How Jena echoes here
How Jena echoes here
By Devona Walker
Published: September 21, 2007
On Thursday, hundreds wore black to the state Capitol's south plaza to protest the treatment of six black youths about 550 miles away in Jena, La. But the message at the demonstration hit much closer to home.
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‘Justice for all'
District Attorney David Prater ran on the platform of "justice for all” and bringing a sense of fair play to the judicial system. Since taking office, he has upped participation in drug and mental health court, as well as other diversion programs.
He also made a striking number of personnel changes.
"There really is a philosophy of prosecution. I think you need to make sure that everyone in the office has that philosophy, that is, to not use this office as a means to harm people,” Prater said. "This is not an office that feels itself to be a good old boys' club. We represent the community as a whole, and we will respect the community as a whole.”
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Your thoughts!
OK, Jason, this thread is getting kind of old. You calling me a soccer moma I guess in not racist but it is stereotyping which is close. "White people are privileged, Uncle Tom, all of Dave's post, white people act like KKK, pampered minorities, minorities go to school for free" are examples of racist remarks. For your information, I have probably spent more time near Springlake than you have, since I was a teacher at Creston Hills for 7 years. Know where that is?
Margaret, Holdenville - Sep 23, 2007 at 7:32 am
I think it's very sad we can't live as brothers and sisters. We are all children in the eyes of God making us equals. I know some would say I want a fantasy world, but I can truly say I am not prejudice because of any race. It what people choose to do with their lives that make the difference. Every race has liars, thieves, killers, etc. That's want we should be against. I cannot understand why someone hates a person ( because of a difference in looks) without even knowing the person. Yes, I grew up in a small town without any other races but white, but I was raised to love one another.I didn't have black friends in college but I have since. I don't SEE color, I see the person.
american, anywhere - Sep 22, 2007 at 4:53 pm
american, anywhere - Sep 22, 2007 at 4:38 pm
american, anywhere - Sep 22, 2007 at 4:38 pm
american, anywhere - Sep 22, 2007 at 4:38 pm
Okay, before I hear any more lies about a "white tree," here are the facts: there never was a "white tree." There was a tree that a group of friends regularly congregated under, a "clique." At an assembly before the start of the school year, a black kid jokingly asked the assistant principal if blacks could sit with whites under that tree. Everyone in the assembly laughed--he was making fun of the clique, not seriously claiming that there was some kind of deliberately enforced segregation going on. Nevertheless, the assistant principal stated, just to be clear, that anyone could sit anywhere they wanted on the school grounds. For those of you still parroting the lie that there was a "white tree," IT DID NOT EXIST; IT DID NOT HAPPEN; THERE NEVER WAS A "WHITES ONLY TREE."
Jason, Edmond - Sep 22, 2007 at 2:06 pm
Margaret from Edmond said: "There are a lot of racist posts on this forum"
Besides the obvious one that ranted about drug dealers (and was probably someone just pretending to be a bigoted redneck to get a rise out of people), please point to the specific posts you're talking about, Margaret. Then tell us what is "racist" about them. Methinks it more likely that what you REALLY mean when you say "racist" is "they don't agree with me." Whining about "racism" has replaced patriotism as the last refuge of a scoundrel in our politically correct times.
Jason, Edmond - Sep 22, 2007 at 1:29 pm
The problem must have begun way before. Why was there a white tree in the first place? I am almost glad the people of the town have cut the tree down. I hope the people of Jena have learned a lesson from this event. We should remember the 6 were juveniles, and this was a fistfight. Sending them into life with felony convictions guarantees they will never get a job. Make the punishment fit the crime. There are a lot of racist posts on this forum, but I would like to point out that not all white people are KKK.
Margaret, Holdenville - Sep 22, 2007 at 1:17 pm
I notice reading through the thread that a good many apparent "soccer moms"--no doubt everyone of them white--from my own hometown of Edmond are posting sympathy in here for the poor, poor, poor mistreated "Jena 6"; after all, all they did was jump a kid six on one and beat him unconscious, what's wrong with that? Well, soccer moms from Edmond, why don't you put your money where your mouths are and move to Springlake? Ah, but you say your precious little darlings need those GOOD EDMOND SCHOOLS! What you really mean is you like to post on message boards about how "sensitive" and "tolerant" you are, but you won't actually act on those expressed convictions by doing something that might entail sacrifice of any tangible sort, like moving your property tax dollars to a school district that is overwhelmingly minority and could use those tax dollars. Hypocrites.
