MyDD :: White Progressive Blogosphere on Jena Six? Oh yeah, M-I-A

White Progressive Blogosphere on Jena Six? Oh yeah, M-I-A

by rikyrah, Fri Sep 21, 2007 at 01:07:10 AM EST

Reading two excellent posts about this from:
Pam's House Blend and Field Negro

I thought that this was a point that had to be brought out.

When we point out that there are few voices of color at their blogging conventions, we're told that ' they're improving', and 'why bring it up'.

We're all SUPPOSED to be Progressive, right?

But, how come, when it comes to issues that are important to African-Americans, the White Progressive Blogosphere is pretty much NOWHERE TO BE FOUND.

More than a few of us chide Francis Holland for being a flame thrower, but I understand Francis, and support him doing his blogging thang as he sees it. I've often thought Francis gets banned because he speaks the truth, and some folks don't like hearing the truth.

Well, here's some truth.

Shaquanda Cotton

White Progressive Blogopshere M-I-A.

Genarlow Wilson

White Progressive Blogosphere M-I-A.

The Jena Six

White Progressive Blogosphere M-I-A

Those are the FACTS.

The mainstream journalists who were on this story before anyone else had coined the phrase ' The Jena Six' were Howard Witt of the Chicago Tribune, and Amy Goodman.

There simply ARE issues that concern the Black Community, and if the White Progressive Community expects for Black folk to support a Progressive Cause, then, in a show of MUTUAL RESPECT, we expect no less, than when an issue of serious concern to us, as a community, is presented, that it be treated with the respect that it deserves.

And, in case you don't know, let me tell you right now...

There are few issues that concern the Black Progressive Community more than the the disproportionate punishment of people of color in the criminal justice system. It is OUR brothers, sons, nephews, cousins and friends that are being locked up for crimes at alarming rates, while others doing the same crimes, get lesser time or go free. It's a MAJOR ISSUE, so show some RESPECT and learn about it.

One time missing-in-action is an oops.

Two times missing-in-action is a double oops.

Three times missing-in-action is the beginning of the formation of a pattern.

A pattern in which, the interpretation could be from those of us in the Black Progressive Blogosphere, that you are saying

YOU DON'T WANT ANY OF OUR ' BLACK' PROBLEMS.

As if desiring EQUALITY in the Criminal Justice System was a 'BLACK' problem.

That's why I'm so proud of the Black Blogosphere. Even when I disagree with some conservative Black Bloggers, I at least believe they respect the validity of my position....and that is lacking from quite a number of White Progressive Bloggers.

For some, you might wonder - why this case? With all the INjustice in the Criminal Justice System, why this case?

Some of it was the obviousness of the symbolism. Black folk don't become too educated to understand that TREE+NOOSE=Threatening Your Black Ass.

It is not a prank.

It is not ' freedom of expression'.

With Black folk, in THESE United States of America, TREE+NOOSE is a very clear THREAT.

We don't become too ' educated' for that.

And, Fannie Lou Hamer said it best, ' Sometimes you get sick and tired of being sick and tired.'

And, I'm sick and tired of it being Open Season on Young Black Men. I have a nephew. Good kid. Never been in any trouble. I worry about him everyday because he's a Young Black Male in America, and it's Open Season on them. I wonder if we've reinforced to him how he should handle himself if he's involved in an altercation with the police. If he understands the rules of engagement with law enforcement that could mean the difference between my sister coming to get him at the police station OR THE MORGUE.

THAT is why this is personal. Because there are very few Black folk with a Six Degrees of Separation between them and a bad story with law enforcement. If you can go two degrees, you're fortunate.

We fight for The Jena Six, so that maybe I won't have to fight for my nephew one day.

If you don't believe that my thoughts and positions are common, why don't you go ask the Black folk you work with, socialize with, and actually LISTEN to their response.

Tags: White Progressive Blogosphere, Black Progressive Blogosphere, The Jena Six (all tags)

Permalink :: 92 Comments :: Post a Comment

I agree. (2.00 / 2)

Maybe I've just missed something, but I don't think I've seen any serious front page stories on daily kos or here about the Jena six. It's terribly disappointing. The african american community is creating a movement to recitfy the terrible wrong that has been done to these kids, and indeed the african american community in Jena, LA. Imagine if the bloggers had gotten involved, were on the scene during this rally. That would have added to the movement. It's a disappointment and a shame that the Jena six simply do not seem to warrant as much attention as votes about newspapers ads.

by bookgrl on Fri Sep 21, 2007 at 01:15:48 AM EST

Re: I agree. (2.00 / 1)

We had a diary on this a few hours ago and i saw very little of the MYDD community recommend it - black or white. I hope you recommended it.

by Pravin on Fri Sep 21, 2007 at 04:24:36 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: I agree. (none / 0)

Well I just checked the other diary. I did not see any of our African American MYDDers recommend it yet. I do not know what race Kevin is. Bookgirl, maybe you should divert some of your Hillary time to Jena 6 and show the white MYDDers how to tackle this issue.

In general , I do agree, the white bloggers have been invisible on this issue.

I think Paul Rosenberg brought it up on OpenLeft a month ago. I put up a diary. I was waiting to talk to more people before I put up an update. Look at my diary and feel free to give me suggestions. Stoller had mini front page thing. DKos had some coverage on this. Though no major front page articles seem to have been done by the main bloggers. But they were listed under rescue diaries a few times including yesterday which linked us to this article on the various PResidential candidates reactions:
http://blog.washingtonpost.com/the-trail /2007/09/19/post_81.html

Obama should be embarassed for his caution. Carefully thoughtout response my ass. He should have marched in there. I was told last week that they were hoping Obama might show up. I flat out told the person that I highly doubt it. Sadly my hunch was correct. There is such a thing as overthinking an issue. Show some freaking passion.

by Pravin on Fri Sep 21, 2007 at 04:39:40 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: I agree. (2.00 / 1)

Hardly any White Blogosphere has embraced this issue or story. We are talking about shit that mirrored the 40's and 50's that happened in Jena.

