The case of the Jena 6 took place in 2006.
"Six black students at Jena High School in Central Louisiana were arrested in December 2006 after a school fight in which a white student was beaten and suffered a concussion and multiple bruises. The six black students were charged with attempted murder and conspiracy. They face up to 100 years in prison without parole. The fight took place amid mounting racial tension after a black student sat under a tree in the schoolyard where only white students sat. The next day three nooses were hanging from the tree"
React to the film. Be sure to discuss your thoughts, feelings and conerns. What THEMES are present? This response should be 5-6 sentences in length.
"Six black students at Jena High School in Central Louisiana were arrested in December 2006 after a school fight in which a white student was beaten and suffered a concussion and multiple bruises. The six black students were charged with attempted murder and conspiracy. They face up to 100 years in prison without parole. The fight took place amid mounting racial tension after a black student sat under a tree in the schoolyard where only white students sat. The next day three nooses were hanging from the tree"
React to the film. Be sure to discuss your thoughts, feelings and conerns. What THEMES are present? This response should be 5-6 sentences in length.
jake Trotta per7- i just dont know what to say. there is nothing to say about it. people shouldnt treat blacks like this. it is 2012 and all people are equal. there was no point on hangning the kids just because he was black. i thought that it was stupid that the kids were suspended. they shouldnt even be suspended, they should be kicked out of the school. it doesnt matter what state, town, or color you are, there is no reason to treat someone different if we are all the same.
ReplyDeleteEmily Coash Period Seven
ReplyDeleteWhen i watched the video, i couldn't believe it. Before watching this video, i knew people were still a few people who were prejudice against black people but i didn't not that whole towns were against that certain race and showed there hatred towards them by harsh and cruel actions. I think it is not acceptable to treat any single human that way. If people have certain views on groups of people, its there choice but it is not okay to mentally, emotionally and most of all physically abuse and harass them. I think the school board should of taken charge to the students that got suspended. They deserved a harsher punishment then that. I do not think the town should tolarate negative attitude towards groups of people. The worst thing was when the African American Students got charged for second degree attempt at murder when it was only a fight. Also the son; Michael who was locked up and taken away was punished harshly.
Olivia Barbulescu Period 7- When watching this video, I remembered “A Prom Night in Mississippi” because both of the towns shown in the films are extremely racist and biased. In the Jena 6 video, I couldn’t believe how the charges against white people compared to those of blacks. While whites hung nooses, burned building and fought blacks people were simply suspended and barely charged with anything. When a couple blacks got into a school fight against a white, the blacks were charged with second degree murder, which later became a charge of battery (while the victim was released 3 hours later from the hospital). I cannot believe that the school did not expel the kids for hanging nooses- a sign of lynching, but they charge kids for fights. The Jena 6 was wrong when the fought the kid, but they should not have been charged; the same way whites were not charged for the hanging of nooses and battery of a black teenager with a bottle. I find it hard to believe that a place in America, where segregation was banned over 30 years ago, still has racism and discrimination as strong as what was seen in the video. I would be extremely embarrassed to live in Jena, Louisiana because of how racist and narrow-minded people there are.
ReplyDeleteafter seeing this video and the video that we were watching in class the prom night mississippi i just dont understand how people could act and say those things. we are all ewual if we are white pink brown or black. it just frustrats me that some people live in places that are very racial. there is not difference between white and black peopel exept for their skin color. with all of this racism at one point its going to be the blacks hating the whites and vise versa. this isnt how the world should be. we should be a welting pot not a salad bowl. i dont understnad how the students and parents could live in mississippi and not say anything expecialy the black people you are told that you are going to have a segregated prom. i dont even think i could be able to live in an enviroment like that because maybe at one point some black peopel will start hatting them selfs. this is completly unfair. those white people out there that are being racist should put themself in the black peopels shoes. for just the smallest of comment tan brown black people will feel bad it hurt.i just dont know what to say about this. i have always seem a little bit of racism given to people but not to the extend were there will be a segregated prom!!! unbelievable. how can people see what is going on and not say anything or stand up and say this isnt right under the constitution it say all men are equal, so some states are allowed to say they dont agree.?
ReplyDeletemarie powell
Mike S. pd. 3 - The occurrences in this video was shocking. It is hard to believe that white people could still be so racist towards African Americans. I thought it was ridiculous to hang the ropes from the trees. Hopefully something can be done in the south and the rest of the country to stop these hate crimes. Jane High school should do more to help stop these horrible scenarios. It was unfair for the Jena 6 to be charged with attempted murder, when the white man used the "N" word. A White man also beat up one of the Jena 6 and was not charged. One day, hopefully segregation and racism will be out of this world.
ReplyDeleteFederica Balboni Period 4..
ReplyDeleteAfter watching "ESPN Outside the Lines" I feel grateful to live in a community that as racists. Obviously there are people out there in Westchester County that are racists but if so they keep it to themselves and don't let it ruin the lives of others. I feel horrible and guilty for the African Americans because they are treated below everyone as if the whites are better then everyone else, being a white person I can't believe people like me think they have so much power but in reality everyone is equal and there is no differences between black and whites besides the color of there skin, just because there is on difference doesn't mean they should be treated and looked at differently thats just stupid. Segregation and racism has been very popular back in the days and I never realized how much it still goes on today throughout the country of America, which is suppose to give citizens liberty and justice but clearly the Africans Americans aren't getting the fair end of that. I think people are racist because its how they were taught in there household and parents brian wash their children to believe in the same thing as them which is totally wrong, I'm so happy and lucky that my parents aren't like that at all and if they ever were, I think I wouldn't listen to them and listen to my heart on what I think is right and wrong because others shouldn't teach you how to live and think. Hopefully sooner or later everyone in the world can give up on being racist and love everyone and treat everyone fairly.
community that isn't*** racists. - fed lol hi
Deleteone difference*** - fed AGAAINN!
