Replies to '10/01 Jena 6 Continues'

Quote From: LASD218

Saying that the Jena 6 controversy has nothing to do with race is like saying basketball has nothing to do with height. A close analogy: sure because a shorter stature guy could play (note: Anthony Spud? Webb 56?), but he was always among taller guys (same with women in basketball). In addition, no matter what he did on the court he was nearly always referred to as the short guy a 'shorter player or as being height challenged,.? or despite his height.? The point is he was a minority in his chosen profession. The difference in this analogy is Spud did chose his profession. He could have been a jockey and he would have fit right in. Being black is not a choice. We are, at birth, forced to be in this profession, called society, with (by race) whites as the majority. As blacks, we are a minority in this country, (2005 Census blacks 12.8%, whites 66.9%). We will always be a minority and there is no escaping that. However, we, just like whites, are human. In quite a few high schools across this country, Im sure there are fair fights (if there is such a thing), not so fair fights, mix matched fights and bulling. Thats high school. My concern is, of course, with whomever is getting hurt. In a more civilized world that would not happen, they would be able to discuss and negotiate their issues and differences. However, my main concern is with our justice system. I was a Los Angeles County Sheriffs Deputy in the early 80s. I was also the second black (i.e. short guy) that graduated first in class (218) among some 85-90 men and women, and I saw racism at its ugliest levels. And while in law school in the late 80s I saw it in the judicial system as well. I dealt with it, but it was there. If our justice system was run as the Lady of Justice symbolizes (blindfolded [couldnt see race, creed, wealth, etc used her scale [for fair and balanced reasoning and then her sword [punishment would be clean and swift, this particular issue would not be a story. Those boys would have suffered the same or nearly same punishment as the white kids that jumped the black kid months before this polarizing incident. From the LA Times, I read that the white kids were charged with a misdemeanor and as juveniles, not as adults with second degree murder charges. Everyone doesnt need to get along and Im fine with that, but when someone breaks the lawfairness is all Ive ever hoped for. AND, Im still hoping.