What if the sixth youths in question were White???And the unfortunate victim was Black...

Am I misunderstanding something? The Jena students beat another Jena student so badly he went to the hospital. Of course criminal charges were filed, the students put another student in the hospital! This should not be about race, as the attackers would be charged if they were white, black, asian, hispanic or of any other race. The incident is about crime - who has sympathy for the victim of the attack?

Dont Do the Crime If you cant do the Time, civil right movement of the 21st century??? Sharpton has lost his mind, these kids dont deserve anything more then community serivces for beating up another kid, thats what happens!

It's amazing that 6 black youths beat 1 white youth and people are protesting that they were arrested. If it had been my son and I had witnessed it, I can assure you that the 6 would not have had the opportunity to be arrested.

Thank you for attempting to cover this story and it's importance to us ALL. However, this story should be on the front page, it can't be ignored. OJ Simpson's ignorance should definitely grace the front pages, there's no history in that at all.

It's amazing how all of the attention is now focused on Jena, La.  Anyone within reason can see that there were 2 punishment systems in place.  All of the 'children' involved could have handled themselves differently, that is a given.  However, what explanation can be given for the adults involved?  The law enforcement in this case is a huge black mark on all those that have worked as waitresses, busboys, etc. to finally receive law degrees, etc.  It is a total embarassment that this prosecutor would continue this case and keep a young man locked up just to keep his name in the news.
If you don't think this is a big deal, just wait until it comes to your town, family or your very own address!!!

Talk about a hurricane evacuation-- It's sad that the American Africans could not get the funds or the means to get thier own kind out of the way of Katrina.. but yet can bus THOUSANDS because of what they believe is racial injustice!!

I am a white american and do not understand how it is okay for anyone white, black, hispain or other to severly beat someone up and not be prosecuted for the crime.  I do not agree with the racial slurs by either race or hanging of signs but no one should be beat almost to death for it.  And why is it that it is okay in todays culture for Blacks to use racial slurs about whites or themselves but whites cannot even comment with out having the NAACP, Al Sharpton or Jesse Jackson attacking them and or protecting the people who committ crimes!!!

Why don't the marchers just march in, cut down the tree and march out.  Simple but sweet.

While I'm for suspension for the white kids who put the nooses on the tree, I'm not for people who beat someone within inches of his life, and think they should be able to get away with it. What about justice for the white kid? I suppose he doesn't deserve justice. As for Al Sharpton, he should crawl back under the rock he came from.

It's a travesty that people like Al Sharpton have to bring our society down. It's pretty obvious that Al Sharpton is angry about something and he's taking it out on the whites.(Who's really prejudice?) Another thing, it's no wonder gas prices are so high with people traveling long distances just to protest.
Save our resources for our childrens future.

We are in a world of JUSTICE!!!! America represents justice and beating to death somebody because of a disagreeable belief or opinion is not justified here... Try South Africa, If they dont like you they'll GENOCIDE YOU!!!!!

I lived in Jena, La in the 80's I felt as though I had entered a time warp then. Was glad when I left the town. Nothing there for Blacks and yes it was racist then and I believe it still is.  

This is a horrible thing, but if you do something like hang nooses on a tree, you should be expecting some big trouble from it. Those white boys should not only be ashamed, their parents should be as well. What does this say about the white parents? They perpetuated the racial divide by failing to teach respect for other races.  The black boys should be punished, however -- they did commit a crime.  When will black parents and leaders teach their youth to ignore taunts like that and learn some self-control? Yes, the nooses were horrible to do and wrong. But had the black parents/leaders taught their sons to deal with racial slurs, etc. in an appropriate manner, this would not have happened.

On BOTH sides there is failure and lack of respect.  We all have it in our power to stop teaching the wrong things to our children -- whether white, black, yellow or red.  It's all about respect for each other's ethnicity and culture, and there was certainly none of that in this situation.  

I'm saddened that we have not come as far as we had hoped as a nation, after all the civil rights fighting in my younger days.  What does it say about our nation?  Wow...now I feel ashamed.

