In Pursuit of Perfection

The New Jim Crow and the New Groupthink

Hat tip:  FOJ
Remarkably insightful post from the folks over at Friends of Justice.

clipped from friendsofjustice.wordpress.com

The New Jim Crow and the New Groupthink

May 28th, 2007 at 9:03 pm (Uncategorized)

Some of the most insightful commentary on the significance of the Jena story appears in a blog I came across this moring:  http://blogher.org/node/19962.  A few months ago, a local Jena pastor described his home town as a racist backwater.  Recent events have forced the Rev. eddie Thompson to eat those words.  Now he is defending his home town against Yankee “Carpetbaggers” (from Texas and New Orleans) who are distorting the story.  The Rev. Eddie has fallen victim to the sort of groupthink that emerges when small towns circle the wagons.  Fortunately, a contributor to Blogher knows the Rev. Eddie personally.  Her response to his about-face show a tremendous depth of insight.  I encourage you to scroll through the entire string of posts–you will learn something.  At least, I did.

YOUR Help is Needed in Jena, Louisiana

For my readers, it's nothing new to see me linking to Francis L. Holland.  I enjoy his perspective, courage, and clarity and I know you have as well.  Francis has introduced us to a new blogger , Reginald M.  Reggie lives in Louisiana and attended Jena High School which has been the site of racial intimidation, arson, and assault just to name a few.  Find my first article about Jena here.

1. Read Reggie's blog.  He's provided an article from Alan Bean and the Friends of Justice.  The article outlines a time line of events beginning with the hanging of nooses at Jena High School.  Alan recommends a number of steps to take which I will place here.  I have highlighted one particular action item below.
2. Take a look at the Friends of Justice website.  I found a radio interview with Alan Bean and Caseptla Bailey, mother of Robert Bailey one of the young people standing trial.  They were interviewed for Wake Up Call Radio on Tuesday, May 29th to discuss the Jena 6.
3. Select an action item.  More than your sympathy, your action is needed.  Phone numbers are below.  

Take a moment, before moving on in your day, and place one phone call.

Points of Contact

U.S. Dept. of Justice
Office of the Assistant Attorney General
Civil Rights Division
950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20530
(202) 514-2151
Fax: (202) 514-0293
TDD: (202) 514-0716

Alan Bean
Friends of Justice
(806)995-3353
(806)729-7889
bean@cebridge.net

Jena High School
243 East High School Drive
P.O. Box 89
Jena, La 71342
Phone:  318.992.5195
Fax:  318.992.4797

Lasalle Parrish School Board
Roy Breithaupt, Superintendent
3012 North First Street
P.O. Box 90
Jena, La 71342
Phone:  318.992.2161
Fax:  318.992.8457

Here is an excerpt from Reggie's site regarding recommended actions that we all can take.  I've highlighted two here that I'm going to follow up on.