2007 at 10:35 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
CHRISJIII (anonymous) says...
It's amazing to read some of the ignorance and wonton racism expressed in these comments. It's because of the thinking of people like MooMoo and SCnative4ever that these incidents keep popping up. Look at all of the facts before you decide to show the world what an idiot sounds like!
September 21, 2007 at 10:44 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
trod (anonymous) says...
I wonder if the multiple fights that broke out at fort Dorchester high school yesterday are in relation to this?you wont hear about it its been swept under the rug.
just out of curiosity why do people refer to them selves as African American and such?i mean most were not born in africa
hell ive got Indian, Filipino,and several other nationality's i don't claim any of them im just American period.
September 21, 2007 at 10:55 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
trod (anonymous) says...
Anyone whom resorts to violence to solve a problem is an idiot!in this case all teens involved were acting like idiots.
i truly believe if you had a more credible leaders than jesse jackson and al sharpton you have a better chance of being respected no one takes them seriously .they are very hypocritical in their actions .every time they jump on a bandwagon some are right some are wrong but they they never embrace or show the love that a real clergyman to people they have falsely accused .ie. duke lax players.
September 21, 2007 at 11:05 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
prosperous_hb (anonymous) says...
Question. What do you think would happen if a group of black kids hung and burned a confederate flag?
September 21, 2007 at 11:07 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
trod (anonymous) says...
The naacp , jesse jackson and al sharpton would descend on the site immediately denouncing the act as heinous act towards their beloved brethren in south whom died an fought for what they believed in. lmao
September 21, 2007 at 11:16 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
MinoritySouth (anonymous) says...
Citizen grannyofsix, why is it that the ugly thought of lynching minorities has reared its ugly head after between 30 to 40 years. Well actually, it occurred with the dragging of James Byrd Jr, behind a pickup as recently as 1998 but the legacy of lynching was cemented 30 to 40 years ago and it is a tradition that can be traced back to slavery.. I wish it were a simple world and we could have simple answers but until the real issues are addressed we will continue to have more problems. Hear are some big picture observations that require a historical perspective.
1. I never mentioned restitution. Where is Sigmund freud?? Is that your conscious speaking???
2. The North made just as much money off of slavery if not more than the South or aleast they invested it in a more useful manner given their infrastructure and industrial domination for the last 150 years. They seemed to have shared the wealth with the entire community looking at all the factors that the lead the South in. HISTORICALLY leading in education, median incomes, industry, etc.
2. The institution of slavery created wealth, not riches, wealth. That was turned into more wealth and assisted in dominating the world, look into companies that financed and insured the plantations. Huge numbers, wealth we are talking about.
3. I know this is a speculative statement but I wish I had the know how or had the confidence in a group to create an unbiased economic model of the American Economy without the institution of slavery. Would we have won all those foreign wars?? Would we have been able to assist in the raping of the resources in Africa, we played our part too..?? You ask what is the relationship there, well many American businessmen made and still make a great deal of money simply selling weapons to keep that place in confusion. The financial step ladder to all this country has come to enjoy can be traced back to the roots and foundation of this country. Slavery... The institutioin ended resentfully with the North hording, the tax dollars and control of the legislature (which controls the tax dollars)and the South not taking the hording laying down started killing folks. Can't say I blame them for that... Once the South lost, African descendants seem to be come scape goats, with lynchings, economic exclusion, racism, isolation, etc. Spawning a parrallel society that is still evident TODAY (NAACP, BET and the like) these organization created out of necessity and apparently with the thoughts of lynchings still in fresh in folks head, are still needed. This all supports my theory that things can't be looked at in a vacuous state.
September 21, 2007 at 11:16 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
MinoritySouth (anonymous) says...
4. Well low and behold, tax dollars are still being mis managed. The real pain we are all feeling could be a displaced anger again.
5. I would like to see an economic model of the money being spent on the war being pour into the American Economy bring technology inspired businesses to Jena and the likes... We are taking the risk of assuming enormous debt for a war inwhich the allocation of the money is fuzzy at best. Do you realize how much just the miss-appropriated unaccount for resources could help all of us..??
I apologize for the grammer and sp's.
September 21, 2007 at 11:17 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
MinoritySouth (anonymous) says...
Still don't hear you Citizen crankyyankee..??
September 21, 2007 at 11:18 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
prosperous_hb (anonymous) says...
News update...CNN just released a story that two people have been arrested for driving through Alexandria, LA with two nooses hanging from the back of a pick up truck. How ignorant.
September 21, 2007 at 11:28 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Girleygirl (anonymous) says...
Trod,
What happened at FDHS yesterday?
I don't refer myself as an African American
I am an American whom happens to be black.....
I've always mark "other" on surveys or I don 't take them.
Thank you Minority South for the link. I looked at a couple and I was sick, this is something that I will have to read and look at later on this evening so I can brace myself.
September 21, 2007 at 11:32 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
MinoritySouth (anonymous) says...