DeleteScott Bartman, period 4-
ReplyDeleteAfter watching "ESPN Outside the Lines" I feel very thankful to live in a place where people are more openminded and welcoming of people of all kinds of races and religons. The racism in this community is more then unjustefied, it is unfair. The United States gives people basic liberties and no person should be denied a good education where they are not afraid of the people around them. People should not be able to oppress a minority of people for anything including there gender, sexual orientation, tone of skin, or even religion. In the jenna 6 there was so much racism that it was rediculous. White kids hung nooses from a tree and the school board only gave them detention. This is simply put rediculous. How can the punishment for an (intentional) act to display hatred only be detention. The shool board also had to be extremely racist to not suspend someone for an act of hatred against a race. School is a place where adults are supposed to teach information and help children learn. A part of the values from the teachers and the peers influence who the children become and what they believe in.
Kiana Comizio Period 7-
ReplyDeleteAfter watching the video I felt disgusted because of the amount of racism that people have but, what concerned me the most was knowing that this video is recent. Before watching this video I was not fully aware of how much racism is still out there, because when I think of racism I think of the KKK during the Jim Crow Laws, before the civil rights movement. In this video the racism is portrayed by the fact that when white kids hung nooses, fought against blacks, and burnt down the building and only got suspended. Whereas when African American kids got into a fight against whites at school they were charged with second degree murder which is a huge crime to be charged with and can ruin someone's life because of the reputation. Even though the Jena 6 was also at fault they were treated unfairly because there punishment was too harsh just because of their skin color. This teaches views to be aware about racism and to react to racism so hopefully in the future people will be more opened minded and accepting of others.
Hi Dragone
ReplyDeletejacob mckinsey peroid 6
ReplyDeleteI believe that this case is absurd and how large this all has become. I think that racism is still around even in this Common Era because people can’t just change. Now grated it is hard to change something you were taught as children it probably as hard as changing form US customary units to metric it takes time and but most it revolves around what we teach the children. Something I notice was that they students were changed with attended murder with a shoe as the lethal weapon. First let me say this WHAT ARE THEY THINKING! Second off a shoe is something for walking and never been seen as a lethal weapon, if you can take it on a plane now a days it not lethal.
Alissa Hochman period 7 said: This video was horrible because it showed the segregation between Caucasian and African Americans. I believe during this time period it is terrible to still have segregation because it is going against Constitution. Also, it is very offensive to have three nooses hanging from the tree. Since the white people hung nooses from the tree the black students became violent towards the white students. Then they were sentenced 100 years to jail for beating up a white student. If a white student beat up a black student I bet he would just be suspended or expelled not sent to jail for a 100 years.
ReplyDeleteJackie Dalfonso - Period 6: This video shows that today we still have segregation. I still cant believe this is going on. I still do not see why Barkley was not charged. He should watch his mouth. The people why hung the nooses should have been EXPELLED! no exceptions! it was 2006! not 1963! I think its wrong to discriminate anyone against their race. The white boys should just accept who they are and mind their own business.
ReplyDeleteMax Uretta Period 7- After i watched the video i felt sad and angry for all the black kids that go to Jena high school. Just because the boys wanted to sit under a tree, they were targeted and emotionally attacked. The white boys who hung the noose from the tree had no right to do that and must have to feelings or thoughts going through their head. Something else that was completely out of hand of white boys was to use to word n***********er. That word is one of the worst words your can ever say to a person and should NEVER be used. I believe the black boys that beat up the white boy were right, I don't think they should have stomped on the boys head but he did deserve to get beat up. i doubt he would like being called white trash, cracker or any offensive words to call a white person. People that target and offend other people because of the color of their skin disgust me and have no right to be treated kindly.
ReplyDeleteChris G Period 7- First off, the whole thing was a joke. I understand that all people have their prejudices, but they should not be spraying them everywhere they go. The Jena Six are 100 percent innocent in my mind, and they should not be treated the way they were. Mychael Bell was put in an unfair trial, with a racist jury, which is not allowed. A school fight does not also categorize into attemted murder, it categorizes into a school fight, thats it. The incedent with Barker should not go unpuished, true, but under school grounds, not brought to a court. In HHS, the punishment for a fight is suspension, not jail. Bell's life was basically ruined by the prejudice and racism spewed by others. Also, who had the right to overturn the ruling on the noose situation. The boys who did that 100% had malicious intent, and anything done in this intent, with the addition of racism, should be expelled. It is still unbelievable to see that a country that was supposed to have gotten rid of this civil rights problem, still exist in some parts of the country.
