Racism is rampant in MOST U.S. institutions, and change has got to take place locally. Stop talking about Jena and Iraq and look into your own mirrors, at the racism that exists in your own communities, courts, churches and boardrooms. The FEDS are not going to do anything, especially since the top 3 positions at the Dept. of Justice are vacant. Bush, Obama, Jackson and Sharpton are not going to help you with your personal problems against racism! March down your own street and demand that changes are made so we won't retreat in civil/human right for another 50 years.
Tomi Johnson, GA

Tomi Johnson, MARIETTA, Cobb/GA

Only in America can six people stomp another into unconsciousness and then become the oppressed "Jena 6", poster children for civil rights.

Jackson and Sharpton are race hustlers. They were just partly responsible for the Duke University fiasco.

We never learn.

Chris, NY, USA

My first week in Atlanta, I was told by a guy who was white: 'Atlanta is racist. The only time white people take Marta (subway) is to either go to the airport or to a football game to save 20 dollars on parking.' And remember Hurricane Katrina. None of this is all that surprising, but ofcourse very sad.

jb, London, England

I dont see how you can possibly argue that this case is not about race and simply overlook it as a mean of black people playing the race cards? Jave you not read the fact?
For instance the while kid who pulled the gun on Bailey, only for Bailey to take the gun away. He got away with nothing, not even assult. How would you feel if someone pulled a gun on you? Would you like it for the police to do nothing and then charge you with stealing a firearm?

Its seem that there was racial tensions way before any of this and now its just being brought up. But please dont overlook this case as 'blacks playing the racial card'.

Yes the committed a crime by jumping the white student, but being put in prison for the rest of your life?

Florence, manchester,

Lets face it there will allways be a black and white issue and racism will forever exist it is the nature of the human mind. I would say the majority of people I know are racist, in fact giving a free hand I think the vast majority of the human race , are racist in some way or another.

michaelcampbell, londonderry, n ireland

I'd just like to know why the author, Tom Baldwin, reffered to the black students as teenagers and the white students as children. Aren't they ALL high school students? Why differentiate unless he also is trying to perpetuate the opinion that the whites were somehow innocent in all this. I am white and with what little information I have on the incident, I am appalled that this has escalated to the extent that it has. The judge should have set a precedent for the white students' action of hanging the nooses on the "white tree" (how stupid). How on earth can this be called a "prank"?? I view it as a blatant death threat. God knows they set new laws for less important and inane reasons. What of the black youth that wrestled the gun away from the white student? Were they white would there have been charges of "theft of a firearm"? Did the white student get charged for possesion of the firearm? Did he bring it to school? Was he pointing it at other students? Sometimes I wish we were blind.

Valerie, Rocklin, CA

I have read the local newspaper's rundown of everything leading up to the incident, including the nooses, and the student having the gun taken from him. From what I can see these students deserve to spend a long time in prison. it appears to be a case of black students trying to intimidate others using violence and aggression. Six or seven people knocked this guy unconcious from behind, then stamped on him and kicked him. The incident where the gun was taken was, according to witnesses, robbery by three black men against one white man. The noose incident was bad, but the students were suspended and no violence was involved. The race activists are blinded by their agenda, and the authorities should not allow themselves to be moved.

John, London, UK

"There should be a law in Louisiana against racial provocations such as erecting nooses. An equivalent gesture would be if someone took a Nazi flag to a meeting of Holocaust survivors in New York" Paul Francis

There probably should be a law against hanging nooses in trees and we would be outraged by the Nazi example you have given but actually it has happened before. The same people who are so outraged here (the ACLU Libby's) were the same people who have aloud something like the dispicable act of hanging of nooses in trees to be considered free speach. If you are not aware there was a Supreme Court case where A group of Neo Nazis wanted to hold a rally in a town of predominaly Jewish Holocaust survivors. They wanted to wave their Nazi flags and symbols and talk about the "Evil Jews". The town refused to allow them to do it. They sued the liberals for the ACLU came and defended them and ultimatly acts such as this and others are now considered "free speech". Sickening isnt it!!!