To all you who consider yourselves "White". There is a problem with our Judicial System as well as the rest of our government. Who feels it knows.. Beware that you do not feel it one day.. You might want to fix it before you find yourself in a situation. The most potentially material tort of the melee(s) that went back and forth was the shotgun incident.. Statistically speaking fights happen all the time and yes should be punished justly, but typically when you are shot with a shotgun in close quarters, well may mercy be with you... What if someone pulled a shotgun on your family member and was not prosecuted. What if this yahoo comes to Charleston gets upset with you because he thinks you cut him off in traffic and pulls the same weapon on you. You would sing a different song. Oh, you may say he felt threatened in the convenience store instance. Well First, the town is very segregated.. One side of the town white and one side black.. Free country and all granted, you may go where you wish but let's consider prudence for a moment. Why was he on the black side of town given the recent melee(s) and armed?? Secondly, when he found trouble, he had time to go back to his pickup unharmed and man his shotgun??? Instead of manning his steering wheel of his vehicle and getting the heck out of a bad situation...?? He just didn't have the minerals to pull the trigger LUCKILY before he was LUCKILY disarmed.
September 21, 2007 at 11:38 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
MinoritySouth (anonymous) says...
I put "White" in quotes because down here, in the South, many African Descendants who could pass for "White" did so.. Some of these people left for a better life up North still playing both sides of the fence or simply claim their European heritage. I present this fact without critism or defense. It is simply a fact. Many of you out there are also descendants of these people.. Check your DNA if you have the nerve.. And if you are not a direct descendant do a little reading about DNA and Africa..
September 21, 2007 at 11:46 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
SCdeacinNYC (anonymous) says...
I was going to come on an comment but once again MinoritySouth took the words out of my mouth. Haha...I can go back to my acutal job now, this board is in very capable hands.
I agree I hate when people use the "past is the past" argument. Easy for you to say, you weren't denied the right to vote, read and have a basic education until the 1960s. Get a grip people.
And march on Minority South...I wore my black yesterday in solidarity!
September 21, 2007 at 11:51 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
trod (anonymous) says...
GIRLY a bunch not sure of the exact amount but quite a few of fights broke out over what i dunno i know some football players were involved in some.they were saying they were going to look at looking at having extra officers in the school today.im sorta of curious to what they were over my self.
September 21, 2007 at 11:54 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
MinoritySouth (anonymous) says...
http://www.withoutsanctuary.org/
Well, Citizens Cvs and Girleygirl. I really feel a disclaimer like apology is needed for posting the link. It is hideous however the irony of life is if we forget push this part of American history in the margins of a footnote we tend to repeat. So it is like taking out the garbage.. I hate the job but someone has to do it or things get really funky. That is why it has been recognized to commemorate the Holocaust. Well redundancy is a dirty job to but someone has to say it. MORE AFRICANS DIED IN THE MIDDLE PASSAGE THAN ALL OF THE HOLOCAUST, MILLIONS... HELD IN THE BOTTOMS OF SHIPS, NO ROOM TO MOVE, COVERED IN VOMIT, FECES, SURROUND BY DEATH. MANY THROWN OVERBOARD ALIVE WHEN AMERICA DECIDED THAT IT WOULD NOT LONGER LEGAL SUPPORT THE EXPORTATION OF AFRICANS, THOUGH THE BUSINESS CONTINUED TO THRIVE AFTER THAT AND OF COURSE THE LOOP WHOLE THE AFRICAN DESCENDANTS ALREADY IN POSSESSION WERE NO LONG AFRICANS, STRIPPED OF THEIR LANGUAGE, CULTURE, MANY NOW PART OF THE EUROPEAN GENE POOL (OH YEAH, YOU HAVE SEEN DATELINES PREDATOR, WELL WHAT DO YOU THINK HAPPENED TO LITTLE BOYS AND GIRLS POSSESSED AS PROPERTY), SO IT WAS OK FOR THEM TO CONTINUE TO BE PROPERTY.
September 21, 2007 at 12:04 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
prosperous_hb (anonymous) says...
minoritySouth...you are something powerful. I don't think they can handle what you are bring to the table. Stay STRONG!
September 21, 2007 at 12:08 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
preachlove (anonymous) says...
SCNative - "Blacks always get to play the race card. ...white man keeping the poor little black man down."
You have the nerve to call greyrider an idiot. Then what does that make YOU? I guess you're the all time #1 idiot. You never have anything intelligent to say, only ignorance spews from your racist mouth. This isn't the first time you've said this. Is this your only line of thinking or train of thought? Is this the only discussion your diseased brain matter can come up with? It's a waste of time trying to educate backwoods people like you; so, stay in your woods while the world progresses and passes you by.
I don't play the race card and I'm not poor. I don't blame the white man for keeping the black man down because I'm not down. And even if I was down; I'd work my way back up. I definitely wouldn't want anything from you or any Government handouts.
September 21, 2007 at 12:10 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
trod (anonymous) says...
