Spring Break
Jena Six show that society is still dealing with racial issues
Aditi Dubey
Issue date: 10/26/07 Section: Ed-Op
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Racism is more real than we think. It has just taken up more subtle and hidden ways, and unlike the stereotype that goes, it's not always the white person being the racist. It's just that people pay more attention if racism is by one sect against another. The incident comes more to light and, suddenly, everyone is talking about it. More often than not, it is a lack of understanding of difference and diversity that keeps racism alive in our society. All schools pay attention to teaching their students science, math, and history, but is an equal importance given to diversity studies?
The youth of this country, and many others, does not understand why people are different and how those differences are something to cherish, rather than a reason for conflict. Think about it. The world would be so awfully boring if everyone were the same. I have seen that quite a number of college and high schools students do not act racist - not because they understand other cultures, ethnicities, and races, but, sadly, because it's politically correct. They also live under the impression that they are hated because they are a certain color or race. There is something terribly wrong with the picture here, and not enough people are noticing it.
When I hear about the Jena Six, does it surprise me? Not as much as it should. What is the Jena Six and why should it surprise me? The culminating incident in this situation the media hasn't stopped talking about since December of 2006. Six African-American teenagers were arrested and charged with beating up a white teenager at Jena High School in Jena, La. This episode followed a number of racially charged incidents occurring in the town over the previous few months.
It all began Aug. 31, 2006, when a black student at the Jena High School asked for permission to sit under a tree on the traditionally white side of the school square, according to BBC News. The vice principal gave him permission to do so, but the next day three nooses were found hanging from the tree. The three white students responsible were not sanctioned or disciplined, and throughout the semester tension kept mounting in the school, while racist incidents continued to occur in the town. Other incidents reported by Economist.com include one on Sept. 6, in which two fights broke out in the school; one of which sent a white student to the emergency room for stitches. About 12 weeks later, on Nov. 30, someone burned down part of the school, and no one was caught or charged.
The youth of this country, and many others, does not understand why people are different and how those differences are something to cherish, rather than a reason for conflict. Think about it. The world would be so awfully boring if everyone were the same. I have seen that quite a number of college and high schools students do not act racist - not because they understand other cultures, ethnicities, and races, but, sadly, because it's politically correct. They also live under the impression that they are hated because they are a certain color or race. There is something terribly wrong with the picture here, and not enough people are noticing it.
When I hear about the Jena Six, does it surprise me? Not as much as it should. What is the Jena Six and why should it surprise me? The culminating incident in this situation the media hasn't stopped talking about since December of 2006. Six African-American teenagers were arrested and charged with beating up a white teenager at Jena High School in Jena, La. This episode followed a number of racially charged incidents occurring in the town over the previous few months.
It all began Aug. 31, 2006, when a black student at the Jena High School asked for permission to sit under a tree on the traditionally white side of the school square, according to BBC News. The vice principal gave him permission to do so, but the next day three nooses were found hanging from the tree. The three white students responsible were not sanctioned or disciplined, and throughout the semester tension kept mounting in the school, while racist incidents continued to occur in the town. Other incidents reported by Economist.com include one on Sept. 6, in which two fights broke out in the school; one of which sent a white student to the emergency room for stitches. About 12 weeks later, on Nov. 30, someone burned down part of the school, and no one was caught or charged.
Viewing Comments 1 - 4 of 4
joe fox
posted 10/26/07 @ 2:46 PM EST
It seems Mr. Sharpton built his case of racism and hate crimes against Jena, Louisiana on half truths and falsehoods. He did it with assistance from the mainstream media which ignored the efforts of the Department of Justice which conducted a meeting in Jena in July to deal with the "misinformation that was being disseminated at that time (see "Official sought to clear up 'Jena 6' "misinformation" by Abby Brown in the Town Talk). (Continued…)
joyce miah
posted 10/26/07 @ 10:42 PM EST
I'm a 56yrs old woman of multi-culture. My Father whom i never had the pleasure of knowing was deported. When I was still a baby. Born in NY and grew up in north philly. (Continued…)
Blair
posted 10/27/07 @ 12:58 AM EST
Jena High School administrators, teachers and students say students of both races congregated from time to time beneath the tree. The black student who asked permission to sit under the "white tree" during an assembly at Jena High School posed the question in jest, and the entire auditorium erupted in laughter. (Continued…)
Steve
posted 10/30/07 @ 11:20 AM EST
Weren't the students who hung the nooses suspended for 3 days? Someone in the administriation (I forget if it was the Principal or School Board) wanted them to be expelled, but the other one had it reduced to 3 days of suspension. (Continued…)
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