This video, a montage of photos supposedly snatched from the Myspace page of Robert Bailey, Jr. (of Jena Six infamy), is an example of why attention should be paid to the issues involved in the Jena Six case — hate crimes and racism in the criminal justice system — and not the actual boys, who indisputably beat up a classmate in a 6-on-1 brawl. We shouldn’t trot them out to a star-studded award show and let them schmooze on the red carpet, nor should we celebrate them as burgeoning civil rights icons or stars. They are kids, after all. Kids who, despite whatever provocation might have occurred, did a thing they weren’t supposed to. Kids whose heads have swelled as a result of all of the big-name attention they, in addition to their case, have been getting.
As this video circles the blogosphere, people are speculating that this money is from the Jena Six Defense Fund. I strongly doubt that’s true or even possible. Still, the whole thing is ignorant and highly offensive to the people who are donating their time, money, and/or energy into making sure he and his friends get fair charges and fair sentencing.
Similar images appeared of Trent Benefield, one of the guys who was shot by police along with Sean Bell:
http://www.averagebro.com/2007.....h-new.html
although he seems to have removed the images from his own page:
http://www.myspace.com/trentbenefield
This upsets me. First off I know not every parent checks their myspace but didnt these boys speak with anyone concerning how they should appear until all this is gone? They still are being charged for something they have done wrong, granted the proposed punishment doesnt fit the crime but they act liek they are completely free now and that peopel are not watching. Im upset that this boy has no idea on the levity of his situation. We can protest and march everyday but if he doesnt respect this situation himself then everyone thats trying to see him treated fairly in the justice system and life for that matter is just wasting their time.
their kids myspace^
Videos like the above are a bad look. But I didn’t get involved in my own small way with the Jena 6 struggle because of those individuals. Jena 6 is about the Deep South, unequal sentencing, etc. and it manifests in many people’s lives.
Dinero says:
“We can protest and march everyday but if he doesnt respect this situation himself then everyone thats trying to see him treated fairly in the justice system and life for that matter is just wasting their time.”
That’s just such a ridiculous statement. If you can’t see the bigger picture and work towards that, you’ll always be sidetracked by minor nonsense and basing your choices of action on irrelevant details.
You’ll just end up being another fool going, let’s end Welfare cause ODB cheated the system.
Clyde, you must not have understood my statement. The marching and protesting versus injustice and racism should never end. People are doing what they are doing to help him and the other boys and if he doesnt understand that then he is wasting everyones time and effort for his particular situation. Its never a waste of time to fight for what is right, but if he doesnt care about his situation or taking advantage of this situation to become some sort of celebrity then he is making a mockery of the situation, and what his supporters are doing for “him” can be all in vain.