JENA 6

[Kevin]

Originally Posted by Marie

Couple of things...

#1 We really do have to take a step back and realize that the attention and momentum that the Jena case is receiving is really a culmination of many injustices that seem to have occurred within our 'justice system'.

Ah... so rather than discuss the actual problem, you rally around a bunch of thugs (yes they are) who beat the snot out of a kid because he talked a little crap. Nice.

Will sending them to prison for 20 (or even 5 yrs) help them to grow, see the error of their ways, and become a productive and contributing member of our society? Probably not.

Rehabilitation is only one of the aims of the penal system. Another is to punish behavior which society condemns. Last I checked it was illegal to blindside someone then repeatedly kick them in the head. You do the crime, you do the time.

Many of these students have no prior record or history of disobedience.

I read that some (if not most or even all but one) have priors.

Arguably to punish them in this way is to throw away their futures. Perhaps what we are seeing here is that some people's future is simply viewed as more valuable than others.

Wrong, they throw away their futures when they decided to break the law. It is not "society" it is their own dumb choice that put them where they are.

Certainly 'thug' and 'punk' are likely not the 1st words that pop into one's mind when they see the average white or asian young person...even when they are in a negative situation.

Speak for yourself.

Since we are referencing the NC Lacrosse case, then certainly some of the same ppl who have condemned the Jena students did not refer to those Lacrosse players as 'thugs' or 'punks' (never once-from the day of the 1st accusation to the day they were cleared).

I believe they were out of control jocks.

-- basically the same thing.

Even if we look to instances where white students have been clearly identified as the guilty party, the focus tends to be more so on addressing the issue and getting them back onto the right path.

Basis?

However, we are not seeing much evidence that this focus in both the victim and the culprit's well-being in highly regarded in all cases. Why is this? Perhaps it is b/c when some individuals look at a troubled black or latino person they say "Well clearly they are just a thug...looking for trouble as usual. Lock them up and throw away the key.

What do you mean by "troubled"?

Now let’s add to that six students tried for attempted murder of someone who didn't spend more than three hours in the hospital.

You need to check your facts. No one was ever "tried" for attempted murder.