The Black Media have been all over this story. And the White Blogosphere, absent.

We can get bogus diaries rec'd about these presidential candidates, some flames and others not, but this topic does not sit well with folks, and they do the "pass".

And these presidential candidates position. Tepid, if that is the word.

This is a racist story, through and through. And show that nothing has changed, but does show you that the justice system is no justice for persons of color.

Many that own these boards, white, want the black and latino positions. Well, they may need to start by having many as front pagers to explore and talk about these issues. If we are a big tent, The Democratic Party, then we all should be outraged and all over this story.

But the silence from many of these known bloggers, is/was deafening.

by iamready on Fri Sep 21, 2007 at 08:18:11 AM EST
[ Parent ]

i'm not sure anyone wants the white blogosphere's. (2.00 / 1)

support. what i see here is lecturing about it, which tells me that the writer's would rather have moral outrage -- it probably makes them feel superior -- than trying to make a case why the white blogs should care.

i've been around the civil rights movement since 1966 and even played with jesse jackson jr in my home when we were kids. i have a long memory about civil rights, and this is not the way that blacks and whites united to oppose racial injustice. i can only assume that people that post from this outraged perspective DO NOT WANT TO UNITE BLACK AND WHITE. this is not the way that one would go about doing that.

the national media has been covering this the whole summer. and yesterday was the beginning of the effort to get national recognition for the violation of these young men's civil rights. these kind of diaries ARE NOT part of that effort. they alienate white support, not attract it. i can only assume that was the point. if you want to build a coalition and gain support for your grievances, this is not the way to go about it. it sure the hell isn't the way the civil rights movement was built in the 50s and 60s...

"We did not come to fear the future. We came here to shape it." - President Obama, Sept 9, 2009

by bored now on Fri Sep 21, 2007 at 09:05:01 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: I agree. (2.00 / 1)

It's on the front page as we speak on DailyKos.

by BruinKid on Fri Sep 21, 2007 at 01:29:57 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Blah (1.50 / 2)

Wrong to these kids?

They beat somebody nearly to death.

They are not 'heroes', they are not 'martyrs', and they are most certainly not 'innocent victims'.

They deserve to go to prison for what they did.

Once they admit they did something wrong and are willing to face the punishment for it, then we can discuss whether other people should face criminal sanctions as well.

by Adam T on Fri Sep 21, 2007 at 02:27:11 AM EST

Re: Blah (none / 0)

Thank you for pointing that out. God Bless you.

Where is the so-called Progressive Blogosphere?
Something is fishy.
I always suspected many here to be "closet...." you know what.
Bigots and hypocrites are hidding under the umbrella of Progressive.

Jena 6 is a struggle for JUSTICE for everyone. It pained me when I see the silence. A silence that the MSM kept for almost a year since things started in Jena last year.

But everyday, we will get the "Obamagirl", "Edwards haircut", "Polls up/down".... all kinds of stupid and trashy reporting (did I mention that misquoting someone is the latest trend?) with the complicity of the Blogosphere.

Where are the "gurus" of the Progressive Blogosphere?

by win on Fri Sep 21, 2007 at 02:58:43 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Blah (none / 0)

I totally disagree with Adam T.

For the record, God Bless you is for rikyrah who posted the diary.

by win on Fri Sep 21, 2007 at 03:03:06 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Blah (none / 0)

Adam T,
you need medical help.

by win on Fri Sep 21, 2007 at 03:03:56 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Blah (none / 0)

So, you don't have a problem when somebody gets beaten nearly to death?

Seems to me you need medical help.

by Adam T on Fri Sep 21, 2007 at 03:06:31 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Blah (none / 0)

I said early:

"Bigots and hypocrites are hidding under the umbrella of Progressive".

Did you actually READ what happened in Jena since December last year? If you haven't, I am not surprised.

by win on Fri Sep 21, 2007 at 03:18:58 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Blah (none / 0)

Yes, I have read about it.

That some wrong actions by some white people has been left uncharged does not justify the heinous acts of these 6 people.

by Adam T on Fri Sep 21, 2007 at 03:30:45 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Blah (2.00 / 1)

If school brawls are attempted murder in Jena, charge them ALL thusly. If putting nooses in trees is not provocation and reckless endangerment, I don't know what is. The beating of the white student was wrong, and there should be consequences, but what happened before cannot be dismissed. Otherwise, escalation will continue, and more of our young people will suffer.

The bad news is that my Representative and two Senators are in the minority. The good news is that my Representative and two Senators are in the minority.

by CLLGADEM on Fri Sep 21, 2007 at 05:41:42 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Blah (none / 0)

Attempted murder charges were long ago dropped. And as for this "school brawl," six people brutally beat up one person, leaving him unconscious, with a concussion, and an eye swollen shut. Though he recovered, people who are left unconscious after brutal beatings can die.

From what I've read, there have been terrible acts of racism in Jena, such as the hanging of nooses as an act of intimidation. And that racism should be targetted and combatted. But I don't think it's the role of the left to demand that charges be dropped against the Jena Six or to justify what they did.

by markjay on Fri Sep 21, 2007 at 02:13:55 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Blah (2.00 / 2)

Maybe you should re-read my post. I wrote that the 6 students should face consequences for their violent actions. At no time were the words "drop the charges" or "pardon" written by me.

On one side are people who are aghast at the beating of the white student, and on the other, people who are equally aghast at the racism that exists in Jena.

Both are correct.

Until that realization becomes universal, as long as poeple on both sides continue to cherry-pick aspects of this situation, instead of dealing with the entirety in a quick and SIMULTANEOUS manner, this will escalate further.

The bad news is that my Representative and two Senators are in the minority. The good news is that my Representative and two Senators are in the minority.

by CLLGADEM on Fri Sep 21, 2007 at 08:26:50 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Blah (none / 0)

Wrong

This was not a school brawl. This was the 6 students ganging up on one student.

