THE JENA SIX: "A Closed Chapter in a Yet Open Book"

Jena Six defendant Brian Purvis leaves the LaSalle Parish courthouse with his mother Tina Jones and supporters.

The saga of the Jena Six may be over, but the struggle of the Black male in America's criminal justice system is certainly not. The world watched as six youth from the small town in Jena, La. fought for survival in a legal system that has decimated the ranks of the Black male. Nearly 50% of America's prison population is Black, though we make up a reported approximate 12% of the population. The remaining 5 young men plead no contest in court last week, in the obvious interest of putting this case "to bed" so that they can move on with their individual lives. Mychal Bell, a central figure in the case, issued a guilty plea last year.
The case if the Jena Six should be studied very closely and considered for curriculum in colleges and universities. It is a snapshot of the Black male's experience in the criminal justice system in America. It is a sign of the work that we must do to set the "captive free." For those who feel that our hard work was in vain, I ask that you venture to question yourself...."where would these young men be if the Black nation had not stood for them, considering they initially faced attempted murder charges." Thanks to all who stood with us to stand with the families of the Jena Six.