More comments on the Jena issue.All comments are posted unedited.
Toni says...
"I am in total shock that in 2007 we still have the bigotry and hate among the races. I come from a family that is mixed with almost every nationality. We have black, white, hispanic and asian. This is really a disgrace to the state of Louisiana and the USA as a whole. We think that we have come so far, and that things have changed, but then some idiot comes along to ruin what we believe.
How in the world were they able to get away with an all white jury and be able to hold the trial in Jena, where ther is already so much racial tension going on? The attorney for Michael Bell, must have been paid off in some kind of way to let this happen to that child.
The boy that they claimed he tried to kill looks pretty darn healthy to me going into the courtroom smiling.
The African American people in Jena should also be ashamed that they do not have enough courage to stand together and make sure that this was fair justice. Why didn't they call in the NAACP from Baton Rouge and other places to stand with them and make sure that they received a fair trial?
Michael Bell must have been a pretty good athlete and was probably in line for a scholorship that someone else in Jena wanted and they decided to get him out of the way.
Also, why wasn't there anything done when the ropes were hung from a tree in the school yard, and this probably wouldn't have gone this far, or why wasn't something done when the so-called victim took a gun to school?
This ia another case of railroad justice and history is doomed to repeat itself again and again until something happens and we realize that people are people, no matter what color their skin is."
A Jena Citizen says...
"I'm ashamed of myself for contributing to the nonsense, but here goes.
This was not a FIGHT-It was a BEATING.
Justin Barker is the victim. It could have been any other white kid. These boys are BAD and they were going to get a white kid that day. Ask around their neighborhoods. Ask their teachers. Ask students at JHS- black or white.
The same handful of people keep showing up for the little rallies. Maybe 15-20 including children. AND the press. The press is trying to make something from nothing. They are inventing a big problem with racism. Are they trying to create violence to get a good story? Please pack up and go home. There is nothing else to report. A crime was committed. The jury returned a verdict. The victim is white and the accused are ALL (6 boys on 1)black. Maybe it is racist-but it looks like the racism is from the black boys-not the white kid. OH-WAIT!
That doesn't work does it? Black people are NEVER racist-ONLY white people! Sorry, I forgot."
Lea says…
“our kids are suppose to be safe at school. where were the principal and any teachers?i went to a school in another state there were as many blacks as whites. we got along, i don't remember any racial problems like this.there should not be a all white jury, i am white and don't agree with that at all. how could they let that happen?”
Dontrail says…
“I'm a student in Avoyelles parish and justing watching the activity from this case makes me upset. The black community in Jena and surrounding areas did not make a effort to help the six young boys in this case, for example last year when the Valendictorian situation happen at Marksville High, the community stood behind the young lady until the case was settle. Now these six boys that could have made something out of their lives, can't now because of this situation. Tonight at our school, Avoyelles High, we decided to help take the case off of some of the players minds, we will host a bonding night with the basketball players from Jena High at our school.”
James says...
"I was born and raised in Deville,Louisiana ,as everyone knows Deville has got a reputation for being a racist community.I am not happy about that reputation.I wish people would stop making a big deal about race not only on this issue but every issue.Have we as the HUMAN race forgot so soon how we all pulled togeather after 9-11-01.I would like to see our community as well as the whole USA refer to each other as the HUMAN race and stop using the color of our skin to determine race.As for as the case goes I think a crime was commited and all parties involved should be brought to justice.As for now we should all PRAY for all involved."
Ann says...
"Aside from who we may think is innocent or guilty, I think it is a crime as well as a sad attestation to the justice system in Jena that the the "defense" attorney did not think enough of his client to even attempt to put up a defense. I also feel that the trial was a joke and the defense attorney was an embarrassment to attorneys everywhere and certainly a liability to both the defendant and to everything else that we as Americans consider decent. Shame on you, Mr. "NO DEFENSE" attorney.