"I agree I hate when people use the "past is the past" argument. Easy for you to say, you weren't denied the right to vote, read and have a basic education until the 1960s. Get a grip people."
so ok if you were alive in the 60s then you have a gripe.what about the people born in the70s 80s 90s ect?
to be honest about the whole thing race doesn't play a part in my daily activity's. i just want the person next to me be it man woman or whatever to do their job so i can do mine, the joker in front of me in traffic i just want to them to go so i can go.the restaurant waiter or waitress i just want my food in a timely manner and good service.race doesn't matter to me.
September 21, 2007 at 12:14 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
SCdeacinNYC (anonymous) says...
OK trod...of COURSE it doesn't play a part in your daily activity. I will try hard to guess what race you are after saying that...
Have you ever read the invisible knapsack of white privlege?
http://seamonkey.ed.asu.edu/~mcisaac/...
It puts a whole new prospective on what why you might be able to live your life with such ease....and if you are a person of color then you are living in deep and severe denial.
And yes obviously only the people alive in the 1960s were affected by centuries of discrimination? The policies and their aftermath were often in effect and felt for much longer than that. Why else would the justice department be integrating schools in SC in the 1990s?
What about the effect it had on the culture of hopelessness, the lack of black wealth (not riches, wealth), building a leadership structure and having significant role models. If you don't see successful educated people, what is there to aspire to? So you deny people a basic right to education for hundreds of years and you think they will wake up twenty years later thinking education is the key to success when their parents never saw that.
I am keen enough to realise I am one of the lucky few. Never underestimate the power of legacy on a child's life and future and in this case the future of a group of people.
September 21, 2007 at 12:27 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
grannyofsix (anonymous) says...
SC deacon were you denied the right to vote if not then whats the problem this is now not 1945
September 21, 2007 at 12:32 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Girleygirl (anonymous) says...
SO Prosperous...if they were arrested for having nooses tied to a car, I wonder why the DA in Jena could not arrest the kids that hung up nooses at a public school? I wonder what law did the people in Alexandria, LA find. Maybe they need to share this with the DA in Jena.
Things that make you go hmmmmmmmmmmm............
Thanks for the info! No need to apoligize MinoritySouth! I love it when people educate and share info with me so keep it coming.
September 21, 2007 at 12:33 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
geekboy (anonymous) says...
Well, so much for that excuse:
U.S. attorney: Nooses, beating at Jena High not related
http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/law/09/19/...
September 21, 2007 at 12:36 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
beemz (anonymous) says...
SCdeacinNYC...hey did you get the message i sent you about a week and half ago? If so please answer ,send me an email.
Take Care
Thanks
September 21, 2007 at 12:36 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
geekboy (anonymous) says...
[QUOTE]
I wonder what law did the people in Alexandria, LA find.
[/QUOTE]
The moron in Alexandria was arrested for Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor, DWI and Inciting to Riot.
He's got some hard time ahead of him.
.
September 21, 2007 at 12:53 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
MinoritySouth (anonymous) says...
Citizen Preachlove, you mentioned "Government handouts" and on various subject matters the question seems to come up time and time again regarding why do "Blacks" compell themselves to have seperate "xyz" you fill in the blank. Well, we all know the obvious answer to this... But I will say it again.. Go back to Africa when you are not Africans?? Be part of mainstream American by changing our names and dropping our accent?? Well what about your skin..?? Foiled again, Simply, we could not even hope to have an equitible part in organizations control by non-"Blacks" when the treat of an untimely horrible death was an ever looming presence (supporting documentation http://www.withoutsanctuary.org/). So "Black" organizations were spawned.. These "Black" businesses and organizations by the 50s and 60s flourished and a middle-class had emerged for some "Blacks". Again, given Jim Crow "Blacks" had to operate in every autonomous capacity they could to survive or to not be taken to the cleaners financially or possible killed in extreme cases. Blacks became proficient enough that sometimes "Whites" would contract work out to them... Well then, came along the government, leading us to believe that we could have an equitable part in mainstream society, after all, the Civil Rights movement fixed everything. Slowly but surely families supported the next generation going off to college in lieu of running the family owned businesses but now armed with degrees and the such they gave up the general autonomy enjoyed by their fathers. In lieu of these facts, are things really better given this sacrifice to be part of this country in which the fruit of our Ancestors labor can be found in America's very foundation??? Am I the only one who perceives a clandestine undercurrent of racism flourishing in the work arena? I am big enough a man to accept that fact if so and consider insanity clouding my perception. For a more direct involvement of the subject at hand, these guys who hung nooses, can they be that different from their parents who teach their child and also play are role in the Jena community in some capacity?? I have plum trees in my yard and each year little plum trees spring up, not orange trees, not walnut trees, or pecan trees. Plum trees. Which has brought me to a conclusion and that is, the fruit does not fall far from the tree... Now one could argue the "White" kids were not the only ones at fault but I have no rebuttal except the fact the "White" kids were the first to play the race card (http://www.withoutsanctuary.org/) and the "Black" kids intitially did the right thing but were tragically sucked into a low, low place. Evil is contagious.
