MH, like many in America, only recently became aware of the situation. He has heard of some of the details and discussed the matter with me. He is my age, college educated, and a father. He currently lives in the South, though we both grew up in the Bronx, and he moved south relatively recently.
I thank my friend for allowing me to share this conversation with you all. Take what you will from this.
Michael H (MH): I have a problem. This whole Jena 6 issue got started because a black student wanted to sit under a tree. Not a library, a diner, or the front of the bus. A f***** tree.
mike vass: yep.
MH: Now I know that he did have a right to sit under a tree, but should we have all this media attention based on the fact that tempers got flared, and a boy is now in jail because he and 5 others beat up another student.
mike vass: They were charged with attempted murder. One of the boys got 15 years, though it's being review by the courts. One of the kids was a minor and was charged, and convicted as an adult.
MH: Well was it attempted murder?
mike vass: Nope, the kid that was beat up was at an event (a dance) that same day. It was just a high school fight.
MH: I have heard of minors being charged as adults under extenuating circumstances
mike vass: These weren't them
MH: I am not familiar with all the details but is the battered student really worse off?
mike vass: Nope the kid is fine. He was bruised but nothing serious.
MH: I just have an issue with the viewpoint you make in your post. I have 2 facts of reality I come into the discussion with.
1) If you are a black person in the South, you have to be careful about racists
2) No matter how you try, you cant legislate people's feelings
Continued in Part 2...
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