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September 20, 2007

Officially over the Jena 6 Circus

Congratulations everyone, we've officially missed the point. Again.

Yes, this town in LA is likely racist and there is likely an abuse of power (though please note there is a higher percentage of Blacks in Jena than in Edwardsville).

Yes, the charges are likely harsh.

Yes, saying it isn't a racial incident is questionable.

But can we have a march on demanding better schools? I would venture to guess that MORE people from St. Louis went to protest in Jena that protested the state takeover of the city schools. Maybe even more who voted in the last school board election.

Can we have a march on a situation where the demands are reasonable? In a CNN article, a woman, who pulled her children out of school to make this trip says, ""The reason I brought my children is because it could have been one of them" involved in an incident like the one in Jena. If this can happen to them [the Jena 6] , it can happen to anyone." CORRECTION. IF YOUR KIDS DON'T KICK ANYONE'S ASS, THEY WILL NOT PUT THEMSELVES IN DANGER OF THIS HAPPENING IN THE SLIGHTEST.

Can we have a march on positive male role models to prevent tensions escalating to violence? The father of the most harshly charged boy (with two priors) is quoted as admitting his absence did not help the situation and he's now willing to be more present in his son's life.

Can we have a march on pulling up your damn pants?

I just wish this were all inspiring the right conversations, shining light on the root issues we _can_, _should_ and are long past taking control of, instead of by design, pulling people further apart.

Posted by nikl at September 20, 2007 11:58 AM

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