September 21, 2007 at 1 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
MinoritySouth (anonymous) says...
I am wordy. So, summary for those of you who have stopped reading when you see "minoritysouth", the RACE CARD was played the minute nooses were hung.. http://www.withoutsanctuary.org/ and I hope the parents of these kid are not running any significant part of this town like they raised their children and the "Black" children got off to a good start with standing up for their rights but were ultimately sucked into a dark place along with the initial noose hangers. Evil is contagious, careful what you stand for including not taking a stand at all, the evil is contagious and colorblind, you may find yourself surrounded one day by it.
September 21, 2007 at 1:14 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
lvhasnocolor (anonymous) says...
What could happen? Why March? Why Care? "OUR CHILDREN"
"Did you know that when the truth rises up "Jena 6" will be a landmark case and if justice is not served there is potential for the public officials and law makers to set a precedence in law to erode our rights and especially our future generations rights in this land? This is an elaborate scheme and if we don't stand up our ancestors will have fought in vain!" by BOV
September 21, 2007 at 1:22 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
SCdeacinNYC (anonymous) says...
Beemz...I responded to your message!
And yes, MinoritySouth, hanging a noose is more than playing a race card, its smearing it in someone's face!!
September 21, 2007 at 1:36 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
prosperous_hb (anonymous) says...
Girleygirl...according to the police report that CNN published, they guy was arrested for DWI, delinquincy of a minor and something else. The kid admitted to hanging the nooses on the truck and owning the brass knuckles. He also told the cops that he had a KKK tatoo on his chest and his parents were involved with the KKK. There was also another report of a truck riding around with noose on it, but they were unable to locate it. Most of the white resident in Jena said that there town is not racist, well they wake up and smell the coffee, b/c it's there.
It seems to me that these two men were looking for trouble, but the protester did not stoop to their level. I again commend them for keeping the peace.
September 21, 2007 at 1:48 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
blondjes (anonymous) says...
geez minoritysouth, i noticed when i moved down here how racist all the blacks were, do they get all their info from you?
September 21, 2007 at 1:53 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
lvhasnocolor (anonymous) says...
blondjes,
you only noticed that (smile)WOW... enough said...
September 21, 2007 at 2:03 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
NOLAgirl (anonymous) says...
As a native of Louisiana, I can tell you first hand that whether we like to admit or not, racial tensions are still quite prominent throughout the region. However, I was highly disturbed by Mr. Parker's article. To me, the article seems to be more about racial equality, which don't get me wrong, is an integral part of our society, than the facts. The fact of the matter is we should NEVER fight violence with violence. I fail to understand how someone could even consider Mr. Bell a pseudo "hero" considering he took the violent route out of a situtation that could have been resolved in a much more peaceful way. Had Mr. Bell taken that higher route, I guarantee you he would have gained more respect from the entire country as well as me. By cheering Mr. Bell on, has a portion of this country forgotten to keep the greater good of our citizens in mind? Is this really what we want to teach our future generations? Unfortunately with the responses written so far to this article, that answer seems like an unequivocal YES.
September 21, 2007 at 2:07 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Test2007 (anonymous) says...
granny - the problem is that our parents and grandparents were denied. 1945? Bring that to a more recent number like 1966 for example. That is when the option was made "available". Even though the constitution has said a hundred or so years before that everyone had that right.
September 21, 2007 at 2:07 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
chrissybaggett (anonymous) says...
Now wait a minute here. There are several people in this blog that did not participate in yesterdays discusion of the Jena 6. MinoritySouth is not racist. I am white and have indian heritage strong in my blood and he has the same indian heritage and said he would welcome me as family even though I am fair skinned with freckles. I think that some of you are missing the bigger picture here.
September 21, 2007 at 2:15 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
MinoritySouth (anonymous) says...
Citizen blondjes, it is just a knee jerk reaction of Minorities to get on the defensive before the offense. I apologize if you are not a racist but consider 400 plus years of conditioning (siting this link, one fact among many supporting sources http://www.withoutsanctuary.org/) Specifically in this case, an offense that has been precipitated by the attitude that hanging nooses is a deterrant to keep "Blacks" from having a little shade in a public setting.. Instead of approaching as an opportunity to politic underneath the tree with your fellow man as we are doing in this fine arena.
September 21, 2007 at 2:17 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
chrissybaggett (anonymous) says...
I find it necessary to also say that some of the blame here lies with the parents on both sides of the fence. Had they properly raised their children none of these events would have taken place! We must look at accountability!!!! The white childrens parents should have raised them with a sence of color is blind and we are all equal. The black childrens parents should have raised them to ignore bumbling idiots and not retaliate unless they are in complete physical danger. The school officials should have reported the noose hanging to the prosecuter and requested charges be filed. Their is a lot of accountability that should be assesed here. The march as a principle point was one in good standing but they need to address the accountability of all involed in this situation.