Jason, Edmond - Sep 22, 2007 at 1:00 pm
1. It is really a disgusting day in this country when six people can beat up a kid AND THEY ARE THE ONES PEOPLE ARE CHEERING FOR.
2. You people who are minimizing the injuries to the kid who was beat up by the "Jena 6" are either lying or don't know the facts. He was treated at the hospital, then BRIEFLY stopped by a school function that had been scheduled months in advance and promptly left after the official ceremony ended. He was beaten unconscious, which is not something decent people excuse lightly.
3. There is no such thing as "white privilege": it is a myth dreamed up by academics to justify affirmative action and other immoral, unconstitutional preferences for this country's pampered minorities.
4. Don't want to get charged with attempted murder, you members of the "Jena 6" and their supporters? Don't jump one single kid six on one and then beat him unconscious. It is a simple as that.
Jason, Edmond - Sep 22, 2007 at 12:40 pm
Prince, being from the Murder 1 wayyyyyy before you, you have to realize that no matter what happens in life, you have a choice.
If someone disrespects you, you have a choice on what to do. Its not fair to say that if you got caught, then you should get off becuase of the circumstance that caused to to react. It doesn't matter what the original action was to cause your reaction. You make a choice on how to handle it, and live with the outcome of your choice.
If someone ever did anything to my young daughter, I will make a choice on how to respond. If I get caught I will stand up, be a man, and take responsibility for the choice that I made. Thats the same code we go by in the M1. Don't go out and do things then ask for help from anyone. Do the crime, do the time. Don't cry about it.
Patrick, MWC - Sep 21, 2007 at 6:56 pm
I am black college student. This message is for anyone black that is posting on this thread. PLEASE DON'T RESPOND TO DAVE. DAVE IS THE KIND OF PERSON THAT THINKS WE ARE NI&&ERS, THUS HE IS EXPECTING US TO RESPOND TO HIM LIKE A NI&&ER WOULD. US, AS AFRICAN-AMERICANS, LET'S JUST IGNORE HIM LIKE CLASSY PEOPLE SHOULD! This message can actually be for anyone who doesnt agree with that evil dave is spreading!
andrew, oklahoma city - Sep 21, 2007 at 6:28 pm
Racism..the maximum of hate for the minimum of reason!
andrew, oklahoma city - Sep 21, 2007 at 6:20 pm
" But suppose God is black? What if we go to heaven and we, all our lives, have treated the black man as an inferior, and God is there, and we look up, and he is not white? What then is our response?" Robert Kennedy ( white man)..............I know this is a litle "choppy" but it is quoted correctly.
andrew, oklahoma city - Sep 21, 2007 at 6:20 pm
As a white women I am embarrassed of what is going on in Jena. I just want to know why something wasn't done to the white boys who started the whole incident. They should have to pay the price for hanging the nooses and beating up the black kid. But did they, no. Then when a white kid is beaten up all of a sudden something is done. I think that is the problem that people have with this case. It's not the fact that the black kids are being charged, it's the fact that nothing happend to the white kids. Another thing that I heard is that the black boys that are being charged were really good kids and students. We need to pray for the families of everyone involved and for our own country.
Jennifer, Edmond - Sep 21, 2007 at 5:01 pm
Ms Walker please do your job and post ALL of the facts not just the ones you feel will get a rise out of white folk. Its sad in this day and age with all the technology some folk still refuse to read. Ms Walker if you get a chance to read this PLEASE POST ALL THE FACTS THAT LED UP the white boy getting beat up. White folk just think 6 black kids just beat up the kid for no reason. I wish people would read and do research more instead of just making assumptions based on "rubbernecking" this terrible tragedy. Its very sad and goes to show just how white folk feel about blacks even now in 2007. There will never be equality as long white folk choose to act like kkk and not like human beings. If we got to submit and bow down every time a white man wants to hang a noose on a tree, then you might as well kill me now. I will fight anyone anywhere who thinks they can just hit and get away, or hang a noose in front of me and get away, or call me a nigger and get away.
