Eujena 6
A group (of white guys) has been distributing (actually selling for $10 a year) information regarding race tensions and social injustice in America. They had a number of provocative posters regarding political issues one of which read, “Free the Jena 6”. Needless to say, I was intrigued.
I walked up and engaged two of them in conversation:
Me: “So, what are you guys all about?”
Young Angry Kid: “Ending the social injustices of America and supporting black people in their plight.”
Me: “Cool, cool. Sounds good. I can support that, helping people is good. I see your poster there about the Jena 6. Isn’t the Jena 6 those 6 black kids who beat some white kid almost to death for insulting one of them with a racial slur?”
Young Angry Kid: “Yeah, and that little prick deserved what he got!”
Me: “Whoa, Don’t you find it hard to justify nearly murdering someone over a word.”
Slightly Overweight Old Man: “Nigger is more than a word, buddy. It has history and the Jena 6 are fighting their good fight.”
Me: “Hm… So do you guys think its just fine that if a black man calls me a crackerass honkey, I can go gather up my 5 buddies and we can stomp his face in?”
Slightly Overweight Old Man: “ No way, absolutely not! This isn’t some abstact question about right and wrong in your imagination. This is about the real world and real problems with real injustice. It isn’t the same!”
Me: “Wow. That’s crazy.”