September 21, 2007 at 2:21 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
MinoritySouth (anonymous) says...
Citizen blondjes, you made a fairly general statement. Please use a little more verbaige in your accessment of what I am saying as a favor to me. You implied that I am misleading, I think?? Please help me get on the right track if this is the case. I always strive to improve myself.
September 21, 2007 at 2:22 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Girleygirl (anonymous) says...
Wow Blondjes you meet all of the blacks in Charleston and all of them are racists? I wonder what I am! Have you meet me? Were you taking a census for all black people? How long have you lived here and where are you from? Do not classify me with things that only you have noticed and make them facts, because obviously you don't know me.
I would like to know how did you make the conclusion that MinoritySouth was a racist because reading the majority of his post for the past couple of months, he has made it known he is mixed. So its obvious you don't know him either and you sound like a racist!
September 21, 2007 at 2:22 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
lvhasnocolor (anonymous) says...
I believe the young man should be punished but how the law officials handled it is the problem. My opinion and what I told my son is voilence is wrong point blank. Fight with our voice not our hands. Bc with the stroke of pen a law official can take away your life if you are poor and uneducated (period)... Stay in school learn more than what they teach you in the classroom....
September 21, 2007 at 2:23 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
MinoritySouth (anonymous) says...
Fellow woman and man. I don't want to come off as sexiest. I always striving to improve. LOL
September 21, 2007 at 2:25 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
RTC (anonymous) says...
MinoritySouth, perhaps you could answer a question for me.
Why if a person has even a small amount of black blood in them they are always classified as "black"? I have never understood this concept as long as I have lived.
Are people classified as members of one race or the other based solely on skin tones?
September 21, 2007 at 2:39 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
chrissybaggett (anonymous) says...
TO those of you who are claiming the "We" cant know how it feels to be denied rights. Well first off I am female and as all of you should know, their was a time when woman were seen and not heard, nor could they vote, or purchase land. So please do not generalze poverty or repression or even depression with those that are only of a different color. I live in a town that still has a sign posted in one of the local resturants " Blacks will not be served." Now this to me should be what the Reverand should be hitting on hard in his protests. Please understand that just because some of is are what you would call"white" that does not constitute us as a bigot. I absolutely oppose that sign in the eating establishment, however I also worry that they will retaliate against me or my children should I try to get a protest here about it. So I do understand what some of you are saying, but it is not only the "blacks" that struggle and or continue to struggle.
September 21, 2007 at 2:51 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
grannyofsix (anonymous) says...
as long as we live for the past we will never have a future
September 21, 2007 at 3:04 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
trod (anonymous) says...
Mychal Bell -- the only one of the "Jena 6" remaining in jail -- will not be released today, a source tells CNN.
September 21, 2007 at 3:07 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
lvhasnocolor (anonymous) says...
My country, tis of thee
soldier are dying,
people are starving,
children are harmed,
education is getting passed over for electronic devices
guns are ending up in the wrong hands
drug are not being used to heal
color is misunderstood
injustice is spreading
the rich is getting richer off the uneducated
receiving help is shameful
and
no wants to be held accountable...
and
they say there is no GOD...
September 21, 2007 at 3:13 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
blondjes (anonymous) says...
minoritysouth, this "i'm the victim" crap and "its everybody elses fault but my own" crap is getting really old, we have all heard before
September 21, 2007 at 3:14 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
MinoritySouth (anonymous) says...
Well, I don't have the answer but I have an opinion, suprise. LOL Race is an inperfect way of categerizing ourselves.. It of course was first tied to culture and geography but certainly not exclusively. This fact by itself compromises the material significance as you have indirectly pointed out. Historically, various races/cultures have controlled various portions of the globe, in addition to where they consider their indegenous home, spreading their gene pool EVERYWHERE... Little tid-bit, the name escapes me but there was an ancient Greek philosopher/historian who made it a point to express the fact that Ethiopians were the only "race" of people that he had been exposed to that did not have a migration story to tell as part of their history, things that make you go hum??? This little fact fits in neatly with what genetics(for you agnostics) as well as the Bible tells us today. But back to the subject at hand, migration, conquest, etc skewed race even more and brings me to the question.. At this stage in the human experience, who is in charge of this who race thing. It seems to have gotten out of hand over the many years man has walked this earth. Now specifically about the African blood. I think modern man realized the general wealth of resources available in Africa. He also realized, the divisiveness of religion as well as race in Africa. These things were used against the region and a doctrine of classifying them as a heathenistic subhuman form of life was branded on to Africans. Ironically, it is certainly a solid argument that the Abrahamic religions (Islam, Judism which spawn Christianity) originated in that very place we call Africa. Ethiopia is one of the first countries mentioned in the Bible.. I call this, the irony of life, kind of like George Wallace was one of the biggest segregationist but enjoyed recent political control due largely in part by "Blacks" voting for him in recent history or Elvis became the King of Rock and Roll by singing songs of Bluesmen "Black" Bluesman(Simply a fact, I am a musician and I love the music of Elvis..) Back to the subject. This generalization of Africa needing the hand of outsiders to "help" it due their subhumaness stuck and boy did it stick hard. Hard enough for the continent to be picked clean almost for hundreds of year before anyone's conscious kicked in. This stigma follows its descendants through a host of complicated social issues. So an answer to your specific question is I don't know who is the genius in charge of racial classifications these days. It is all pretty ambiguous to me.