Don't worry rufus, you stay being uncle tom, but I'm proud of being black and no one is going to make me feel inferior. I will stand and fight to the death before i cower in fear like you and be afraid.
ed, midwest city - Sep 21, 2007 at 3:09 pm
Kudo's to Sheryl, Margaret, Lara, and Kevin. Poverty is an enemy whether you are black, white, blue, yellow, etc. and as Deborah stated, racism is bad for everyone.
Grace, Tulsa - Sep 21, 2007 at 3:09 pm
One day after a rally in Paris, Texas by radio staions here in Dallas Shaquanda Cotton was released and all charges were dismissed?? I honestly think that the majority of people, black & white alike, realize that racism still exists but for whatever reason white people dismiss obvious racist behavior as black people playing the 'race card'???
Kevin, Dallas - Sep 21, 2007 at 3:00 pm
THIS GOES TO JEFF AND ANYONE ELSE WHO CHOOSES TO COMMENT ON THE JENA 6 AND NOT GET ALL THE FACTS FIRST. BRIEFLY PUT, THE 3 NOOSES IS WHAT STARTED IT OFF. BUT THERE WAS A BLACK KID WHO WENT TO A PARTY THROWN BY MOSTLY WHITES. HE WAS BEAT UP. AT SCHOOL THE NEXT DAY ONE OF THE WHITE BOYS WAS YELLING AROUND IN SCHOOL HALLWAYS HOW THEY "BEAT THE CRAP OUT OF NIGGER" NEAR WHERE ALOT OF THE BLACK KIDS COULD HEAR IT. THE BLACK KIDS RESPONDED LIKE ANYBODY ELSE WOULD! THEY BEAT HIM LIKE THE WHITE KID SAID HIM AND HIS WHITE FRIENDS BEAT THE BLACK KID THE NITE BEFORE. U CANT EXPECT KIDS TO ACT RIGHT WHEN ADULTS LIKE THE ONES HEAR DONT ACT RIGHT.
OH I GUESS YOU KNOW-IT-ALLS DIDNT KNOW THAT SOME OF THE WHITE KIDS HAD A SHOTGUN AND WAS THREATENING BLACK KIDS AT STORE. DIDNT KNOW THAT HA? WELL THEY GOT BEAT UP AND THE SHOTGUN WAS TAKEN AWAY BY THE BLACK KIDS. SOUNDS FAIR TO ME! WELL NOW THE BLACK KIDS ARE BEING CHARGED FOR ROBBERY AND ASSAULT WITH A DEADLY WEAPON, EVEN THOUGH IT WAS THE WHITE KIDS SHOTGUN!!!! SO PLEASE SPARE ME THE 6 ON 1 LIKE ANYONE IS CONDONING IT. THE POINT BEING MADE IS THAT WHEN 6 OR MORE KIDS JUMPED THE BLACK KID AT THE PARTY, NONE WERE CHARGED. WHEN THE BLACK KIDS RETALIATED THEY GET CHARGED WITH MURDER. POINT BLANK. ITS WRONG. THEY DESERVE NO TIME. WHITE KIDS NEED TO REALIZE THIS ISNT 1957. HANGING A NOOSE NOWADAYS WILL SUBJECT YOU TO A GOOD OL BUTT WHOOPIN. Have a nice day.
ed, midwest city - Sep 21, 2007 at 2:58 pm
Another case of injustice, an incident that happen in Paris,TX. I'm not saying it's racist but definitely another case of the time not fitting the crime <------------------------------------There was the 19-year-old white man, convicted last July of criminally
negligent homicide for killing a 54-year-old black woman and her
3-year-old grandson with his truck, who was sentenced in Paris to
probation and required to send an annual Christmas card to the
victims' family.
There are the Paris public schools, which are under investigation by
the U.S. Education Department after repeated complaints that
administrators discipline black students more frequently, and more
harshly, than white students.
And then there is the case that most troubles Cherry and leaders of
the Texas NAACP, involving a 14-year-old black freshman, Shaquanda
Cotton, who shoved a hall monitor at Paris High School in a dispute
over entering the building before the school day had officially begun.