ReplyDeleteAbdullah Ahmad Period 3
ReplyDeleteAfter watching "ESPN Outside the Lines" I feel very thankful to live in a community where people are more pleasant of people of all races. The racism in this community is unfair. The United States gives people rights and no person should be rejected of a good education where they aren't treated wrong around people like them. People should not be able to oppress a single minority of people for anything that their born with. In the jenna 6 there was so much racism that it was unreasonable. White kids hung nooses from a tree and the school board only gave them detention for it. How can the punishment for an act to display hatred only be something that be punished for an hour. The school board are extremely racist to not suspend someone for an act like this. School is a place where teachers are to teach information and help children learn things that are necessary in life. A part of the learning is from the teachers and classmates to influence who the children become and what they do in the future.
Keith Lometti period 7- After watching the video about the Jena 6, I felt anger and was upset that just because a group of people wanted to sit under a tree, they were threatened with death. The boys had justification to beat up the kid who called them n*****s. Maybe not to the extent of him nearly dying but he was asking for it if he went to a group of black people and called one of the a n****r. The boy michael who was sent to jail over the assault had in no way a fair trial. His attorney, who was hired by the state, did not even call up any witnesses. Also, he was in a racist part of Louisiana, and his jury was all white people. The fact that now Michael's life is ruined by this incident is completely wrong and unfair that he has to serve jail time for attempted murder, just because he got into a fight with a white boy.
ReplyDeleteClaudia Marino; Period 7 - I always knew there was racism in the United States, I know there still is racism in the United States, but I never thought such extreme discrimination could be so recent. The racism in Jena, Louisiana is more than evident in a number of ways. Three African-American students sat under a "proclaimed white-only" tree, and came to school the next day to see three nooses hanging from the branches. In this day and age, it is beyond appalling to hear how crude and narrow-minded people can be. Hadn't America settled this with the Civil Rights Act of 1964? "An Act.. to protect constitutional rights in public facilities and public education, to extend the Commission on Civil Rights, to prevent discrimination in federally assisted programs, to establish a Commission on Equal Employment Opportunity, and for other purposes."
ReplyDeleteSince public schools such as Jena High School are at least partly funded by the government, that would make it a "federally assisted program", therefore violating the "prevent discrimination in federally assisted programs" part of the amendment. However, US citizens also have the freedom of speech.
The trial of one of the students, Mychal Bell, also violates the Sixth Amendment to the Constitution. "...To be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defense." Not one witness testified for Bell, and the jury who determined his innocence or guilt was a biased, all-white jury.
It can be assumed that white students were looking for trouble. After hanging nooses, shouting racial slurs, and targeting certain students because of their race, it would be rather obvious that it would spark some kind of fight. It was wrong that the African-American students attacked one of their aggressors. Honestly, what else could the white student expect from targeting others?
The Jena Six case is just evidence of the awful discrimination and racism that America still faces. Hopefully, others will be able to open their eyes and see past the physical differences in people, and rather focus on their morals when judging them.
Richard Hoffberg Period 3
ReplyDeleteEspn's Outside the Lines showed how two-faced America is. Some parts have more equality and understanding for each other then other parts. The Jena Six; were six high school student in Jena, Louisiana charged with attempted murder. The evidence showed that they were innocent contradicting the court sentence. I never would of thought that some Americans are still racist and prejudice. This event opened my eyes to how the world and country are in other less populated places. I'm surprised that no overturning has occurred. If education was enhanced then this conflict had not of happened.
I am thankful for such equality where I live.
Daniel Quinn Period 4-
ReplyDelete"ESPN's Outside the Lines" shows that The United States of America still hasn't fully assimilated to present day. I was astounded after watching this video, it shows the opposite of what people should be striving for. At one part in the video the DA for LaSalle persecuted the Jena six for what they did, not mentioning the motives that were behind the act. He told a one sided story. I thought that the country was improving in a way that racism can be eliminated, but after watching this, I feel that this makes my statement false. Also the fact that the jury was all white was probably not a coincidence. This shows that racism is not something that just happens but a huge problem in America.
Matthew Miles period 7
ReplyDeleteAfter watching ESPN Outside the Lines I was stunned to see how these blacks were treated. I know that there is still discrimination but this is stupid.I think that it is unfair for some of these kids to be put into jail for a school fight. I think it's unfair that there was a white jury. In my opinion everyone is equal no matter the color of your skin, sexuality or gender. I can't believe that the world still acts like this is the 1950's. I believe that if it was a white person then he would have got nothing. It just shows how people still believe that they are superior. If education was more important than discrimination, this vent would have never happened. I'm grateful for my life and I would never discriminate. Everyone is equal and deserve equality!
Nick F. Period 3 -
ReplyDeleteAfter watching this video, I felt upset and angry that students were threatened with death just because they sat under a tree that the white students usually sit under. I am shocked that people are still racist to this day. I think it was unfair that Mychal Bell, on of the Jena 6, was sent to jail over a school fight that was instigated by the other student. The state appointed Mychal Bell a lawyer. This lawyer called zero witnesses up to the stand during the trial. Some of these boys that were part of the fight were also assaulted by whites at other times, but only got minor charges. The 6 boys had a good reason to do what they did. If someone were to call me a name that I found very offensive, I would react and fight back.
Samantha O period 6. After the video i was real mad because yes people make raciest comments meaning no harm but during a problem like the one present to get punished based on race is not fair, People are being really judgemental based on the color of a persons skin. Its a shock to me that people still cant except that this isnt 1963 and segergation does not aply ib times today.