Since you could not convince the defendant to accept a "plea bargain", which is the usual way attorneys like youself clear your dockets, it appears you just decided to get rid of your client a different way and mount a NO DEFENSE case. Even child molesters, whom I consider to be the scurge of the earth get better attorneys. Why don't you do all of your future potential clients a favor and crawl back under the rock you crawled out of. "Innocent until proven guilty", I don't think so! Not with this attorney! More like "NO DEFENSE, NOW YOU'RE DEFINITELY GUILTY". Check the numbers:
Prosecution: 25 witnesses
Defense: 0
What a joke!"
Lyrica says...
"I believe in my heart that the lawyer for Michael Bell was paid not to do the best he could do. He should be investigated and then disbarred. As for the other prospective witnesses, they to were afraid because someone there in Jena threatended them. The trial shouldn't have taken place in Jena anyway. The town and the people who make up the town are prejudice."
DMartin says...
"well first let me say that a all white jury. what does that tell you right there. i am not in the parish but guess what. racism was suppose to be over. well its not. i live right here in avoyelles parish and there is so much prejudice its a shame. a black person dont stand a chance of making it around here and i feel that the people of jena is doing the right thing. this is big, cnn , nancy grace, anderson cooper, ophrah, rev. al sharpton, they all need to know about this. slavery has been over and things need to change. we have just as much freedom and rights around here. but we as black people just dont stand a chance. we are always being treated unfair. they are putting more and more of our blacks in the prison system and we just let it happen. this should not happen. they are ruining our kids lives, and their future. put murderers and robbers away, dont antagonize our kids and take away there dreams. we cant get ahead by destroying there lives. so i say sti ck together and fight the system because all they are trying to do is keep us as black people behind bars and were crowded in the penititiary already."
Truth says...
"What started this whole thing is that Justin Barker allegedly said to his group of freinds that day- "the ignorant niggers are going the wrong way." Barker only intended for his friends to hear this comment but his voice projected. The school nor law enforcement seems to have never properly investigated to validate this claim. If this claim is true, Barker's whipping was well deserved. Justin is made out to be an innocent little angel. He is FAR from it. Yes the boys were wrong for their beating of him. But I believe they were encouraged by Barker's alleged comments. The charges was too harsh for this crime. I do believe the evidence consists of too much he said and she said, and is void of valid facts."
Lloyd Killen says...
"From the information that has been provided by the news media, I would submit that the most racist person involved in this fiasco is the District Attorney. To charge a group of students with attempted second murder when involved in a school yard altercation is ludicrous. Had the situation been reversed, in all probability there would have been no charges filed."
Kim says...
"I grew up in Jena, and you cant tell me this is fair,or even justice for this young man, there has been serveral minoritys(blacks or african americans wich ever you choose to be politically correct) Murder,and beaten my the whites(caucasions) and have never spent a day in jail. You tell me wheres the justice?????? Its 2007 and there is still no justice in this place i call home..Its sad but true.....
Come on Jena, join the 21st Century. Let the races live in harmony."
Vic says...
"If the principals of these schools were able to render punishment such as a paddling like they did when we were in school, this incident probably could have been avoided. MANY STUDENTS ARE NO LONGER AFRAID THEY WILL SUFFER CONSEQUENCES FOR THEIR ACTIONS! Not that many years ago when I was in school if they found you misbehaving they would send you to the principal and you would get your punishment right then and there in the form of an old fashioned tale whipping with a nice thick board otherwise referred to as a paddle. I was afraid to misbehave due to the consequences that would follow. Many students from all walks of life and color are not afraid of authority because they have no authority at home and no one to teach them respect for authority. In the third grade our teachers took us to the parish jail for a tour, we stood against the wall and looked into the cells of many a person whose DISMAL condition instilled fear into each of us. It was forever engrained in my memory growing up and I still haven't forgotten it. Maybe we need to start doing that again. We certainly need to return to the days where students were made to say Yes Mam, No Mam, Yes Sir, No Sir, EXcuse me, I'm sorry, and the teachers and principals be able to say "I WILL CALL YOUR PARENTS IF YOU DO NOT BEHAVE" and the students actually be afraid of their consequences. I knew if I got into trouble at school there would be more trouble when I got home!"