The youth had no prior arrest record, and the hall monitor--a
58-year-old teacher's aide--was not seriously injured. But Shaquanda
was tried in March 2006 in the town's juvenile court, convicted of
"assault on a public servant" and sentenced by Lamar County Judge
Chuck Superville to prison for up to 7 years, until she turns 21.
Just three months earlier, Superville sentenced a 14-year-old white
girl, convicted of arson for burning down her family's house, to
probation.
prince, spencer - Sep 21, 2007 at 2:36 pm
Jeff, I am about as much of a realist as you will come across. You don't seem to comprehend very well, you still insist on taking the facts as well as my opinions and getting your own wierd understanding. I havent read in any post nor article where anyone is justifying the violence. The kids were wrong, on both sides, noone is denying that.
prince, spencer - Sep 21, 2007 at 2:29 pm
Unless you were actually there stop going on and on about how many people jumped one person. Find something constructive to do. Like look at the laws that they are trying to pass to make 14 year olds adult felons. Do you know that there are so many people incarcerated wrongly that we need to consider is there really any justice in our justice system or maybe spend more time contacting our elected officials or actually voting to worry about the number of persons supposedly involved in an incident.
Kym, Oklahoma City - Sep 21, 2007 at 2:27 pm
Kym, Oklahoma City - Sep 21, 2007 at 2:23 pm
Prince, I don't know what fantasy land you live in? There is no reason for 6 on one reguardless of the situation. If it was the other way around it would be considered a lynching, the hate crime would be inacted, and it would be considered pre meditated and then you would still have Al Sharpton & his groupies there in support for the victim. You are just trying to justify violence. And that's why this world is in such bad shape these days.
Jeff - Sep 21, 2007 at 2:23 pm
You know while I was reading this I was shocked at some of the responses I read. It sounded like a bunch of children. which is what occured. Some children got into something that should have never happened in the first place. Children only mimic what they see adults doing. Who in this forum was actually there to attest to the truth about what happened? What I do know is that we are losing our children everyday to grown up stupidity. These children will be the ones responsible for laws being passed upon everyone and one day we will eventually depend upon them in our old age. So doesn't it make sense to teach the children instead of talking about them. No one here on earth is perfect and no one will ever be so don't act like all the saints are here at this forum. Stupidity breeds stupidity. Earn and give respect and things could just possibly change for the good if all those complaining would make the effort to do something for someone other than themselves.
Kym, Oklahoma City - Sep 21, 2007 at 2:17 pm
Al Sharpton nor Jesse Jackson has anything to do with the problem that exist. But I will say, I don't agree with Sharpton and Jackson all the time, but I do commend them for taking the initiative to stand up for something. Everyone is too scared or too wrapped up in their own lives to give a crap about anyone else.
prince, spencer - Sep 21, 2007 at 2:10 pm
Al Sharpton was the biggest Racist in Jena yesterday. Rember the Duke lacrosse players that were charged with rape (ultimately to be exonorated)? Here's a quote from Al Sharpton at the time the Duke Players were Charged..........."But I think that all of the facts that you have laid out the DA had — and I know this DA is probably not one that is crazy. He would not have proceeded if he did not feel that he could convict. So it tells me that all of what you said is either not true or he has convincing evidence that would certainly knock that out and no one is not letting him proceed"..........So, in the case where White players were Charged Al Sharpton believes totally in the "equal justice and fairness??" ignore these race baters, take care of your kids, go to school and stay out of other peoples business.
Rufus, spencer - Sep 21, 2007 at 2:05 pm
It was not pre meditated. You must not know all the facts of the story Jeff. The white kid that got jumped was taunting the the black kid that was beat up at the party and was bragging that he was responsible for that fight and hanging the nooses. You have to realize there was alot of emotion that had been built up leading to that fight. Emotions has taken advantage of all of us at times. We are all adults that have had to deal with what our emotions put us thru and are better fit to deal with them. Remember these are kids, it's easy to say what the right thing would have been. But if you were put in that situation, it's hard to say how you would react.