ReplyDeleteAriel Coonin Period 6
ReplyDeleteThis film was really surprising because in our country it is not only wrong, but illegal to treat people unequally under the law. The fact that these boys were being accused of attempted murder of an "innocent" boy, just because they got in a fight and they were black and he was white, is completely unjust. This white boy was portrayed as innocent although he doesn't fit my standards as innocent. An innocent person wouldn't be looking for trouble like this boy was. He hung nooses like the ones that black people used to be lynched from on the tree in the schoolyard, picked fights with the Jena 6 just because of their race and used racial slurs such as the N-word which is so derogatory that it truly should not be used at all. The fact that these boys were brought to trial for attempting to murder this "innocent" white boy was unfair. The black boys were appointed a lawyer by the state who didn't even call any witnesses of the fight and the white boy had a much better lawyer and witnesses. They stood no chance against him. Also the fact that Mychal Bell was found guilty among a jury of all racist white people was unfair. He wasn't truly judged by a jury of his peers. It really aggravates me that our country prides itself on being multicultural, but there are still people who consider their race better than every other race. There's no reason for any person to be judged by their physical appearance; it goes back to what we learned starting in probably kindergarten..."Don't judge a book by its cover!"
Daniella Lagani Period 7-
ReplyDeleteAfter viewing this story about racism in Jena, Louisiana I felt many mixed emotions. I felt hurt for the black kids and angry at the white kids who were treating them unfair. The only thing the African Americas wanted to do was sit under a tree on school property, but apparently that was too much to ask for. The White kids reacted upon this in a very negative attitude. I thought that it was very shameful for those white kids to hang nooses form that tree. Those nooses brought terrifying thoughts to African Americans especially to those whose family has been hung in the past.
When Jena Six beat up Barker, I thought that that was not right. I understood why they did that, but you cannot beat fire with fire. However, the injures Barker received did seem that bad if he was able to leave the hospital within a few hours. Mychal Bell should not have been charged with attempt of murder.
Nicole D'Annibale (Period 4) After watching the video, I felt angry and disgusted that there was so much racism recently noticed in the world. I was not aware of how much racism was out there before watching this video. I understand now that people will go to extreme measures to fight for what they believe in. This event is a great example of racism because when the white people hung nooses and called African Americans the "N" word, their punishment was suspension but when African Americans were involved in a fight, they were charged with second degree attempt of murder. I am concerned that since people do not know much about this issue, they won't be able to do anything about it. This video can help others become more aware of the world around them and help make it better for the future. It can teach people to be more open-minded and tolerant of people with different races or religions.
ReplyDeleteNick Nelson period 6
ReplyDeleteI thought that this film was very surprising because in America it is illegal to base law decisions on racism and they did it anyway. Not only did they do it, they got away with it. I thought it was completely ridiculous how they hung the nooses from the trees and were only suspended. And i thought is was crazy how the white kid was portrayed as the victim after the fight and the black kids were charged of 2nd degree attempted murder with their shoes as weapons. All of this during a school fight. This story reminds me of how after 50 yrs racism still hasnt gone away in the US
Gabriella B (period 3)- After viewing the video I was feeling upset and ashamed that there in our country there was still this much racism occurring. I don’t think what the white kids did after they saw black kids’ sitting under the tree was right at all. Anyone should be able to sit under a tree if they want to. Our country is suppose to provide all people with equal rights and something as simple as sitting under a tree should be allowed for a person of any race to do. Although I understand the black students reasoning behind beating up the white kid who called them a derogatory term, the fight got a little out of hand. Even though the fight went further than it should have the students should not have been charged with attempted murder charges for a fight that happened on school grounds which only happened because the white student called the black students a rude name. It’s shocking to now know that racism is still such a big issue in today’s world and that people aren’t treating others fairly. Everyone should have equal rights, no matter the race of the person.
ReplyDeleteRebecca O.
ReplyDeletePeriod 4:
I could not believe what I saw in this video, it was absolutely horrifying to see that African Americans are still being mistreated. After all the fighting so they can be treated equally it's still not fair. I was disgusted to see the whites to hang nooses on the trees, it's unfair to treat someone this way especially when they only got penalized with suspension. On the other hand, when the African Americans got in a fight they were charged with second degree murder. It's unfair how un equal people are treated and they should all be treated equally.
Michelle Aguirre (per.3)
ReplyDeleteThis video was absolutely shocking. The fact that blacks clearly got a worse punishment than whites is ridiculous, when they both had the same intentions. It’s hard to see that these things actually happen in schools with people just like us. To see that people think discriminating physically is ok is just disappointing. The color of your skin should have absolutely nothing to do with the way your life goes on. These African American boys’ life completely changed just because of racism. Although they did do something bad, the punishment they got for it was unacceptable. They got in a fight, just like any teenagers would, and they get arrested and charged with attempted murder. Not only was that charge uncalled for, but those white students in the schoolyard tree incident didn’t get nearly as bad as a punishment, so it was even more unfair. This brings out the theme of perspectives… Whites might think its ok, because that’s what they’re accustomed to and they have their own way of thinking.. but blacks obviously have a completely different point of view because they’re the ones dealing with all the unfairness. No matter who you are though, everyone deserves equality.