This one student allegedly made a comment that he was pleased that some other black student had been beaten up.

One black student who allegedly heard that comment took a swing at the white student and then suddenly five other black students, who were not previously involved in the incident, joined in pummeling the white student.

There is no justification for their actions whatsoever.

by Adam T on Fri Sep 21, 2007 at 06:01:21 PM EST
[ Parent ]

you have isolated it down to one incident... (none / 0)

when the issue was clearly a highly tense and easily provoked atmosphere...

"We did not come to fear the future. We came here to shape it." - President Obama, Sept 9, 2009

by bored now on Fri Sep 21, 2007 at 06:55:03 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: you have isolated it down to one incident... (none / 0)

And?

Since when is that a defense is criminal law?

People are assumed to be responsible for their actions at all times. The law is designed for when people cross over the line, which is what at least 5 of the 6 did.

I don't know how involved the black person who through the first punch was.

by Adam T on Sat Sep 22, 2007 at 12:22:57 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: you have isolated it down to one incident... (2.00 / 2)

look, obviously you don't believe in the equal application of the law. and that's what makes you different from me. there were numerous examples here -- which you are eager to ignore -- in order to make your dubious point. for example, previously, a white graduate of the high school threatened three black students with a shotgun. one of the black youths wrestled the gun out of his hands -- but then was charged with theft of the weapon. also, a group of white youth attacked a single black youth at a party -- and the police did nothing.

what the jena 6 did occurred after this, after it had been established that blacks were allowed to be intimidated, threatened, even assaulted by whites over the noose provocation. the fact that the assault of one white kid mirrored a previous assault of one black kid means nothing to you.

the moral outrage here is not that what the jena 6 did was legally acceptable, it is that what the jena 6 did was nothing different than what the white kids had done previously -- without any consequence. iow, what's offensive here is that the jena 6 are being tried for being black young men. IT'S OK TO DO THAT SHIT IF YOU ARE WHITE.

obviously that does not trouble you. look, you're clearly not alone. others here have expressed the same reservations. you are willing to tolerate racism; i am not. it's that simple...

"We did not come to fear the future. We came here to shape it." - President Obama, Sept 9, 2009

by bored now on Sat Sep 22, 2007 at 08:03:10 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Blah (2.00 / 2)

http://news.yahoo.com/s/thenation/200709 17/cm_thenation/20071001sorkin

I am a teacher. Fights happen all the time. That's how many students resolve their differences.

What was significant was the history leading up to the incident. In my school, we know who wants to fight whom. It's pretty obvious that the school officials knew that there was trouble brewing, and did nothing to ease racial tensions. Did they have an assembly to address the situation? Did the school resource officer do anything to alleviate the tension between the different groups? Did the school counselors do anything to mediate the problems?

The white guy suffered a slight concussion. I've seen worse this year with my own sixth graders, and it's only September.

Dare to be free.

by misscee on Fri Sep 21, 2007 at 07:56:04 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Blah (2.00 / 2)

Yeah, they had an assembly about it.

They had the local district attorney come in and say to the assembled students, "I can end your lives with one stroke of this pen." Way to reduce tensions.

And it really helped that he seemed to be looking at the side of the auditorium where the black students were sitting when he said that.

I suppose that's part of why the black community had so much trusting faith in that man's commitment to justice when he decided to charge the Jena 6 with "attempted murder" and argued that their sneakers were deadly weapons.

by admiralnaismith on Fri Sep 21, 2007 at 11:17:23 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Blah (none / 0)

Dare to be free.

by misscee on Fri Sep 21, 2007 at 12:56:25 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Blah (2.00 / 1)

Six on one. The guy was unconscious. Unless the fellow beaten up started the violence there is ABSOLUTELY no justification for 6 guys beating the hell out of one guy. None.

I notice that most of those protesting aren't saying "JUSTICE for the JENA 6"

Rather they are saying "FREE the JENA 6".

I'm sorry. Assault should put you in jail. Attempted murder is extreme, and that charge was dropped. Apparently that's not good enough. I'm curious. were these guys still striking the fellow after he fell unconscious?

Whatever the answer is to that question, assault is assault. Violence is violence, and unless it is performed in self defense, it isn't excusable.

by Rooktoven on Fri Sep 21, 2007 at 12:03:20 PM EST
[ Parent ]

6 on 1 (none / 0)

yes. Kids without supervision do that.

Dare to be free.

by misscee on Fri Sep 21, 2007 at 12:55:36 PM EST
[ Parent ]

and kids provoked by exposure to racism... (none / 0)

and thus even more enraged are even more likely to do it. the survival instinct is a basic instinct that we cannot ignore or suppress without great oppression...

"We did not come to fear the future. We came here to shape it." - President Obama, Sept 9, 2009

by bored now on Fri Sep 21, 2007 at 03:42:56 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: 6 on 1 (none / 0)

You seem incredibly blase about student violence.

If you truly are a teacher, I think you should lose your liscense. You have no business being in a classroom.

by Adam T on Fri Sep 21, 2007 at 06:05:46 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: 6 on 1 (2.00 / 1)

Did you ever stop to think why no one is blaming the school?

Dare to be free.

by misscee on Fri Sep 21, 2007 at 08:51:28 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: 6 on 1 (none / 0)

Actually, people have looked at all aspects of this. You can look to cast aspersions at whoever you like. But none of that means that what the 6 did (especially the 5 who jumped in after the initial altercation) was ok.

They committed a criminal act and they deserve to be punished for it.

by Adam T on Sat Sep 22, 2007 at 12:19:34 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: 6 on 1 (2.00 / 1)

six-on-one. Take color out of the equation. I teach kids who jump other kids. They are not attempted murderers. Attempted murderers are kids who come into school with guns.

The school failed. There are resources available to deal with racial tensions. The school and local officials chose to ignore what was going on, instead. What the school and town didn't do, speaks volumes.

Dare to be free.

by misscee on Sat Sep 22, 2007 at 07:49:51 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: 6 on 1 (2.00 / 1)

You don't know this case at all, and I suggest you find out about it.

