EDIT: I don't know why this is being labeled as a troll diary. I'm a registered democrat, and in the last election I voted for all democrats. I just don't think that the "Jena 6" should be talked about as if they are martyrs. They are being treated unfairly, because they never should have been tried for attempted murder. There should be a cry for equal justice in Jena, but that does not make these 6 young men heroes. I've heard people compare them to Rosa Parks or MLK, which is totally ridiculous. Rosa Parks protested inequality by refusing to sit at the back of a bus. MLK protested inequality by bringing people together in a peaceful way in an attempt to change the hearts and minds of America. The "Jena 6" jumped a white kid that had nothing to do with the noose incident in their school.
Before I begin, I'd just like to note that I can't stand hearing everyone using the term "Jena Six". The term "Jena Six" somehow implies that these boys are martyrs or even heroes. Now... It is pretty obvious that the town of Jena has some serious racial problems. The six black males on trial in Jena should not be charged with attempted murder. Their potential punishments may be severe and unfair. That does not mean that these kids should be glorified in the media.
I am tired of hearing people say, "Well it was just a schoolyard fight". A one-on-one fight is just a schoolyard fight. A two-on-two fight is just a school yard fight. However, six kids beating on one kid is not a fight. It is a beating. A mugging. It does not appear that the boy that was beaten had
anything to do with the noose incident. The "Jena Six" do not deserve the glorification that they are receiving from some people. Just remember that Mychal Bell had a history of committing violent crimes.
Does inequality exist in Jena? It sure seems like it. Does that mean that the "Jena Six" (god, I hate using that term) deserve to get off without any punishment? Hell no. The students that hung the noose's deserved to be expelled from school, but the teen that the "Jena Six" beat had nothing to with that incident.
People should be angry that some of these teens were charged with attempted murder, and they should be given a fair trial with fair punishments for their actions. People should protest the unequal treatment given to African Americans in Jena, but they should not turn these six young men into heroes or martyrs for jumping a white student. They don't deserve to be tried for attempted murder. Please complain and protest about this fact. But to all those out there that are infatuated with this case, please don't turn these six young men into heroes. Just fight peacefully for equality.