[GlindaofOz]

A friend just forwarded me this story 6 black teenager have been arrested and are being tried with attempted murder for beating up a white teenager after that teenager antagonized them and hung nooses from a tree nearby (Democracy Now! | Hundreds March in Jena, Louisiana in Support of the Jena Six)

How does this happen in 2007? I was never raised to act in such a vile and disgusting manner. How can kids think this behavior is okay? Not to say that it was okay for 6 kids to beat up 1 but the truth is that if kids understood the gravity of hateful actions this fight may have never happened.

I was just so floored I had to share this.

[shygrneyzs]

I am also stunned by this news piece. With all the education being done on understanding and accepting differences, on learning acceptance based on character not color, it really does make one wonder. Either there is not enough done or it is not being followed through on multiple levels or it is not reaching real people. Neither act done was right by any means, but to hang nooses on a tree generally means a necktie party being held. What could the others have thought but that it was meant for them?

Still there are supposed to be people in place that those teens could have gone to, to report this and have it investigated. But I know how that goes sometimes. How very very sad for everyone.

[firmbeliever]

Hatred and racial prejudices...
These are learned behaviour and even if parents do not realise it, the odd comment they might have made regarding colors or races of people do sometimes get lodged in the kids ideas and when it is reinforced by peer groups they come out into their communities with hatred for one race or another and judge with prejudiced eyes.

I watched a Tyra Banks show in which the focus was racial discrimination of different kinds and there was a family brought onto the show who were teaching their kids that "Aryan" race is superior to all others and on this show the father pointedly told Tyra and Oprah to go back home and to lead their own people.
He even said that his children will only marry pure Aryans and bring pure Aryan children through their marriages!

I was flabbergasted!
I thought the original Americans were Red Indians and all other people just moved into the country and were mostly settlers who built the nation.


So yes! In this day and age, racial discrimination does exist, and people judge others with prejudiced eyes.The media does nothing to help, as they too knowingly or unknowingly do show discrimination.

For us muslims we are taught to respect all races as we are no different from one another except for piety in the sight of God (I am not saying all muslims use this advise in their daily practices, but it should be a part of religious beliefs).

No one is better because of his color, but only by their good deeds.

[Dark_crow]

A friend just forwarded me this story 6 black teenager have been arrested and are being tried with attempted murder for beating up a white teenager after that teenager antagonized them and hung nooses from a tree nearby (Democracy Now! | Hundreds March in Jena, Louisiana in Support of the Jena Six)

how does this happen in 2007? I was never raised to act in such a vile and disgusting manner. How can kids think this behavior is okay? Not to say that it was okay for 6 kids to beat up 1 but the truth is that if kids understood the gravity of hateful actions this fight may have never happened.

I was just so floored I had to share this.

First thought…someone should hang the author of this story!!

Second thought…There is no conclusion I can come to except that some people just love to promote racial hatred.

[Fr_Chuck]

Yes racial hatred is being taught from both sides, just as in the things mentioned above, but also many blacks are being taught to hate whites.
There is even a church ( Church of the Black Madonna) using the name African Orthodox, that teaches that all white people are serving satan, and that the black Jesus is coming back to save all black people from the devil ( white people) and that any black person who helps or has something to do with white people are all traitors of the black race.

So yes hate is being taught by many still

[Dark_crow]

Yes racial hatred is being taught from both sides, just as in the things mentioned above, but also many blacks are being taught to hate whites.
There is even a church ( Church of the Black Madonna) using the name African Orthodox, that teaches that all white people are serving satan, and that the black Jesus is comming back to save all black people from the devil ( white people) and that any black person who helps or has something to do with white people are all traitors of the black race.

So yes hate is being taught by many still

Not to suggest that it does not exist… but unlike the past in America, I wonder if racial hatred is something that is sold for money or power, more than something that actually exists on its own.

