Today is the Day of Blogging for Justice, organized and executed by Yobachi of Blackperspective.net and the Afrosphere Jena Six Coalition.
I’ve been reading a lot about the Michael Vick case, although I’ve avoided writing about it, mostly because more than enough has been said about the case as it is. Now, as anyone that has frequented this site for awhile knows, I am an avid dog lover, and so it should come to no surprise that Vick’s actions sicken me to death; but that doesn’t mean that I don’t agree with the commentary that wonders why mainstream U.S. America shows more outrage over the abuse of dogs than the abuse of women, particularly women of color. Dave Zirin, at the Black Agenda Report, raises an interesting question:
“Why are we surprised people get off on pit bull fights when there is a war going on?”
The response I will surely get – and have always gotten – for writing this is that “dogs are innocent.” Once again this is a logic that transcends the bizarre.
Therefore poor people that become boxers, women who get raped, Iraqis picking up unexploded cluster bombs, are “guilty?” Have exercised “free will?” That’s not logic. That’s the doctrine of original sin.
As someone who has argued that “dogs are innocent” and that it is wrong to go around blaming the victim, this floored me.
And this brings me to what is troubling to me about the attitudes I see so often towards the Jena Six. The notion that the white kids involved are really innocent (all they did was hang a noose from a tree, attempt arson, and point a shotgun in someone’s face, nothing but a few pranks) but what the black kids did was a serious, serious crime (they physically assaulted someone, although no serious injuries occured; defended themselves from someone pointing a shotgun in their faces). This isn’t to justify beating people up, but when hanging a noose from a tree, a symbol that is going to resonate with most black people in the U.S. as a throw back to the days when lynching was acceptable, is somehow nothing more than a prank, I can’t help but to draw parallels between what Zirin is saying and what is happening with the Jena Six. The white kids involved are by default innocent “pranksters.” The black kids involved are by default quilty. Here’s a sequence of events, taken from Tom at Automatic Preference:
1. White students hung three hangman’s nooses from a tree near the school, immediately after Black students received permission to sit under that tree.
2. A fire at Jena High School, arson suspected, no arrests.
3. White-initiated fistfight, no serious injuries resulted: white student charged with simple battery.
4. White-initiated threat with a shotgun: Black students arrested for aggravated battery and theft after they wrested the weapon away from the white student.
5. Black-initiated fistfight, no serious injuries resulted: charges of second-degree attempted murder or conspiracy for six Black students. Witt reported that prison sentences of up to 100 years are possible.
It is only the assumption that black folk are automatically guilty, have been tainted with original sin, that would lead any rational person to conclude that taking a shotgun away from someone pointing it in your face and not giving it back is aggravated battery and theft, rather than self-defense. The only way you can assume this is right is if you assume that it was the black folk, and not the white folk, that were the aggressors. It doesn’t matter that all evidence points to the contrary, that’s how it has to have been.
And that, my friends, is how it continues to play out. That is why, when a woman is raped, she is blamed for walking in the wrong part of the neighborhood wearing the wrong skirt. She is, by default, guilty. That is why, when folks of color defend themselves from racist aggression, they are blamed for criminal acts. They are by default guilty.
As long as our justice system, politicians and media continue to reinforce this pattern of injustice, it is imperative that we put pressure on them. We must let them know that we will not stand for such arbitrary notions of justice.
—————-
From the Electonic Village:
The AfroSpear encourages all villagers to realize the following:
- In light of the circumstances surrounding Mychal Bell’s case, we urge all villagers to support the call for a new trial.
- It is unacceptable to selectively enforce the law based on race. Prosecutorial discretion should be used in a fair and equitable manner.
- The Jena Six should be tried by juries that reflect the racial and ethnic demographics of Jena, LA.
- The hanging of nooses is not a “youthful stunt” or “prank.” It is a hate crime. Such hate crimes should not be tolerated at any school. Jena High School must establish a curriculum which promotes cultural sensitivity and understanding.
- The AfroSpear calls on Louisiana Governor Kathleen Blanco and Louisiana Attorney General Charles Foti to thoroughly investigate and monitor the trials of Mychal Bell, Robert Bailey, Jr., Theo Shaw, Carwin Jones, Bryant Purvis and John Doe. The Governor and State Attorney General should do everything in their power to ensure that these young men’s constitutional rights are protected.
- All villagers should reach out to their own congressman and senators requesting a federal investigation of this racist behavior in Jena, LA.
- All villagers should sign the online petition as well
Folks participating in Day of Blogging for Justice (Late to the party? Let me know and I’ll add you):
1. Wayne Hicks electronicvillage.blogspot.com/ Cincinnati, OH
2. D. Yobachi Boswell www.blackperspective.net Nashville, TN
3. Daz Wilson purplezoe.blogspot.com/
4. Francis Holland afrospear.jconserv.net/
5. Jim D. Walton www.blackinbusiness.org/
6. Cooper wonderlandornot.net
7. Yolonda ebonymommy.com/blog/
8. Vanessa Byers vanessabyers.net/ Miami, FL
9. Sincere sincere-thoughts.blogspot.com
10. Pia courtingdestiny.com
11. Adrianne George blackwomenineurope.blogspot.com/ Sweden
12. Eddie Griffin www.eddiegriffinbasg.blogspot.com Fort Worth, TX
13. PB www.savantwriter.blogspot.com Kansas City
14. Tom Autopref automaticpreference.wordpress.com/
15. Dave J. wanderingether.blogspot.com/ Haslett, Michigan
16. B. Medusa www.mnemosyne-blog.net/
17. Shawn Williams www.dallassouthblog.com Dallas, Texas
18. Deidra blackandmissing.blogspot.com Baton Rouge, LA
19. AAPP www.AfricanAmericanPoliticalPundit.com & www.Africanamericanopinion.com
20. Invisible Woman invisible-cinema.blogspot.com/ San Fran, CA
21. Plez pajoyner.blogspot.com Atlanta, GA
22. Shanikka www.maatsfeather.com/frontPage.do
23. Mahogony Diva mahogonydiva.blogspot.com/
24. Saba charlotte.greasyguide.com
Let’s not forget other injustices currently in progress (thanks, Yobachi!)
Kenneth Foster
Darfur
Genarlow Wilson
Dunbar Village – Watch Video
Great post. Thankyou for sharing your voice about the Jena 6 issue.
Remarkable post. Excellent insights and analysis. Thank you very much for your support of the Day of Blogging for Justice effort!
peace, Villager
Very poignant post!
I would also say that the hanging of the nooses in such a manner is a death treat; one that could fall under the catagory of a terroristic threat. Those are both big time felonies.
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