No the kids should not be held up as mandela. But that should not detract from the larger issue at hand. Instead of dealing with the larger issue, we focus on individual shortcomings.

The Duke rape case was very different. Completely different circumstance because the allegations were false. The allegations of racial influence in the actions of the justice system in Jena remain. That is the issue.

That Duke rape case had a stripper looking like the Black Virgin Mary for a couple of weeks before all the evidence came out. We should fight for fair trial, we should fight for equal rights, but we probably shouldn’t be so quick to play the role of judge and jury without all the facts in front of us…

The fact that they are imperfect messengers for racial equality in the justice system
doesn’t change the fact that race was a huge factor in the application of justice in Jena. That glaring problem remains despite how ignorant the kids have acted in the aftermath.

Despite the fact that they were wrong for beating down the white kid, the following facts remain unchanged:

- The white kids who hung the noose were not expelled.

- a white male involved in a later altercation with some of the black students was only charged with simple battery.

- the white kid who pulled a gun on some of the black kids in town was not charged with any criminal offenses. In fact, the only people charged were the black kids who took the gun from the other kid during the altercation. The black kids was charged with theft offenses.

- The 6 were in fact expelled, although at least one has since been allowed to re-enroll. Further they were charged with second degree attempted murder.

I know nothing about the video, so I cant comment on that. But the issues raised by this case are no less important today. Unfortunately, by their actions, these kids have scuttled a good oppty to have a real conversation about race and the justice system.