"There is no better way to love one's country, no better way to strive for the fulfillment of its greatness than to entertain critical ideas and engage in the pursuit of social justice."  Michael Parenti

This event is an opportunity for America to step a little closer to the greatness all its patriots envision.  However this opportunity will be lost if we continue to waist valuable discourse debating the role of race in the Jena events.  Of course race has a role, as it does in all American institutions.  Let's get past that issue and focus on how to move forward.  How to correct the unfair and inequitable treatment of those involved and how to ensure that awareness and safeguards are in place to prevent them from occuring again.

People may think that this is a "black white" issue but it's not.  It's about equal JUSTICE under the law.  All they want are the white students who beat the black student to be prosecuted as harshly as the black students are.  PLUS they want the students who hung the nooses on the tree to be punished as well.

Why in 2007 do I have to tell my child in the same hour I have to tell my children that we are celebrating the Little Rock 9 yet still protesting in-equality in the Jena 6 ordeal?

Why in 2007 do I have to tell my child in the same hour I have to tell my children that we are celebrating the Little Rock 9 yet still protesting in-equality in the Jena 6 ordeal?

I don't understand this.  These people beat another and they don't feel they shold be responsible.  What the white kids did was wrong but not violent.  They should have been suspended or maybe even expelled but not tried in court or beaten.  Violence should never be tolerated or allowed even in retaliation for a stupid act.  Those that started this should not be allowed back on school grounds.  Those that resorted to violence should do time.

Regardless of race, I think all people should be responsible for their own actions. What if the tide was turned and 6 white boys beat up a black? I believe they would still march and protest but the cry would be victim of a racist beating. I think Mr. Sharpton and Jackson need to grow up and stop using events like this to stroke their own ego and their own agenda. By the way "Can't we all just get along?" All they're doing by there protest is telling other teens that regardless if you commit a crime, right or wrong, we are going to march for your rights because you are a victim. Where I'm from, if you commit a crime and are found guilty, your have to pay for your actions. I don't think these boys are any different and should not have special treatment or rights. When people know they have to answer for their own actions, they will think twice before commiting any crime.

The "Rev." Al Sharpton is always looking for something race-related to beef about.  He has been discredited so many times, no white person pays much attention to what he has to say.  Instead of telling us all about the demonstration, MSNBC should inform  us again about the facts of this dispute.  I know very little about this thing and, in my mind, I am ready to write it off.  Some details please.

If this had been 6 white boys who beat up a black boy, this crowd would be calling for attempted murder charges.  This is ridiculous... it's not a race issue.  Anytime it's six-to-one, it's considered attmpted murder!  Additionally, after the prosecuter realized the extint of the boys injuries was less than originally feared, the charges were lessened... but it was STILL 6-TO-1!!!!

The charges have been downgraded to assault. Those white kids were ignorant bigots and should have been punished, but two wrongs never make a right. Do those protesters really believe that these thugs should be set free?  It reminds me of the OJ situation, where the only thing important to the majority of African-Americans was the color of his skin, not his guilt or innocence.

This is not about the school issues. Not about the nooses. All should be addressed but it doesnot excuse the charges against the other six. Give it a rest already.

GOD BLESS US ALL

WE MUST NOT ONLY PRAY FOR THE JENA 6 BUT ALSO FOR
D.A. REED WALTER & THE STATE OF LOUISIANA.

LOUISIANA - ALL OVER AGAIN!!

please punish the crimes and leave the racist hype out of it.  any number of groups or organizations do not get actual publicity for jumping soap box platforms such as this.  what are they striving to achieve?  reverse kkk?

does anyone know if the boy that they beat up was one of the 3 that hung the nooses on the tree?

Race aside, didn't these 6 young men beat a man half to death? Who is in need of real justice here. Why are we holding rallies and praising a bunch of thugs who given the chance to do this type of thing again? I guess I just don't understand why it is okay  for anyone of any race to beat another half to death and then receive accolades from Clergy, Politicians, and the public in general. Can anyone out there explain this to me?  

Can you imagine if the shoe was on the other foot.It would be called a hate crime and Sharpton would be there calling for life sentances.If you give them an inch they will take a mile.

What happen to the justice department in Washington, DC?  How come they have not said a word about this mess?  With everything else happening in this world of ours, who needs this mess for the world to see.  We Americans just do not get it.