September 21, 2007 at 3:17 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
MinoritySouth (anonymous) says...
Citizen blondjes, I am still having trouble picking out a material point in your argument. Let me help you. Quote me. It is all in black and white on the computer before you. I have said many things. Just pull a group of, lets say, 20 words from what I have written. Disclaim I have said some stuff that was fun and games and I have made a few emotional statments. I am human... But please express a specific issue or issues that you have taken with me. I want to help you help me. Isn't that what life is all about. We all have various gifts. If one woman had all the talent she would not need anyone else would she?? I need you to help me..??
September 21, 2007 at 3:24 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
eyfigueroa (anonymous) says...
chrissybaggett: it is so sad that as a woman you feel powerless against such blatant bigotry. You are correct, it isn't just skin color that define you in this society, gender is also a factor. All that i could suggest to you is to not patronize an establishment that offends you. teach your children to be righteous citizens. show your children what grace and dignity is by walking past that establishment. 2007 and we still have such issues. as a libertarian i defend the right of a business owner to refuse service to anyone. i say let the free market system shut it down. if enough people like you stop patronizing the place, perhaps the owner(s) will understand that living in this society and in this century that the only color that should matter is green.
RTC: the concept of "one drop of negro blood" came from the practice of 'breeding' slaves. there is a plethora of historical data that refers to slave owners breeding slaves for various uses. larger, darker africans used as field hands, etc. unfortunately that concept continues today for many americans. we define ourselves by color, race and ethnicity. that's why you see forms with designations such as:
white(not hispanic)
Black (not hispanic)
it's because you can have a dark skin tone but not consider yourself black. but by american standards the 'one drop' concept is still strong.
September 21, 2007 at 3:35 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
grannyofsix (anonymous) says...
what I see in the black and white race is one race wants a lot more then the other race they dont want to be equal they want to be better and by playing the race card they think they will get it ??????? what happen in jena was W R O N G on both sides And the white kids saying they didnt know what it meant is so much bs (sorry about the cussing) with so much TV Movies and such the kids are not stupid. But they are if they think we the peolple black and white believe it
September 21, 2007 at 3:37 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
eyfigueroa (anonymous) says...
blondjes: you may not appreciate the struggles of blacks in this country and that may explain your vitriol.
i can agree with you on one thing though, we must ALL let go of the victimizaiton mantle. but to paint ALL blacks 'down here' with the same paintbrush is not only unfair but clearly an indication of your limited view on life and society as a whole.
there are so many of us of color that contribute greatly to society and do not feel that all that goes wrong in our lives are the results of what others do.
all white people are not bigots, racists just like all blacks are not self appointed victims.
i hope for your sake you shake off that chip on your shoulder, for you may miss out on some wonderful personal and/or professional relationships with those who aren't of your race.
September 21, 2007 at 3:49 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
MinoritySouth (anonymous) says...
Citizen Eyfigueroa, thank you for saving me. I agree with you and I will add it seems to be this philosphy that you have pointed out along with the subhuman stigma that was used to dominate large groups of people. Yes we are back on controlling resources.. Wake up..
I watched a show put on by PBS on genetics recently and one of the scientist performing analysis compared his DNA to that of the "Black" faculty member at, I want to say, Harvard but it was a prestigious institution. The "White" scientist was 10% West African. Looking at him you would never have though it.. They then did cluster analysis of the Harvard faculty member and could only come up with one direct match of some significant attribute regarding his DNA that placed his ancestors somewhere around the Nile Delta yet he had probably in excess of 10 matches spread evenly between Ireland and France... Ironically he is head faculty of I want to say was African-American studies or maybe not so ironically give the average ethnic background of "Blacks"... Side note. The geneticists mother argued with him not to disclose the information. I respect feeling, I don't agree but I respect it. This woman was intellegent enough to raise a geneticists. She is certainly intelligent enough to recognize racism as alive and well.
Here it is http://www.pbs.org/wnet/aalives/about....
this link will show a picture of the "White" geneticist I mentions http://www.pbs.org/wnet/aalives/scien....
I suggest renting the video if you can but atleast check this dude out. 10% WEST AFRICAN...
September 21, 2007 at 3:57 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
SCdeacinNYC (anonymous) says...
I watched "African-American Lives" when it came on PBS last year. It was indeed an interesting window in the dynamic between genetic (biological) and social concepts of race and identity.
What we claims as "Black" and "White" are often much more different than what biological results often show.
