SENTINEL WATCH November 5, 2007 Issue

RACIAL CONCEPTS AND THE JENA SIX

KWADJO BOAITEY

THE RECENT MEDIA spotlight and civil rights march in Jena, Louisiana, have compelled many of us to think deeper about race.

The Jena Six, as they have been called, are six young black high school students who were initially charged with attempted second-degree murder for a fight involving a white student. The fight was the culmination of racially charged events, including the hanging of nooses on a tree in the schoolyard by three white students, which was labeled a "prank" by local officials. The white student involved in the fight was hospitalized for a few hours with injuries and, according to reports, was able to attend a school event later that evening. Substantial questions have been raised regarding the application of justice in this case.

As a black man, I've felt subject to racism. I've been profiled by police several times because of my race, and followed in department stores by apprehensive security guards. I've had joyriding teens wave a bat at me and scream racial epithets.

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