Comments on: The Men (and women) in Black http://www.afrobella.com/2007/09/20/the-men-and-women-in-black/ ~ all shades of beautiful Wed, 10 Mar 2010 06:40:13 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: Bebroma http://www.afrobella.com/2007/09/20/the-men-and-women-in-black/comment-page-1/#comment-49080 Bebroma Thu, 27 Sep 2007 17:07:21 +0000 http://afrobella.com/?p=340#comment-49080 FLtheSouth -- I get the overall point of your post, which for the most part is pretty much how most blacks feel....the "Jena 6" should be disciplined for what they did, BUT commensurate with the crime. The point that I think you missed is that it is generally believed and seems to have been demonstrated by previous action taken against other acts committed by whites is that they were punished differently than they would have been if they were white. And there is a racial bias in this country, there is racial profiling, and not just of blacks. People get so they assume a Hispanic person is illegal. They assume a Muslim family is extremist. They assume all kinds of things. There are illegals who are from Russia or whatever, but that's not as noticeable, is it? As far as the NAAWP comment, you don't need an organization to look out for your interests, most people who aren't white would feel. You're already there, and you quite possibly have an organization with letters already that looks out for the interests of your race and speaks out against any perceived injustices and in fact marches in rallies and parades. Of course, that organization is probably perceived in different ways by the members of its own race, but hey, we all have our opinions. My opinion is that these issues are not "historic" in nature. Of course there's been progress made, things are much different in a lot of ways, but from my perspective there's still a ways to go. Take the recent comment made by a well-known person about how "civilized" blacks were acting at a Sylvia's Restaurant in New York! Wow, blacks know how to eat correctly in public and behave decently. Goodness. I don't think you'd see that comment made about white people. I too teach my children to respect all people, love everything made by God. But you have to temper that with reality. FLtheSouth — I get the overall point of your post, which for the most part is pretty much how most blacks feel….the “Jena 6″ should be disciplined for what they did, BUT commensurate with the crime. The point that I think you missed is that it is generally believed and seems to have been demonstrated by previous action taken against other acts committed by whites is that they were punished differently than they would have been if they were white. And there is a racial bias in this country, there is racial profiling, and not just of blacks. People get so they assume a Hispanic person is illegal. They assume a Muslim family is extremist. They assume all kinds of things. There are illegals who are from Russia or whatever, but that’s not as noticeable, is it? As far as the NAAWP comment, you don’t need an organization to look out for your interests, most people who aren’t white would feel. You’re already there, and you quite possibly have an organization with letters already that looks out for the interests of your race and speaks out against any perceived injustices and in fact marches in rallies and parades. Of course, that organization is probably perceived in different ways by the members of its own race, but hey, we all have our opinions. My opinion is that these issues are not “historic” in nature. Of course there’s been progress made, things are much different in a lot of ways, but from my perspective there’s still a ways to go. Take the recent comment made by a well-known person about how “civilized” blacks were acting at a Sylvia’s Restaurant in New York! Wow, blacks know how to eat correctly in public and behave decently. Goodness. I don’t think you’d see that comment made about white people. I too teach my children to respect all people, love everything made by God. But you have to temper that with reality.