Anonymous says...
"I'm a former student of Jena High School, and a resident of Jena. I hate that it took all of this to finally recognize that Jena is a RACIST TOWN. I've read all the comments of the locals and they're talking about they're not racist, but I say they are. The worse cases of racism is the people who think they're not prejudice. White people saying they're not racist with their mouth, but their actions is saying we are."
HT says...
"The real story here is what the "Jena six gang"'s history really is. Someone needs to interview members of the black community that have been celebrating the arrest of these "kids". They've been terrorized for the last two to three years by this gang. If you could protect their identity you'd get the real story.
I've lived here for nine years and I have yet to see a KKK anywhere but I have gone to the Christmas parades and have always been side-by-side with blacks regardless of where I go. "Frank" needs to actually come to Jena at least once.
As for Natasia the so-called social worker, I hope she doesn't ever get to work with rape victims, since she must think they do something to deserve it. "
Myrissa says...
"If you are going to cover a story cover the hole story. These six boys who are on trial for the school fight were also in several fights over the previous weekend. One were they even pulled a girl out of a truck and started beating on her. Also the all white jury was all white because the blacks that were called for jury dutty didn't even show up. You may also want to check the time frame on the jury. They were in debate for 2 hours not just 30 minutes."
Mary says...
"Watch out Jena, the whole world is watching and you all know there is blame on both sides of the fence in this case. It is just a matter of time before Justin and Mychal's lives will be ruined by this incident. The worst is yet to come."
Thomas says...
"You need to come over to JJ's and see what its really like in jena . you are making us look racist"
JOHN says...
"I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY THIS INCIDENT IS NOT BEING CLASSIFIED AS A "HATE CRIME" OR A CIVIL RIGHTS VIOLATION. IT SEEMS THAT IF ITS A WHITE ON BLACK CRIME THIS IS THE FIRST THING THAT IS MENTIONED. ARE WHITE PEOPLE THE ONLY ONES THE LAWS APPLY TO?"
Welch says...
"My opinion in this case is that these boys did do the crime. The victim clearly could not defend himself and these boys after Barker was knocked out did not have to keep beating him. Noone forced them to do such a thing so in my opion, just as an adult, you do the crime, you do the time or at least be tried for it. Either way it would have gone, each needs to deal with their own trials and get on with it. I have lived in Jena for many years and have never heard of this town being racial. My children have many good friends of both races. I don't see how anyone could even consider letting these boys go and forget this ever happened. Barker could have died, no matter what and there is no worst feeling in the world than losing a child. Believe me, we know this from personal experience. Even if the verdict would have come in "not guilty" Bell was still tried for the crime legally and fully. I hope everyone in this town from now on can get along with each other. Never bef ore this incident have I heard in all my years of living here, anything like this happening and when outsiders come in to state their opinion and say we are the most racial town in the state, I beg to differ as I've lived all over Louisiana and to this day I still say this is a good place to call home."
Jenn says...
"Everyone keeps screaming about the prejudism whites show against blacks in Jena. They aren't stopping to think that it goes both ways. If that incident had been reversed and 6 white boys had attacked 1 black boy they would be facing the same charges. It has nothing to do with color, it has to do with the crime that is commited. I believe that there were black people subpoened for petit jury, I think they chose not to show up. If they had shown up,and actually been selected for jury duty then they would not have had anything to whine bout. Its ridiculous any way you look at it. This is going to turn into a riot in the town of Jena at some point, and I have innocent children who could get caught in the crossfire, especially since one of them is starting high school in the fall. This is ridiculous, inflammatory, and just plain stupid. If you are going to commit a crime, maybe you should think about the punishment before you do it. If you know its wrong, WHY DO IT AT A LL. There is absolutely nothing right about 1 child being jumped on by 6 REGARDLESS OF RACE. "
