March on DC - Federal Hate Crimes (sparked by Jena Six)

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071116...a_six_rally;_ylt=AujAqK8yiQB4AgHJ2LsI3TOs0NUE

There's a couple of video clips there too.

 

It is going to be a little tough because of the inclusion of sexual orientation and the fear that preachers would be charged under this law.

 

I was at this, went on my lunch break.

 

Is it just me, or does it seem like these marches and protest are being ignored by the mainstream media. There was not one peep heard about the march from the nightly news on NBC, ABC etc. I even watched Fox News and CNN on the day of the march and Fox showed nothing, while CNN only aired a few mintues of the march. I don't know if there trying tell us something or what have you, but to me it seeems like the media has grown tired of of Al Sharpton.

 

I have a feeling these Jena 6 protests are just going to backfire, as far as PR value goes. Every white person I've spoken with about this is utterly confused by it. All they see is 6 guys attacking 1 guy, and that's enough to form an opinion.

If I recall, the civil rights movement begain in outrage against the lynching of innocent blacks in the old south. Now we have come to a point where the lynchings have long since stopped, and the rare noose that is found in a tree is empty. And what is being protested now is the 6 guys being punished too harshly for assulted a lone white guy who, if I understand correctly, didn't even put up the noose.

Now don't get me wrong, I think that noose was surely repugnant, and that kind of hate speech is awful. But actual violence is something else entirely. Many guys I know admit to having been in a fight or two during their teen years, but virtually always a 1-on-1 thing. The macho way to settle a dispute, I guess.

But there is nothing macho or noble about a 6-on-1 attack. That is a cowardly act of senseless violence, and I the publicity it is getting is simply reinforcing the view that many whites still hold of blacks. The perception that blacks are prone to violence and crime is the one big stigma yet to be overcome, and unfortunately I think this episode is only going to make things worse in that regard.

 

This should have gotten more national media coverage. CNN did have live reports every half hour during the march. OJ and Barry Bonds being indicted have a lot to do with the lax in coverage since these days news producers are simply looking for ratings.

 

It's not just you. I think part of it is that so many people have an issue with Al Sharpton in general. Maybe it's time for someone else to step up.

I wouldn't have known about this but I happened to go on Yahoo for something and it was on the page.

 

Hey all RedFox is back! some of you newbies may not remember me but I guess you can say I was a veteran of few words lol...anyway your message baffled me so I had to reply lol... You are forgetting to mention that after the nooses tree incident that the 6 black boys attempted to to go a party (mostly whites) and was also jumped by several of people there aswell so its not so one-sided...also a day or so later they got approached by a white guy with a shotgun the boys wrestled the gun away and fled the cops was called and the boy who took the gun away got arrested by 2 unofficial eye witnesses...

Next day, 6 of the boys ran into the main white guy and a fight took place, not saying this is right but I think we need to focus on the people who started all of this racial tention which was the white kids who hung the nooses in the tree if it wasnt for that this wouldnt of even took place.

You say it was cowardly for 6 blacks to jump on 1 white guy, which is true..but white people wasnt talking when rodney king got beat up by several of cops and then got let free... So please do not give everybody who is on this fourm this BS..... thank you.

 

I have not spoken to one single person who is 'utterly confused' by what's happened in Jena. I'm actually a bit stunned at the over-simplication of heart's statement. 6 black guys being punished too harshly for beating up a white kid who didn't put up the noose...what??? C'mon, hearts, take some time and do some reading about the incident.

We are at a point where the lynchings have stopped and the 'rare' noose is empty. What the heck is that supposed to mean? Civil rights are not a part of history - they are something that is barely a true reality!! So much more needs to be done in terms of equality and fair treatment in the US. Any point our country is at is better than where it was 40 years ago, but miles and miles from where it needs to be - and change doesn't happen with people sitting in their living rooms waiting for it.

All my support to those who are working so hard to keep the spotlight on what's happened to those kids...

 

very much true and too add on,
even though that kid wasnt the one who hung up the noose, he was still with one of the groups who attacked the boys at the party.. And people say that it was attempted murder but it wasnt attempted murder when they was approached at the gas station with a shotgun? You are sorta have a double standard going on. The suppose "victim almost died" but he suddenly had enough strength to go to a shcool dance later that night..

LOL?

 

Well, i'll be the first to admit I don't know all the facts of the situation. And it sounds quite likely they did have the book thrown at them. But from what I've heard there doesn't seem to be a moral high ground on either side. That's why I think the civil rights actions of Dr. King's era were as successful as they were - the pacifism. When you don't answer violence with violence, but rather let the world see the other guy being cruel, it is a powerful message and removes all possible arguement who is in the wrong.

But as soon as you strike out in aggression, it muddies the moral water and all people see is you being agressive, they don't bother to ask why. I can't help but wonder how things might have turned out if the day after the nooses, a community sit-in or some other peaceful demonstration was held at that infamous tree. Something to shame the perpetrators instead of just lashing out (which is exactly the reaction the noose was meant to provoke.)

 

This was bound to happen, I herd that shcool had groups of race sections in there cafeteria plus live in a community that seems to be racist somewhat spells trouble...when will this kind of stuff end who knows? but so long we have ignorant people who start crap like this then it will never end and people who refuse to see stuff like this is indeed wrong.