I want to know why these 6 terrorists were not charged with a "hate Crime"...if they had been Americans insteat of african they would have had more charges thrown at them .

this is a joke. i am hispanic and have been exposed to racism. come on people what the hell is going on. i mean those people are making more of what is not their. especially outsiders.  too many people coming in from the outside declaring something that they dont know about.  these black kids committed a crime and should be dealt with. turn all this around if it were six white kids that beat a black kid. then omg this would turn into a war. nobody would question what the punishment would be. blacks would demand the death penalty. they would demand to kill them themselves. thank God it wasnt the other way around. then jesse jackson and al sharpton (the most fake black rights people i know) would have a field day. if they are about equality and peace then why are they riling up all these people. they love to create division. thats their m.o. ughhh yet another race card issue here. just forget about the race thing and lets concentrate on the crime. a boy was beat by six boys. thats all it is. they are complaining that white people are making this more and over charging these teens.  can we accuse the black community for making things less of a grave situation. it goes both ways. it would be sad to let these kids go just because they are black.  hmmmm isnt that what happened with o.j simpson? where is the justice in that? why didnt the white community cry out about the travesty in that. are we allowed to? wait lets ask the black community if we can practice equal rights for another race in this world? it seems like whenever black people get together they let loose monsters that need to be in jail. sure the white people did wrong by hanging nooses but did they beat a black person up. nooooo the black teens did that. so tell me what is the right thing about that. i think they should be locked up and put away. you commit the crime you do the time...not if the glove does not fit you must acquit. geeez if i commit a crime can i use the excuse that im hispanic and everyones being racist against me to get out of jail....lets call the RACE CARD THE GET OUT OF FREE JAIL CARD. lets call it what it is. people should get together to put law breakers in jail and free our neighborhoods from crime and vicious criminals. not oh hes black lets rally against the whites and get him out. while ten years later these teen kill someone and there is a victim. PEOPLE LISTEN....ITS NOT ABOUT RACE ITS ABOUT THE CRIME THEY COMMITTED. get over the race issue. you didnt go through what black people went through in the past. you dont even remotely know what that is. that was torture. you go through what i go through at a daily basis and thats diff views of how people view a diff race. get over it!!!!! i have. martin luther king jr did not fight for this...he fought for the rites of every human being. he was a leader and a true person with love and peace and harmony....not al sharpton and jesse jackson.  theyre both phonies, JOKES and fakes. they want to be another mlk jr but all they do is create conflicts and confrontation. THEY bring in the whole world just to get noticed. you are pawns to them.  they make the money for this while you all stay poor. look at their m.o. they let o.j. simpson go a MURDER!!!!!!! AND MICHEAL JACKSON A CHILD RAPIST AND MOLESTER. how can anyone use these as role models. they love controversy they love hatred and thats what they are spreading around. these are my views...from a hispanic who has fair share of racism.
say no to...if the glove doesnt fit you must acquit, and the race card (get out of jail free card) and say yes to martin luther king jr's views of equality and freedom.  his rules and views applied not only to white people but to black people AND EVERY RACE as well.  black people are more racist that any other race in america. GET OVER IT!!!!!!

Sickening example of how racism is alive and doing quite well in the United States.  LA residents should do something about this, especially after what the rest of us saw in New Orleans - THOUSANDS of people living in abject poverty with most of the New Orleans community not caring at all....

I would like more information on whether or not the white student had a shotgun in his car on the day of the incident.  I briefly heard something about it, but nothing since.  That detail would certainly change the circumstances!!  Supposedly, Jena 6 wrestled the gun away and took it to police, then were arrested for theft??  Not sure, anyone with info please help.  Thanx.

You have got to be kidding me.  Six kids beat up one kid and they want to let the 6 go because they're black.  If six white kids beat a black kid, they'd all want to crucify the white kids.  Yeah, it's racism.... it's just not who you think.

I LIVE 45 MIN FROM JENA, AND ALL THIS HYPE IS CRAZY. IF IT WERE 6 WHITES BEATING 1 BLACK, THEN IT WOULD THOUSANDS OF BLACKS IN JENA WANTING THE SIX WHITES PUT AWAY FOR A HATE CRIME.

