In the midst of the media's typically one-sided view of Thursday's civil rights protests in Jena, Louisiana, Jason Whitlock, the black sportswriter who called Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton terrorists during April's Don Imus controversy, penned an op-ed in the Kansas City Star that should be must-reading for all Americans.
Entitled "Lessons From Jena, LA," Whitlock's piece marvelously exposed a side of this story that mainstream media outlets, as well as folks like Jackson and Sharpton, want to desperately withhold from the public in order to provoke racial tension rather than reduce it.
After a wonderful introduction, Whitlock got down to business (emphasis added throughout, h/t NB reader Thomas Rosenbrook):
Jesse Jackson compared Thursday's rallies in Jena to the protests and marches that used to take place in cities like Selma, Ala., in the 1960s. Al Sharpton claimed Thursday's peaceful demonstrations were to highlight racial inequities in the criminal justice system.
Jesse and Al, as they're prone to do, served a kernel of truth stacked on a mountain of lies.
There are undeniable racial and economic inequities in our criminal justice system, and from afar the "Jena Six" rallies certainly looked and felt like the righteous protests of the 1960s.
But the reality is Thursday's protests are just another sign that we remain deeply locked in denial about the path we need to travel today for true American liberation, equality and power in the new millennium.
Fortunately, Whitlock was just getting warmed up:
There was no "schoolyard fight" as a result of nooses being hung on a whites-only tree.
Justin Barker, the white victim, was cold-cocked from behind, knocked unconscious and stomped by six black athletes. Barker, luckily, sustained no life-threatening injuries and was released from the hospital three hours after the attack.
As NewsBusters noted, media have almost universally ignored or downplayed this. But there's more:
A black U.S. attorney, Don Washington, investigated the "Jena Six" case and concluded that the attack on Barker had absolutely nothing to do with the noose-hanging incident three months before. The nooses and two off-campus incidents were tied to Barker's assault by people wanting to gain sympathy for the "Jena Six" in reaction to [Jena District Attorney Reed] Walters' extreme charges of attempted murder.
Didn't hear anybody report that last night, did you? But there's more that appears to have gone largely un- or under-reported:
Much has been written about Bell's trial, the six-person all-white jury that convicted him of aggravated battery and conspiracy to commit aggravated battery and the clueless public defender who called no witnesses and offered no defense. It is rarely mentioned that no black people responded to the jury summonses and that Bell's public defender was black.
[...]
It's rarely mentioned that Bell was already on probation for assault when he was accused of participating in Barker's attack. And it's never mentioned that white people in the "racist" town of Jena provided Bell support and protected his football career long before Jesse, Al, Bell's father and all the others took a sincere interest in Mychal Bell.
Yet, Whitlock saved the really inconvenient truth for the end:
I am in no way excusing the nooses. The responsible kids should've been expelled. A few years after I'd graduated, a similar incident happened at my high school involving our best football player, a future NFL tight end. He was expelled.
The Jena school board foolishly overruled its principal and suspended the kids for three days.
But the kids responsible for Barker's beating deserve to be punished. The prosecutor needed to be challenged on his excessive charges. And we as black folks need to question ourselves about why too many of us can only get energized to help our young people once they're in harm's way.
I've been the spokesman for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Kansas City for six years. Getting black men to volunteer to mentor for just two hours a week to the more than 100 black boys on a waiting list is a yearly crisis. It's a nationwide crisis for the organization. In Kansas City, we're lucky if we get 20 black Big Brothers a year.
You don't want to see any more "Jena Six" cases? Love Mychal Bell before he violently breaks the law.
Sadly, this isn't how media or folks like Sharpton and Jackson work. After all, if cases like this were prevented, how would these entities foment racial tension for their own benefit?
Bravo, Jason. Bravo!
—Noel Sheppard is the Associate Editor of NewsBusters.
Editor at Large
Comments Policy
Gotta admit, though
September 21, 2007 - 17:12 ET by Dad GummitThe "Jena 6" are not guilty of attempted murder. Around here, we call that a sucessful a$$ whuppin. The white kid would be pretty dead if they actually tried to kill him. Assault- yes. Attempted murder.... nah.
Jesse and Al need to go away. Far away.
"If you don't read a newspaper, you are uninformed. If you do read a newspaper, you are mis-informed."-Mark Twain
Yup
September 21, 2007 - 17:16 ET by well99I read it on Fox sports.Seems like the MSM is trying to start a fire.SOP with them is to leave out facts.