Tristan Votta Period 6-
ReplyDeleteAfter watching the video I was completely disgusted at the extreme level of bias and prejudice views of the people in Jena, Mississippi. This town shows that they exert little effort to follow several Federal laws. First of all, Jena didn’t desegregate schools until 1970, 16 years after the Supreme Court’s ruling to do so. Also, in the case involving Mychal Bell, a witness wasn’t even called to testify on his behalf, he was just sentenced. That is a clear violation to an American citizen’s right to a fair trial. Overall, after watching the video, I found the town of Jena to be one of the racist places I’ve ever seen. Between the all-white jury given the Mychal’s case, and the nooses hung from the oak tree at Jena High School, I perceive Jena to be a town that dismisses racial equality, and labels that idea completely absurd. I also see this town to be somewhat unconstrained by federal law, as shown by some of the events that still take place there.
Jacee Cappelli Period 7-
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, I am disturbed by this video. Secondly, this is the most unfair story about people getting in trouble with the law. How can judges sit their and call a fight that broke out in school, attempted murder? And then say these 6 African Americans could possibly be convicted for 100 years without parol, like are you kidding me? People who have ACTUALLY been charged with certain types of murders don't get 100 years. Its probably because these kids were African American and their jury consisted of ALL white men. Also if anything I think that it wasn't the African Americans faults because they were feeling threatened. How else would you expect they act when they come to school on any normal day and see nooses hanging from a tree. Personally I think the white kid, who got beaten up, deserved it, he shouldn't of said racial slurs. This whole thing is just extremely unfair. A theme present is that all people should be treated equally, but its obvious that Jena hasn't gotten that message yet. After watching the video i have come to see that Jena is one of the most racist towns i have ever come across. I hope that the Jena 6 get their freedom back and that they get released.
Kevin alvora period 6 -
ReplyDeleteI was completely shocked when I watched this video the way that African Americans were getting treated was terriable. After all of the fighting and everything they did to get equal rights and either way they are getting treated horribly. I thought it was really stupid that the black kids were supensded just becaue they sat under the oak tree when the white kids were hanging those ropes from the oak tree. Also it was horriable how the kids were convicted of 2nd murder because they kicked the white kid that called them the n word. They should have just gotten a suspension from school for a school fight not murder charges. This video was just crazy to watch
Brian Ganis Pd 3-
ReplyDeleteI don't know what to say, i'll start by saying that the racism expressed towards the blacks is cruel and demonstrates the well being of the members in that town. The Jena 6 video is also a prime example of the justice systems failing to bring justice. The punishments that the blacks were receiving for their crimes was far worse than the what the white's received. When the 6 blacks were charged with second degree attempt of murder, but the white students were suspended was an example of injustice. It pleases me that the society we live in and the way i was brought up is far different than the morals of the people expressed in that video. This story conveys the theme of equality, sometimes things happen and there is nothing you can do and the corniest of all " Treat others the way you want to be treated."
Sydney Mueller (Period 3)-
ReplyDeleteAfter hearing about the events that went on in Jena, Mississippi I am disgusted to learn that this much of racism is still present in the United States after decades of integration throughout many parts of the country. It is almost as if there are two separate worlds in some areas of the present day and that proves how there aren’t equal rights. Just because one kid was beat up in a fight doesn’t mean that six teenagers have to spend 100 years in jail, everyone gets in fights and the victim was going to be able to recover. The cause for this fight was also under the theme of racism, because one black student had made a simple gesture and sat under a tree where only white students had sat in the past. The nooses that were hung represent how much of a threat the white students were willing to impose on the black student and warning him never to do that again or there would be consequences. This concerns me because the United Statues is supposed to be about having equal opportunities for everyone and giving a second chance at a good life for some. These actions aren’t showing the idea that our country is willing to give equality to all of our citizens, no matter if they have done nothing wrong to you.
Melanie Straface Period6-
ReplyDeleteWhen I watched the video I couldn’t believe that some people are still that racist toward African American people. I would have thought that since it was recent people would act different and be more supportive of the black people in their community. I don’t think it was fair to charge the boys of such harsh things just based on their race. Most of the people being racist were probably raised to think that treating people like this alright, but they don’t get that it is not and should be banned from the school. Some of the white boys in school hung nooses on the tree and caused a fire in the school but didn’t even get suspended from school. However when the black boys got into a fight with one of the white students that called him a bad name he was charged with attempted murder. It makes me angry to think that there is still so much racism going on in the world even way after they stopped segregation.
Dominique Loguidice (period 4)
ReplyDeleteAfter watching this video, i have many feels concerning it. I am absolutely shocked and horrified that racism is still so very strong and powerful in some places located in the United States. I feel almost as if the case was completely turned on the black students. It wasn't fair to them that they were charged for 2nd degree murder as well as being charged with the use of a weapon, which was only sneakers. Sneakers are an article of clothing that everyone wears. I personally believe that the white jury really looked into this case and weaved out some part of information from the fight in order to frame the black students and make it seem like they were the ones whos fault it was. I believe that they wanted to get the blacks in trouble even when they knew that they shouldn't have taken it to this much of an extreme. As for the white students who hung the nooses, I think their consequential punishment should have been much more to the extreme. They shouldn't have just gotten suspended they should've gotten expelled maybe even something more to the extreme. But, since these students were white they got by. This is not fair to the students of the Jena 6. They were given no rights as blacks and were charged with absolutely ridiculous crimes. This clearly shows to me, that there is still very strong and powerful segregation and racism going on in few parts of the United States. Something needs to be done about it before more harm is done and it just gets worse.
