Tuesday, October 9, 2007
Racism In the News: Jena 6
With the controversy that has ensued about the Jena 6, racism has been brought into the light by the media as an issue that still exists in our country very heavily today. Although the actions of the boys who fought may not have been the best that they could have chosen, it is important to note the circumstances that they were faced with. It is unfortunate that the white teen had to suffer any physical injury and the actions of these boys should be in no way excused, but the source for the extreme action that these boys took should be thoroughly investigated also. There must be a definite line drawn between what is considered to be a harmless prank and what is considered to be a racially influenced hate crime. Whether or not the boys who hung the nooses on the tree though that their stunt would be taken seriously, they should be taught the lesson of how all actions have consequences and should suffer as much punishment as the boys who are being charged with assault and attempted murder. The BBC refers to racism today as a sort of "stealth" racism. This type of racism is harder to pinpoint, and much easier to overlook. The boys who hung these nooses should be used as examples to show others that racism, not matter how subtle one may feel that it is, will not be tolerated by the community.
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3 comments:
I agree totally. Those boys did not have to hang nooses around that tree. In my opinion, all that we as black people have been through while enslaved is one thing, but to still deal with racial issues in 2007 is ridiculous, when white boys are still hanging nooses around trees portraying actions that took place doing history is obserb. I strongly believe that the Jena 6 are innocent and they WERE provoked by demeaning racial slurrs.
This is just another event to show that racism still exists in the world today. I definately agree with the "stealth" because some people dont think that they are being discriminatory and thinks that it's some sort of joke. People need to learn when they are crossing the line and if they thinkn that they are then they probably shouldn't say it!
I really think the whole Jena 6 incident has really opened the eyes of everyone around the country. I myself did not even realize the fact that racism is even significantly present in the United States today. I don't even really know all the details concerning the Jena 6 incident but I am interested to know all the details of the matter. Keep me up to date.
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