First off. These white kids pulled a shot gun on the black kids. The black kids took the gun away and was charged with misdeamenor, white kids nothing. Also, there have been beatings at that school of white kids jumping on black kids. Again, nothing done. Next, during school assembly a black student asked the principle if anyone can sit under the designated "white tree", the principle said you can sit anywhere. The black students sat under the tree, the next day three nooses were on that same tree. And let me clarify, those nooses are symbolic of a hate crime. Federal. The school KNEW who did it and the principal wanted to "expell the students" the school boards, stepped in and said it was a prank. Now the white student that got beaten up, and you can read the transcript, because it was unclear who did what, had a minor concussion, did not stay overnight in the hospital and partied that very night.

What the black students did was wrong, but not warranted for felony charges. If you just read the history and it is documented.

Also, the FBI and the Justice System is looking at charging HATE CRIMES against the white individuals who started all this.

But let's look deeper. The school board blew their chance by doing its job. Since when is nooses considered a prank. That shit is not funny one iota, and I don't care what color you are, if your child goes to school and is intimidated by a noose, how would you feel as an individual or parent?

That whole situation could have been handled with parents, school, teachers and students sitting down and hashing it out. But they allowed it to fester and it is what it is today.

I suggest you find out what happened and get the facts, before spewing out what you think you know, when you really don't know.

by iamready on Sat Sep 22, 2007 at 11:29:43 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Blah (2.00 / 1)

I don't think people who get "beaten nearly to death" go out that same evening.

From today's LA Times:

Racial tensions reportedly flared on campus, and in December, the six black students allegedly beat up Barker. He was taken to the hospital and treated for injuries to his ears, face and eye; later that night, he attended a ring ceremony at school.

Maybe you should try learning some facts before throwing basesless accusations around.

by LakersFan on Fri Sep 21, 2007 at 01:53:53 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Blah (none / 0)

He had a concussion and according to wikipedia, he felt ill at the ring ceremony and left early. He did not attend any party, contrary to what is posted below.

by Adam T on Fri Sep 21, 2007 at 06:07:37 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Blah (none / 0)

He was released from the hospital that day and went out that evening. I never said he attended a party.

A concussion doesn't mean you've been "beaten nearly to death". If it did, every NFL quarterback would be dead.

by LakersFan on Fri Sep 21, 2007 at 07:58:19 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Blah (none / 0)

And nor does it make it a 'bar room' brawl or something for which thugs should 'get off free'.

by Adam T on Sat Sep 22, 2007 at 12:16:58 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Blah (2.00 / 1)

I'm curious, have you been beaten up before? Because I honestly cannot figure out why you keep up with your line of arguments.

I don't remember anyone actually saying they should receive no punishment. They should be punished. Justly. But you seem to refuse to acknowledge the 4 centuries of injustice that have been intentionally perpetrated against one group of people for having a different color of skin. Don't you think there's gonna be some justifiable rage amongst the black community at this incident? 4 centuries of prejudice and racism tends to do something to you. Yes, it probably will make you identify more with the six kids rather than the one kid who was beaten up for making racist comments.

The kids should be punished for the physical violence. But shouldn't the mental violence be punished too?

by adamterando on Sat Sep 22, 2007 at 11:16:47 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Blah (2.00 / 1)

The kids should be punished for the physical violence. But shouldn't the mental violence be punished too?

I think that's the heart of it. If the school district had been more proactive in punishing the white students who made the hateful and tasteless lynching jokes, and if the black students were being treated with the same severity white students are when they get in fights, then I don't think it would be an issue.

I don't think these boys should get off free. I have children, and find violence in school completely unacceptable; furthermore, though they were provoked, they were obviously not acting in self-defense when they beat the other boy up.

But it's also unacceptable for the law to still be treating crimes committed by black people as more serious than crimes committed by white people and/or against black people. We have an ugly history of that in this country and it is critically important to apply justice fairly. If white boys beating up another white boy would be considered assault, then black boys beating up a white boy shouldn't be considered attempted murder. Both are unacceptable, but we have to have standards of fairness here.

by tjekanefir on Sat Sep 22, 2007 at 08:00:31 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Blah (2.00 / 1)

Did I say someone should 'get off free'? No. I just took exception to your description that the victim was "beaten nearly to death".

Try again.

by LakersFan on Sat Sep 22, 2007 at 12:20:17 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Blah (2.00 / 2)

Justin Barker, who was beaten, was treated at a local hospital and released. He was at a party that evening. That does not sound like "nearly to death". An NPR story from July has more detail and describes Barker's wounds as superficial, showing very clearly that this is a racist prosecution.

by souvarine on Fri Sep 21, 2007 at 07:55:48 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Racist. (2.00 / 2)

Beat someone nearly to death? Dude had a concussion, slight, left the hospital and went out partying with his friends THAT NIGHT. Get the the fuckin' facts.

White kids with a "white tree for white kids only". Then throw up a hanging noose?

I am glad you came out of the closet. Glad to know what you are about. And this is the same party that panders for the black and latino vote, because they will be NO WHERE without it, but glad to know we have closeted racists like you lurking about.

Before posting, get the fucking facts.

by iamready on Fri Sep 21, 2007 at 08:24:02 AM EST
[ Parent ]

They beat him so bad that he PARTIED (2.00 / 1)

that same night.

He was so hurt that he left the hospital THAT DAY and didn't even spend overnight there.

by rikyrah on Fri Sep 21, 2007 at 08:26:46 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: They beat him so bad that he PARTIED (none / 0)

He did not party. He attended a ring ceremony put on by the school.

According to wikipedia, he felt ill and left early.

He had a concussion and was left by his assailants unconscious. That his hurt was not more serious is no thanks to them.

by Adam T on Fri Sep 21, 2007 at 06:09:47 PM EST
[ Parent ]

best thing ever (none / 0)

Wikipedia is the best thing ever. Anyone in the world can write anything they want about any subject. So you know you are getting the best possible information.