James Delia, Period: 6
ReplyDeleteI am in shock that ESPN "Outside The Lines," happened during 2006 and all of this racism was going on. It is completely unfair how the Jena six were charged with attempted murder, when the white kid had the same weapon on him. The white student started with them, because he called them the "n" word. I also think it is dumb how white students can hang nooses under a oak tree outside of their school and only get suspended for it. These students should be expelled because the blacks fight for their rights and the white students create fights and conflict. I think racism is something that should have been fixed a long time ago and I was unaware that it still existed only a few years ago. I think Michael Bell should be released and that racism should stop in that school.
Carlye Uretta Period 4- After watching this video i felt disgusted by the fact that someone could treat another human being the way they did just because their skin colors are different. I also felt sad that the consequences were completely unfair in the fact that the black kids get punished just because he wanted to sit under a treat and it was so out of line that he was called the "N" word. I find it repulsive that the white students hung nooses under an oak tree outside of their school and the consequence for them was just as minor as a suspension. A theme shown in this video was cruelty, unequality and racism as well as descrimination due to the fact that blacks were being punished more harshly then whites when the conflict was exactly the same, and the fact that the whites got away with so much and the blacks had to be treated horribly and punished.
ReplyDeleteShannon Zuccarelli Period 6: After I watched the film and learned about the event, I was shocked that it could have happened and that it was only took place in 2006. It made me disgusted that other students would hang nooses from the trees after black students sat there, and thought how someone could do that to someone else. It shows how some things don't change in society, like the way black people are mistreated. It was unfair that the students were charged with attempted murder and conspiracy when they clearly should not have been, which makes the issue unfair. This is an example of racism and the difference between how white and black students are still treated today. A theme shown is that our generation today needs to do something to make sure that everyone is treated right and treated equally as they were not in the past.
ReplyDeleteRoma S. (pd. 4)…I was very surprised about the events talked about in this video. It concerned me to know that even today, racial issues, even today, lead to violence and injustice in the court system. The theme this video is approaching is that even though in the government the issue of racism is solved, it is among the individuals where the problem still comes up. The only way to end this is to start with a fresh mind; however, achieving that is the difficult part. I think that it was unfair for the white kids to get expelled, but then only suspended after doing an act of harassment. None of the white kids got in trouble although the six African Americans all got court sentences. Jena is a town that needs to clean up all the racial discrimination before it crumbles out of violence and hatred.
ReplyDeleteAmanda Levkoff Period 6: After watching the video, I was very surprised about the events that were going on in this film when it wasn't even a long time ago. I am so shocked on how someone could treat another person with such harm. This seemed like it was a very unfair time for colored people to get punished for sitting under an all-white tree. It is so confusing to me how racism is still going on even today in the U.S. This all should have been stopped in all states after the civil rights movement. The fight shown in this video got way too out of hand. I do understand the reasoning for the black students for beating up the white kid for calling them bad language but I don't think that whole fight was necessary, it shouldn't have gotten that bad. Before anything happens, Jena needs to help her town by clearing out all of the racism conflicts and starting over to be one united community.
ReplyDeleteBrandon Antolino per.3
ReplyDeletei watched this video and it disgusted me to the point where i was nautious. We had a war over slavery and we wrote in our constition that akk men are equal. so why are we still today in 2012 descriminating against these colored people. God made earth and he made it all one continent called pangea. So all of the races were supposed to interract and become friends. This is so horrifying that kids got charged for attempted murder because they got intto a fight. if i murded someone i wouldnt even get close to a 100 years. and also who cares about a tree why cant everyone sit under it. some themes present are racism, and segregation. I hope this ends and i never hear of a story like this ever again.
Steven Krgin period 6
ReplyDeleteI was shocked to see how racist parts of the United States are. The events that took place at Jena High School less than six years ago were horrific. Fights at school are never a good thing, but sentencing six black students for attempted murder is unjust. In no way should these six teenagers have to face up to 100 years in prison. The court system must understand the frequent name calling that these African American students experienced on a daily basis and the fact that they had to stand up for themselves. While violence is never a good option, it may have been the only option for these black students. What disgusts me the most is the nooses that were hanging from the trees the day after the fight. Our country fought a war to protect the rights of blacks. There have been many laws passed to protect blacks. Segregation has been outlawed for decades. In spite of this awful event in 2006, our nation elected its first black President in 2008. This gives me hope that our country can move beyond race and not hate people based on the color of their skin.
Emma LaBarbera- Period 7
ReplyDeleteI was completely shocked when I watched this video, because of the reoccurring theme of racism in the U.S. Just like when the class was watching "Prom Night in Mississippi", I had a similar reaction being that I wasn't actually aware that things that people did, maybe a while ago, were still conflicts going on today. Because we live in New York, it's hard for us to picture something this extreme happening over racism. I believe that the punishments that the black students got for getting in a fight with that one white student was completely unfair and irrational. I believe that under any circumstances, without being impartial to all of these students, which they were not shown by the six or seven all white jury members, the black students should not be faced with such extreme punishments. I do, however, believe that the fight occurring between the students was not the way to solve the problem that the Jena High School had with race. I think this because that town is the way it is, it's definitely not going to see in this situation the black students being victims; however, with that being said, I wouldn't blame the black students for getting angry and upset for being mistreated by the white students and having it being not a big deal, when it should be. In conclusion, I believe that the black students punishments were completely unfair regarding the circumstances and that the white students for putting nooses on a tree symbolizing black students should have gotten a much bigger and more severe punishment than suspension.
