Posted by
Tracy Robertson on Wednesday, September 19, 2007 8:19:42 PM
Tomorrow is the big day. It is estimated that as many as 40 thousand people will be descending upon Jena Louisiana to let America know that enough is enough, we demand equality in justice. Finally, the story has made it to the national stage. I am dismayed, however, with the attitudes of the media and the people of Jena.
On CNN this morning, the anchor was interviewing one of the organizers for this rally. I wouldn’t call it an interview it was more of an inquisition. “What is going to happen when you leave?” the interviewer asks. “We plan to stay in touch with the Jena community to make sure that what needs to be done is followed through”. “Oh” he says with condescension, “So you think that will be enough”. It was more of a statement than a question. He goes on berating the organizer leaning in as he asks “Do you know the facts of this case?” “No” the organizer answered. “Have you seen the face of Justin Barker? Can you tell me you can look at his face and not see the attack as a serious attack?” It was clear that this interviewer did not agree with this rally and perhaps thought it was another instance of black people blowing something out of proportion.
Now, I’m not saying that this interviewer is racist or that racism even had anything to do with his attitude toward the organizer. The interviewer was black. Perhaps he really did feel that it was being blown out of proportion and that is his right. However, as a journalist, isn’t it your job to report “just the facts”. These days, it seems that the journalists can’t tell the line between reporting and commentating.
The people of Jena seem to have the attitude, both black and white, that they just want the protesters to hurry up, come, and have the rally and leave. Their main concern is that there could be violence and property damage (you know how black people are). Yes, something like that could happen. There sometimes is a bad apple in the crowd. I pray that I will not have to write about any such thing tomorrow. I have heard many of the organizers telling the people no alcohol, no drugs, no guns and no negative attitudes.
The people of Jena don’t seem to understand what is at stake. This is not just about racism. This is not just about prejudice. It is about rescuing a town that is stuck in the days of Jim Crowe. If we allow these boys to be sentenced to 15, 20 or even 30 years for a school yard fight, while another student who physically hit one of the boys over the head with a beer bottle but was only charged with misdemeanor battery, it would be a detriment not only to those boys and not only to that town but to America. We don’t want any part of America stuck in the days of shame. The fact that blacks were brought over as slaves is shameful. The fact that blacks were made to sit in the back of the bus or drink from colored only water fountains is shameful. However, that shame was corrected with the Civil Rights act of 1963. It took a lot of hard work and lost lives to acquire those rights and to allow a town, no matter how small, to not live up to those strides would be shameful.
Everyone in every small town and every urban city deserves equal justice. That is what this rally is about. It is my hope and prayer that tomorrow will be a history making day for young people across the country to take advantage of their rights and make their voices heard in a peaceful manner. May this be the first of many fights for equality in justice for all in America.