--Michael Scott, "The Office"

Keep it short. DemocraticShortList.com

by Rob in Vermont on Fri Sep 21, 2007 at 09:51:18 PM EST
[ Parent ]

God I miss Steve Gilliard (2.00 / 1)

That's all I have to say.

Join the Iowa progressive community at Bleeding Heartland.

by desmoinesdem on Fri Sep 21, 2007 at 08:32:29 AM EST

You took the words out of my mouth. (2.00 / 1)

by iamready on Fri Sep 21, 2007 at 09:02:07 AM EST
[ Parent ]

not only because his posts on this subject (2.00 / 1)

would have been enlightening, but because the white progressive blogosphere was addicted to his blog. I know I used to check it several times a day.

That alone would have significantly raised the salience of this issue in the white blogosphere.

Join the Iowa progressive community at Bleeding Heartland.

by desmoinesdem on Fri Sep 21, 2007 at 09:08:52 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: not only because his posts on this subject (2.00 / 1)

he was the oversight on these issues, he was, and got everyone in "check". again, maybe these sites need to include more women, blacks and latinos, focusing on issues directly involving these communities. that is the least i would expect from any "progressive site".

by iamready on Fri Sep 21, 2007 at 09:16:03 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Hello , Black Here (2.00 / 4)

I actually posted about the Jena 6 Case at another Blog and received a lot of good response from White Progressives. This is not just a Black issue. It's a justice system issue. That being said,

If you are expecting Blogs like MyDD to post about Social Injustice, it will never happen. MyDD doesn't focus on that, they focus on elections and when issues are brought up, it is usually, the candidates positions on the issues up for dissection and discussion. But they don't talk about issues on their own.

So, I think you are complaining about people who aren't taking action on any of these issues whether it involves Blacks or not. I think, they only touched on Race once during the Imus debacle, but that was about it. It was mainly diaries about the candidates statements though.

Unless there's a chart or a poll involved, don't expect to see analysis on MyDD regarding any type of racial injustice.

"I don't oppose all wars...what I do oppose, is a dumb war" ~ Barack Obama

by BlueDiamond on Fri Sep 21, 2007 at 08:58:09 AM EST

that is a good point (2.00 / 2)

The need to have a MyDD diary rescue for non-candidate diaries supports what you say.

Join the Iowa progressive community at Bleeding Heartland.

by desmoinesdem on Fri Sep 21, 2007 at 09:10:18 AM EST
[ Parent ]

That's Weak. (2.00 / 1)

This is a sight for progressive issues, now if Jena 6 is not an issue and progressive one at that, then call me white.

The progressives and Democratic Party would not be here if the Black Community did not combine, join, and get many elected in the 60's.

You are correct that this is a justice system issue, one that was and still is blatantly racist when it comes to latino and black individuals.

This story was the number one story on television yesterday. 50K+, bombarded Jena, LA, yesterday. And persons of all color was there. Mostly, the young, who are stepping up and standing up. Thank God.

This story should be talked about on these blogs, as intensely as the failure of the Democrats focus on the Feingold Bill.

But what did we get? Arguments about a damn moveon.org ad, which was totally unimportant. That was the focus, and a sad one at that.

I have young teens, black, nephews. And yes, I worry, because this country is still racist. Even after all this time, to believe that white kids can get away with having a "white only tree" and the boldness to throw a "hanging noose" up to threaten their "turf". Only in America. And folks, white, wonder and say, "it ain't that bad". Well, it depends on what the color of your skin is.

We need to come together as a country, and need a leader to bring us together. If this story was flipped and it was a "black only tree" and a 'hanging noose' was a threat for white kids, this shit would be like watching Britney trottin' her ass on stage. On the news 24/7.

Yep, like that.

by iamready on Fri Sep 21, 2007 at 09:12:47 AM EST
[ Parent ]

i agree, BUT... (none / 0)

blog topics are self-selected. lecturing people about why they are not equally outraged is not a smart way to broaden interest and support in this topic.

nor can i say that rev. jackson or really any of the established civil rights organizations done anything to encourage blog interest in the jena 6. where's the resource center? blasts telling people what they were planning or how it went?

while i think this is an important story, it is a developing story. someone needs to take the lead here, someone who's already interested. someone needs to build the narrative on not only what occurred by why what happened threatens american values and racial justice. i'd say we need a black preacher on the blogs, but i'm not sure anyone would understand why i'd say that. we need to regroup here -- and start over. recriminations not a smart strategy. think the harold washington strategy -- white progressives are always going to be the smallest element of that strategy. but they are equally important to being successful. lecturing them not a path to success...

"We did not come to fear the future. We came here to shape it." - President Obama, Sept 9, 2009

by bored now on Fri Sep 21, 2007 at 09:23:33 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: i agree, BUT... (none / 0)

you have a point here. but i would look at a more younger, progressive black minister. i state this because this is 2007, not 1967. and lecturing, need to be done. if people don't move, we need to get them an incentive to do so. just like we got people to move in 2006 to flip congress. that did not happen by sitting saying, doing nothing, it happened by stating how you feel about things. if that is lecturing, having a viewpoint, isn't that what this is about?

by iamready on Fri Sep 21, 2007 at 09:35:00 AM EST
[ Parent ]

no... (none / 0)

i mentioned black ministers because they laid out the narrative why blacks being oppressed was wrong and why whites should care (in the 60s). and that's what was missing from the diaries i read about this. this issue is more complex because it's not (just) about the jena 6. racism is alive and well in the 21st century and white people are blessfully ignorant of it. perhaps even willingly ignorant of it. so we need to not only shine a light upon the issue, but we must draw a straight line from the jena 6, to how racism still continues, why it needs to be confronted, and what are the possible solutions to it. what action can we take besides talking about it?

and, no, i'm not fond of the lecturing approach before people have acknowledged the problem and then turned their back on it. blessfully ignorant people don't take kindly to being lectured about something they don't even know/think exists. you have to spell it out for them. very, very simplistically. lecturing before this occurs just makes our eyes glaze over...