Ben Walker, Moreno Valley, CA

I read the Jena newspaper's account of the "chronological order of events" regarding the Jena 6. The tone is much different from the national press. To me, it seems extremely biased in favor of the white majority seeming to imply that everything was blown out of proportion except, of course, the actions of the black students. It's outrageous. The prosecutor needs to be removed from the district. Although I also feel our congress is rather ineffective, I hope they do summon that prosecutor to explain his actions. That would be showing some true courage about a real continuing problem our country must deal with. I am white, but I am in support of the Jena 6 regardless of the spin from the Jena newspaper.

carol, Cedar Park, TX

As a mother of two young black boys, this whole situation scares me. The injustice that still exist is monumental. We cannot ignore it. Our boys are targeted by the judicial system. Yes they should have not beat up the boy, that I am a 100% in agreeance with. However the punishment does not fit the crime. America still is the center of unequality and until we as a people take a stand, as the protest today in Jena, then it will keep occuring. We have to stand up and say enough is ENOUGH!

Shay, Troy, MI

First I am WHITE, and there IS RACIAL INJUSTICE in the American justice system. There is also prejudice against the poor, and the majority of court-appointed defense counsels only suck down a government paycheck to ask the innocent to PLEA BARGAIN! Please, someone in the law community, stand up for the SPIRIT and DEED of the law and take this case. These six were provoked into what they did and they need real representation in the court system. The young man who was beaten unconscious is an example of how the justice system keeps many impoverished and enslaved. Young men, of any color, do not allow the "Injustice System" to steal your lives at an early age. Clear heads can prevail, and I would hope to see one of the Jena 6 receive a scholarship to go to college and law school so that they can properly resolve issues as stupid as a bunch of racists hanging nooses from a tree.

Martin Weinheimer, Uijongbu , South Korea

it's about equal and fair justice.

It's Really Sickening, Memphis, TN

I'm in Auckland, and from here the fact that the students referred to a 'white tree' and made unwelcome a black student who wanted to sit beneath it indicates a deep race divide to me. Any black person is going to find nooses hanging from trees deeply deeply offensive also, and it says something about Jena that white students would hang nooses- what a hideous taunt! There are race issues in New Zealand also but i've not heard of grossly offensive taunts like the nooses delivered so casually by school childen. very shocking. Shows that america has a long way to go to heal their race divide.

lisa, auckland, new zealand

As a Black middle aged middle class professional woman who has lived all her life in the United States, I can tell you that not only is racism alive but it is getting stronger and stronger. In fact, many believe it is worse than the 1950-60s. Here is my only response to those who accuse Blacks of playing the race card -- Why was a tree for whites only allowed to function on a school campus or anywhere? What did anyone do when what did anyone do when white students beat up a Black student just a few days earlier? Why was it considered a "juvenile prank" when White students hung nooses over the tree? See that is the problem many Blacks have when Whites do it, it is a misunderstanding. When Blacks do it it is criminal. It is very troubling when a nation that is fighting a war for 'Democray and freedom' in a foreign land cannot provide those items to people of ethnic and religious diversity on their own soil. Perhaps the US should clean up its own house before it tries elsewhere.

Justine, Atlanta, United States

I want to see this kind of anger towards the WAR IN IRAQ!! Why aren' t there protestors coming from all over the US to Washington to stop Pres. Bush from continuing the "War on Terror"?

I get that this is a sensitive issue. I have friends of all colors and I have had dialog with many of them in regards to this issue. Our question for this whole tihng is if race was not an issue would the children have been charged with the same crime? We have not been able to get the whole story and I have searched all over the internet and watched tv and read local papers but the story is very choppy. I know very few details about what initially happened. I pray for all that are involved and hope that justice prevails.

Laura, Memphis, TN

I feel that a lot of important information is missing in many of these articles. Yes, the noose incident started this awful train into motion, but there were countless incidents before this beating took place. Black students have been terrorized and beaten by white students and the only thing that happened to the white couterparts was school suspension.

As a teacher, I am not saying that what these young people did was right. But what the judicial system is doing to them is worse. EVERYONE should be held accountable for their actions, and if one is charged then they all should be charged. I am sure that the white student suffered no more injuries than the black student who was jumped on by his white classmates.

Racism and everything that comes with can only live in ignorant, uneducated individuals. And until we ALL stand up and say enough is enough, this will continue.

Here is were we need our military. Right here in America...terrorism is alive and well right here!

Porsha Redd, Montgomery, AL

It should be pointed out that these people feel safe enough to march through a white town. If roles were reversed I think it would be a different story

Hubert, London, England

Joe there was a case of white kids beating up black kids in Jena after the noose incidence, but they were not charged. Even though I think that race is brought into things too often, I don't think that this is the case in this situation. If they are going to charge the black kids, then they should charge the white kids. If they are going to let the white kids go for assault, then they should do the same with the black kids. If should be fair and balance. In addition, the length of time they were sentence was extreme. It should not be lost that what the boys did was wrong, but it is obvious that there is two set of justice systems in play in Jena. If the official handed out even punishments, this whole thing would have been avoided because there was wrong on all sides.

