Did the Jena Six Buy Bling with Defense Funds?

The quick answer is "no" read on if you'd like...

Bossip.com has posted a youtube video which alleges to show members of the Jena Six flossing with defense funds. And when I say flossing, I really mean flossing...one picture shows Robert Bailey (allegedly) eating hundred dollar bills! But what's the real deal? Should we really "put them back in jail" as Bossip's headline states? Or is this another sign of how quickly we turn on each other?



When I first saw this, my stomach turned...first the appearance on the BET Hip-Hip Awards...and now this! Don't they know we have roles to play when in the public eye? We most certainly can't act "ghetto" when we've reached a certain level of fame (no matter how we got there.) Don't they know how this makes "us" look? Those were my first thoughts if I'm being honest. But, after some thought, what the hell do we expect from kids?

Flossing. Bling-Bling. Making it rain. Stuntin'. These words have become part of pop-culture and are not limited to the hip-hop crowd. I've heard the straightest arrows use these words. So why is it so alarming to see young Black boys acting a fool--like so many of us do when we chase bling and shiny things?

Even more disturbing were the quick-to-judge comments from Bossip's readers. It seems neither Bossip nor its readers bothered to research this! Instead they accused supporters of jumping on Al and Jesse's bandwagon and not checking for the facts. If you have followed my blog, you know I debated this very issue before I jumped on anything!

This is apparently not a new story. A quick Google search led me to an October 1st news article regarding these pictures. These pictures were posted and removed (on MySpace) BEFORE the protest. But, a NEO NAZI group is furthering the story by posting this nonsense on its site and accusing the boys of using defense funds for bling.

According to the parents, checks and money orders come into a P.O. Box and are used for the defense fund only. I remember a recent article which said their defense is exceeding the amount of donations, a number easily tracked based on account statements (I presume.) So I would seriously question these allegations before jumping to conclusions! http://www.katc.com/Global/story.asp?S=7134753

I'm not saying these guys are saints...these pictures, if authentic, are troublesome. Seeing them at the hip-hop awards - given the recent controversy - was troublesome. They are certainly not "performing" well. But you know what? I swear I see celebrities and rappers doing much of the same...on Bossip…on a daily basis. So I’m not sure why it is so shocking that our kids would be doing nonsense like this.

I didn't realize equal justice was limited to perfect angels! It was a known fact that Mychal Bell had previous convictions. I never supported them under any illusions. I supported them because no matter what *I* think about a person's choices, intelligence level, race, class, etc., EVERYONE deserves equal justice and those boys didn't get it!!

Mychal out on bail!

Yesterday, Gov. Blanco held a press conference announcing that Mychal's case would remain in the juvenile s system. While his conviction was overturned, he remained in jail because the DA appealed that ruling. So yesterday's news was a big development. I just got home, logged on and saw this headline "Mychal Bell of 'Jena 6' released; bail being posted". How wonderful is that?!

Even better, Al Sharpton made a few comments...

"We do not condone violence of any kind, but we ask that people be given a fair and even chance at the bar of justice," the Rev. Al Sharpton said outside the courthouse.

"Tonight, Mychal can go home, but Mychal is not out of the juvenile process. He goes home because a lot of people left their home and stood up for him," he said.

"Let America know -- we are not fighting for the right to fight in school. We're not fighting for the right for kids to beat each other. We're fighting to say that there must be one level of justice for everybody. And you cannot have adult attempted murder for some, and a fine for others, and call that equal protection under the law. Two wrongs don't make one civil right."

Love it! Get em Al!!

Mychal Bell's Case Moved to Juvenile Court!

Action = Action!!

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana (CNN) -- The case of Mychal Bell, a black teenager accused of beating a white classmate in Jena, Louisiana, will be heard in juvenile court, Louisiana's governor announced Wednesday.

Gov. Kathleen Blanco said that she discussed Bell's case with LaSalle Parish District Attorney Reed Walters on Wednesday, and that Walters agreed not to challenge a state appeals court ruling that dismissed Bell's battery and conspiracy convictions.

http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/law/09/26/jena.six/index.html
_____________________________________

Well I'll Be...Mychal Bell's Conviction Overturned!!

Mychal Bell's conviction has been overturned and sent to juvenile court!!! Hallelujah!! Today was really odd...I finally posted about it and also wrote up an email urging my friends/family to get involved...and now this. How wonderful!!

http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/09/14/jena.six/index.html