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09.10.07 04:18 PM
Open letter from Mos Def: Support for the Jena 6
Open letter from Mos Def
A Call to Action from Artist/ Activist Mos Def To African Americans of Influence and All Concerned Parties to Show Support for the “Jena 6” on Sept 20th
Artist/ Activist Mos Def is calling upon African Americans of influence and all concerned parties to join him in Jena, LA on Sept. 20th to rally and show support for the Jena 6, who are being treated very harshly by law enforcement in the State.
The Jena Six are a group of black students who are being charged with attempted murder for beating up a white student that was taunting them with racial slurs. This student also supported other white students that hung three nooses from the high schools "white tree," which sits in the front yard at their school. The charges could lead to sentences of 20 to 100 years in prison, of which civil rights advocates have decried as unfairly harsh.
Mos Def is asking African Americans of influence and concerned parties to join him in the fight against racial inequality and show solidarity for these young people, who are being treated very harshly by the law. The prosecution of these young men symbolizes a terrible miscarriage of justice, by punishing students who opposed segregation in their schools and disregarding the threatening acts of others who advocate it.
For more info on ways to get involved email info@mxgm.org. To sign the petition please go to http://www.petitiononline.com/aZ51CqmR/petition.html.
Additional Info:
Video: Cornel West, Mos Def & Bill Maher on the Jena Six
Video: Jena Six, a photo story (Jena6)
by Michael David Murphy (whileseated)
posted by lynne | link to this |
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Comments
You know what ... okay, I signed the petition because it's yet another gross miscarriage of justice based on race.
However, tell me something Mos Def: can I walk through my neighborhood of Harlem (or any Black neighborhood that I've ever visited) holding hands with my man just because I love him without looking over my shoulder or being prepared to fight? Not because I'm trying to be a revolutionary or because I'm looking for a confrontation, but just because life is short and because each and every moment is a precious opportunity to tell my man how much he means to me and how lucky I am to have him in my life? No. And if I get bashed or he gets bashed or we get bashed, the perpetrator is probably going to look more like one of the Jena 6 than not - and get away with it. Then could we expect others who look more like those of the Jena 6 then not to support us?
My point is this: there are many LGBT men and women of color who've been silently biting the bullet for too long while simultaneously offering our support, our networks and our resources to our greater communities, particularly in incidents just like this. You want our love when your convenience requires it, but where is your love when we need it?
But yeah, I signed the petition. And I need you just like you need me.
posted by Donald![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.lynnedjohnson.com/nav-commenters.gif)
| September 12, 2007 5:51 PM #
Support whats right!!!!!!
posted by MarcusBrown | September 20, 2007 7:03 PM #