To learn more read the article at http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=12353776

a, Chicago, USA, IL

And I wonder how many of these people protested at the OJ murder verdict. None, I imagine.

Hubert, London, England

The DA's pussy footing on why he could not charge the white kids for provocation is mind boggling and downright racist. America has never solved the race issue despite cliched views to the contrary. This whole affair is a sad inditement on the degeneration of human affairs

Gilbert, Swindon, UK

Reading these comments one knows exactly why this is going on in the South (and other places not so blatantly). Yes, we know that England oppressed everyone they could as well as his or her own but while other races have now merged so completely that one can barely see the seam. Complete integration & equality is still a very real beacon in the black community. In addition, I hope our intelligent readers understand that a rope on a tree (especially in the south) is like saying sssssiiiik to a dog, like raising a confederate flag in the north or a Swastika anywhere.

What is happening in Louisiana is and injustice “an injustice for one is and injustice for all.” Personally, I feel the injustice for all people that experienced it past and present the Scots, the Irish, the Jews, and so on. If every race has suffered injustices then at times like this we should pull from those emotions of past suffering and sympathize for others. Statistic shows that the black race suffers more injustice then others currently; the unfortunate thing is that it takes something as blatant as this for us to start scramming.

Grace, Albany, NY

Half the comments here are unbelievable.
Hanging nooses on a tree is just unjustifiable!!
It definitely isnt a prank
The guy who got beaten was a known troublemaker who no doubt provoked his beating.
And aside from that the sentencing just shows an extreme bias against the black kids
Excuse the pun but it seems a very black and white case.
One rule for the whites and another for the blacks
Land of the free !!! what a joke.

Finbarr Crowley, nagoya, japan

The same law that protects us from having the KKK burn crosses at schools also protects us from having nooses
hung from trees at school .
Hey FB USA euro culture is the main culture taught in our schools. There isn't a need for white history month.

sm, nashville,

So the Duke lacrosse team gets accused of a crime they did not commit and are prosecuted because they are white and their accuser is black.. and the Jena 6 get arrested for a brutal beating they really did commit and the British press takes the side of the guilty and ignores the injustice done the innocent..,. Why not ask the young man they brutally beat and sent to the hospital what his views are... any concern for the victim ?

mike, Prague, Czech Republic

"We didnt bring race into it"??? Then howcome we have black appreciation month and no white appreciation month? Just admit it, everyone is at least a little bit racist, these guys are just using the race card to try and get out of trouble. Some black guys beat up a white guy, the black guys were arrested, whats the problem. Something about an all white jury, probably because the black jurors didnt show up. This story only fuels racism.

miguel, cancun, mexico, tabasco

From Australasia, Europe to the Americas. It's still confusing why ALL don't know the rules yet;

If a white is attacked, physically, sexually or racially by any other race then it's the decades of injustice by the 'white' that is the cause.

If in ANY way a white fights back then this is a racist incident against the non white.

Simple.

It's the only way multicuturalism works.

Jez W, Leeds,

Forget black or white, this is about the education amongst americans and further consolidates the very negative ignorant image of America that we already have.

Jonathan Taylor, London, UK

I think the protest was a little big over do. I know the reaction was high, especially the old problem with justice, black & white, school segregation. But, seven blacks beat up one white, deserved harsher punished than one on one beat up. The court looked at it as organized and gang related, if not.

As far as prison population. Number of factors, statistically & from the fact, African-Americans tend to committ brutal, more violent crime, and more damaging than others. Therefore, the lenght of time in prision increased, due to higher arrest rate, and for the societal safety.

Bias, discrimination exist in every ethnic group, country, or area. So, we can't do about people perception. Appeal, legal settlement to a more fair trail or result better than other means.

LL, Fairfield, CA

This messege is for Paul Cee. Rochester Hills, USA. Just imagine you were black and was subjected to the same thing that happened at the high school in Jena? This might be a suprise to you but black people share the same emotions as white people.

Mahinda Rochester, Birmingham, england

I think that whats happening in this town has somewhat to do with race, but not all of it. The teenagers should have been charged with assult, but the attempted murder charges were most likely dropped because they couldn't prove it. Also, one of the reason's that the prison pop. % is 45% is because a lot of the black population live in areas effected by poverty, so they do whatever they can to stay on their feet money wise, and by whatever the can, I mean breaking the law. so again, its not always about color, but sometimes it is, you just have to pay attention and not be racist, because a lot of times, black people are racist when they think a white person says something just to be racist, sounds confusing, but its true.

