BlackPerspective.net
Discussing the Diaspora as seen through an internal Black lens
Jena Six Activism Getting Results
September 5th, 2007
There are 3 parts to this post
1. Local Organizing for September 20th
2. Media picking up the story
3. Responding to gov. Blanco
Please check out all three parts, because they hit 3 different important points.
Local Organizing for September 20th
People come to my blog looking for various Jena 6 information as I can gleam from the search results that bring people here. If you want to organize to go to Jena in your area or findout who already is, there’s a little info on this page that could help you.
If you’re in Nashville Tennessee and you want to support the Jena 6 effort and particularly if you want to go the rally in Jena Louisiana on September 20 for Mychael Bell’s sentencing; I’ve set up a page on my blog to dispense that information: http://www.blackperspective.net/index.php/jena-6-page/nashville-jena-6-organization/
We’re actually raising money to possibly take people for free, so even if you’re not going, maybe you want to make a donation. A phone number is provided in that link.
Media picking up the story
PurpleZoe reported on our Day of Blogging For Justice that she saw a five minute report on MSNBC. I’ve read that Anderson Cooper at least mentioned it on CNN, but I don’t think their was an in depth report. Last night on CNN’s Out In The Open program Susan Roesgen filed a report, and it was the focal story of the program. They at least put forth the effort here, even going down to Jena; but her story left out critical details.
I’m contacting CNN today to try to get the letter I wrote outlining some important missing facts, into the right hands. I’ll have more on that latter this week.
Nonetheless, I don’t find it to be a coincidence that we put our press release out last Monday about the Day of Blogging For Justice (I knew I sent it to over 70 entities myself and it was placed on 2 news wires) and by the end of the week when the Day of Justice came around on Thursday, coverage of the Jena Six had picked up and has kept going on into this week. I don’t think that’s by happenstance. Neither do I think last weeks activities are the cause of this media up-tick alone, but I think it was the tipping point.
Journalist Eugene Kane specifically admits that he was flooded with emails last week urging him to pick up the story.
But we can’t stop now. We can’t allow these media outlets to think that they can appease us by running just one story for one or two days and then move on. We have to keep at them fo sustained reporting until this because a story ingrained on the American consciousness like which one of Anna Nicole’s sexual conquest is her baby’s daddy or how much crack Linsey Lohan is smoking this week.
Responding to Blanco
I also don’t think it’s a coincidence that the “silent on this issue” Louisiana Governor Kathleen Blanco released a statement regarding the outcry to her office about the Jena 6 on the same day we were having our Day of Blogging For Justice, either.
I’ve written an open letter to respond to this as well. Particularly her having expectation that “all parties [in this case], will act with fairness and in complete good faith” and her having the attorney general consulate rather than actually investigate.
Anyway, when the final version is complete, I’ll post that for you.
posted in Action Alert, Racial Injustice | | | View blog reactions |
11 Responses to “Jena Six Activism Getting Results”
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About The Blog
Yobachi Boswell is creator and publisher of BlackPerspecitve.net. I’m a writer, activist and political watcher based in Nashville, Tennessee. I’ve also been know to do some spoken word and MCing in my day.
I created this site to give new voice to socio-political issues that are in need of thoughtful consideration and redress.
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I saw that report on Anderson cooper. It was just about as in depth as he gets, as least it was on the show. I was watching Star Jones’ show and a couple other shows, just small blips. I couldn’t help but to think that we made a difference somehow. I didn’t see anything before the day of justice.
Word, I hadn’t either. We’ve just got to keep it up, and not let them off the hook.
We can’t feel good about ourselves for sending an email one time either. We should all do it at least a couple times a week.
Awesome stuff.
Right now the MSM and the blogosphere re often symbiotic . WIll they ever give the specifically black and radical and People of Color blogosphere credit……
Nope but frankly I just want those kids out of jail.
Awesome work again thanks
I caught the end of 3AM version of Bill maher. I both love and hate this man for a variety of reasons, Cornel West and actor Mos Def were on and at the point I tuned in which was close to the end Maher started talking about the Jena Six.
The conversation got slightly hijacked by Def which I wish hadn’t happened though.
I don’t care for Bill maher; but from time to time he has his moments.
It’s good to here about more media folk using their platforms to talk about this thing.
Peace Yobachi
Found a video of Dr. Cornell West and Mos Def on the Bill Maher show.
Mos has announced that he is calling out to all of the people he can (he mentioned some possible names), to go to Jena with him.
Here’s the link:
http://purplezoe.blogspot.com/2007/09/dr-cornell-west-and-mos-def-stand-for.html
I’ve seen the sentiment several times recently that the Governor has the power to pardon them. Perhaps this is what we should be demanding.
I think we should set something up for a virtual march.
We can take pictures holding up ‘Free the Jena 6′ and ‘Pardon the Jena 6′ signs, etc.
These pictures can be hung on our blogs, sites, profile pages at social networking sites and etc.
I also read the post at Electronic Village which suggested we send cards showing support to Mychal Bell. This also sounds like a beautiful idea.
I may write something up or add to the post with the video clips of the Bill Maher show in which Dr, West and Mos appear.
I’m with the virtual march. If you set it up, I’ll work with you on it.
I’ll likely have a press release generated by end of week, or by next week at the latest. I have to go and fight a bogus ticket… I was ticketed for having a flat tire… Apparently the officer thought I must have known my tire would blow…
Unreal.
Anyways I should have that issue cleared up this week and can focus more fully on transmitting the Press release for the Virtual March as well as posting a blog for it. The pictures virtual marchers take they can put on their blogs and they can comment the blog I post with the link to their pic. This way the pics can be gathered if needed and maybe an image hosting account can be made.
If you have any other ideas let me know.
I can make time to work on them this month and should have a decent amount of time in October.
Blessings
-PZ
Ps.
I’ve tried to sign up for your email-post feedburner more than once and it won’t work. Just wanted to give a heads up. Also I couldn’t comment on your recent post because the comments page is bringing up an error for some reason. Could just be a glitch. I use Firefox, though it’s probably not a compatibility issue.
[...] I finally realized (not paying attention to the reporters name previously) that this reporter is Susan Rosgen. I know her as the person who did the first television report of the Jena 6 that I’d ever seen on tv back in late August of 2007; and her reporting was so flawed and vacuous that I wrote her a point by point letter correcting her (I referenced the letter here) [...]
Susan Rosgen CNN Tea Party Coverage
I seen a sign that said Republicans suck too, your right the first guy was a loser. I felt sorry for the guy with the babe in his arms, that lady reported and CNN correspondent in the studio should be ashamed of themselves. This is why people are going to sites like yours Boswell because a person can’t get the news anymore without it being spun at an attempt to brainwash the masses.
Sorry the comments weren’t working on the other blog, I didn’t know I’d turned them off by accident some how. I’m going to copy over this comment and respond there.