"We did not come to fear the future. We came here to shape it." - President Obama, Sept 9, 2009

by bored now on Fri Sep 21, 2007 at 10:34:49 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: That's Weak. (none / 0)

So what's your point? We're discussing it right now. This all seems pretty ironic to me.

by justinh on Fri Sep 21, 2007 at 12:41:49 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Hello , Black Here (2.00 / 1)

Actually my diary on OpenLeft deals with Lousiana politicians and Jena 6. So it becomes an electoral based issue. Blanco shows once again why we will never have her back when she gets scapegoated by a Republican. She is incompetent and dense. Landrieu's inaction on the same day she votes to condemn a freaking website shows her priorities.

by Pravin on Fri Sep 21, 2007 at 09:39:29 AM EST
[ Parent ]

got a link? (none / 0)

"We did not come to fear the future. We came here to shape it." - President Obama, Sept 9, 2009

by bored now on Fri Sep 21, 2007 at 10:35:33 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: got a link? (none / 0)

I rewrote half of it and put up a diary on MYDD today.

by Pravin on Fri Sep 21, 2007 at 12:24:38 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Hello , Black Here (none / 0)

Blue Diamond, were you the one who contacted Alan Bean on this? He mentioned a Blue someone(he couldnt remember the ID) who posted on Dkos.

by Pravin on Fri Sep 21, 2007 at 12:29:36 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: White Progressive Blogosphere on Jena Six? Oh (2.00 / 2)

The most popular site in the progressive blogosphere, like this one, is user-driven.

I've read more diaries than I can count on Daily Kos about the Jena 6. Search for the Jena tag and you find more stories than you can count. For example, this recent diary was on the Rec List and got over 300 comments.

And the very first line of that diary acknowledges that the issue has been covered on Daily Kos for months, so don't try to tell me they only started caring a couple weeks ago.

I don't have a perfect memory, but more than once I've seen links to Jena 6 coverage from the front-pagers at Daily Kos.

All I know is I get 90% of my news from blogs and I've read tons and tons about this issue. You can certainly argue about the quantity of coverage, you can single out bloggers who haven't posted on it, but I think MIA is a bit overstated.

I think Francis L. Holland often had some good points. For the record.

"Another problem we have...is that in election years we behave somewhat as primitive peoples do at the time of the full moon." --Harry Truman

by Steve M on Fri Sep 21, 2007 at 09:02:13 AM EST

Re: White Progressive Blogosphere on Jena Six? Oh (none / 0)

dkos has been on it. and definately francis holland. but, the diarist is looking at it "overall", and i have to agree, and i read alot of different blogs, they have been m.i.a.

by iamready on Fri Sep 21, 2007 at 09:14:17 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: White Progressive Blogosphere on Jena Six? Oh (2.00 / 1)

I hate to say this. But Francis Holland types did nothing of promoting African American topics when they were on MYDD. All he did was whine in superlong boring diaries. When I asked him to help everyone out and set an example and put in some diaries about what he wants discussions about, all you would see was some Madame Hillary diary from him.

by Pravin on Fri Sep 21, 2007 at 09:49:28 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: White Progressive Blogosphere on Jena Six? Oh (none / 0)

I pass on the Hillary Diaries.

by Edna Howard on Fri Sep 21, 2007 at 04:17:44 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: White Progressive Blogosphere on Jena Six? Oh (none / 0)

Given the racial diversity of our posters at DMIBlog I'm not sure if you'd say whether this counts or not but we have had many blog posts on the Jena 6 by our criminal justice fellow. I think that the blog coverage of the case was mixed. Alternet always had stuff.

by DMIer on Fri Sep 21, 2007 at 10:48:44 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: White Progressive Blogosphere on Jena Six? Oh (none / 0)

I think Majikthise has been pretty good on Jena and Genarlow Wilson.

by Crablaw on Fri Sep 21, 2007 at 09:26:19 AM EST

Re: White Progressive Blogosphere on Jena Six? Oh (none / 0)

Those of us that only heard about this from the no good media sources got the impression that someone was almost beaten to death the same way 70% of the public at one point believed Saddam was responsible for 911.
As usual you really have to do your own research to become informed. And yes the facts in this case are very disturbing. Every American with a sense of fairness and justice should be outraged.
I've seen fights in my local bar that were worse than this and none of the adults involved was ever charged with attempted murder.
This is unequal justice. Even more sinister though is the cocaine/crack cocaine sentencing disparity. The Clintons in eight years were unable to fix that. Can't understand the AAs love affair with Bill.

by joachim on Fri Sep 21, 2007 at 09:28:23 AM EST

Re: White Progressive Blogosphere on Jena Six? Oh (none / 0)

You are on point here. And Bill Clinton passed one of the worst laws ever to inflict the AA community when it comes to the drug laws. And being in love with Clinton, is due to being uninformed about him. Yes, he sweeps into the AA communty, know how to talk to the AA's, give his southern type 'speeches' making one feel he 'understand their pain'. It is called, 'acting', and he is good at it. Hopefully, we don't have to endear with Act II with Hillary Clinton.

by iamready on Fri Sep 21, 2007 at 09:38:44 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: White Progressive Blogosphere on Jena Six? Oh (none / 0)

So much actual hate. You can't stand that Bill Clinton is beloved by the AA community? Are they all "dumb" to you for doing so?

by georgep on Fri Sep 21, 2007 at 11:25:45 AM EST
[ Parent ]

feel free to contest the facts she raised... (none / 0)

if you don't think blacks suffer disproportionately under clinton's crime bill, then you are not aware of the facts...