Many prominent Black americans (including Henry Louis Gates, the prominent Harvard African-American historian) were shown to have significant amount of White DNA (or White ancestry). I think I also heard in the documentary that the average Black American has about 35% European ancestry, this was not too surprising to me considering the many colors that Black americans come in and the significant number of interracial "sexual" relationships, especially during slavery in America...very interesting documentary. I recommend it to everyone.
September 21, 2007 at 4:05 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
MooMoo (anonymous) says...
Getting back on topic: I still want to know exactly what people mean when they say they "support the Jena Six." Do they support continued civil unrest? Equal justice in a more general sense? How would letting them off scott-free accomplish that? Should there be a reduction in the charges against them? A dropping of the charges entirely? Do supporters of the Six just want to see the whites that committed physical assault charged as well?
As I said in a previous post, the bottom line is that any and all parties who initiated and physically assaulted anyone should be charged and tried on aggravated assault at the very least.
Simple concept, folks... and not the least bit racist.
September 21, 2007 at 4:07 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
RTC (anonymous) says...
MinoritySouth, LOL I think I will ask you more basic questions next time. Thank you for your reply.
I should ask my daughter because she has a degree in Anthropology. I might be able to figure it out after she delivers a 1 hr. speech. In the words of one of our posters, burton, mercy!
September 21, 2007 at 4:17 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
MinoritySouth (anonymous) says...
Citizen MooMoo
1. I support drawing attention to the fiasco that was disguised as administrating to each and everyone of the torts that went back and forth among the youth. I am sickened that the shotgun incident has been sweeped under the rug. If a shotgun is pulled on me, my first thought is this person is trying to kill me.. Help me someone with a legal charge for brandishing a weapon with intent. As far as I can tell, the national attention brought about has been fairly constuctive considering the amount of things that can go wrong when large groups of people come together. So all that being said, I support the Jena 6. A vague statement at best.
2. Um, your second question seems to be linked to the first as far as I can deduce so, see above.
3. Um, I am considering approaching this from two directions. Justice is defined as "the quality of being just; righteousness, equitableness, or moral rightness". The word I would like people focus on is equitable, or route word. What is equitable about allowing someone to threaten another with a shotgun but charging the victim with unarming the person? What is equitable about charging a group of boys with attempted murder, when truely and ironically it was lynching(not in the classical sense of the word)? The irony of life rears its head again...
4. Well, you answer that question considering equitableness of all the punishment issued to the "White" youths?? (the guy that got the beating ironically looked a little African to me, atleast more African than my new litmus, the geneticists who is 10% West African..) So, yes the charges should be reduced for the "Black" youth or increase for the "White" youth. Don't forget about the party incident, sounds like aggrevate assault to me..?? I am sure there were witness. That's two torts that basically went, relatively speaking, un-noticed...
5. Another angle to think about is, maybe no punishment should be rendered, because of the egg on the face of the leaders of that town (Leadership 101, lead by example, constructive equitable examples..) Ultimatly they all should be punished with community service congruent to the offense. The "Black" youth could work with a trama unit maybe..?? The "White" youths should be required to take a history class adminstered by yours truly and subject to DNA testing.. LOL Surprise, surprise, surprise...
6. Well again, lets refer back to uniformity and equitableness concept giving us two options.
September 21, 2007 at 4:44 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
MinoritySouth (anonymous) says...
Citizen RTC, I tried. My formal training is in general business but I think it should have been history. I am considering law as a second career..?? Do you think I have it in me?
September 21, 2007 at 5:01 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
MinoritySouth (anonymous) says...
Posted by blondjes on September 21, 2007 at 3:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)
minoritysouth, this "i'm the victim" crap and "its everybody elses fault but my own" crap is getting really old, we have all heard before
Well I must assume the blonde has left the building or the blonde could not find a specific point to quote among my litany or plethora of discussion points..?? I must say blondjes is crafty. I must incorporate this technique of vague, ambiguous critisms to draw out a defensive emotional response and then search for a weakness in the argument. What is the name of that style of argument? I am sure it has a name? Come on someone help me out here, you know like this is my crane style or drunken monkey style.. Any B-karate movie fans out there? You know what I am talkin bout. oh, Oh OH, I know!! It's the BILL O'REILLY interview style technique.. Anywho, I must go now.
September 21, 2007 at 5:40 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
preachlove (anonymous) says...
Citizen Minority South - Thank you for the history lesson, but I know history as well, especially the collective history of MY people and I don't need a history lesson from you. Maybe some of these other posters do, but I know how to grab a book and simply stating, read one.
First of all if you would read my post, I said I, "Capital" I, don't play the race card. I, Capital I, did not insinuate that the race card was not played by the kids hanging nooses. Maybe you should try reading the posts of others more fully than totally dwelling on your own.
September 21, 2007 at 5:57 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
preachlove (anonymous) says...
Porkbreath - I am going to repeat my post to you from another article, just in case you didn't see it the first time.
