2008 Woodie Awards
'What can we learn from Jena 6?'
Kelsey Fitzgibbon
Issue date: 10/4/07 Section: News
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The Center for Diversity Initiatives sponsored a brown bag luncheon, "Race and Ethnic Relations in the U.S.: What can we learn from the Jena 6 case?" on Sept. 27 in room 219 of the Thompson Student Center. Dr. Jason Latouche spoke about his theory of injustice raised by the Jena 6 case.
Before introducing Latouche, Tui Tuiusosopo gave a short presentation titled "Race and the Criminal Justice System."
"Race plays a role in criminal justice outcomes" said Tuiusosopo. In the duration of sentencing or the harshness of punishment, Tuiusosopo said statistics show more severe outcomes towards black and Latino subjects.
Latouche spoke next, opening with background information about the Jena 6 case. On Aug. 31, 2006, at Jena High School, a black male freshman asked his principal if black students were allowed under a tree often referred to as the "white tree," where allegedly only white students sat. The principal told the students they were allowed to sit anywhere they wanted. The following morning, students arrived at school to find 2-3 nooses hanging from the tree; reports differ on the exact number of nooses. While the incident caused plenty of controversy, Latouche said things settled down for the remainder of football season.
Friday, Dec. 1, however, the subject resurfaced. At the Jena Fair Barn there was a private party with mostly white students attending. When black students tried to enter, they were turned away, causing an altercation. Rod Bailey was allegedly attacked with a beer bottle by Justin Sloan. After a police investigation, Sloan was charged with "simple battery," or assault without a deadly weapon. A charge of "aggravated battery" requires the use of a deadly weapon. Sloan was put on probation.
The next day led to another altercation. One of the white students from the Jena Fair Barn party encountered Bailey and other black students at a local convenience store. Fighting broke out and the white student went to his car and pulled out a shotgun. It was reported that the black students managed to take the shotgun before police arrived. Bailey was charged with three counts: theft of a firearm, second-degree robbery, and disturbing the peace. The student who brought the firearm was not charged.
Before introducing Latouche, Tui Tuiusosopo gave a short presentation titled "Race and the Criminal Justice System."
"Race plays a role in criminal justice outcomes" said Tuiusosopo. In the duration of sentencing or the harshness of punishment, Tuiusosopo said statistics show more severe outcomes towards black and Latino subjects.
Latouche spoke next, opening with background information about the Jena 6 case. On Aug. 31, 2006, at Jena High School, a black male freshman asked his principal if black students were allowed under a tree often referred to as the "white tree," where allegedly only white students sat. The principal told the students they were allowed to sit anywhere they wanted. The following morning, students arrived at school to find 2-3 nooses hanging from the tree; reports differ on the exact number of nooses. While the incident caused plenty of controversy, Latouche said things settled down for the remainder of football season.
Friday, Dec. 1, however, the subject resurfaced. At the Jena Fair Barn there was a private party with mostly white students attending. When black students tried to enter, they were turned away, causing an altercation. Rod Bailey was allegedly attacked with a beer bottle by Justin Sloan. After a police investigation, Sloan was charged with "simple battery," or assault without a deadly weapon. A charge of "aggravated battery" requires the use of a deadly weapon. Sloan was put on probation.
The next day led to another altercation. One of the white students from the Jena Fair Barn party encountered Bailey and other black students at a local convenience store. Fighting broke out and the white student went to his car and pulled out a shotgun. It was reported that the black students managed to take the shotgun before police arrived. Bailey was charged with three counts: theft of a firearm, second-degree robbery, and disturbing the peace. The student who brought the firearm was not charged.
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