In discussing the Jena 6 issue it is apparent that Racism exist in this country. It is apparent that ignorants exist within all people - black, white, red, etc. - - this fact exist imany of the messages posted on this board.
The problem with this whole situation started in a school system - that when a question about whether black kids could sit under a tree designated for white students was asked - the school principal and staff and support staff should have immediately realized that a problem existed - I grew up in a small community in Louisiana - the same size as Jena and although the student body had a tendency to separate along racial lines, gender, athletes, studious, etc. - however on any give day -students were free to hangout wherever - the question would have never came up - so it is clear that a problem existed in that school - one that needs to be addressed.
As for the hanging of the noose - this was clearly a warning to the black students and the school district should have realized that a problem existed on the lines of race relations.
As for the justice system within Jena - The young man with the gun should have been charged with carrying fire arm or with whatever crime he had committed. If he was a juvenile it should have been placed with the juvenile court system. As for the 6 young men fighting with Justin Baker if they were juveniles the charges should have also been placed with the juvenile court system. This should have been the end of the story - however here we are know with the eyes of the nation and the world on this little town.
It is hard for many people to recognize that in many situations around this country we have two different justice systems. We have one system for the rich and one for the poor, a system for elected officials and a system for john-q-public, a system for white, red, black, etc., the list can go on and on. This is the issue that we as American Citizens should be addressing instead of sprewing hatred.
As I mentioned earlier I live in Louisiana - I was born here - and I love living here - I am a black female currently residing in a community four hours away from Jena. I have been employed by the same company for 24 years and I hold both an undergraduate's degree and a master's degree. Hence - I pay taxes and lead a very productive life - like so many other Americans in this country.
It is a disgrace when other citizens 'lump" all people in one category - it is shameful and goes against everything our democracy stands for. Take a step back and look at the whole picture instead of passing on hate.
Friday's debate over the Jena 6 grew so heated, the Dr. Phil show needed to keep the cameras rolling! Now, see the show that happened after the show, when Dr. Phil returns to the stage and speaks with audience members on both sides of the issue. White supremacist Richard Barrett is the first to demand the spotlight, and you won't want to miss Dr. Phil's laser-sharp response. Then Dr. Phil has some hard questions for the attorney of Mychal Bell, one of the Jena 6 who spent 10 months in prison. What does she say to accusations that money donated for her client's defense was being spent inappropriately by the families? And, the conversation grows heated over speculation about how hurt Justin Barker really was after the attack. Was he as injured as he and his parents claimed? Find out which guest storms out of the studio, and why. Plus, Dr. Phil sends Bishop T.D. Jakes to Jena for exclusive interviews with members of the Jena 6 and their families. Share your thoughts, join the discussion.