"We did not come to fear the future. We came here to shape it." - President Obama, Sept 9, 2009

by bored now on Fri Sep 21, 2007 at 03:49:07 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: White Progressive Blogosphere on Jena Six? Oh (2.00 / 2)

Under Bill Clinton the WORST drug laws was passed and it was targeted towards people of color. And this is not about hate this is about fact. Oh, and Hillary Clinton acknowledge this EXACT bill during the NAACP Forum and said it needs to be fixed. NEXT.

by iamready on Fri Sep 21, 2007 at 04:23:49 PM EST
[ Parent ]

typical (none / 0)

typical hatred based on race baiting. Nothing new from you guys.

Hillary: We will finally have a president who doesn't mind pulling over and asking for directions. Am I right, ladies?

by areyouready on Fri Sep 21, 2007 at 11:42:32 AM EST
[ Parent ]

American TV MIA for a while (2.00 / 1)

Let us not forget it took nearly a year to get some decent coverage on mainstream tv. BBC had a detailed look on this months ago.

by Pravin on Fri Sep 21, 2007 at 09:50:45 AM EST

Re: White Progressive Blogosphere on Jena Six? Oh (2.00 / 1)

Matt Stoller left this comment on the cross-post over at Jack & Jill Politics (a site I read every day, btw):

Here are 146 blog posts on dailykos on the Jena Six. I just did a google blog search and found 25000 blog posts on the issue. I've written about it several times. I wrote about it yesterday in fact, mentioning the fact that I was otherwise occupied because the Senate condemned Moveon and we also lost 6 votes on Iraq, habeas, etc.

But thanks for the 'white progressive blogosphere' insult, it's appreciated.

"Another problem we have...is that in election years we behave somewhat as primitive peoples do at the time of the full moon." --Harry Truman

by Steve M on Fri Sep 21, 2007 at 10:53:04 AM EST

Better than the mainstream media (none / 0)

If it wasn't for an article about it on Daily Kos, I would never have heard of the Jena Six at all. Seriously. That was the only place I heard anything about it. Zilch on the radio.

by tjekanefir on Fri Sep 21, 2007 at 11:24:30 AM EST

Re: White Progressive Blogosphere on Jena Six? Oh (none / 0)

Often times bloggers get their initial stories from the mainstream media (we generally need them for their sourcing and news gathering abilities) and there has been little coverage of it.

I'd never even heard of it until Obama and Jackson said something about it.

by MNPundit on Fri Sep 21, 2007 at 11:39:51 AM EST

Re: White Progressive Blogosphere (none / 0)

Reid Walters = Mike Nifong

The group of white students who beat up the black student (Robert Bailey), including breaking a "glass bottle" across his head, got a slap on the wrist.

When Robert Bailey and some of his friends went to a store and had a white male pull a sawed off shotgun on them, and they wrestled the shotgun from the man, and went to the police with it, they were charged with theft for taking the man's gun away from him.

Then when Justin Barker launched into a tirade of racial slurs against Mychal Bell, Robert Bailey, and company, and they proceeded to literally kick the crap out of him, they got charged with second degree attempted murder, with the "shoe" described as an assault weapon.

You want to frame it...start calling Reid Walters "Mike Nifong."

by OE on Fri Sep 21, 2007 at 12:52:02 PM EST

Enough of this Racist Nonsense (2.00 / 2)

The title to this diary is Racist. Where do you get off separating blogs by race? I was under the impression that all races were welcomed and represented here.

The DA is the one that needs to have something done about him. His actions were unconscionable. I fully support that. He should be disbarred and maybe the families of the black youths he threatened can win a civil lawsuit. As for the 6 black students that beat up the one white student, they are rightly charged with assault. And I hope they get very strict sentences. Violence is colorblind. It doesn't frickin matter that one was white or that 6 were black. If the roles were reversed you would also be up in arms.

How is it that you think these poor 6 blacks that beat up a single white person are somehow being mistreated? It seems from the way you approach this that it is ok for blacks to be violent. Well maybe it is socially acceptable to you but it sure isn't to me. The fucking little thugs need to be taught a lesson. And with any luck whatsoever they will learn from the experience, renounce violence as a form of legitimate expression and blossom into human beings that respect other humans.

by DoIT on Fri Sep 21, 2007 at 01:21:17 PM EST

that was a subject of an entire panel at yearlykos (1.00 / 2)

did you consider that racist, too?

it's not only idiotic, it's incredibly idiotic to presume that this blog, and most of the major progressive blogs, is not dominated by white males. you, for one, don't seem to even understand what racism is...

"We did not come to fear the future. We came here to shape it." - President Obama, Sept 9, 2009

by bored now on Fri Sep 21, 2007 at 03:45:25 PM EST
[ Parent ]

let me be more clear... (1.00 / 2)

doit's reasoning is precisely the reasoning used by judge john roberts in a recent ruling. i can't express surprise that you would use a racist right wing frame, but if you were unaware of it, now you know...

"We did not come to fear the future. We came here to shape it." - President Obama, Sept 9, 2009

by bored now on Fri Sep 21, 2007 at 03:49:18 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: let me be more clear... (none / 0)

I have been extremely civil recently and have worked to help others see that they haven't been as civil as they should be. As much as you deserve for me to raise absolute hell with you over your personal attack, in the interests of civility I am going to withhold my anger. But if anyone around here deserves to get reamed for making stupid as hell comments it is you. To accuse me of adopting right wing talking points is about as despicable and as low as a person can go. I may be many things but I am a pure Democrat down to my fricking bones. I don't need lectured by anyone on that. People like you pull out the "right wing talking points" comment anytime they cannot justify the validity of their arguments with something we generally term reason.