[Dreamer10]

Well it was illegal in some states in the United States for blacks and whites to get married until recently, so it is no wonder that what you have posted has happened. It's also pretty bad that slavery was made legal here, and then blacks became racist back, thinking that all whites are "haters". This is the disgusting cycle that we had initiated back in the day, and I say it has to end somewhere, especially with this case of white racism, and then black retaliation of an extreme form. I don't understand how we can have White Supremacists as governors, but exclude gays in some states. Anyway, all these strange ways to be seem to be a formula for hate. I think some major restructuring of certain racist areas and religious groups of our society would be good. Like, as mentioned by Fr_chuck, it's stupid to have a religious group that's taught to hate white people, just as dumb as it is to have in the bible that slavery is okay (as is and was the justification for white priests to enslave blacks).

[Dark_crow]

Well it was illegal in some states in the United States for blacks and whites to get married until recently, so it is no wonder that what you have posted has happened.

I think some major restructuring of certain racist areas and religious groups of our society would be good. Like, as mentioned by Fr_chuck, it’s stupid to have a religious group that’s taught to hate white people, just as dumb as it is to have in the bible that slavery is okay (as is and was the justification for white priests to enslave blacks).

I’m not sure some of the things you say here is beneficial to understanding racial hatred, for instance:

Loving v. Virginia, 388 U.S. 1 (1967), was a landmark civil rights case in which the United States Supreme Court declared Virginia's anti-miscegenation statute, the "Racial Integrity Act of 1924", unconstitutional, thereby ending all race-based legal restrictions on marriage in the United States.

So I don’t understand you saying, “Until recently”. This was long before the kids in the story were born, even before some of their parents were likely born.

Yes, some groups have claimed that several verses in the Bible, for example the story of Phinehas and the so-called "curse of Ham", should be understood as referring to miscegenation and that these verses expressly forbid it.

And here you are talking about a very small percentage of people.


Since the Bible was written long before the emergence of the concept of race, most theologians read these verses as forbidding inter-religious marriage, rather than inter-racial marriage.

And here you are talking about a very small percentage of people; repeating these kinds of beliefs is only fueling the fires of hatred.

I can’t help but wonder what you mean by, ”major restructuring”.:confused:

[firmbeliever]

There is also a division (they call themselves muslims, but we believe different) called Nation of Islam and they believe blacks being superior to all else,
When the first basic principle of Islam is to believe in One God and that all humans are the same in the sight of Allah except those who do good deeds and are pious!

Some people do mistake this group as muslims, but I can assure you that anyone who practices racial hatred from among the muslims are doing so against religious teachings of equality among all races and Allah is the judge of who is superior and who is not according to what each one does.
Islam teaches that during each prayer all bow down to Allah and the kings and the subjects, employer and employee get to the same level and bow down to Allah as equals!

[Dark_crow]

There is also a division (they call themselves muslims, but we believe different) called Nation of Islam and they believe blacks being superior to all else,
when the first basic principle of Islam is to believe in One God and that all humans are the same in the sight of Allah except those who do good deeds and are pious!!

Some people do mistake this group as muslims, but I can assure you that anyone who practices racial hatred from among the muslims are doing so against religious teachings of equality among all races and Allah is the judge of who is superior and who is not according to what each one does.
Islam teaches that during each prayer all bow down to Allah and the kings and the subjects, employer and employee get to the same level and bow down to Allah as equals!!

The question has already been asked: ‘Should Nation Of Islam be investigated for terrorism;’ with its long record of hateful anti-Semitism, anti-Americanism and the mass murder of Marylanders by one of Farrakhan's security men I believe it should. If you recall Allen Muhammad, one of the Beltway snipers was a member of the ‘Nation’.

I think they are keeping as low a profile as possible…

[firmbeliever]

The question has already been asked: 'Should Nation Of Islam be investigated for terrorism;' with its long record of hateful anti-Semitism, anti-Americanism and the mass murder of Marylanders by one of Farrakhan's security men I believe it should. If you recall Allen Muhammad, one of the Beltway snipers was a member of the 'Nation'.

I think they are keeping as low a profile as possible…

Thanks for the update!
I didn't know there had been a question regarding this...