prince, spencer - Sep 21, 2007 at 1:59 pm
why cant we all get alone with each other,all these years the indians have been quite about the way they have been treated,the blacks think we owe them.the mexicans can get social securty without paying a penny into it ,icant get none of my money from SS and i need it ,i dont have health insurance,i cant afford i got only 402.83 a month cming in ,mymedicine is 353.00 amonth whichi do not get,i have COPD and its hard to live like this ,but still everone from differnt nations gets what they want.Idont have a place of my own,i live with my sister,bless her for kindness.Im 61 years old and cant work ,so please why cant we all work together .THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME SAY MY PIECE. JAMES DART>ADA<OKLAHOMA
james, metropolis - Sep 21, 2007 at 1:58 pm
I don't believe that. This was a pre meditated crime. They didn't just happen to get into a conflict and fight. And this was 6 on one. That says a lot too. Especially about what cowards they are..
Jeff - Sep 21, 2007 at 1:43 pm
Jeff, I am sorry for your lost and I pray that God gives you the strength to get through this devastating time. With that being said, retaliation in any form is wrong. It still holds true that 2 wrongs do not make a right BUT there is a stark contrast to the Jena 6 and the situation that you describe with your sister and that is your sister is dead and since it was a hit and run incident, the responsible parties would have to be apprehended before they can be punished. In a fair and just system, once they are caught their punishment should fit their crime(s). However, the kid that was beaten by the possee, as you put it, wasn't even kept at the hospital overnight?? How do you attempt to murder someone who is at a party 3 hours after leaving the hospital?? I continue to relay the message that what the Jena 6 did was wrong! Beating up that white kid should have gotten those kids suspended from school for 30 days or more but to make this a state felony charge and attach attempted murder to it was caulous and melicious by the DA and that is just not right! Nor would it be right for you to play the police and try to avenge your sisters death by being a vigilante' seeking self justice. Please apply fairly and evenly.....
Kevin, Dallas - Sep 21, 2007 at 1:41 pm
Your reasoning for human life need to be examined Joseph and Jeff. The point of the matter is that the time don't fit the crime.
prince, spencer - Sep 21, 2007 at 1:29 pm
The Jena 6 should be tried for criminal assault or attempted murder. If convicted, they should be sent to jail. Forget colors! A crime was committed.
Joseph, Mishawaka - Sep 21, 2007 at 12:28 pm
Everyone should stop and talk to their kids more! Fights in school happen all the time between all the kids. If there is a kid that gets beat up then most likely his friends will get involved. In a way this is good to know that you kids friends have their back when needed. No one has even noticed that these kids simply had a fist fight. We have to thank God that they were not dumb enough to try to a use a gun. (Which if you read/listen to the news you will realize that now a days, kids retaliate with guns!!! I have to say that I am some what proud of these boys for not going out and getting a gun and handling it the way some would. They simple had a yard fight!! Any age can all of you say you’ve NEVER been in a fight?
Lara, edmond - Sep 21, 2007 at 11:57 am
Kevin, Ok you want things to be fair. I do too. But what you are saying is that if you are done wrong it is ok to take the law into your own hands, get a posse together and beat someone. Here is an example: My sister was killed 3 weeks ago in a hit and run accident ( true). Nothing has been done to the guilty people. So you are saying that it would be ok for me to get a group together go assault these people and I should not be charged with anything just because they are mexican and I'm not. I know what's going on with the 3 white kids. It's still not right to go on a rampage to get them and then try to use race as an excuse.
Jeff - Sep 21, 2007 at 11:42 am
Prince, I am very proud of you. You've have worked hard to leave you're troubled past behind you. We have so many young people that want to use all of the usual excuses for their failures, in all races. You named your weaknesses one by one and conquered all of them. There is so much negative peer pressure and kids tend to fall into the group so easy. It's makes me happy to see that you are a success to be reckoned with. No one can take that from you.
Well...then there's Dave, just Dave. Poor Fool, get a grip on life, or an education. Racism is BAD for everyone, it's a hate that corrupts the sole. We have to save our children from this hate. If we don't make the changes now, we'll have several more generations still living this nightmare. We have to LOVE not HATE, Equals to the end.