Alex, Omaha , USA, NE

With all the reports about all the protesters has anyone found evidence that the crime was not committed or did the legal system run and hide from the mob????

roneida, syracuse, NY USA

How about this: Stop committing crimes!

Paula Cee, Rochester Hills, USA

This was a local beating until those clowns Sharpton and Jackson got involved. There is not the racial strife in the south, as the media would like you to believe. I was born in Ohio and moved to Alabama 40 years ago and never left. It is wonderful here. Blacks and whites get along just fine until some redneck or other faction decides to stir things up. There are more race problems in the North.
Get Sharpton and Jackson out of there and that little town can live in peace.

Al Roberts, Dothan, AL

This is ridiculous. Its not about race, but if you say black or its between black and white all the sudden its a major issue. Justice for everyone. You cant pull a gun and just get a slap on the wrist and you cant jump a person and get a slap on the wrist. Theres graffiti written all over cities with threats, middle fingers, hundreds of gestures given daily by people....now given the situation yes I would say that there needs to be more than just a suspension.. But the black community would be outraged if 6 white kids jumped a black kid...they would be outraged either way this turns out. Whether we jumped them or they jumped us. and its always like that with that race. They hold themselves down and vicitify themselves, then push the guilt on to us, as if we are responsible for them.

John, Louisville, ky

Where were all the outraged black people when the Illuminazis marched us into an ill-concieved war? There are plenty of blacks dying in that operation. Seems Jena was singled out because of its' small size which lends to great PR.
Al Sharpton was recently so without a cause that he was attacking hip-hop saying rappers couldn't say the N word or other expletives, so this has given him his groove back. Cheers Al.

ABnorml, St. Petersburg, FL

RE: THE JENA SIX, I firmly believe that the town leaders are at fault. Why is there a WHITE TREE (on public property), the school leadership needs to be called onto the carpet. Don't tell me that they did not know, that is learned behavior passed down, parent to child. It would be interesting to know how many of the school board members went to that school and taunted black kids. PARENTS of JENA, teach your kids better, I would have spanked my kids black/blue for doing a ( stunt?) like that. Take care of your town, did your TOWN'S LEADERSHIP really want the likes of the very PREJUDICED AL SHARPTON AND JESSE JACKSON. TALK ABOUT RACIST PEOPLE.

Sue T, Memphis, Tn,

Abzats, Hawaii

I wasn't going to contribute but your points necessitate a response.

1) As far as I'm aware the principle is that you're innocent until proven guilty (ring any bells). Only one has stood trial and the argument here is that there has been a miscarriage of justice (more bells?). A sweeping statement: “black activists defending criminals”. The fact that it is so sweeping suggests an underlying racial hatred which this incident has allowed you express, seemingly objectively.

2) unconscious = "balancing on the edge of your grave". Lack of medical knowledge is unfortunately to blame here. Millions of people lose consciousness daily for a whole host of reasons and often end up with nothing worse than a headache.

3) I agree with racially motivated point. The problem with this debacle is that there has not been consistency, which is essential.

4) "Racism has little to do with history" - We're genetically predisposed to racism? I don't think so

PS I'm white

James Peel, Leeds, UK

Sally thanks your brilliant! Why is this happening its just awful, this whole black white thing it makes me sick to the stomach. There will always be messed up people out there who create havoc for everyone! Picking on some one for race reasons is because that person is stupid uneducated and probably has never traveled outside their town let alone their country and has never understood cultural differences. Please just lets ALL stick together who ever you are and try and understand each other, for who we are. The few idiots out there who mess things up for people whoever they are black or white are hurting all of us ultimately, this has been said before but we all have to take responsibility for what we do and face the consequences. This case is sick because "both side" is protecting "their own", these kids should be all punished together for behaving in a despicable way, doesn't matter who started it, whats important is that it must never happen again!

Sarah , Highbridge, Somerset UK

'12% of the American population is black

45% of the US prison population is black

Let them all out of prison then. See what happens.

Jez W, Leeds,

What is a white tree?????
That's something racial.

Jung, AZ,

If we cant play nice we should stay away from each other. No contact what so ever. At least then, things like this wouldnt happen and I dont care what your views are you know its true.

Bryan, Virginia,

I am sure Mr. Walters is right when he says he "could find no Louisiana law" regarding the nooses. But considering the history of the south, the education board should bow its head in shame for having considered it a prank. That would be the same as painting a big swastika on a temple wall or putting a pink star on a gay student's locker. If people are still living in fantasy worlds that they can enforce who sits under what tree, we are in bigger trouble than I thought.