]]> By: FLtheSouth http://www.afrobella.com/2007/09/20/the-men-and-women-in-black/comment-page-1/#comment-49046 FLtheSouth Thu, 27 Sep 2007 14:47:49 +0000 http://afrobella.com/?p=340#comment-49046 I am appalled by this entire Jena subject. On the one hand you have students who insult the black race through disgusting comments and behaviors. On the other hand..you have students who physically and criminally inflict bodily injury on a member of another race. BOTH are wrong.. but let’s face it.. the system recognizes the severity of each and every crime that occurs and applies the right amount of justice to fit the bill. This was created out of unforgivable acts..but to take vigilante justice against another person ..bringing them close to death.. is even more unforgivable. Most whites I have spoken with are appalled by the behavior of the whites in Jena.. but even more appalled that the blacks chose to take justice into their own hands and deliver their own choice of punishment. THEN you have the TYPICAL scenario where civil rights leaders Martin Luther King III and Al Sharpton come running to establish a platform. The platform has been questionable in the past and is definitely questionable in this case. The platform has changed.. and their arguments are becoming historic in nature. Blacks are afforded the same rights and luxuries as the whites. I am surrounded by successful, respected black members of our community. I am also surrounded by poverty stricken whites. The choice to succeed in life is not left to opportunity but to the individual desire and drive within each of us. It is time to be comfortable in our own skin. I believe that change is in order in Jena.. but I also believe that marches in a Jena only aggravate a volatile situation. This is a matter for the court.. not a platform. This is a matter for the school board.. not a platform. This is a matter within families.. not a platform. This is not a divided issue.. blacks.. whites.. Hispanics.. we all feel that this situation deserves swift justice through proper channels. Tolerance.. empathy.. love... brotherhood... these are things that we instill in our children. Obviously.. the parents involved in this situation miserably FAILED their children and society. The parents should be held as accountable as the children. It all starts at home...children learn what they live. If children are grow up with racist parents..they will develop those same lowly qualities. If children grow up with violence then they develop those lowly qualities. This is not a national issue. This is upbringing! None of these individuals -BLACK OR WHITE- reflect my views or social beliefs. They are all under one God..they are all under the laws of our land..they are all sons..daughters. THEY each made choices. Think about this… a type of “shoe on the other foot” reflection.. The whites should unite...march against the savage beating of a member of our race. As a matter of fact.. we should march against anything and everything we feel insults our race and heritage. Where is our NAACP?? If we created a NAAWP... could you imagine the outcry that would be shouted from the good Rev.'s and Al's platform then?? It is a fact that minorities and women in this country obtain benefits unavailable to those of a different race or gender. (I am a woman by the way). Progress brings about balance? Or does it? I do know that I love my country …and it’s citizens who treat me with love and respect..no matter their color or nationality. GET real.. my family embraces the black race. My son is the only white member of an all black football team. His participation was voluntary and the community center he plays for is in a neighboring town. My views are not based on race..they are based on moral decency and respect for the judicial system of our country. It is time to remove the race card and treat all of the Jena participants in a manner that is within the fullest extent of the applicable laws. If you hung a noose.. you should suffer a consequence. If you beat a person in a criminal manner..you should be prosecuted to the fullest extent under applicable laws. Read this excerpt from a news story ... SLOWLY…take in the information.. understand what is dividing the issue..proper JUSTICE. "Last week, they led about 15,000 marchers to Jena, a town of 3,000, to protest how authorities handled the cases of Bell and five other black teens accused of beating white high school student Justin Barker." "Many said they are angry the students, dubbed the "Jena 6," are being treated more harshly than three white students who hung nooses from an oak tree on high school property." SEE… each side is angry… seeking justice….and that is what the community should get..EQUAL JUSTICE UNDER THE LAW. I do not feel this is a racial issue for the nation. This is a single town corrupt from a lack of discipline..morals..standards..and proper upbringing. It is also a town that needs to establish a more reliable and stringent system of behavioral correction within its schools. This can stop today… all that it takes is morals, unity, values, and tolerance…NOT just tolerance…acceptance. We all bleed red…we all shed tears..we all have hearts and minds. This world would be a boring place if we all looked the same..had the same accent..the same desires and needs. Of course…Hitler would thrive in that environment … wouldn’t he! I would also like to say a quick comment to the white students in Jena… We are with you in your desire to seek justice… however…we do not stand with your hate and racial discrimination. Your ideas seem historically back woods and are shunned by the majority of your race. If you ever desire to move from Jena…your ideals will not survive elsewhere and you..in fact…will be the outsiders wherever you go. Find it in your heart to change…catch up with the rest of the world. To the black students in Jena…. I understand your pain…and your desire for justice…and share your thoughts that racism is unacceptable. I do not share the thought that personal vengeance or justice is the answer. Violence is a disease that spreads hate. It starts at home…. Stop the cycle. Seek justice…not hate. I am appalled by this entire Jena subject. On the one hand you have students who insult the black race through disgusting comments and behaviors. On the other hand..you have students who physically and criminally inflict bodily injury on a member of another race. BOTH are wrong.. but let’s face it.. the system recognizes the severity of each and every crime that occurs and applies the right amount of justice to fit the bill.
This was created out of unforgivable acts..but to take vigilante justice against another person ..bringing them close to death.. is even more unforgivable.
Most whites I have spoken with are appalled by the behavior of the whites in Jena.. but even more appalled that the blacks chose to take justice into their own hands and deliver their own choice of punishment.
THEN you have the TYPICAL scenario where civil rights leaders Martin Luther King III and Al Sharpton come running to establish a platform. The platform has been questionable in the past and is definitely questionable in this case. The platform has changed.. and their arguments are becoming historic in nature.
Blacks are afforded the same rights and luxuries as the whites. I am surrounded by successful, respected black members of our community. I am also surrounded by poverty stricken whites. The choice to succeed in life is not left to opportunity but to the individual desire and drive within each of us. It is time to be comfortable in our own skin.
I believe that change is in order in Jena.. but I also believe that marches in a Jena only aggravate a volatile situation. This is a matter for the court.. not a platform. This is a matter for the school board.. not a platform. This is a matter within families.. not a platform. This is not a divided issue.. blacks.. whites.. Hispanics.. we all feel that this situation deserves swift justice through proper channels. Tolerance.. empathy.. love… brotherhood… these are things that we instill in our children. Obviously.. the parents involved in this situation miserably FAILED their children and society. The parents should be held as accountable as the children. It all starts at home…children learn what they live. If children are grow up with racist parents..they will develop those same lowly qualities. If children grow up with violence then they develop those lowly qualities.
This is not a national issue. This is upbringing! None of these individuals -BLACK OR WHITE- reflect my views or social beliefs. They are all under one God..they are all under the laws of our land..they are all sons..daughters. THEY each made choices.
Think about this… a type of “shoe on the other foot” reflection..
The whites should unite…march against the savage beating of a member of our race. As a matter of fact.. we should march against anything and everything we feel insults our race and heritage. Where is our NAACP?? If we created a NAAWP… could you imagine the outcry that would be shouted from the good Rev.’s and Al’s platform then?? It is a fact that minorities and women in this country obtain benefits unavailable to those of a different race or gender. (I am a woman by the way). Progress brings about balance? Or does it? I do know that I love my country …and it’s citizens who treat me with love and respect..no matter their color or nationality.
GET real.. my family embraces the black race. My son is the only white member of an all black football team. His participation was voluntary and the community center he plays for is in a neighboring town. My views are not based on race..they are based on moral decency and respect for the judicial system of our country.
It is time to remove the race card and treat all of the Jena participants in a manner that is within the fullest extent of the applicable laws. If you hung a noose.. you should suffer a consequence. If you beat a person in a criminal manner..you should be prosecuted to the fullest extent under applicable laws.

