Revisiting Jena 6

[Controlled Chaos]

The Jena Six -- and Other Scams

By Patrick J. Buchanan

Friday, February 15, 2008

 

"(S)ome Americans do not understand why the sight of a noose causes such a visceral reaction," declared President Bush to the White House gathering for Black History Month.

 

As The Washington Post rushed to remind us, President Bush was "responding to news coverage of such episodes as the 'Jena Six.'"

 

But if history is about truth, not myth, that news coverage deserves another look, before the Jena Six enter the history books alongside Emmett Till and "the Scottsboro Boys."

 

By now, most folks know the media story. White students at Jena High in Louisiana hung nooses on a tree to warn black students not to sit under it. After a fistfight over this racist outrage, black kids in the fight were indicted for attempted murder, while the white racists who hung the nooses walked away with a verbal spanking.

 

Last September, 20,000 traveled to Jena to march against this prosecutorial outrage. Fortunately, however, there are still a few real journalists around. Among them are Craig Franklin, assistant editor of the Jena Times, whose wife teaches at Jena High, and Charlotte Allen, who wrote an extended piece for The Weekly Standard. According to Allen and Franklin, here are the facts and chronology you have been denied by the Mainstream Media.

 

There never was a "whites-only" tree at Jena High. Both races sat under it, though whites congregated there. The nooses, or lariats, were the work of three young teens, who got the idea from watching "Lonesome Dove" on TV, where rustlers are hanged.

 

Franklin says they were a joke aimed at white friends on the rodeo team. As they were painted in Jena High's gold and black, Allen reports that the kids said the nooses were directed at a rival school's Western-themed football team.

 

When school officials confronted them, all were remorseful. All had black friends, and none knew the nooses were offensive to blacks.

 

Far from being let off, they spent "nine days at an alternative facility, followed by two weeks of in-school suspension, Saturday detentions, attendance at Discipline Court and evaluations by licensed mental-health professionals."

 

They were not prosecuted for a hate crime because none of those who investigated the incident believed they committed a hate crime. Hung on Aug. 31, 2006, the nooses had been taken down instantly. Only a few students ever saw them. Case closed.

 

September, October and November passed at Jena High with no racial conflict emanating from the noose incident of August.

 

On Dec. 1, however, Robert Bailey Jr. tried to crash a party at the Fair Barn in Jena. One Justin Sloan, 22, not a student, put a fist in his face. So witnesses and Bailey reported to police. And Sloan was prosecuted for battery.

 

On Dec. 2, Bailey and two friends jumped a white male entering the "Gotta Go" grocery. When the latter ran to get a shotgun out of his car, they wrested it from him and took it. So two witnesses at the "Gotta Go" agreed.

 

Two days later came the "schoolyard fight." Only this was no fight. Black students barricaded an exit to the gym and lay in wait for Justin Barker. As Barker went for another exit, he was struck in the head from behind by Mychal Bell. Multiple witnesses say Barker fell unconscious as a gang of eight or 10 blacks stomped and kicked him in the head. The assistant principal who reached Barker thought he was dead. Barker's emergency room bill ran to more than $5,000.

 

When the six were arrested and charged with attempted second-degree murder, none of them and none of the witnesses mentioned the noose incident. It had had nothing to do with this vicious racist assault.

 

After the charges were reduced to battery, Bell, tried as an adult, was indeed convicted by an all-white jury -- because no blacks answered the summons to the jury pool. Why was Bell prosecuted as an adult? Because he had four prior convictions for crimes of violence.

 

After his conviction was overturned, Bell was ordered retried as a juvenile. Rather than face the same 17 witnesses, he pled guilty in December to hitting Barker from behind, slamming his head into a concrete beam and kicking him in the head. Sentenced to 18 months in juvenile detention, he agreed to testify against his co-conspirators.

 

While some $500,000 has been raised for the Jena Six defense, its whereabouts is unknown. Bailey did pose on the Internet grinning, however, with $100 bills in his mouth. Bell's mom is said to be driving a new Jaguar, and Bailey's mom a new Beamer. Two other Jena Sixers, Carwin Jones and Bryant Purvis, appeared in rapper attire on Black Entertainment Television as presenters of a Hip-Hop Award.

 

A week ago, 6-foot, 6-inch Purvis, who had transferred to Hebron High in Carrollton, Texas, was charged with assault, choking a student and ramming his head into a bench.

