John Edwards Statement on the Jena Six

[jsamuel]

http://www.johnedwards.com/news/press-releases/20070919-jena-six/

Chapel Hill, North Carolina – Today, Senator John Edwards issued the following statement about the events in Jena, Louisiana:

"As someone who grew up in the segregated South, I feel a special responsibility to speak out on racial intolerance. To measure our progress in the fight against racism, today our nation looks to Jena, Louisiana. Americans of all races are traveling to Jena because they believe that how we respond to the racial tensions in Jena says everything about who we are as a nation.

"When a 'white tree' stands outside a public school, marking a place where white students sit but black students are not welcome, there is something so wrong that the right words are hard to find. When children have learned to intimidate each other with age-old, hateful symbols of racial terror, we are reminded that we cannot take progress for granted. And we must turn to the larger truth: that we still have two criminal justice systems in this country – largely defined by race and class.

"Fortunately, we also still have in this country the desire for racial justice, understanding and tolerance. I am hopeful that justice will be served, these young Americans can look to the future, and the community of Jena will find peace."

Jena Six Defense Fund:
https://secure.colorofchange.org/jena_fund/

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

1. So what's he planning on doing about it?

[Blackhatjack]

4. As you see with the Bush Administration, policies flow from the top down...

Edwards will not nominate anyone in those positions who does not stand up for racial equality and real enforcement of civil rights.

That would be a significant change for our country, and something he could 'do' if elected.

[jus_the_facts]

8. Nothing....and when this rally is over....

...it won't change a goddamned thing....each side will remain divided...wrapped up in their self-righteous and ignorant indignation...same as it ever was unfortunately... :banghead:

[ljm2002]

12. Okay, it's fun to take cheap shots...

...and we all do it sometimes.

But taking cheap shots is easy. So what, pray tell, would you suggest that Edwards do, other than speaking out publicly and directly about the injustice that is going on there?

Or would you rather he just shut up about it?

[jsamuel]

13. Run for DA?

[EFerrari]

16. Someone should. That DA was also the legal advisor to the school

board. Conflict of interest bigtime.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

18. It's fun to play lip service to real issues.

And I want to make sure he doesn't just play lip service.


"Or would you rather he just shut up about it?"

No, I wish he'd actually start talking about it.

"There is something so wrong with that" strikes me as really, really passive. I'd call for federal prosecution under civil rights laws. Promises of the same when he's president.

[Orsino]

23. Now you're talking.

Prosecution seems a good option. Conspiracy to deny civil rights? I'd like to see him go completely bleeding-heart, and negotiate a dialogue among the students.

[walldude]

2. How dare he!

All this important stuff about tasers and he's talking about racism? For shame.

[DavidDvorkin]

11. How dare he make a statement on anything?

Apparently.

[Blackhatjack]

3. Very well put IMHO. Racial Injustice still exists in this country...

... and which other Presidential Candidates will speak out on this issue?

[Connie_Corleone]

17. Both Clinton and Obama issued statements earlier.

[Marrah_G]

5. But were they Tased?

All snarkiness aside, the fact that these children are in jail is a disgusting example of the racism that still exists in this country.

If only this invoked the same amount of outrage as the Kerry speech incident. People have fucked up priorities.

If you can afford to donate to these boys defense fund please do. If ever there was a blatant example of injustice, this is it.

[jsamuel]

6. or were they with OJ?

priorities are majorly messed up!

[Tim4319]

9. I've been trying to keep this story pushed here, but it gets skipped over.

Very well said, however!!!!!

[jsamuel]

10. this is why it is important for people like John Edwards to speak out

It gives the issue credence.

[gollygee]

7. It is really sad and strange how little news coverage the Jena 6 are getting

K&R

[EFerrari]

14. Fyi: Amy Goodman devoted most of her hour today to this story.

She interviewed a white school board member, then a black ex administrator. The contrast was amazing. There is probably a transcript up at her site:

www.democracynow.org

[Selatius]

15. No, we're more interested in OJ Simpson and Paris Hilton stories.

Let's ignore the real stories that's been going on in America. :sarcasm:

[fenriswolf]

20. its not strange at all

when you take into consideration who controls the media and what the agenda of the controllers are. Racism just should not be an issue to those currently in power and so they glide over any possible stories of racism, sexism, or religious extremism. its not strange when those in power just do not understand what the issue is or why racism is wrong, well i take that back, they know racism is wrong but they just don't care and they don't want the fact that they don't care biting them on the behinds.

[Adelante]

19. Good for Edwards for making this statement

:thumbsup:

[MethuenProgressive]

21. "As someone who grew up in the segregated South," cry me a river, Johnny

"As someone who grew up in the segregated South,"
Funny, he didn't think it important enough to mention in:
http://www.johnedwards.com/about/john/
But now, now that there's a headline to latch on to...

[Inspired]

22. What is your problem with this? n/t