Mark Menniti
ReplyDeleteFirst off, in my personel opinion, I feel it is inhuman how white people, still harbor racial feelings towards black people.
The laws of segragation may no longer be in existence,but in the minds of many white people it still is very real.I also feel, how the Jeana 6 case was handled in the court system was extremely unjustified.Racism played a strong role in this case, because the jury was made up of all white people. I feel it is very wrong that the Jena 6 was charged with second degree murder, because of the shoes they were wearing were used as murder weapons.
michael Dragone Period 6 ,After watching the video on Jenna I now relize how thankful i am to live in an area where people treat the way they want to be treated. The racism in the community was unfair and not right to treat the people they treated the blacks.when you are born here you deserve equal rights, or for religious beliefs in the bible god says "no one is better than anybody you are all equal" gives. In the jenna 6 there was so much racism that it was unreasonable. White kids hung nooses from a tree and the school board only gave them lunch detention for it. those kids who hang nooses should have supension because that is like a death threat for blacks. The school board are extremely racist to not suspend someone for an act like this. School is a place where teachers are to teach information and help children learn things that are necessary in life. A part of the learning is from the teachers and classmates to influence who want to be succesful in life and have a litlle fun.
ReplyDeleteseeing this video made me feel like alot of white people hate colored it connected to me alot because im brown so i know how the people in the jena 6 feel in the movie prom night one of the people said that every coled were set in the diffrent country to seperate and not meet but in realty its not true and made it even worse.luis barrera period 7
ReplyDeleteKyle Lometti period 3-After watching the ESPN video I was shocked that such racism still existed in our society today. Another thing I found interesting was that this was not the first major act of racism in the town of Jena. The schools of Jena were not integrated until 1970, 6 years after congress passed the Civil Rights Act of 1964. But one of the things that shocked me the most was the sentence the boys faced after a schoolyard fight. The sentence was second degree attempted murder and the only weapon the boys had were shoes, who would try and kill someone with a shoe? I think the sentence these boys faced was a result of the corruption and racism that can still be found in he judicial system of Jenna,LA. I think this because the boys were tried by an all white jury and there were no whiteness called so they obviously dud not have an accurate account of what occurred. Also when Robert Bailey jr told police he was hit with a beer bottle a white party they only arrested one person for battery. Personally, I think a beer bottle is a much more deadly weapon then a shoe. I also think that it was absurd for white people to hang nooses from a tree because that is their "hangout" spot and some black people wanted to sit under it. It's a tree and no one segregates trees, everyone has the right to sit under what tree they want without their lives being threatened. There are many themes present in this movie some of them being racism, treat people like you want to be treated, and to not judge people by their appearance. Not judging people by their appearance is basically not being racist and this is a frequent issue throughout the majority of the movie, people judging others by their skin. This is not right because we are all human and there are no differences between people who have different skin colors. The golden rule is present in this movie because I don't think that white people would want to be suppressed the way black people have been since before the civil war, up to now in Jenna, LA and other stubborn places around the United States.
ReplyDeleteMike Gaudreau Period 3
ReplyDeleteI don't know exactly how to respond to the Jena 6 video. Racism expressed towards the blacks is cruel and demonstrates the attitude and maliciousness of people in that town. The Jena 6 video is also a great example of how biased justice systems can be. The punishments that the African Americans received for a schoolyard fight, in which they might have been provoked were far worse than the what the white's members of the fight received. When the 6 blacks were charged with attempted murder and shoes were their deadly weapons, i was shocked to see how far the justice system will go to imprison someone who they believe should be behind bars. It makes me very happy to know that we do not live in a place where all of this is happening and to know that i was brought up in a family that isn't racist. I think that these kids believe this because they were brought up this way and because they follow the example of their parents. This story shows the themes of equality,and justice or injustice. Also sometimes people are so messed up in their mind that there is nothing you can do to change it and you have to live with it and try to not let it effect you.
Harrison Steins- Period 7- The viewing of this video and "A Prom Night in Mississippi" another like it, have shown me that feelings that were found out to be unfair and unequal over sixty years ago are still to be had in southern towns in this modern day and age. The way that these teens were tormented, through the use of provocative and profane language and the sight of ropes tied in a manor as to suggest that they were meant to hang someone was incredibly damaging to the way they would function and feel about themselves as people and their race. Although I do think that the actions taken in acknowledgement of the taunting were extreme (violence never solves any problems, it just aggravates them), but from the evidence given in the video, that the victim was released from the hospital after three hours from a near death beating, the charges placed on the boys were ridiculous. The way the case was also tried may have been unfair as well, even though it was an all white jury the law does not discriminate between colors, but for a jury to convict someone with no witnesses against them is unethical and unjust. I hope that one day every single person in America and through out every state will be seen as equal in every aspect of life, but especially in the eyes of the law.
ReplyDeleteNicholas Campo period 4 was period 7 and before that period 4
ReplyDeleteIn the Jenna 6 story, the blacks were not treated equally like they should have been. They didn't have any witnesses to testify on Bells behalf. Also they only called for white jurors. Bell would have had a different outcome if the jury were split even with the same amount of black jurors. He should most definitley try to get a retrial because his rights were violated. He should not be in jail for attempted murder and they did not have the same rights in reference to jena 6.
