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Why Think Let Me Do That...Jesus Approved Commentary

You Could Hang in 2007 If You're Not Careful

I've heard cats mentioning Jena 6 here and there on certain parts of the net including here but I did not know the importance of this case until I investigated for myself, as you should. If we, the black community, let this injustice go unnoticed & unpunished then we might as well start quitting our 9-5s and report back to the plantation. IT'S THAT REAL... I was speechless to know that this went on in 2006 and not 1926. With that said, do not take my words as facts. Do your due diligence and read up on this. Whenever there's an injustice committed in America, Democracy atrophies just a little bit and that affects more then people of color.

Here's the story as I know:

Jena, Louisiana is rural Louisiana.  Imagine the type of town that only has a Walmart, McDonald's, Ace Hardware, a bank or two and that's it. The town is about 85%, 14% black and 1% other. That's Jena. From what I understand the town already had clear cut racial divisions but these turn of events would further that rift. Circa September 2006, a black student at a Jena High School asked his principal if he could sit under a tree in the schoolyard--a tree where only white students rested. The principal told him he could sit wherever he wanted. So, the student sat under said tree accompanied by friends of his. The next day, 3 nooses were hung from the tree. The school head recommended the explusion of the perpetrators (3 white students) but in the end, the students received only a in school suspension. The same black student who faced this horrendous display at school went to an interracial party in Jena some time afterwards. He was asked what his name was by a white student (a male). He replied and then was attacked by said student and his sister. Later, the same boy upon going to a convenience store saw an individual involved in his prior attack. The two immediately began fighting. The black boy was assisted by a friend of his and the white guy involved ran to his truck to get a sawed off shotgun with a pistol grip. The scuffle commenced and the black boys ended up getting the gun away from him and subsequently running away from the scene unscathed. They were charged with theft while the white man who brandished the gun went uncharged.  On November 30, 2006 a fire destroyed the main academic building. Then on December 4th after weeks of intimidation by the white students, six black students (later named the Jena 6) attacked one of the white students who participated in the acts of intimidation. They were charged with Attempted Second Degree Murder...

Mychal Bell was the first of the six to be tried. He was found guilty by an all white jury and could face up to 22 Years in jail for a high school fight. His lawyer was a public defender and failed to call up any witnesses on behalf of his client. If this isn't injustice I don't know what is. He was supposed to be sentenced July 30th but controversy began surrounding the conspicuous shady/corrupt practices and it was pushed back to September 20th. And if at all possible I'll be there. My generation's main issue to deal with at this point has been our own lackadaisical behavior. This is what's going to define our generation. It's time for us to make a stand. And this just isn't some bullshit rhetoric. This is real life and it's a fight for liberty in the U-S of A. The implications of the results of this trial will be felt worldwide. Fuck around if you want, and you could hang in the 2007. Racism may not confront you on a daily basis but it does still exist and Jena 6 is concrete evidence. It's time to show the world that Hip Hop hasn't lulled us to sleep but has actually awakened our collective consciousness and prepared us for action.

Here's a couple of resources y'all can check out to learn more on Jena 6.

Democracy Now on Jena 6

Alternet on Jena 6

Wiki on Jena 6

Jena 6 Petition

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