In addition to all the above, Rev. Jesse Jackson does not help things by insulting Mr. Obama by saying that he was "acting" like he was "white." What the hell does that mean? That white people are not upset by what has occurred? Rev. Jackson is making this as much about race as the immature young "pranksters" who put up the nooses.

We all need to get with it people. We are running out of time. If we are still going to pull guns on each other and claim superiority in 2007, it's essentially all over.

DeeCee53, Los Angeles, CA

Where is the accountability of the idiots running the school system? They appear to have been missing in action while this powderkeg was buiding.

Carol Harding, Columbus, Ohio

Your responses are as black and white as the people writing them...let me give you a "yellow" perspective....based on facts I have received,
.....very simply put:

Group of white kids beat up a black kid = no punishment

Group of black kids beat up a white kid = attempted murder

....in both cases the same incdent took place, regardless of color. So why is LA law not color blind?

I don't care how black - white - brown - yellow you are, if you don't see something wrong with this....then I'm sorry to say it but you might be racist.

Another thing....there have been slaves throughout the history of the world ...nothing we can do to change the shames of our pasts....but saying that "not knowing slaves" means racism is not an issue is a very naive statement. My Dad is a WWII veteran and still dislikes Germans...(I am not saying its right) but healing takes a lot longer than 50 years, in the case of civil rights for African Americans, 40 years, and racism in Louisiana probably 5 years.;-)

Jinyu, Beijing, China

Being white, I'm shaking my head in disbelief. It amazes me that the Deep South still has Deep Issues with racial equality and some of the "Leaders" has issues with pawning off the nooses as a prank. They had to know that this will cause issues if the punishment wasn't carried out but instead they overturned the schools suspension on these idiots.

Got the "white tree"? Let's return the "white washrooms" or the "white swimming pool". Some white kids seem to carry the tree as a tradition, but this tradition should have died long ago in this day and age.

I also find it insane that a young black man would disarm a white student who had an illegal weapon in school and get charged for theft of the weapon.

If punishment is required, do it accordingly but do not allow similar offences go unpunished because whites started it.

Wake up Deep South. This is the 21st Century. This type of bi-judicial system is a joke and now it is a worldwide embarassment. Be proud!!! Idiots..

Cory, Saint John, Canada

Peace doesn't means absence of violence but it means presence of social justice. Justice should be done ,and no discrimination on the bases of race is acceptable in the learned society of Modern world .

Ravinder singh, Bangalore, India

Burn the flag and watch the furorie erupt but hang a noose from a tree and nothing,silence.......wake up america.

john, corby, england

A good title for such a story...

Pablo, Madrid, Spain

I could literally go for days responding to comments regarding the jena 6 and similar topics. Talk about horrible reporting. The Times Online started at hanging nooses on trees to blk kids beating up a white teen and thousands protest. Where is story that happened between those incidents??? i.e. a group of white kids beating up one blk teen at a party, a white kid pointed a gun at some blk teens only to be disarmed and the blk kid charged with stealing a firearm. There were several incidents that happened throughout this ordeal but yet were blantly left out. READ THE WHOLE STORY http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20218937/site/newsweek/page/0

Here is another piece of brilliant reporting "Mr Obama, who has urged African Americans to take more responsibility for themselves and move on from the old civil rights battles" Not only is this statement completely false but it implies the civil rights movement was about people's opinions rather than justice vs injustice.

Ron, los angeles,

I fully support their fight for justice no matter where it is and for whom it is!

Muhammad Junaid Khan , Lahire, Pakistan

Sharpton has appalling form in making political capital out of these cases particularly the Tawana Brawley affair, a young black woman who claimed she had been abducted and raped. Sharpton stepped in turned it into a race issue and blew it up into a media sensation. He claimed the entire case was a cover-up going all the way up to the state government, even naming New York prosecutor Steven Pagones specifically as a racist and a rapist. Pagones sued sharpton and was awarded $345,000 through a lawsuit for defamation of character that he had brought against Sharpton & others.

Jackson is also vile for accusing of Barack Obama for “acting like he’s white” . Is acting white a crime? Obama is half white and was raised exclusively by his white family.

Mark, Newcastle,

I also think it's ignorant of people who do not believe there is racism against white people. That shows true ignorance, Racism is racism!!!! IT IS NOT RIGHT no matter who it is directed toward!! We are intelligent beings, let's study more important things that the pigmentation of someone's skin.