Katie Stevens. Period 4- After watching this video i was horrified how racism is still going on in many parts of the world today. It was sad watching this video and hearing all the terrible things most of the white people in the town of Jena did to the black kids. The black kids were given more punishments than the white people even though the white kids acted worse. The white kids used the "N" word to another black student and hung nooses under the "all white oak tree." Those events occured because a black student wanted to sit under the oak tree as well. Its rediculous how racist people are to one another and it is very challenging to fight against society. The theme of this clip was to show people that racism is still taking place in the world today and it is still at the point where it is severe. Everyone has the rights to be equal and no matter what color you are nobody should have the rights to judge you based on that. The clip also showed the challenges black kids faced because of racism and the more severe consequences they faced over the white kids, no matter what the black kids did.
ReplyDeleteWatching “The case of Jena 6” and “A Prom Night in Mississippi” made me realize that its very upsetting how racial discrimination can still be seen. It made me question myself over and over why people think it’s logical to be separated, when it clearly isn’t. Parents have the most blame to be raising their kids to be so hateful when they should be mature enough and raise them to not see race as a threat. The Jena 6 case is a proof to show people how biased and unfair the government can be. I was very shocked because I knew some people were still prejudice against different races but I never believed that so much racism could still be going on. Watching this video made me very grateful to live in the town I do because I believe most of us are very accepting with each other. I think the main theme I got from this book was “sticks and stone can break my bones, but words will never hurt me,” this is because African Americans have been through so much and called such awful things throughout their lives, but they still keep fighting and they still are able to show racist people out there that they will not give up.
ReplyDeleteoriana flecha- After watching this video i felt disturbed by seeing black people discriminated just by their race and that it still exists now a days. it made me think how low some students were to hang nooses from the trees where only whites could sit, and the consequences for them was as small as a suspension.
ReplyDeleteA theme shown in this video was unequally and racism as well as discrimination because blakcs would get more punishment even if the actions were the same, whites and blacks were not equal at all they were separated by sin color and treated differently.
Nicolette Forgione Period 3 - When I saw this video, I was shocked that people would be so cold hearted and cruel to think that treating people badly just because they were colored was okay. It's sickening to know that there is still many prejudice people in different states and that there are still laws that separate black and whites from each other in certain areas. No one should be treated the way black people were and still are. A theme that was shown in this video was that you should never judge people based on their appearance. Just because they don't look the same way you do on the outside doesn't mean they aren't good people. It's what's on the inside that really matters and I don't think the society these days understands that.
ReplyDeleteSierra Struzzi Period 3- The video that we watched disturbed and shocked me. I could not believe the conditions and treatment the colored people were receiving from the whites, I did not realize that racism was still such a big issue. The Jena 6 case and A Prom Night in Mississippi demonstrate that it's not only kids being racist but also adults government and police. The punishments that the African Americans received for just a small case were horrible. The school and police overreacted due to the color of kids. Seeing these videos made me realize how grateful i should be to live in a mainly non- racist town and to have been brought up in a family that accepts all different colors sizes and etc. These videos show the themes; justice/ injustice, racism/discrimination/segregation and inequality/ unfairness.
ReplyDeleteCarly Rutkovsky Period 7- Although I did not see the video, the brief summary above is horrible to think about and I can not imagine watching it. Although segregation was outlawed during the civil rights movement, the "separate but equal" idea then became acceptable, which never should have happened. yes, you can't keep people apart based on the color of their skin but you still have to treat them with the same respect and fairness. The Jena 6 case shows how people can make assumptions based on stereotypes and bias opinions, and the storyline of Prom Night Mississippi shows the same thing. The unjust punishments that were given to the African American kids would never be given to white children so i think the judge and jury should think about what punishment they would've given to a fair skinned person. In Prom Night Mississippi as well, if the parents of white children became parents of african american children all of the sudden they might feel differently about having separate proms. it really is all about your perspective which is a theme in both videos. other themes included treat people equally, learn to love people of all colors,shapes, and sizes, and racism.
ReplyDeleteI think this video shows how people in this generation still shoe violence against different kinds of races. African american have been fighting for their rights but it seems not fair to give them the harshest punishment. my personal opinion is that the white students that hung the nooses to trees should get suspended for a long time, but it doesn't seem fair let them get in trouble as if it were an unimportant situation. People should really except people for who they are weather it involves race, religion, or looks. It makes me feel bad that people IN this generation still feel this way against other races.
ReplyDeleteJillian Roos- Period Four
ReplyDeleteAfter watching , "The Jena Six" along with , "Prom Night In Mississippi," I was completely shocked how even today there is still racism and violence amongst students in high school. The Jena Six is a group of students that got into a school fight and were charged for Attempted Second Degree Murder. Even though the white students instigated the fight with racial slurs the black students were sentenced to jail and court. As to the white students their only punishment was suspension. This shows an example of Racism which should not even be expressed in the year of 2006 at Jena High School. Along with that in the movie, "Prom Night in Mississippi," students were interviewed about their ideas and personal opinions on how everyday people, police, parents, teachers, etc, automatically assumed that it was the black students fault with no sense of evidence and thoughts.
Alissa Hochman period 7 said:
ReplyDeleteAfter watching the video I was stunned how today a day there is still racism and violence among students in high school. The Jena Six is a group of white students from Jena High School in Central Louisiana who got into a dispute with African American's who were charged with attempt of second degree murder. Although the white students started the fight because of racialism the African Americans were sentenced to court and jail. Unfortunately the white student’s punishment was only suspension from school. This is an example of racism which should not be allowed in the 2,000s.