 

And that's the Saga of The Jena Six. It belongs right up there with the Rev. Al's other classics: Tawana Brawley and the Duke rape case.

 

 

 

 

[Balta1701]

I'm just gonna unilaterally move this to the Filibuster. No offense.

Edited February 17, 2008 by Balta1701

[Controlled Chaos]

I'm just gonna unilaterally move this to the Filibuster. No offense.

None taken....That is totally where I intended on posting it. Sorry for the mix up.

[Texsox]

There are always multiple sides to every story. It is a terrible disservice to actual victims of injustice when anyone pretends to be a victim. Two wrongs do not make a right. We must guard against painting too broad a stroke with that brush.

[GoSox05]

All this coming from a guy who used to oppose the Civil rights movement and MLK.

[Controlled Chaos]

All this coming from a guy who used to oppose the Civil rights movement and MLK.

Yeah...don't focus on the story or anything...

[Texsox]

Yeah...don't focus on the story or anything...

 

He does have an agenda, like it or not, that is part of the story.

[whitesoxfan101]

The Jena 6, in the end, is a sad story of racism on both sides of it's debate, among both races. The handeling of the case by the prosecutors, and the idea that the white kids didn't know the meaning of a noose to african americans, are both total bull s*** (sorry President Bush, your wrong on this issue, which isn't a surprise). However, as it turned out, the african american kids involved, especially the main parties in this case, were not saints either, and in fact were pretty hardened criminals. The Jena 6 is a case of racism, misunderstanding, and general ignorance, and is an example that racism still exists among all races, despite the progress made. That's my best condensed analysis, although an article by somebody as stupid and biased as Pat Buchanon isn't a good start to a discussion.

 

And, off topic, but is the new cool thing to make stupid and inaccurate comparison to the Duke case for shock value? Clemens' attorney did it, and now Buchanon. Do people not remember that case?

Edited February 18, 2008 by whitesoxfan101

[Controlled Chaos]

Well there's always this old thread as well. Pat didn't write this one, but the author he is referencing did.

 

 

 

 

 

Edited February 18, 2008 by Controlled Chaos

[Texsox]

Well there's always this old thread as well. Pat didn't write this one..is that any better??

 

What point are you trying to make?

 

Yes, occasionally there are mistakes and what on the surface is blamed for racism, turns out not to be. Rejoice and be glad. But to believe there is no racism in America is wrong.

[jackie hayes]

All had black friends, and none knew the nooses were offensive to blacks.

Wow. The first part of that sentence just wasn't dumb enough, so he tacked on the rest.

[Controlled Chaos]

What point are you trying to make?

 

Yes, occasionally there are mistakes and what on the surface is blamed for racism, turns out not to be. Rejoice and be glad. But to believe there is no racism in America is wrong.

When those mistakes are never acknowledged by anyone there's a big f***in problem.

[Texsox]

When those mistakes are never acknowledged by anyone there's a big f***in problem.

 

And what is the problem? What should be the final outcome of the Jenna 6?

[bmags]

There was a huge AP story that got quite a bit of press that set the record straight on Jena 6 myths, but while he (i believe the author was a he) came to the conclusion there was exaggerations in the reporting, he didn't come to the conclusion of Pat Buchanon, that it was all a hoax. They came to the conclusion that no, this was not the storybook white v. black case it had been touted and painted up to be, but this was one more example of harsher consequences for blacks than whites. He walked up to the steps of an old lady who had lived there a long time and just chatted with her about the realities and she had great insights to the problem. I hope I can find it.

[whitesoxfan101]

And what is the problem? What should be the final outcome of the Jenna 6?

 

That the poster who started this thread, like Pat Robertson, is a racist in denial of his own hate? That's the only impression I've gotten out of this.

[Controlled Chaos]

And what is the problem? What should be the final outcome of the Jenna 6?

The problem to me is there should be an apology by the media, Al, Jesse, everyone for jumping on the badwagon and linking events that weren't even connected. The story which couldn't be avoided if you turned on a tv, was never corrected. Probably more than half the country thinks what was reported back then was fact and I just think it's wrong. I'm sorry you don't feel that way. If I lived in that town I would be pissed.

 

 

[Controlled Chaos]

That the poster who started this thread, like Pat Robertson, is a racist in denial of his own hate? That's the only impression I've gotten out of this.

Did you just call me a racist for pointing out inaccuracies on a story? Are you f***ing kidding me??