Lisa Jones, Pittsburgh, USA PA

What a lot of you are missing are some of the intricate details of the entire ordeal. Yes there is no crime against hanging nooses from trees and nor should the young men that placed them there be prosecuted. However there is not a tangent from that event to the beating of the white student. There was a fire which both races blamed upon each other, several months of bickering and ridicule from both sides of the fence, an incident in which a white teen pulled a shotgun on three black teens who wrestled the gun away from him only to be charged with theft of a firearm, and the one thing that everyone seems to forget get. The day before one of the Jena 6 was jumped by a group of white kids. The white kid that was jumped bragged about it and basically went around school rubbing it in this kids face. Now i don't agree that there shouldn't be any charges filed on the Jena 6 but how can you charge one group and not charge another given the amount of disparity in all given statements???

Branden, Pittsburgh, PA

One important fact omitted in this article. The tree on which the nooses were hung was known as the "white tree" where only white students used to gather. Black students asked if they could sit there and were told they could - thats when the nooses were hung.

In this day and age, if you have a "white tree" in a school, how can you ever say this is not about race!

George, New York,

Joe there was a case of white kids beating up black kids in Jena after the noose incidence, but they were not charged. Even though I think that race is brought into things too often, I don't think that this is the case in this situation. If they are going to charge the black kids, then they should charge the white kids. If they are going to let the white kids go for assault, then they should do the same with the black kids. If should be fair and balance.

a, Chicago, USA, IL

1. Bad strategy. Again and again I see black activists defending criminals. Result: they bring black crime to front pages. Bad publicity for the black community. Defending this uttery disgusting crime, discredits the leaders. The reaction of any normal adult should be to condemn the crime. And, if anything, demand harsh sentences.

2. They beat him unconsious. This an attempted murder. When you lose consciousness, you are balancing on the edge of your grave. But they just kept punching and kicking him. One more kick and the result could have been more tragic.

3. The crime was racially motivated. The law demands much harsher sentences. This helps to keep racial tension within civilized boundaries.

4. Racial tension has little to do with history. 99% - is biology. What makes you a human - your ability to control biological urges.

Abzats, Hawaii, HI

Charlotte Perrin,

You may feel justified in your visceral hatred for whites because of slavery, but you fail to look at the facts of European History. White people have enslaved themselves since the beginning of written history(and blacks do so even up to this day), yet we do not play the blame game with ourselves. Even during the turn of the century the sweat shops in the city, which many white immigrants worked, the conditions in those facilities was far worse than any place you have ever worked. They didn't have the proper safety devices and protocols your job has. They didn't treat their workers well at all, by overworking them and giving them pennies a day. Then there are projects like the Panama Canal, where 10s of thousands of whites died of all kinds of horrible diseases, as well as had horrible working conditions.

So please, quit your selfish whining and accept responsibility. We whites treated our own far worse than any black is being treated in America today.

arisch, new york, ny

Another totally riduculous race card played. Sure it was wrong to hang nooses on that tree, but it's apples and oranges. There would be a case if six white kids beat up a black kid and nothing was done, then the six blacks who beat up the white kid had the book thrown at them. I could see outrage there, but when there's no law against hanging up nooses on a tree and no one is prosecuted, what's the fuss all about? It's called freedom of speech and if the white kids were charged with something, i bet the ACLU would have taken the case

Joe, West Point,

I just want to say to the whites that wonder why there's no white pride day it's because whites were never enslaved in this country and the blacks were brought to this country against there will and made to be slaves for the whites. We deserve every thing that we ask for for the injustices that have been put on us a people. Until you have lived in a nation where you are treated as a second class people you can't speak on any injustices.

Charlotte Perrin, Waukegan, USA/Illinois

There’s no such thing as a black racist. Didn't you know? Anyhow, this whole thing is a bit flaky. There's more than a touch of "aggravated assault" about it. The young white kids should have known the regions history better than to incite on a hurtful level - these things invariably start as a joke and then get out of hand. Tolerance on one side and consideration on the other.

Marc, Bloemfontein , RSA

little reported facts about jena 6
1. it was an all white jury because none of the 350 black jena residents showed for jury summons.

2. mychal bell had four convictions for violent crimes.

the nooses were horrible and the DA sounds horrible, but a serious crime was committed.

Obama fan, athens, ga

What is tragic about this whole spectacle is this: What would Dr. King have done?
Clearly not go out and beat people up.
Clearly not make excuses for violent behavior.

His message and methods have long since been lost on Black youth, because of the race baiting hatred of the likes of Sharpton and Jackson. They invite the atmosphere of violence and hate under the guise of "activism".