Deborah, Moore - Sep 21, 2007 at 11:17 am
Hey Jeff, just so you know, there were 3 white kids who jumped on and beat up 1 of the black kids now known as the 'Jena 6' and those 3 white kids were NOT charged with a hate crime but rather given probation. That is why the 'Jena 6' then went and beat up the white kid...where have you been?? No one is saying what those 6 black kids did was okay or shouldn't go unpunished but when white kids are doing the exact same things and they are given probation but black kids are tried for attempted murder then we have a problem!!! Please apply fairly and evenly....
Kevin, Dallas - Sep 21, 2007 at 11:11 am
Thank you Rufus, actually I went to college for a matter of months and dropped out. I am an ex-gang banging, drug selling, pistol packin, guy that use to glorify the streets and hung out in a neighborhood called Murder 1. I should have been 1 of those "thugs" that alot of you refer to, in prison. I only put myself out there to show everyone that, yes as kids we do stupid stuff, I mean really stupid stuff. And you shouldnt really judge people for their mistakes, because not 1 person's mistake is any worst than the next. If I recall God created us all sinners, but also gives an opportunity for there to be an out for all our sins. But you don't have to stay that way, my son and nights of prayer from me and family members is what made me do a 180 degree turn. I had good parenting and was definitely disciplined. People that know me now would never believe the monster I was from 12 years old thru high school. I don't regret anything I've ever done or went thru because it has made me who I am today. I am a single father that has a very good job and walk a very straight line. The Jena 6 kids made a mistake, but their simple mistake should not affect them for the rest of their lives.
prince, spencer - Sep 21, 2007 at 10:38 am
This whole thing pisses me off. People for the Jena six are basically saying that if someone offends you it is ok to get a group together and beat them. This is terrible. The six should be prosecuted! And they should be prosecuted under the HATE crime bill. If white people ( even just two ) beat a black man that's what they would be charged with. But I guess that law was not written to charge black people. This should be equal rights, not " SPECIAL " rights.
Jeff - Sep 21, 2007 at 10:35 am
Dave your posts don't deserve any comment but I will definitely include you in my prayers! God knows you need prayer more than you need this thread.
Kevin, Dallas - Sep 21, 2007 at 10:20 am
Prince, you sound like a young educated person, either in college or already went. When I was a young man I let racial incidents that happened to me cloud my thinking at times, as you get older you'll see what I mean. Keep going in the direction you are and you will succeed in life, I can't say that enough to young people.
Rufus, spencer - Sep 21, 2007 at 10:18 am
Dave-as much as I want to read your post with fair consideration, I am far too distracted by the typos an misspellings and ramblings...regardless...your commentary on the use and derivation of the term "African-American" is...shall we say...mind-boggling, in that it is COMPLETELY void of any form of logic.
m, Norman - Sep 21, 2007 at 10:18 am
What would have happened to OJ if he had been a faceless poor person with a public defender? Go ask some of the inmates in our prison system that were poor that same question. OJ would have been put under the prison if he was a poor man.
Rufus, spencer - Sep 21, 2007 at 10:14 am
Rufus, any credibility you had is now gone!! You are absolutely correct; OJ did go to college and he SHOULD have gone to prison but he got off because of an inept judicial system, thus these protests!! Please apply fairly and evenly....
Kevin, Dallas - Sep 21, 2007 at 10:09 am
HERE WE GO AGAIN, SOME BLACK KIDS GET ARRESTED AND THE WORLD CRYS RACISM. THIS IS CRAP. I JUST WANT TO KNOW THAT IT THE WHITE BOYS GOT ARRESTED WOULD THE BLACK COMMUNITY JOIN IN AND HELP THEM.....NO. STOP BLAMING THE WORLD FOR YOUR PROBLEMS. YOU KNOW WHAT, A FEW BLACK KIDS GOT ARRESTED FOR BEATING A WHITE BOY OR WHATEVER, THEY HAVE TO TAKE THEIR PUNISHMENT LIKE EVERYONE ELSE. YOU KNOW, I READ THE JENA 6 STORY AND THAT GAVE YOU A CHANCE TO SYA LET US FREE AND SO ON. PEOPLE WANNA KNOW WHY THE JAILS ARE FULL OF BLACKS, WELL THEY SELL DOPE ON THE STREETS..DONT BELIEVE ME, GO DRIVE DOWN NE 23RD STREET AND SEE STILL DON'T WHANT TO BELIEVE ME GOT THE DUNGEE APARTMENTS IN OKC AND SEE THE "SLINGING" BLACK S ABUSE THE SYSTEM, LETS HAVE 20 BABIES AND LIVE OF THE STATE OF EVER AND NOT EVER WORKING. WHEN THE BLACK PEOPLE SEE A CHANCE TO BITCH THEY DO AND THEY ALWAYS BLAME THE WHITE MAN. STOP CALLING YOURSELF "AFRICAN AMERICA" YOU DONT HAVE THAT RIGHT BECAUSE THE REAL "AFRICAN AMERICAN" PEOPLE WORK HARD AND THEY BELIEVE IN VALUES AND FAMILY. YOU DONT HAVE THAT RIGHT. I'M NOT CALLING OUT ALL BLACK PEOPLE BECAUSE THERE ARE MANY THAT WORK AND RAISE THEIR FAMILYS RIGHT..