I just try to clear misunderstandings regarding Islam... :)

[Dreamer10]

I'm not sure some of the things you say here is beneficial to understanding racial hatred, for instance:

Loving v. Virginia, 388 U.S. 1 (1967), was a landmark civil rights case in which the United States Supreme Court declared Virginia's anti-miscegenation statute, the "Racial Integrity Act of 1924", unconstitutional, thereby ending all race-based legal restrictions on marriage in the United States.

So I don't understand you saying, “Until recently”. This was long before the kids in the story were born, even before some of their parents were likely born.

Yes, some groups have claimed that several verses in the Bible, for example the story of Phinehas and the so-called "curse of Ham", should be understood as referring to miscegenation and that these verses expressly forbid it.

And here you are talking about a very small percentage of people.


Since the Bible was written long before the emergence of the concept of race, most theologians read these verses as forbidding inter-religious marriage, rather than inter-racial marriage.

And here you are talking about a very small percentage of people; repeating these kinds of beliefs is only fueling the fires of hatred.

I can't help but wonder what you mean by, ”major restructuring”.:confused:

Hey, here's the news from CNN that proves what I was saying about blacks and whites not being permitted to get married. :( I know this is very sad and not many know about it, but thank goodness these laws changed by 2000 and going into effect by 2001! (that is pathetically recent no?). And no, it was never a small percentage of people in America that believed blacks were permitted to be enslaved (especially with religious backing and all)... it was very huge. Today though, as we have become more educated and there has been a MAJOR restructuring to our racist religious and social ways of the past, I think most Christains would never want to enslave people based on their skin color. So thank you for mentioning that and I should have been more clear about this (and I am sorry for anyone that I offended, I'm aware as a Christian that those who believe in slavery are not real Christ-followers anyway). And I think that answers your question about restructuring. What is left in our social, religious, education and everything else systems should be restructured for their discriminating ways, whether it's being sexist, racist, prejudice...
The Alabama case is a good step in making changes to bring people together instead of teaching them to be racist, to separate, and whatever else nasty comes with it.

CNN.com - Alabama repeals century-old ban on interracial marriages - November 8, 2000

That one is CNN that I just pasted. And I copied and pasted some of it for everyone to see.

Alabama repeals century-old ban on interracial marriages

November 8, 2000
Web posted at: 2:55 p.m. EST (1955 GMT)

MONTGOMERY, Alabama (AP) -- Alabama voters on Tuesday repealed the state's century-old ban against interracial marriage, an unenforceable but embarrassing throwback to the state's segregationist past.

The vote was running 59 percent to 41 percent, with 58 percent of the voted counted.

[Dark_crow]

Hey, here's the news from CNN that proves what I was saying about blacks and whites not being permitted to get married. :( I know this is very sad and not many know about it, but thank goodness these laws changed by 2000 and going into effect by 2001! (that is pathetically recent no?). And no, it was never a small percentage of people in America that believed blacks were permitted to be enslaved (especially with religious backing and all)...it was very huge. Today though, as we have become more educated and there has been a MAJOR restructuring to our racist religious and social ways of the past, I think most Christains would never want to enslave people based on their skin color. So thank you for mentioning that and I should have been more clear about this (and I am sorry for anyone that I offended, I'm aware as a Christian that those who believe in slavery are not real Christ-followers anyway). And I think that answers your question about restructuring. What is left in our social, religious, education and everything else systems should be restructured for their discriminating ways, whether it's being sexist, racist, prejudice...
The Alabama case is a good step in making changes to bring people together instead of teaching them to be racist, to seperate, and whatever else nasty comes with it.

CNN.com - Alabama repeals century-old ban on interracial marriages - November 8, 2000

That one is CNN that I just pasted. And I copied and pasted some of it for everyone to see.

Alabama repeals century-old ban on interracial marriages

November 8, 2000
Web posted at: 2:55 p.m. EST (1955 GMT)

MONTGOMERY, Alabama (AP) -- Alabama voters on Tuesday repealed the state's century-old ban against interracial marriage, an unenforceable but embarrassing throwback to the state's segregationist past.

The vote was running 59 percent to 41 percent, with 58 percent of the voted counted.

