Jena 6

[Little32]

The letter that I just sent to the governor, my second with regards to this matter (the bolded portion is particularly important, as a friend pointed out to me). I urge everyone who hasn't to write a letter, place a phone call, or travel to Jena--I know that buses are leaving from all over the place to go there (a friend in L. A. says they even have one going from there). I also think that letters to the media are important, because this issue is still not receiving the kind of media coverage it deserves, though I have seen more in recent weeks.


My letter:

It is to my extreme shock that the situation in Jena, Louisiana remains unresolved. I am sure that you are aware to the incidents, the resulting charges, and the subsequent trials of the six young men in Jena. I am sure that you are also aware that the sentence of Mychal Bell has recently been overturned. So the question becomes, why is this young man still in jail.

The questions surrounding this situation abound. Why did the school system not take swift and decisive action to nip this problem in the bud before it escalated into the issue before us today? Why does it seem that in taking issue with regards to this matter, black students have been on the receiving end of threats and intimidation, while white students have received only proverbial slaps on the wrist? Is Louisiana the kind of state where empowered racists use Jim Crow era tactics to exercise control over the black population, while those with the power do nothing to stop it?

I hope that your office is taking some action with regard to this matter. I hope that, in addition to making certain that these young men are not punished more than their actions warrant, there will be an investigation into how this miscarriage of justice could have been allowed to continue to this point. I hope that the D.A., the school superintendent, and all others who have been integrally involved in this matter will be investigated and receive censure based on their part in what essentially amounts to discriminatory distribution of punishment. I hope too that your office understands how this one case reflects on the state of Louisiana as a whole and what the message that it sends about the state of race in Jena in 2007.

I look forward to hearing about the ways that your office has and will continue to intervene with regards to this matter.