Read this excerpt from a news story … SLOWLY…take in the information.. understand what is dividing the issue..proper JUSTICE.

“Last week, they led about 15,000 marchers to Jena, a town of 3,000, to protest how authorities handled the cases of Bell and five other black teens accused of beating white high school student Justin Barker.”

“Many said they are angry the students, dubbed the “Jena 6,” are being treated more harshly than three white students who hung nooses from an oak tree on high school property.”
SEE… each side is angry… seeking justice….and that is what the community should get..EQUAL JUSTICE UNDER THE LAW.
I do not feel this is a racial issue for the nation. This is a single town corrupt from a lack of discipline..morals..standards..and proper upbringing. It is also a town that needs to establish a more reliable and stringent system of behavioral correction within its schools.
This can stop today… all that it takes is morals, unity, values, and tolerance…NOT just tolerance…acceptance. We all bleed red…we all shed tears..we all have hearts and minds. This world would be a boring place if we all looked the same..had the same accent..the same desires and needs. Of course…Hitler would thrive in that environment … wouldn’t he!
I would also like to say a quick comment to the white students in Jena…
We are with you in your desire to seek justice… however…we do not stand with your hate and racial discrimination. Your ideas seem historically back woods and are shunned by the majority of your race. If you ever desire to move from Jena…your ideals will not survive elsewhere and you..in fact…will be the outsiders wherever you go. Find it in your heart to change…catch up with the rest of the world.
To the black students in Jena….
I understand your pain…and your desire for justice…and share your thoughts that racism is unacceptable. I do not share the thought that personal vengeance or justice is the answer. Violence is a disease that spreads hate.

It starts at home…. Stop the cycle.
Seek justice…not hate.

]]> By: Bebroma http://www.afrobella.com/2007/09/20/the-men-and-women-in-black/comment-page-1/#comment-47877 Bebroma Fri, 21 Sep 2007 21:38:51 +0000 http://afrobella.com/?p=340#comment-47877 And obviously I didn't mean all kids all grades all the time. The topic here is the Jena 6, after all. I just meant in the early primary grades, sometimes the kids make friends with each other in spite of what their parents might think. And obviously I didn’t mean all kids all grades all the time. The topic here is the Jena 6, after all. I just meant in the early primary grades, sometimes the kids make friends with each other in spite of what their parents might think.