The sad point is that black youth have been fed this crap by the likes of Jackson and Sharpton, so that the reaction is more offensive than that which started it.

Blacks need more intelligent leadership from within.

m.J., Iowa, U.S.A.

Al sharpton and Jesse Jackson never miss a chance to express their black outrage. Funny, but if a person of European ancestry expresses outrage toward any non-white ethnic group he is immidiately branded a racist.

Lawrence, San Jose,

I think it is sad that our society jumps to the racial card first. Unfortunately both sides were wrong for what they did, but hanging a noose didnt physically harm anyone, and I can see why there are no laws that incriminate that behavior (even though it was morally wrong). The beating did happen 3 months later so either A it was a planned beating, or B there is more to the story than we are being told. Personally I beleive total peace will never happen but people need to realize that some people are going to remain intolerant and ignorant so we need to rise above that and make the right descision. The six boys that commited the beating should have made the right choice instead they made the wrong choice and have continued to feed the vicious circle and sterotype people have of their race.

Amanda, St. Petersburg , Fl

All comments I've read have been ignorant. Of course, if you haven't suffered or felt any type of depression brought on you or your peers from past to the present, then you will never understand the pressures these folks rallying are under. They are standing up for equality. Yes it's needed for groups to represent what they feel is right, especially when racism is thriving in this country (USA) today in 2007. No one on this message board can sit and say this rally isn't needed. Everyone wants fair and equal treatment, but don't convict young people for something that provoked them into this behavior and cover it up by running and hiding behind the laws of the United States of America. Yet they are subject to review also for amending. I'm proud and glad they are bringing the black/white issue to the light, and especially to that town. Jena, LA acts as if white supremacy isn't forced in 2007. They know racism thrives to this day.

Blackman, Decatur, usa/ GA

Can we also please remember the incidents that precedded this incident. Such as two black boys getting "jumped" the day before with no consequences for the white boys who jumped them. Or how about the shotgun that was pulled out on black couples by two white men and once police arrived the gun was given back and the couples told to just "carry on". Please don't be so ignorant as to think this one incident happened out of no where or for a noose being hung.

""Why it's okay to represent black pride and not white pride? Why there is black college and high schools clubs and organiztions and not white ones?Why there is a black history month and not a european history month ?"""

You can't be serious. I'm going to assume that this wasn't a serious statement and not waste my time pointing out the obvious.

Turner, DC,

Why it's okay to represent black pride and not white pride? Why there is black college and high schools clubs and organiztions and not white ones?Why there is a black history month and not a european history month ? So many of this questions are on peoples minds in the US . Until this type of question are not beign answered in the adult world the teeneage world would revert to this kind of demostrations and violence. Because you like it or not there is a racial thin line still very present in the US.

F.B., Usa, USA

If these were whites beating on blacks wouldn't it be called a "Hate Crime"? Talk about injustice .... Jackson and Sharpton don't think that way unless it is whites on blacks doing the damages.

Budderball, Jonsonville, SC

It is not against the law to hate. It is against the law to beat the crap out of someone you hate. No matter the reason, it is beyond reason to let words or symbols manipulate your actions. This is a sign of someone who harbours hate in every crevice of his tiny mind and has no real will of his own. A weak-minded individual who is lazy, non-productive toward the improvement of his community or society who allows others to plant their own opinions into his mind and never dares to speak his mind.

Joe, Marrero, La

I'm not black nor white, but feel this is wrong. The white boy should be held accountable. The SIX should receive some punishment- but make it fit the crime. This is not RIGHT.

Margie, Kansas City, MO

Putting a rope in a tree is not reason enough to physically abuse anyone. If it were then the mental anguish I am forced to endure by being exposed to young black men wearing their pants down around their asses woul provoke me to violence.

YOMOMMA, KNOXVILLE , TN

No court in the UK
would ever send a kid to prison (for 15 years)
over a schoolyard fight.
It just wouldn't happen.

This is about equal Justice under the law.
So get on the bus with US to Jena.

Good Luck

Steve Real, Hollywood, USA/California

"The beginning of the 21st century's civil rights movement":

I think if ever there were a time that this were needed, it is now.
Racism and discrimination based on the colour of one's skin, I fear, will never be completely eradicated. Therefore, it falls to all people, but perhaps more importantly, to people of colour, to ensure the fight against it, continues.