Will go upon deaf ears & eyes of media
September 21, 2007 - 17:20 ET by PawpawNJason normally tells it like it is. He is a well spoken gentleman who knows the truth and speaks it. Many black and white men would do well to listen to his words. Amen to this brave young writer! But most will never hear or see the story on MSM!
Great post Noel. Mr.
September 21, 2007 - 17:32 ET by rimskyGreat post Noel. Mr. Whitlock is spot on with this piece. thanks
Jason's Talent Excels
September 21, 2007 - 18:01 ET by River CityI first learned of Jason when he wrote about the NBA all star game mess in Las Vegas. He is an excellent writer. The race baiters don't like him because he doesn't bow at their alter. Jason is a true leader. I hope he continues to speak the truth. I also hope he gets a bigger podium one day. He deserves it.
“Government’s first duty is to protect the people, not run their lives.” Ronald Reagan
Jason is a true leader
September 21, 2007 - 22:44 ET by HypocriteHaterJason is a true leader because he leads by example by being a Big Brother, somthing Al and Jesse would never lower themselves to do. It doesn't pay well and there's no media coverage involved.
Jason Whitlock: Speaking
September 21, 2007 - 18:27 ET by drillanwrJason Whitlock: Speaking truth to Sharpton/Jackson power.
Good man.
Spitting in the Soup
September 21, 2007 - 18:51 ET by Lame CherryI wonder at even Mr. Whitlock who thinks all that is wrong with any child is no positive adult guidance in his making an issue of that. I always defer to the Bible as it proves correct in stating some people are simply bad people. Having run into a number of people who are bad in my life, my experience agrees with God's judgments.
It does not matter if a noose was in a tree or someone called someone a name. What matters is the fact like in the NFL to any court, a person was attacked and beat savagely. This is not about colors, not about mummy or daddy and not about "not my baby" doing such a thing.
The moment people start making it an issue of "why" is the moment even Mr. Whitlock falls into a trap of finding excuses to be exploited. "Don't convict me because I am an orphan.....who just happend to be that way because I murdered my parents."
This is what one gets when you get a culture of Jesse Jackson stirring the pot calling the kettle black. This culture can not see that "excuses" for past deeds also opens them up to the same violence Senator Jim Webb was carrying out in California which was known by that ilk as N word knockin'.
Jesse Jackson used to spit in white people's soup when he worked in a restaurant. That kind of past crime opens him up according to this Jena thugs logic of vengeance.
It is not the town of Jena, but the entire American culture which has been a cancer victim slashed of the tumor of God, radiated of discipline and finally buried without a mother and dad married for life.
Until Mr. Whitlock and even Mr. Cosby start talking about human issues of right and wrong and not focusing or only speaking out on black issues when the fires erupt, this entire fiasco is going to be carried out on Indian reservations attacking whites and Hispanic neighborhoods beating the bajesus out of Asians.
*HIC IACET ARTORIVS REX QVONDAM REXQVE FVTVRVS
Whitlock will get a lot of
September 21, 2007 - 19:14 ET by chessplayerWhitlock will get a lot of hate mail for his comments,,,along the lines of; "you`re a traitor to your race."
Well, check into the
September 21, 2007 - 19:22 ET by drillanwrWell, check into the comments left at the site where his column is (click to the link above). Some are very none too kind.
I didn't leave a comment, but I did send him an email.
Funny, I never agree with
September 21, 2007 - 20:00 ET by general companyFunny, I never agree with this man on sports related items. Bless this man, we need a ton more of this kinda common sense. I wish he would come down here and talk to a few Fathers.
Jena 6
September 21, 2007 - 20:03 ET by mdgilesUnfortunately, Mr. Whitlock did exactly what the DA did, judge the beating of a white as "more" criminal than the beating of a black.
The white who was "viciously" beaten - so viciously that he was up and partying that very same night - had been involved in the beating of a black - by a group of whites - at a party the night before. It was taunts - by the "victim" in the High school cafeteria - about that other beating that preceeded this own "beat down". In any case, it's always all about Jesse or Al , isn't it. You know I really wish the earth would open up and swallow those two charlatans. Then they would no longer serve as handy strawmen, always useful as a means avoiding the truth of what actually happened.
I had not heard this, you
September 21, 2007 - 20:52 ET by general companyI had not heard this, you have a link or more info?
Link anyone????
September 21, 2007 - 23:58 ET by River CityI've been following this circus pretty closely for the last few days and have not seen anything on the news or read anything in the media or in a blog about Justin being involved in a beating of a black youth the day before. Do we have a link yet? Anyone??? Come on now! If we are going to say it happend we need to have a link. It is only common courtesy.