]]> By: Bebroma http://www.afrobella.com/2007/09/20/the-men-and-women-in-black/comment-page-1/#comment-47875 Bebroma Fri, 21 Sep 2007 21:27:39 +0000 http://afrobella.com/?p=340#comment-47875 Northerner, guess what? I've already had to have that talk with my daughter, and she's 7. I just told her that some people believe untrue things about black people, and they teach those things to their children, so perhaps her little friend has some mistaken ideas. It didn't mean anything was wrong with her, and maybe her friend would learn differently. One thing I've found is that when kids go to school, they make friends with each other and sort out a lot of issues like that themselves. They might keep it from their parents, but they do. So, explaining to your daughter that some people make bad decisions based on mistaken beliefs is not instilling someone else's ignorance in her. It's just letting her know how things are sometimes. I will not presume to know what edesse meant, but what I got from her comment was that things like this are going to happen, and it's up to you to help her through it. Not explaining anything to her, who knows what she will think? Northerner, guess what? I’ve already had to have that talk with my daughter, and she’s 7. I just told her that some people believe untrue things about black people, and they teach those things to their children, so perhaps her little friend has some mistaken ideas. It didn’t mean anything was wrong with her, and maybe her friend would learn differently. One thing I’ve found is that when kids go to school, they make friends with each other and sort out a lot of issues like that themselves. They might keep it from their parents, but they do. So, explaining to your daughter that some people make bad decisions based on mistaken beliefs is not instilling someone else’s ignorance in her. It’s just letting her know how things are sometimes. I will not presume to know what edesse meant, but what I got from her comment was that things like this are going to happen, and it’s up to you to help her through it. Not explaining anything to her, who knows what she will think?

]]> By: Northerner http://www.afrobella.com/2007/09/20/the-men-and-women-in-black/comment-page-1/#comment-47776 Northerner Fri, 21 Sep 2007 15:24:11 +0000 http://afrobella.com/?p=340#comment-47776 Edesse said,"As for your daughter, well, it is time for her to learn, you can’t raise her in a bubble." Time for her to learn what edesse, that her friend won't play with because she is white?? What good would that do? How would you go about telling your young son/daughter ? I will not instill in her somebody else's ignorance. The innocence and ignorance of children is the most beautiful thing in the world. It allows them to see a world without color or beliefs. Too bad it doesn't carry over into adolescence and adulthood. Edesse said,”As for your daughter, well, it is time for her to learn, you can’t raise her in a bubble.”

Time for her to learn what edesse, that her friend won’t play with because she is white?? What good would that do? How would you go about telling your young son/daughter ? I will not instill in her somebody else’s ignorance. The innocence and ignorance of children is the most beautiful thing in the world. It allows them to see a world without color or beliefs. Too bad it doesn’t carry over into adolescence and adulthood.

]]> By: Bebroma http://www.afrobella.com/2007/09/20/the-men-and-women-in-black/comment-page-1/#comment-47775 Bebroma Fri, 21 Sep 2007 15:17:53 +0000 http://afrobella.com/?p=340#comment-47775 Sorry for misspelling your handle, Northerner. Sorry for misspelling your handle, Northerner.

]]> By: Bebroma http://www.afrobella.com/2007/09/20/the-men-and-women-in-black/comment-page-1/#comment-47774 Bebroma Fri, 21 Sep 2007 15:15:45 +0000 http://afrobella.com/?p=340#comment-47774 Northener, you are very much mistaken if you believe that it is black people feel it's "okay" for a black man to make statements like those you listed about black women. That is the opinion of a small group -- most in the black community feel that it is wrong and that it makes other people feel it is okay to disrespect black women. As far as your daughter, I'm sorry that she had to experience that, but as another poster stated, certainly not all people in the community are that way. Perhaps this can be a learning experience for both of you. Reverse racism seems always to be so devastating to white people, but imagine if it were not just an unusual incident, but pretty much a part of life, something you have to teach your kids how to deal with early on....continue to teach her respect and tolerance. Good for you. It sounds trite, but children really are the future, and how we train them now determines the future they will have. Northener, you are very much mistaken if you believe that it is black people feel it’s “okay” for a black man to make statements like those you listed about black women. That is the opinion of a small group — most in the black community feel that it is wrong and that it makes other people feel it is okay to disrespect black women. As far as your daughter, I’m sorry that she had to experience that, but as another poster stated, certainly not all people in the community are that way. Perhaps this can be a learning experience for both of you. Reverse racism seems always to be so devastating to white people, but imagine if it were not just an unusual incident, but pretty much a part of life, something you have to teach your kids how to deal with early on….continue to teach her respect and tolerance. Good for you. It sounds trite, but children really are the future, and how we train them now determines the future they will have.