Naseem Begum, London, England

the noose was hanging in the tree 300 yrs before the beating. The beating does not represent American values but American frustration with how far we are behind in race relations. Education has failed Jena like it's failed the country. The hope is you get rid of your guilt and deal with this issue head on. We heard the laughter now how about some help. You created racism you can sure fix it by showing that you really care and speak out against the injustice that has occurred 4 months before or 300 yrs before.

Edward R. Taylor, omaha, nebraska

I believe that it is both a matter of race and right and wrong. The white students knew what they were doing when they hung the nooses. The black students would would've been crazy not to react in some way or another. I disagree in the manner they reacted but if the tables were turned and it was six white students who beat up a black student the white students wouldn't have received such harsh punishments. White, black, yellow, or tan everybody should be treated the same by our justice system and by each other.

Chaunda Hill, Marion, NC

The facts ? A Black youth "expressed interest (?) in sitting under a tree where Whites usually congregate" thereby
"inflaming racial tensions". Then White students hung nooses from a tree, a "symbolic gesture" said to be "reminiscent of
Klu Klux Klan lynch mobs." When a local prosecutor declined to prosecute them - because there is no such offence in law - six Black youths then beat a single White youth unconscious. Four are awaiting trial for battery, one has already been convicted as a juvenile but then acquitted on a technicality (appeal pending) and one has yet to be arraigned ( for attempted murder).
I see a correspondent notes the beating took place 3 months after the noose incident.
Was the initial incident not one about race, with a Black wanting to force his unwanted presence on Whites ? And when the Whites made their objection clear, peacefully if crudely, Blacks then typically resorted to violence ? And are now 'outraged' because the law was actually enforced ?

L Stewart, Spalding, England

I guess I don't quite get the 'to-do' over this. Yes, the whole situation is unfortunate -- clearly archaic attitudes over black/white relationships continue in this town, and that's a real tragedy.

BUT, as terrible as it is, there appears to be no law against hanging nooses from a tree, while beating up another human is clearly on the books as a crime. I don't think the DA can charge someone for something that isn't illegal, while he would be neglecting his duties to not levy charges for the assault that took place.

What am I missing here? What is it that people want here? They want someone arrested for something that isn't illegal? They want the others let go when their actions clearly are? I don't quite get this.

Bob, Ames, Iowa

Damn Sally, I like how you think. I can tell you are from Chicago. Very well said.

This IS a racial issue, not matter how they want to see it. Yes, these kids could have handled themselves differently. BUT THEY ARE KIDS. I love the fact that KIDS still fight, hell they are shooting each other where I live. Black kids, find a better way to express your anger. White kids, steer away from race. it is not 1955 anymore, you're asking for a beatdown.

My question is, where are the parents?

Simone, Indianapolis,

Why not sit there and knock out anyone who tries to stop them?

Maybe because they know that the DA will charge them with attempted murder.

Kevin Tutter, Raytown, MO

Is it me or is ppl truly missing the underlining point of this incident. It started when Black students HAD TO ASK to sit under a tree known as the WHITE TREE. That is disturbing. It brings a subtle but very important insight to the mindset of the students and the town itself. If you label these kids out to be that aggressive, why are they even asking to sit under the tree? Why not sit there and knock out anyone who tries to stop them? Articles like these barely paints the picture of the incident, only leaving us with two colors to work with. Black and White.

Mr. Banks, jacksonville,

this is a sad state of affairs for this country the land of the free and the brave, the land now obsessed with ojay, brittany, hollywood, pharmacy drug dealers, caught up in perception, the pretty people, refusing to accept that the vast majority of men having sex in men's bathroom at airports are white male business executives,but the law inforcement in minneapolis state they expected this out of the hood, well the hood is everywhere because accept it or not we are all the same, just a rainbow of colors, we have allowed segments of this society to highjack our morality and decency towards each other as human beings and bask in unearned privilege because of their own insecurity and lack of self worth, the need to feel and be better, if this were an all blond blue eyed world, there would be those who would use noses as a class distinction, we are in desperate need of internal healing each and everyone of us, may there be peace on earth one day, tolerance is a start.

Sally, Chicago, IL

The proper term in the opening sentence is "Anti-racism activists," not "race activists."

Jake, Morgantown, WV USA

The White student was assaulted 3 months after the noose incident. Many Whites and Asians where lynched in the mid west too! Blacks don't own the concept of being lynched. Nobody was physically injured after the noose prank.

But the black student's jumped on a white student and beat him and kicked him. I see a difference. So why is everybody proclaiming "Free The Aunt Jemima Six"?

Sammy Whitlock, new york, usa

The noose incident occured 3 months before the beating.

Conky, Sunnyvale,