“Government’s first duty is to protect the people, not run their lives.” Ronald Reagan
Just because it is said, doesn't make it so....
September 21, 2007 - 21:44 ET by american-americanQuoted from Mr. Whitlock:
A black U.S. attorney, Don Washington, investigated the “Jena Six” case and concluded that the attack on Barker had absolutely nothing to do with the noose-hanging incident three months before. The nooses and two off-campus incidents were tied to Barker’s assault by people wanting to gain sympathy for the “Jena Six” in reaction to Walters’ extreme charges of attempted murder. end quote.... read him saying the charges were extreme?
Let's not mention this fact: quote: It’s rarely mentioned that Bell was already on probation for assault when he was accused of participating in Barker’s attack. end quote Bell is a habitual troublemaker.
I saw Mr. Washington in an interview today and he said there have been many side stories made up to make it seem worse than it actually is.
It is a terrible thing that is going on in that town. It has been for a while, the "white tree", the "black bleachers".. If you are a praying person, you might want to pray for healing there. They need it.
As far as your comment about Jesse and Al... they make it about them. It is their goal to be involved in all of the big news stories. I give them no merit, as they are merely limelight grabbers. If they truly were opposed to all bad things against blacks, don't you think they would have been outraged by the "Aunt Jemima" references to Condoleeza Rice? I would think that would have caused a major outcry from them. Not a peep. Hypocracy.
I get so tired
September 21, 2007 - 20:19 ET by bigpapaOf being called a racist because I'm white... I haven't done anything to anyone... white, black, brown, yellow, pink or purple.. So,,, doesn't that make them the racist????? Sorry to inject logical thought into their process..
Noel, Race Parasites
September 21, 2007 - 22:02 ET by SpinyNormanNoel,
Race Parasites aside, there were a number of Nifongish plays made by this Ahole DA Reed Walters. I refer you to this most superb piece in yesterday’s American Thinker for details. BTW – Any relation?
Spiny
Give a Liberal a thought and he'll repeat it mindlessly all day. Teach a Liberal to think for himself and he'll vote Republican (or, preferably, Libertarian) for the rest of his life.
Spiny
September 21, 2007 - 22:51 ET by Noel SheppardSpiny,
Dinsdale. ns
Yes .. Dinsdale .. To be
September 21, 2007 - 23:06 ET by SpinyNormanYes .. Dinsdale .. To be sure.... And his sister can lay a chili dog upon my bare chest ..... But that doesn't mitigate a number of issues in the prosecution's case -- Not the least of which is the political shape-shifting of the charges.....
Give a Liberal a thought and he'll repeat it mindlessly all day. Teach a Liberal to think for himself and he'll vote Republican (or, preferably, Libertarian) for the rest of his life.
Jason Whitlock is great
September 21, 2007 - 22:23 ET by balboaJason Whitlock is great stuff. He says what most black people are afraid to admit, much like Bill Cosby.
It's just amazing isn't it
September 21, 2007 - 23:00 ET by SportPoliticsIt's totally amazing what our "professional" news organizations can leave out of the story. How they make endless hours of constant snippets and "updates" is also amazing. They need so very little to make a huge national overblown sensational idiocy of everything.
My hat is off to Jason Whitlock, but my suspicion is you'll be kept away from going anywhere in the business, unless you dumb yourself down to a totally moronic tabloid drooler when it comes to reporting. The media complex must do all it can to keep people like you locked out of their national coverage.
It really is astounding. The big media is a hollow shell of utter stupidity. They are factless, feckless fools.
Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton : Busybodies
September 21, 2007 - 23:26 ET by jonathanandersonInstead of abating, reducing, and eliminating racial tension Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson stoke it, increase it, and perpetuate it.
1 Timothy 5:13
And withal they learn to be idle [lazy, inactive, unemployed ... not gainfully employed], wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers [praters] also AND BUSYBODIES, speaking things which they ought not.
2 Thessalonians 3:11
For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly [without discipline and godly wisdom], working not at all, but are busybodies.
1 Peter 4:15
But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or AS A BUSYBODY IN OTHER MEN'S MATTERS.
EASING racial tensions should be their stated, public, and genuine goal - not INCREASING them.
Now THAT is an honest writer
September 22, 2007 - 02:01 ET by mostlymoderateNow THAT is an honest writer my friends!!! Great article.
