Media Myths About the Jena 6
From the Christian Science Monitor:
Jena, La. - By now, almost everyone in America has heard of Jena, La., because they've all heard the story of the "Jena 6." White students hanging nooses barely punished, a schoolyard fight, excessive punishment for the six black attackers, racist local officials, public outrage and protests – the outside media made sure everyone knew the basics.There's just one problem: The media got most of the basics wrong. In fact, I have never before witnessed such a disgrace in professional journalism. Myths replaced facts, and journalists abdicated their solemn duty to investigate every claim because they were seduced by a powerfully appealing but false narrative of racial injustice.
I should know. I live in Jena. My wife has taught at Jena High School for many years. And most important, I am probably the only reporter who has covered these events from the very beginning.
Read more here.
Does this mean everything I've heard or read about the " Jena 6" as being "victims" is false or at least slightly over exaggerated?
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I doubt that the truth will reach the black community because they are not interested in truth, will the jena 6 be charged with hate crime. and all i can say to the jena 6 is "DO YOU THINK DR. KING WOULD BE PROUD OF YOU.
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Wow! Another story that omitted the actual facts? Thanks, Tara for bringing this story forward.
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These facts are helpful, but still don't account for the underlying story. The remedy can't be build on "a portfolio" or facts, or on "race card" rantings of the black community (NOTE: I'm not sure Jena is "all that wonderful" ** HELLO - who in the SOUTH doesn't know about nooses...Hello - who carries a shot gun to a grocery where it's stolen from them)... In the end, the "adults" need to grow up, or you can forget about the kids...each PARENT should take each of their own kid (black or white) and get to the bottom line... and maybe spend some time w/ their OWN kid in the woodshed. Where the issues were more serious (e.g. near fatal beating) then even more serious measures might be needed as well.
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We need people like Tara Servatius to run for government offices. Tara for Mayor or Governor in the near future?
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This story is a far cry from CNNs story. Its a shame and the media should be held more accountable for their actions. MLK would be disgusted if he could see this country now. Watching the nooses turn up across the country only to find out the noose was a lasso! I continue to be disappointed by race relations in this country. Unfortuantely, diversity is driving discrimination and minority populations arent helping themselves based on the inmate populations growing across America!
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Thanks for sharing this article Tara. I am amazed the media went as far as they did. They should be ashamed!!!
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Voters Spurn Seattle Light Rail Funding
(Seattle Times) Voters refused to fund Sound Transit's proposed light rail project and left a big hole in the area's transportation future. Read it
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