Spring Break
Jena: A long way from the garden
D. Anthony Everett, deverett@smu.edu
Issue date: 9/20/07 Section: Opinion
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In a mythical colorblind society, it would not matter that this black male freshman high school student would consider sitting under the tree. He should have the same right to the shade provided by the tree as the other students. He should enjoy equal protection under the laws of the La Salle Parish School District, the town of Jena, the State of Louisiana, and the United States like anyone else. But Jena is not the Garden of Eden. So this young boy challenged the myth.
The next day, three nooses were found hanging from the tree. Charges against three white students who were identified as the perpetrators and initially recommended to be expelled because of committing a hate crime were dropped by the district superintendent who stated the act to be only a prank.
Race fights began at the school. A fire of unknown origins destroyed the central wing of the school. A white youth beat up a black youth attending an all-white party. Then, at a convenience store, three black students were confronted by a young white man possessing a shotgun. Finally, six black students beat up a young white male who had been taunting them. The victim was not seriously injured and left the hospital shortly. All six students were expelled from school.
The district attorney, Reed Walters, charged the six black students with attempted second-degree murder as well as other offenses. However, Mychal Bell's conviction was recently overturned on Friday, September 14, by a state appeals court stating that he should have never been tried as an adult. This minor victory may set the rulings for the other students who have been charged, yet not convicted, of the same or similar offenses. We have yet to see if Walters will drop all charges from the remaining five students and if double jeopardy would apply to Bell.
I implore the SMU community to join the ACLU, community organizations and faith-based groups to support the Jena 6 fight against racism. You can show solidarity by attending a city-wide prayer meeting at the St. Luke Community United Methodist Church on Sept. 19 at 6 p.m. T-shirts will be sold to help the legal defense fund for the Jena 6. You can also attend a march and rally in Jena on Sept. 20. Busses will leave the church at 12:01 a.m. If you can't attend the march and rally, supporters are asked to wear all black on Sept. 20 in solidarity with the Jena 6.
Let us, as a university community, find a way to stamp out the sin of racism. Remember, Jena is a long way from the Garden of Eden.
About the writer:
D. Anthony Everett is a fourth-year MDIV student at Perkins School of Theology. He can be reached at deverett@smu.edu.
The next day, three nooses were found hanging from the tree. Charges against three white students who were identified as the perpetrators and initially recommended to be expelled because of committing a hate crime were dropped by the district superintendent who stated the act to be only a prank.
Race fights began at the school. A fire of unknown origins destroyed the central wing of the school. A white youth beat up a black youth attending an all-white party. Then, at a convenience store, three black students were confronted by a young white man possessing a shotgun. Finally, six black students beat up a young white male who had been taunting them. The victim was not seriously injured and left the hospital shortly. All six students were expelled from school.
The district attorney, Reed Walters, charged the six black students with attempted second-degree murder as well as other offenses. However, Mychal Bell's conviction was recently overturned on Friday, September 14, by a state appeals court stating that he should have never been tried as an adult. This minor victory may set the rulings for the other students who have been charged, yet not convicted, of the same or similar offenses. We have yet to see if Walters will drop all charges from the remaining five students and if double jeopardy would apply to Bell.
I implore the SMU community to join the ACLU, community organizations and faith-based groups to support the Jena 6 fight against racism. You can show solidarity by attending a city-wide prayer meeting at the St. Luke Community United Methodist Church on Sept. 19 at 6 p.m. T-shirts will be sold to help the legal defense fund for the Jena 6. You can also attend a march and rally in Jena on Sept. 20. Busses will leave the church at 12:01 a.m. If you can't attend the march and rally, supporters are asked to wear all black on Sept. 20 in solidarity with the Jena 6.
Let us, as a university community, find a way to stamp out the sin of racism. Remember, Jena is a long way from the Garden of Eden.
About the writer:
D. Anthony Everett is a fourth-year MDIV student at Perkins School of Theology. He can be reached at deverett@smu.edu.
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