Media = marxist agitators
September 22, 2007 - 06:59 ET by Blogger Guy00001The media loves this sort of thing. The media sees an opportunity to create civil unrest and to upset the social order, hoping that marxist politics will take advantage of the situation.
The media love to stir up a fight between blacks and whites. The media credate a climate of hate then rush in with their cameras to film the whole thing.
check out this AP account ...
September 22, 2007 - 08:20 ET by drewinmass61http://apnews.myway....
Anyone notice any editorializing in this statement:
"The incident was followed by fights between blacks and whites that
culminated in the attack on Justin Barker, who was knocked unconscious
on school grounds. According to court testimony, his face was swollen
and bloodied, but he was able to attend a school function that night."
Talk about downplaying the assault. Sheesh. I'm shocked, shocked, the AP would frame the events in this manner.
Jason Whitlock proves that not all are fooled by Al and Jesse
September 22, 2007 - 10:17 ET by c5thenBravo, Jason indeed!
The only connection between the two events are in the minds of the "activists" and the media.
The day that "politician" became a career choice is the day we started losing the Republic. Let's get it back! Fred08.com
Whitlock
September 22, 2007 - 11:27 ET by iveseenitallJason Whitlock gives his all to send a message to the black community--- basic values and hard work will lead you to a good life. Unfortunately, two names are the reason so many black kids aren't getting the message---Jackson, Sharpton. May theses charlatans rot in Hell!
NEVER,NEVER trust a "liberal"
Jena 6
September 22, 2007 - 11:16 ET by mdgilesCouple of points.
"But the kids responsible for Barker's beating deserve to be punished."
Nobody ever said they didn't deserve to be punished; but 2nd degree attempted murder charges over a high school schoolyard fight? Sneakers as "deadly weapons"?
" Bell was already on probation for assault when he was accused of participating in Barker's attack.
Bell was a juvenile, why does the media have access to his juvenile record?
Unfortunately,
September 22, 2007 - 16:51 ET by ding7777without the media, these kids would still be charged, as adults, with attempted murder.
The media challenged the DA on his excessive charges by hyping the story, the DA probably decided he didn't want to become another Nifong and wisely reduced the charges.
The whole point
September 23, 2007 - 06:19 ET by AgnosticBut that is what the DA does. He/She goes for the maximum and negotiates down. The public defender not offering a case and not bargaining is the true cause for the extreme charges. Why isn't anyone placing any blame there. You don't go into negotiations, which is all most trials are anyway, and except the highest offer. A case could be made that the public defender counted on the public outcry to do his job for him but that was a shameful risk and I would have to question his motivations at that point.
You believe that the charges were reduced due to the DA not wanting to be compared to Nifong but I contend that they reduced immediately when someone finally entered negotiations on behalf of the young men. Where were Jesse and Sharpton when these young men needed representation? Where were the activist when $500 would have probably gotten most of their charges dropped or reduced to a simple assult? Until the case could be made for racism nobody in the public forum seem to really care what happened in Jena. A photo-op occurs and suddenly it is half-truths, exploitation and the mugs of the usualy suspects trying to bring back the 50's & 60's.
JENA: RED CROSS MISSION? (unverified)
September 23, 2007 - 06:35 ET by reelman46Jena 6 Rally
Date: Fri, 21 Sep 2007 09:38:47 -0500
I thought that the mission of the American Red Cross was to help people in times of disaster. I have a problem with what I saw happening in Jena, La. yesterday. My problem is not with the people coming to Jena to march, they have that right, but with the American Red Cross giving away supplies to the marchers. The newspapers have stated that approximately 25, 000 bottles of water were given out. I will not mention any medical care that was provided, but we do have a local hospital that offers excellent medical care, but not for free.
I sat on the balcony of my office and watched the marchers arriving carrying no supplies, but when they left Jena they were carrying bottles of water that was supplied by your organization. These people were not in a disaster mode, they knew what they were getting into when they came to rally, and should have planned better and brought their own supplies. I had a house burn in 1985 and lost everything, including my cars and dog, but never got a call or note from the Red Cross. I did not mind that I was not contacted by you and have not ever given it a second thought until yesterday. I have donated faithfully to the Red Cross for the better part of my 56 years, but no more. I know that in the scheme of things I am just a small drop in the bucket, but I will tell everyone that I know what has happened here, and maybe this small drop will turn into a flood.
And yes you can use my name it is James L. Broadwell 111, my address is 329 Pleasant Hill Road, Jena, La. 71342
Doug Schexnayder, Ph.D. (theconservativecrawfish)