You are a classic, ignorant, backwoods example of what's wrong with this country. I didn't know there was computer capability in "hogpens". You have nothing intelligent to say so you spout hate and bigotry out of your muddy disease infested snout. It's real easy to spout your rhetoric out of your "porkbreath" mouth in a post instead of in front of someone's face. And really, who would have respect for someone calling themselves "porkbreath" in the first place. And, I notice there are a few on these board related to you and live in your hogpen as well. Coward!
September 21, 2007 at 6:03 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
justme2 (anonymous) says...
I don't understand how a Newspaper could allow such Vulgar Comments that are always posted by porkbreath on this forum. You should be removing these types of comments before they are even posted, instead of asking for suggestions for removal. I hope this does not ruin the dignity and quality of your Newspaper and readers. I know we all have our opinion, but this is going a little bit too far for so long. You have allowed porkbreath to refer to Black people as Monkeys long enough. By doing this, you are stirring up tension among people, even on this forum. There are a few other that post that need to be checked into, but porkbreath is ridiculous.
Thank You.
September 21, 2007 at 6:19 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
DevilsAdvocate (anonymous) says...
South Carolina should have a law on the books for stupidity and ignorance. I have yet to see intelligent discussions of the issues here without the belittling of races. It disturbs me to think that some who scribe here could be educators. No wonder, the mind set here is the way it is. This site has become no more than a place for some to come under the security of a user name and spew their ignorance and expect others to receive it as fact. In closing I would suggest that you all ask "God, please treat me tomorrow as I have treated others today".
September 21, 2007 at 6:36 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
chrissybaggett (anonymous) says...
Eyfigueroa: Yes it is a shame that their are establishments that do not patronize all humans! And just to clarify, I walked into the place of business to buy my children an icecream and as soon as I saw the sign I walked out. They had to be satisfied with the Piggly wiggly store bought icecream. I have never returned to that place. It is crazy though because a friend of mine was talking about how good their food was and I had to stop and ask her if she had noticed the sign above the cash register. Now mind you she has lived here for 11 years and never once noticed the sign! I was very surprised and she said she was going to look at that after she left my house. Well sure enough she called me from the parking lot, still in AWE that she had been going their for years and had no idea of the racism that place represented. I think that sometimes we do not notice the hate and racism that surrounds our everyday life. Thanks for the responce!
Chrissy
September 21, 2007 at 7:20 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
RTC (anonymous) says...
LMAO- very good, chrissy, one more letter and you would have officialy cursed.
September 21, 2007 at 7:49 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
RTC (anonymous) says...
Did part of the comment section just disappear?
Did we make them so mad that they decided just to remove a whole chunk?
September 21, 2007 at 7:55 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
beemz (anonymous) says...
i wonder what happen i read someone of the comment porkbreath,cvs,rtc,chrissy etc.
came back and there now gone.
go figure
p.s. i knew immediately they were going to move the commentabout the p/c atking a lunch break.
lolol
p.e.t.t.
i
September 21, 2007 at 8:08 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
beemz (anonymous) says...
i wonder what happen i read someone of the comment porkbreath,cvs,rtc,chrissy etc.
came back and there now gone.
go figure
p.s. i knew immediately they were going to move the comment about the p/c taking a lunch break.
lolol
p.e.t.t.
September 21, 2007 at 8:10 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
RTC (anonymous) says...
beemz, porkbreath's comment should have been removed as soon it was flagged. I think they may have kidnapped chrissy.I'm locking my doors, because I'm afraid I could be next. LOL
September 21, 2007 at 8:21 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
beemz (anonymous) says...
rtc...oh i see...
lmao@rtc.
it was cvs that said they need to get off their lunch break and read the posts i guess they have huh?
were are you cvs?
they did what you suggested...
September 21, 2007 at 8:29 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
beemz (anonymous) says...
did they get you along with chrissy?
September 21, 2007 at 8:30 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
RTC (anonymous) says...
beemz, cvs said she was going out to dinner. LOL
Poor chrissy, the P&C mafia must have gotten her.
I need to take advantage of having the house to myself and getting a long soak in the tub.
If I'm not back in about 2 hrs. call 911, okay?
September 21, 2007 at 8:37 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
beemz (anonymous) says...
i certainly will rtc..
be C--a--r--e--f--u--l!!!
September 21, 2007 at 8:44 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
beemz (anonymous) says...
rtc... it is well over 2 hours are you okay????
September 21, 2007 at 11:36 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jammer (anonymous) says...
chrissy where was this sign posted not to serve blacks??
September 23, 2007 at 1:57 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
chrissybaggett (anonymous) says...
Jammer it is displayed right above the cash register which is at the front of the establishment.
September 25, 2007 at 10:59 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
chrissybaggett (anonymous) says...
Hey guys ya'll are hallarious! They did not get me but they did remove some of my posts along with others. I guess we made them mad. But thanks for the concern... been busy with school work.
September 25, 2007 at 11:22 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
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