Dave, Midwest City - Sep 21, 2007 at 10:07 am
OJ also went to college....Think about it..
Rufus, spencer - Sep 21, 2007 at 10:05 am
Andrew, if you are saying poverty is not a major contributor to people going to jail, then you and I will never agree. Lara you are correct, whites are affected by poverty also and it often results in them having legal problems. Did OJ get off because he was Black, or because he was rich and got good lawyers??
Rufus, spencer - Sep 21, 2007 at 10:04 am
You go Rufus..You hit the nail on the head. This holds true for evey race, white included. Follow Rufus advice and you can't go wrong.There are just people out there that are mean in every race. Drop out of school, have a baby or two, don't try to make a go of it as a family, go on welfare, be as different as you can and then scream and yell about the unfairness of it all. We all come into this world equal. It is the journey through life that tells the tale.
Thoughtful, Oklahoma City - Sep 21, 2007 at 10:03 am
By the way, for those that think blacks don't go to college. Langston University is included in the Highest Graduation Rate list and is the only public institution to be included on the list for this category. So not only do they go, but they go and graduate.
prince, spencer - Sep 21, 2007 at 10:02 am
Rufus, your need to disclose your demographic information lends nothing to your attempt to gain credibility in the matter at hand.
m, Norman - Sep 21, 2007 at 10:01 am
tuition in oklahoma is free for low income students if they keep a minimum of a 2.5 gpa. They also qualify for grants from the federal governemt that would pay for their books and leave some cash left over. It's all their for the taking as long as you "Go to school, keep your grades up and stay out of trouble".
Rufus, spencer - Sep 21, 2007 at 10:01 am
I see I see....so apparently Rufus is saying that a college education serves as a "you will never go to jail" card. I'm sure no one in jail has a degree.
andrew, oklahoma city - Sep 21, 2007 at 9:58 am
First Rufus quit claiming that "blacks" are in prison largely due to poverty, if you researched your facts you'd find that the percentage of "whites" in poverty is much much higher than "blacks" in poverty. Also there are more "whites" in prison than "blacks". I do agree when you say "Go to School, get a job, watch your kids and keep you nose out of Louisiana's business" The race shouldn't be an issue at all!! Boys will be boys!!! Everyday in schools across America kids get in fights, in the school yard, between class, at lunch and after school. (Just ask kyour kids) These fights among students have happened for years and will for years!! This "white" kid was not injured enough to claim attempted murder. (1 black eye and at a school function that night!!! Come on!) This was a school issue not a State issue suspend them for a few days and send them back to class. Punish that "white" boy for pressing the charges and allowing it to go this far!!!
Lara, edmond - Sep 21, 2007 at 9:58 am
It is really naive and ignorant to believe that if you "watch" your kids they will stay out of trouble. Kids that are watched and "unwatched" get in trouble!
andrew, oklahoma city - Sep 21, 2007 at 9:55 am
When did school become free for minorities, somebody please let me know because I'm black and mexican so there's gotta be a free school out there for me. <---Being sooo sarcastic. Rufus, you are stuck in your era man, I've not in my adult years have heard any blacks complain about the system putting them down. There is so much opportunity out there, regardless of color. And hate to bust some of your bubbles, but there are plenty of people without college educations that have excellent opportunities in life. My dad for one, he's owned several businesses and don't have 1 days worth of college education.