I’m convinced that the anti-racism in America rhetoric is more public-relations stagecraft than anything else. I don’t really believe it for a moment. Sure, when one on one it’s easy to shake it, but when humans began to form in numbers’- then the racism begins. It’s here to stay; all we can do is make laws that gloss over that fact.

[GlindaofOz]

Well we come across as a racist society as a whole. The media reinforces negative stereotypes which in turns reinforces the idea that we should be afraid of "THEM" (No not THEM!! ) People live their lives in fear of some non-existent looming non-white threat.

I personally believe the scariest factions of individuals are the neo-nazis/Aryan nation - however you want to call it. Their ability to brainwash and reinforce negatives are truly frightening.

Too many people are fueled with anger and have no idea where to let it out. It seems easy to scapegoat another race instead of taking ownership of their own problems or issues. Is there a lot out in the world that is unfair? Of course. But that does not mean that violence solves anything. This article floored me and I could not believe that someone would believe that beating the hell out of someone was the right thing to do. I know in my mind I would want to get that person in trouble, something that would last not just a beat down. Even this article reinforces negative stereotypes and it is a sad comment on our society. However I am glad to see that others found it as a jumping off board to discuss other things. Thanks for letting me share guys.

[Fr_Chuck]

We do realise that blacks and whites were still getting married in Al long before that law was revolked, it like 1000's of laws that were declared unconsititional just never get taken off the books, Every state has 100's of them, In most cases the state law makers just don't take the time to do away with laws that are not inforced.

And example is a lot of states still have laws against abortion. So if the federal abortion laws were ever overturned, then the state laws would be back in force.

So although the law was finally taken off the books, it was no longer valid for years and years before

[Skell]

What a horrible story with no winners likely. Not to condone the bashing but gee I find it hard to have sympathy with trash that hung those nooses on the tree's.

They incited the bashing and frankly if it were me I fear I may have been up on charges far worse than "attempted murder". You'd more than likely be removing the word attempted.

Ok maybe not. But the rage I feel about racism really gets me going. I HATE IT!!

I had a pacific island girlfriend for 7 years and am now seeing a half Asian girl. And most people don't carte. 90% of the people in fact. They don't see them differently. IN fact they want to learn more about their culture. But the 10% can really make life difficult sometimes and it hard to sit by and watch the pain it causes the victim.

[Dreamer10]

We do realise that blacks and whites were still getting married in Al long before that law was revolked, it like 1000's of laws that were declared unconsititional just never get taken off the books, Every state has 100's of them, In most cases the state law makers just don't take the time to do away with laws that are not inforced.

And example is alot of states still have laws against abortion. So if the federal abortion laws were ever overturned, then the state laws would be back in force.

So although the law was finally taken off the books, it was no longer valid for years and years before

Fr_Chuck, the news clip from the American CNN explained that over 40% of the population that voted, voted to still have it illegal for blacks and white to get married!

So... I just want to point out that even if, as you are claiming, "that this is just some law that law makers didn't really inforce and just didn't take the time to take down" etc... that this will not take away by the SHOCKING vast numbers there of people, in an American state, who are very much against blacks and whites marrying. :( Sad...

[Starman]

For those who approve of this violence, from where do you derive the right to be physically punishing people you disagree with? The reason I ask is because it seems to be a modus operandi which has to have some sort of basis in socialization. I strongly suspect that this tendency to batter disliked people or people who annoy is learned at home and I find it no better than the conduct of the idiot who went around tying nooses.

[Skell]

Starman,

They aren't murderers. They are being charged with attempted murder.

I haven't seen anyone approve of this. I certainly don't. But I think you'll find people who sympathise with those who have been racially taunted lashing out.

Do you not think there was provocation?

I strongly suggest the tendency to be a racist pig is also learned at home. What's your point??

You seem to have made none!

[Skell]

Your right though that the tendency to batter people we don't agree with is a basis of society. It starts at the very top with the President. Anyone he doesn't like or agree with, he batters! Difference is he uses his planes and tanks.

I suppose you did make a point after all. My apologies.