I made no mention of blogs being mainly populated by whites or any other racial group. Where do you come up with this shit. If it is true that blogs are mainly participated in by whites that is certainly not a racial dominance, it is rather the absence of participation of other races. Nothing on this blog or on any of the other major blogs is designed to keep other races away. If other races are staying away it is due to something other than because white people are doing something wrong or that we are not being inclusive. Yours is the position of idiocy. Let's be clear about that!

by DoIT on Fri Sep 21, 2007 at 04:29:43 PM EST
[ Parent ]

i'm completely unclear why you think that was a... (1.00 / 2)

personal attack. are you telling me that you intentionally used a right wing frame? are you angry that this fact was pointed out to you? do you usually use john roberts' justifications for how you think?

i clearly mistakenly thought you didn't realize that. if you don't want people to point out that you are using right wing frames, then DON'T USE THEM! we are not talking about hillary here, who has long been effectively defined by the right.

and, of course, you had to resort to strawman arguments in order to justify your incorporation of john roberts' arguments. (you are aware, right, that john roberts is a bush appointment?). i never said that this blog was designed to prevent diversity -- in fact i've argued just the opposite. i can only assume that you pulled that one out of your arse to justify your reliance on a right wing frame to make your argument.

some democrat...

"We did not come to fear the future. We came here to shape it." - President Obama, Sept 9, 2009

by bored now on Fri Sep 21, 2007 at 05:38:37 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: i'm completely unclear why you think that was (none / 0)

You are surely doing your best to get me to say something inappropriate but I will not do so. You are completely off base and the idiocy of your argument is plain to any intelligent person. Comparing me to John Roberts is a slander to say the least. Saying that I use right wing frames because you disagree with my opinion only demonstrates your inability to have a disagreement based upon reason without resorting to personal attacks. The only strawman here is you, apparently you are in need of a brain.

by DoIT on Fri Sep 21, 2007 at 06:12:58 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: that was a subject (2.00 / 1)

Are you suggesting that because blogs are populated mostly by whites that they are racist? I'm misunderstanding your point, right?

by justinh on Fri Sep 21, 2007 at 04:06:31 PM EST
[ Parent ]

not at all... (1.00 / 2)

all blogs, including this one, are populated by the people who choose to be here. i don't know if the posters here want to attract more minorities -- obviously doit doesn't want to do that -- or really how we could encourage more minorities to post here. it's something i happened to discuss with aaapundit at yearlykos and i still don't have a clue how...

"We did not come to fear the future. We came here to shape it." - President Obama, Sept 9, 2009

by bored now on Fri Sep 21, 2007 at 05:40:36 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: not at all... (none / 0)

Ok you finally crossed a line.

by DoIT on Fri Sep 21, 2007 at 06:13:39 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: that was a subject of an entire panel at yearl (none / 0)

I will not have you misrepresent me and hint that I am a racist. I stated that I support that the DA be taken to task for his comments. I also stated that I supported the black families right to sue him in civil court. And I hope they win. But I draw the line at giving these thug kids a pass on brutally attacking someone. And because of that you label me a racist, or rather don't come right out and say it but instead say everything but that. Enough of your absolute asinine bullshit. I would say the same about any bunch of thugs whatever their race is.

Making these insane and spurious claims demonstrates that you are only interested in causing trouble. As much as I despise censorship I would gladly support banning you.

by DoIT on Fri Sep 21, 2007 at 06:23:51 PM EST
[ Parent ]

there's no hint... (none / 0)

i choose my words very carefully, and if you don't like the implications, then maybe you should examine why. if i think you are a racist, i will not hesitate to call you one. i think you're white and not capable of looking at this from any other perspective than your comfortable white perspective where you benefit from the racism that this country has seen. that makes you (and me) a beneficiary of racism. it does not necessarily make us racists.

personally, i find your use of john roberts' arguments highly offensive. but then, i am the son of civil rights activists, and i had to live with whispers of nigger-lover when i was growing up. i seriously doubt you've ever put a moment's thought into these issues...

"We did not come to fear the future. We came here to shape it." - President Obama, Sept 9, 2009

by bored now on Fri Sep 21, 2007 at 06:58:41 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: that was a subject of an entire panel at yearl (none / 0)

Making these insane and spurious claims demonstrates that you are only interested in causing trouble. As much as I despise censorship I would gladly support banning you.

What is wrong with you people?

This is a case of simple battery, not attempted murder. You are so outraged by being called a rascist that you would ban the person? The irony.

Dare to be free.

by misscee on Sat Sep 22, 2007 at 08:38:29 AM EST
[ Parent ]

well he wasn't called a racist and... (none / 0)

it's hilarious that he would think i'd have to hint at something if i think it's true. most people think i'm too blunt -- doit is certainly the first person here who's basically accused me of being subtle...

"We did not come to fear the future. We came here to shape it." - President Obama, Sept 9, 2009

by bored now on Sat Sep 22, 2007 at 07:52:45 PM EST
[ Parent ]

OK, let's start DOING something (2.00 / 2)

We had three diaries since yesterday. This one got on the rec list probably because member here were probably embarassed that they ignored this issue for so long and with a title like this , who is going to be the one not to recommend this. So far, no interesting new points raised by most of the commentators. No insight on the democratic party over in Louisiana. I tried to make it MYDD related in my diary and other ones. No interest unless there is an Edwards, Obama, or Hillary attached to the title.

Why don't we try to do something instead of bitching back and forth about this.

by Pravin on Fri Sep 21, 2007 at 03:56:25 PM EST

Re: OK, let's start DOING something (none / 0)

Cross-posted from AAPPundit's diary: We as liberals frequently forget that the game can not be won without out the preparation and the team unity. The lack of high profile candidate presence in Jena speaks volumes about the need for more courage in dealing with race. This approach is not designed to trigger outrage on the part of whites. This is an all out grab for equal rights and juducual fairness, independent of white man approval. The only thing that will matter is whether or not we are smart enough to recognize the need for justice, for both the beaten young man and the accused, without race as a factor. As long as this is about race, the divisions will remain. Which is why we need one of our candidates to stand up and try to unite Jena.

by Todd Bennett on Fri Sep 21, 2007 at 10:44:16 PM EST
[ Parent ]

My Previous Comment (none / 0)

Jena 6 - when many white liberals and white bigots seem to agree - strange fruit

by blues on Sat Sep 22, 2007 at 01:32:27 AM EST

You are not logged in.

In order to post a comment, you must be logged in. If you have a member account, please log in to comment.

If not, you can make an account right here. It's quick and free.