 

There was a post on here last week about how some people act different online as opposed to in person. Well you just gave the best example of that, cause you would never EVER dare call me that to my face. You have a pretty heavy hand typing on a keyboard.

[Texsox]

The problem to me is there should be an apology by the media, Al, Jesse, everyone for jumping on the badwagon and linking events that weren't even connected. The story which couldn't be avoided if you turned on a tv, was never corrected. Probably more than half the country thinks what was reported back then was fact and I just think it's wrong. I'm sorry you don't feel that way. If I lived in that town I would be pissed.

 

I'm not saying I don't feel that way, but coming up with the avenue to correct this stuff is daunting. To match the same intensity of coverage they would have to hold daily press conferences for a couple weeks with someone new coming out and saying they were wrong, misled, etc. Seriously, how many viewers wouold keep tuning in to hear that?

[whitesoxfan101]

Did you just call me a racist for pointing out inaccuracies on a story? Are you f***ing kidding me??

 

There was a post on here last week about how some people act different online as opposed to in person. Well you just gave the best example of that, cause you would never EVER dare call me that to my face. You have a pretty heavy hand typing on a keyboard.

 

No i'm not calling you a racist, I'm saying you and Mr. Robertson's thoughts on this, that is was basically a hoax, have strong racial overtones. If you think Jena 6 was overblown, your right, but if you think it was a hoax, your not paying attention.

 

And I'd call you a racist in person too, btw, just for your threat towards me, even though I don't think you really are a racist. Anybody who feels the need to play tough guy on the internet like you just did is, more than likely, not very tough.

[Controlled Chaos]

I'm not saying I don't feel that way, but coming up with the avenue to correct this stuff is daunting. To match the same intensity of coverage they would have to hold daily press conferences for a couple weeks with someone new coming out and saying they were wrong, misled, etc. Seriously, how many viewers wouold keep tuning in to hear that?

I agree. I wouldn't expect them to match the intensity of coverage or anything. Just issue a statement. Acknowledge your mistake.

[whitesoxfan101]

I agree. I wouldn't expect them to match the intensity of coverage or anything. Just issue a statement. Acknowledge your mistake.

 

Even if the media makes a blatant mistake, like they did with Duke, they'll never apologize. The media is in the business of viewership and viewership only. Any implication or appearance by the media that they are in the buisness of facts is pure coincidence.

[Controlled Chaos]

No i'm not calling you a racist, I'm saying you and Mr. Robertson's thoughts on this, that is was basically a hoax, have strong racial overtones. If you think Jena 6 was overblown, your right, but if you think it was a hoax, your not paying attention.

 

And I'd call you a racist in person too, btw, just for your threat towards me, even though I don't think you really are a racist. Anybody who feels the need to play tough guy on the internet like you just did is, more than likely, not very tough.

"The poster who started this thread is a racist in denial of his own hate"

 

You didn't just type that?? I'll let the admins decide if they can some how interpret that to mean something else.

 

Perhaps you need to learn the definition of threat....I did nothing of the sort. I simply said you wouldn't dare call me a racist to my face...and I stand by that.

Edited February 18, 2008 by Controlled Chaos

[Texsox]

Someone makes a statement, the media points a camera at him and broadcasts it to the world. Later the statements that person makes is found to be false. Has the media done anything wrong?

 

To have them not point their camera and broadcast until they could prove something correct, would cripple media. That's the difference between history books and the daily newspaper.

 

It is far from perfect but the alternative would mean never reporting a crime until someone is convicted.

[mr_genius]

Did you just call me a racist for pointing out inaccuracies on a story? Are you f***ing kidding me??

 

There was a post on here last week about how some people act different online as opposed to in person. Well you just gave the best example of that, cause you would never EVER dare call me that to my face. You have a pretty heavy hand typing on a keyboard.

 

That is the thing, with a story like this it is impossible for a lot of people to take an impartial approach. When all is said and done, it is obvious the media trumped this case up for reasons of 'scandal sells' and they really did a horrible job in their reporting.

 

It's too bad any discussion of this case automatically turns into accusations of racism. It's not surprising seeing the amount of race baiting the media took part in.

Edited February 18, 2008 by mr_genius

[mr_genius]

Someone makes a statement, the media points a camera at him and broadcasts it to the world. Later the statements that person makes is found to be false. Has the media done anything wrong?

 

If the media plays up the interview as "total truth". It is their job to question things, not just go along with the politically correct version of a story.