You know I'm all about justice but let it be fair. don't do for one that you wouldn't do for another. I grew up in Laousiana not far from Jena. I know first hand how it is there. Puitting those young men I jail will not help them. I guess you will need to charge the white stundent with the same crime for beating the young black student. That is the reason this is going on today. We just want fair justice for all

In all the press reports of protests and of protesters invading Jena, I've heard nothing about the victim, a white student severely beaten by SIX black students.  Where is the outrage against this violence.  Was it provoked?  Does that somehow justify the beating?  Let's all be honest.  If the situation were reversed and six white students had beaten one black student, we would still be facing the same protesters in Jena today.  Only they would be calling for the harshest possible sentence to be invoked against those white aggressors.  When are we going to say, enough!

Great!  Another opportunity for Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson to back the wrong cause!!  Does racism exist?  You bet it does...on all sides.  However, when you continually cry wolf, you totally lose your credibility.  That is what has happened to black America.  Just shut up and start cleaning up your own act.  How about if Jesse and Al start picketing black neighborhoods with signs that read, "Stay in school!  Stay out of jail!  Stay with your family!!"

IT'S A SHAME THAT IN THIS DAY AND AGE THAT SOCIETY CAN BREAK AWAY FROM THE PAST. THE NOOSES, THE FOR  WHITE/OR BLACK ONLY.  WE HAVE OUR CHILDREN BLACK, WHITE YELLOW,AND RED IN COUNTRIES FIGHTING SO THAT WE CAN HAVE WHAT WE HAVE ALREADY EARNED AND YET WE CONTINUE TO ACT LIKE NOTHING HAS CHANGED.  WHY IS THAT?

Why did Al Sharpton and others feel the need to intercede. It appeared that the townspeople had already taken steps to handle the situation. If 6 white boys had beat a black kid Al Sharpton wouldn't be there.

I've seen many fights in schools but I've never seen any in the news. People should be held accountable for their actions regardless of their race, sex, religion, etc. There have been many fights between "whites" in schools, but those are usually dealt with quietly. I support the protestors in LA. There is still alot of subtle and outright racism in the States. Race should not be an issue when it comes to justice, but we have an unfortunate track record that says we do.

I wonder what the response of Al Sharptoin would be if it were several white youths beat a black student...whould he be demanding the same level of justice?

I am not sure why the rally would be to free individuals that nearly beat someone to death instead of rallying to charge the white participants as well?

Why should any individual, regardless of color, walk free if they nearly beat another person to death just because another guilty person didn't get charged as well?  

Why not rally to "ARREST" the other guilty people?

You cannot make heros out of teenagers who resort to violence whether they be white or black. The problem
here is the school adminisration they should have acted with more resolve when this first started.Any student white or black should have been kicked out of school for fighting on the spot. Now the politicians have taken over. Good luck?

GOOD FOR THEM!  EVERYONE SHOULD BE APALLED AT THIS OVERLY DRAMATIC SITUATION....would it be FAIR if it were your child....REALLY STOP AND THINK ABOUT ONE OF YOUR FAMILY MEMBERS BEING TREATED THIS WAY....SERIOUSLY THINK ABOUT IT.  Punishment is one thing, ruining a person forever is another!

FREE THE JENA 6.  I AM IN ABSOLUTE AGREEMENT TO SET THEM FREE.  THE WHITE KIDS ARE WRONG AND GUILTY OF A HATE CRIME !  

Attempted murder is too harsh, but I think all the boys, white and black, need to be appropriately punished for what they did.

This is strange to me....a white kid gets beaten up by a bunch of black kids and now there is a demonstration because the black kids should have been let go?...who is their adivsor?...OJ Simpson?..difinitely not a way to racial harmony...

what is the security threat everyone is worried about? thousands of african-americans marching in protest to a serious miscarriage of justice? Newsflash - I'm not interested in trashing your schools, damaging your businesses or even talking to the judge, d.a. or governor. I am interested in righting a wrong- fighting in school in wrong make no mistake- but attempted murder??!!! get real

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