Howard Witt/Chicago Tribune expose racial unrest in Jena, Louisiana
Categories: African-American, Jena 6
Written By: Shawn Williams
Many of you may remember Howard Witt, Southwest Bureau Chief for the Chicago Tribune, who’s coverage of the ShaQuanda Cotton case garnered national attention for she and her situation. Mr. Witt now has a story out of Jena, a small town in Louisiana that has experienced heightened racial tensions over the last few months.
See Mr. Witt’s Chicago Tribune story here.
In his May 18, 2007 story, Mr. Witt tells of an incident that happened at the local high school in Jena where black students decided they wanted to sit under a tree whose shade had been reserved for white students only for years. When campus officials gave their blessing to the students request to sit under the tree, a series of events began that have apparently launched the town into a downward spiral.
According to Mr. Witt’s article the following events have occurred since the initial action by the black students last September:
* The next day three nooses were hanging from the tree
* Once three white students were identified as having hung the nooses on the tree, the school superintendent suspended them for only three days. (The principal had suggested expulsion). The superintendent felt the nooses represented a “youthful stunt.”
* Fights broke out at the high school between black and white students.
* Unknown arsonists set fire to the central wing of the school (November)
* A white youth beat up a black student who showed up at an all-white party
* another young white man pulled a shotgun on three black students at a convenience store
* A group of black students at the high school allegedly jumped a white student on his way out of the gym, knocked him unconscious and kicked him after he hit the floor (December)
* LaSalle Parish district attorney, Reed Walters, opted to charge six black students with attempted second-degree murder and other offenses (for their involvement in the above incident)
NOTE: The white youth who beat the black student at the party was charged only with simple battery, while the white man who pulled the shotgun at the convenience store wasn’t charged with any crime at all.
Why do judges, officials, and town folk always use the youthful exuberance defense for white teens and young adults who commit gross acts of violence and racial hatred? When I saw how students beat up a black student for attending a white party, I immediately thought about Texas Monthly’s story The Beating of Billy Ray Johnson (February 2007). The Pamela Colloff article describes three Linden, Texas 20-somethings beating a mentally challenged black man who’s only offense was being black at a white drunk fest.
See Dallas Examiner Andre Coe’s coverage of the Billy Ray Johnson story here .
Where is the Justice Department in these cases? Oh yeah they are to busy looking for voter fraud. I’ll keep track of the Jena, LA story and get back with you when I have more.
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July 12th, 2007 at 1:10 pm
On the Jena LA case….
For full story, Google: Bill Quigley the white tree
Mr Quigley is a law professor at Loyola and wrote a great, sad factual account of this.
Update:
Mychal Bell was found guilty by an all white jury (some of whom were connected to prosecution) a couple of weeks ago..of TWO felony counts. His public defender didn’t even try to do his job. Bell was charged as an adult so he’s had to make all of his own decisions. His parents weren’t allowed in the courtroom b/c they were potential witnesses (never called) however, the white victim, who was a witness was allowed to be present. Bell is to be sentenced on July 31. He needs competent legal representation. He has been sitting in jail since December. The Justice Dept is not pursuing civil rights cases anymore (during Bush tenure) and they are busy covering up their own misdeeds. The press needs to be pressured to cover this like they did the Duke Lacrosse team’s case, which made evening newscasts and front pages of major papers. Please contact every columnist and radio show host and tv newscast that you can think of.
September 13th, 2007 at 11:06 am
this is unbelieveable,why was it not onthe news?national news?i just heard about the is set 7,2007 on tom joiner
radio station,when his guest was al sharpton.will naacp get the parents ofall the boys a good lawyer?should this be their concern?i think so why is it that these people having to go about this on their own>
just a thought
betty cole
September 24th, 2007 at 1:47 pm
I just wanted to thank you for brining out the main points of this story. I feel like most blacks in this country, that Amercia is still a very racist place to live. I hope that you can rally people in the support of the young black woman in West Va. The story was hard for me to read! I have two young daughter who are black and I would hate to find my self in this position as a father. I posted the story on my website CriminalsRus.com under ” Amercia The Ugly” as reported by the AP.In the very near future I will be adding a page dedicated to missing African Americans in this country. Keep up the good work, G-Man.
August 17th, 2008 at 1:23 pm
I need prayer first and foremost! I am a living example of the racial injustice in America. I need and want press coverage along with support from the public. The real issue is the Dred Scott decision that must be overturned. It continues to allow racism and sexism to go hand in hand. This is a true systematic theology of oppression. We must stand together to change the system. It is left to the oppressed to confront the oppressor. I need your help. If anyone can help me contact Howard Witt and the rest of the minority journalists/groups, Rev. Jessie Jackson, Rev. Al Sharpton and others. I want the truth to be heard, I want justice so we can have peace. Please email me @ c_ngakane@yahoo.com with help and contact details. This is a problem regarding the Courts and corruption. This is another step in the direction that Dr. Martin Luther King was going, please come along.
God be with you
Thank You
Coretta