The Jena Six reminds Us of Racism

A past issue that has recently been dominating the media is the case of "The Jena Six." Recent events in Jena, Lousiana have caused the rise of an underlying issue, Racism. The unequal treatment of six black students arrested for beating a white classmate has brought it back to light. Previously, white students had hung nooses in a schoolyard tree to warn the black students not to sit under the shaded tree at school with them. These students were only suspended. At a party shortly after, a group of white students beat up a black student who sat under the tree and no accusations were made. In retaliation the black kid beat up one of the white kids and was tried as an adult and sentenced to twenty-two years in jail. Now this has all taken place last year, but due to the peoples interests it is finally seeing some light and justice. Paul Krugman said, "the reality is that things haven't changed nearly as much as people think." Racial tension is still present in the South, as well as everywhere else. My opinion is that people need to see and accept the different races in America for it to work properly. It is not only a basic right to be treated fairly under law, but just morally wrong. The so called tradition of racism present in the South is just the ignorance of many people wanting to cling to something that gives them the feeling of a little more power. The fact that six teenage boys were objects of this ignorant hatred is just sad. The same standards need to be set for all those involved.

www.nytimes.com/2007/09/24/opinion/24krugman.html?ref=opinion