I just learned that some parts of the US are stuck in the 1920's, if you're black.
Truthout reporter Bill Quigley details the story of the Jena Six - black teenagers from Louisiana facing trial and long prison terms, in the aftermath of a race-baiting confrontation with their white peers. The first of them, Mychal Bell, was just convicted by an all-white jury, and might serve up to 22 years. And the others face even graver charges.
The whole affair went under everybody's radar screens until about a month ago. A google search for 'jena' still doesn't yield any criticism of the trial. Bell's family had to use the court-appointed defense lawyer, who called no witnesses, did little else, and also said in his closing statement
Things have a tendency to get blown out of proportion. Step outside of the courtroom, and you'll see blown out of proportion.
The report has some links for action and donations. Blueintheface's excellent diary from last week has even more.
We should take care of this.