prince, spencer - Sep 21, 2007 at 9:53 am
Why hasn't anyone said anything about the other events that led to the protests?? There was an african american male that was beaten by 3 white guys but no one wants to discuss or debate that fact. There were also 3 african american males who had a shotgun pulled on them at a convenience store by a white guy. The 3 black guys jumped the white guy and took his shotgun and the police were called. When they arrived, they arrested the 3 black kids?? Why are white people in such denial that racism still exists? Why are there white people like Wende & 'An Okie' who feel like blacks are "given" anything?? Please remember that every single white family/person in the United States of America had a 200 year head start on every other race of people. If you and yours didn't do anything with it, don't blame everyone else...
Kevin, Dallas - Sep 21, 2007 at 9:49 am
Check out the prison, how many college grads are in there, and how much attention did their parents pay to them growing up? Successful people, black or white, go to school, get a job, watch their kids and mind their own business. I don't read stats and could care less about them. btw, I'm a 56 year old black man whose kids all went to college because I kept an eye on them and have seen plenty of racism from both sides of the rainbow, no one ever said life was fair.
Rufus, spencer - Sep 21, 2007 at 9:41 am
Also, to all of you saying that we (blacks) need to go to school. Are you kidding me? There are plenty of blacks in college. Since you guys/gals want to always point at stats, well maybe you should read the stats concerning blacks in college.
andrew, oklahoma city - Sep 21, 2007 at 9:35 am
Rufus, just in case you didn't realize it, there are more white and hispanic people below the poverty line than there are african americans (check the latest census figures) which trumps your good ole boy theory! Also, these kids were at school when the nooses were hung from a tree. By the way, no one has blamed the system for anything. The protests are being held so that justice will be applied evenly and fairly, which by the way must be a problem even where YOU keep your nose because your District Attorney ran his campaign on the platform of "Justice For All"....hmmmmm!!
Kevin, Dallas - Sep 21, 2007 at 9:34 am
Rufus, just in case you didn't realize it, there are more white and hispanic people below the poverty line than there are african americans (check the latest census figures) which trumps your good ole boy theory! Also, these kids were at school when the nooses were hung from a tree. By the way, no one has blamed the system for anything. The protests are being held so that justice will be applied evenly and fairly, which by the way must be a problem even where YOU keep your nose because your District Attorney ran his campaign on the platform of "Justice For All"....hmmmmm!!
Kevin, Dallas - Sep 21, 2007 at 9:33 am
Poverty a black man's problem? HA! I'm sure we have all seen the people standing under the bridges and on street corners (most notably Reno & MLK). The majority of them are White. Look around people, stop reading all these statistics, and look around your own neighborhoods. The reality of this world is that both, white and blacks, commit violent crimes. so stop trying to act like only black people do it. People it's time for all races to GROW UP, the year is 2007, not 1947!
andrew, oklahoma city - Sep 21, 2007 at 9:30 am
Blacks are in prison due to poverty? Whites are getting privlidged treatment? The last time I checked most "miniorites" got alot more privlidged treatment, they can go to school for almost nothing if they have to pay anything. A Government or State job is almost guaranteed to be handed to them on a silver plattter or they will sue the hell out of the Government for not getting the job and a white getting it. NO ONE OF ANY RACE OR COLOR SHOULD GET BETTER TREATMENT THAN OTHERS, THE JOBS SHOULD GO TO THE PERSON THAT CAN DO IT THE BEST. I agree with Rufus - ESPECIALLY IF YOU CAN GO FOR FREE why aren't they going to school and getting an education instead of joining gangs, shooting each other up every other day and selling drugs? They are in prison because they need to be there, along with the other races including whites that are there with them, there are bad of every race and I am sick of everyone playing the race card. If they did in fact only injure the boy then the charges should have been less than they are but still is that a way to teach these kids? It is ok if they (6) jump one if they only hurt him enough that he is released from the hospital the same day? VIOLENCE IS NOT THE ANSWER and they did use violence.
WeNdE, OkLaHoMa CiTy - Sep 21, 2007 at 9:29 am
Blacks are in prison largely due to poverty. Quit blaming the system and do what you can to succeed. Poverty is the Black
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