]]> By: Niki http://www.afrobella.com/2007/09/20/the-men-and-women-in-black/comment-page-1/#comment-47770 Niki Fri, 21 Sep 2007 14:47:53 +0000 http://afrobella.com/?p=340#comment-47770 To Northerner, who poasted above, I agree that violence is not the answer and if only the recommendation of the principal to expel the original 3 students who hung the nooses was followed, we would not be having this discussion today. To charge the 6 young men for attempted murder for what amounted to a serious schoolyard fight (we used to call it "getting jumped" when I was in school) is ridiculous. Disciplinary action had to be taken, but not at the expense of these young men's lives when others who have threatened them got a slap on the wrist. I feel bad that the mother of your daughter's playmate was so narrow-minded, but realize that not everyone feels this way and this should not discourage you or your daughter from connecting with people of all backgrounds. As far eveyone pulling together, we had 9/11 and people were nice to each other for a couple of months before people went back to business as usual. Humans have a great capacity for love, but the capacity to hate seems to dominate these days. To Northerner, who poasted above, I agree that violence is not the answer and if only the recommendation of the principal to expel the original 3 students who hung the nooses was followed, we would not be having this discussion today. To charge the 6 young men for attempted murder for what amounted to a serious schoolyard fight (we used to call it “getting jumped” when I was in school) is ridiculous. Disciplinary action had to be taken, but not at the expense of these young men’s lives when others who have threatened them got a slap on the wrist. I feel bad that the mother of your daughter’s playmate was so narrow-minded, but realize that not everyone feels this way and this should not discourage you or your daughter from connecting with people of all backgrounds. As far eveyone pulling together, we had 9/11 and people were nice to each other for a couple of months before people went back to business as usual. Humans have a great capacity for love, but the capacity to hate seems to dominate these days.

]]> By: edesse http://www.afrobella.com/2007/09/20/the-men-and-women-in-black/comment-page-1/#comment-47769 edesse Fri, 21 Sep 2007 14:27:26 +0000 http://afrobella.com/?p=340#comment-47769 Northerner: You bring up great points. Both parties SHOULD be charged with hate crimes. I don't and never did believe that the Jena 6 should get off scott free. The punishment for them was obsessive but some jail time should occur for both parties. For me, your cries for help fall on death ears if your hands are bloodied as well. Now, I'm not talking about self defense--cleary this was not a case of self defense but a case of retaliation. For me, once you start to take matters in your own hands then you open yourself up to the wind. As for your daughter, well, it is time for her to learn, you can't raise her in a bubble. Northerner:

You bring up great points. Both parties SHOULD be charged with hate crimes. I don’t and never did believe that the Jena 6 should get off scott free. The punishment for them was obsessive but some jail time should occur for both parties. For me, your cries for help fall on death ears if your hands are bloodied as well. Now, I’m not talking about self defense–cleary this was not a case of self defense but a case of retaliation. For me, once you start to take matters in your own hands then you open yourself up to the wind.

As for your daughter, well, it is time for her to learn, you can’t raise her in a bubble.

]]> By: warrior11209 http://www.afrobella.com/2007/09/20/the-men-and-women-in-black/comment-page-1/#comment-47765 warrior11209 Fri, 21 Sep 2007 14:07:10 +0000 http://afrobella.com/?p=340#comment-47765 It was a beautiful thing to see the peaceful demonstration in Jena on Thursday. I was not able to attend but my husband, children and I all wore black to show our support. We have used this case to show our children that prejudice based on race and class are alive and well in the US. Yesterday reminded me of the marches in the 60's and 70's that I participated. Unfortunately I also realized that I have become way too comfortable in the 'burbs and I need to get re-involved in the real issues that are affecting this nation. Thanks for the info about Megan Williams - I am doing a search now because I am totally clueless about her situation. It was a beautiful thing to see the peaceful demonstration in Jena on Thursday. I was not able to attend but my husband, children and I all wore black to show our support. We have used this case to show our children that prejudice based on race and class are alive and well in the US. Yesterday reminded me of the marches in the 60’s and 70’s that I participated. Unfortunately I also realized that I have become way too comfortable in the ‘burbs and I need to get re-involved in the real issues that are affecting this nation.
Thanks for the info about Megan Williams – I am doing a search now because I am totally clueless about her situation.

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