By the beginning of next week I plan to post a list of hip hop blogs, websites and fellow travelers who are supporting the Jena 6. It will basically be a list of links that will be included in a post that will appear both here and at Hip Hop Logic.
Since many activists, both in the streets and in their armchairs, like to play "Rank the Issue", let me explain why I’m giving such a level of support to this particular situation, though I do think that Rank the Issue is a waste of time.
The story of the Jena 6 is quite compelling, especially if one gets past the short version and starts to dig into the stories from folks on the scene. Their stories will help make it clear that this isn’t just about those kids but is about the systematic racism that pervades the Deep South and is reflected in the laws and institutions that have emerged since the Civil War and allowed racists to finesse the supposed death of Jim Crow.
I believe this could be a crucial issue in organizing support for poor people and people of color in the Deep South and we should take advantage of it now while folks are receptive. It’s also a case that connects the issues raised by the aftermaths of Hurricane Katrina and Rita as well as the case of Genarlow Wilson. It also offers many opportunities to educate folks about the realities down there that also connect to realities across the nation.
I could say more and will be doing more, especially at Hip Hop Logic, but you can go ahead and let me know that you have something up in the comments section below.
Special Note to My Fellow White People:
White people need to step up on this one, just as do rich rappers. We white people, in particular, have a difficult challenge ahead in explaining this to other white folks that just don’t get it. That means that if you interact with white people regularly, you need to study up on this situation so that you can explain it beyond the superficial, "yeah, they hung some nooses and railroaded those boys."
But despite those challenges, I really do think this is a huge opportunity to educate folks about what’s happening. It’s touched me very deeply but even if you don’t really care, front in a convincing manner on your blog and you can get that link love.
What up clyde – I’ve been more and more interested by this story as it develops and trying to put together something to spread the message.
feel free to hit me up at driver(at)hiphopremix(dot)com.
I’m working on an editorial piece now about this and should have it up by tomorrow.
Right on. The story is definitely drawing people in. Look forward to seeing what you do.
From urging people to sign the petition to speaking about it on our weekly podcast EG Radio is committed to spreading the word as well as inform the world. Since the media is doing nothing about this (why?), humane people are stepping up to get it out. We see you prohiphop, come thru and let’s cross promote.
There’s been some big media coverage but it’s indie media that’s going to really move this thing. Thanks for reaching out.
I’ve been trying to figure this situation out, thanks for the links. I am deeply concerned with the aftermath of Katrina and the deep south in general. I’m a white girl, but that’s where my family is from and I love it. My website is about music and culture, with an emphasis on community and activism, so you can bet I am going to post something once I have a better grasp on the history. Thanks for creating this link up to get people like me motivated to get something done now instead of later…
Love Pro Hip Hop too – thanks for all your work putting this together!
Big Ups Clyde!
I can’t really cut ‘em a check right now and I may not be able to make it down but I figured this was a solid use of my resources to help move things forward at a crucial juncture.
We’ve got to get this past the early adopters and bring in the mainstream. This issue can crossover if we stay on it.
I’m just getting started at Hip Hop Logic and will have more up with an overall directory of the resources that are working for me. With the videos I’ve got to actually watch before posting them so I’ve only been able to do a little chunk a day.
Thanks for the positive response. I hope that directing people to the work others have been doing and offering some link love will be a real contribution, however small.
By the way Molli Fire’s a great name!
I need to check with Rafi Kam at Oh Word (ohword.com) to see where they got their sidebar graphic. That might be a cool thing for folks to post that want to show visible support.
I got it here
http://www.mnemosyne-blog.net/jena-6-banners/
But I shrunk it to fit my sidebar and then re-purposed it because I didn’t think that petitiononline.com was an effective destination for people.
First I had it pointing to the whileseated link but after I saw Chartreuse’s post on Jena Six I learned of Color of Change and changed the link to point there.
By the way Too Sense has been providing great coverage of the Jena Six story all year.
http://halfricanrevolution.blogspot.com
Correction: Too Sense is where I first saw the banner. But then I googled and found that other site.
Having just read this Sun Times article:
http://www.supernegro.com//viewarticle.php?postid=534
spotted via supernegro.com I’m no longer certain this color of change url is the best choice either.
Color of Change says donate to the defense fund but doesn’t offer the address. And if visitors click the Donate link on top it’s only to fundraise for CoC itself.
It’s frustrating because the official Jena 6 Defense website (http://jenasix.org/ ) doesn’t give a way to contribute online which is a big mistake considering you have an energized movement of internet users. I’m going to email them and ask why they dont set up paypal. I’m assuming I wont be the first person to ask them that though.
Good looking out on the Jena 6 site.
Definitely contact them especially if you’re willing to help set things up. I wouldn’t assume anything at this point in terms of the direct support they’re getting with such things.
If they want help on that and you don’t have time, let me know.
The jena6.org is giving correct info but how do you know that’s the official site?
I know the address for donations is correct cause that’s the one given by one of the mothers on the Democracy Now broadcast.
jenasix.org is registered by:
Administrative Contact:
Buth, Eric [email protected]
664 Flushing Avenue
Floor 2
Brooklyn, New York 11206
United States
(212) 627-4088
rayogram.com looks like a cool thing but I wouldn’t make any assumptions about the relationship.
chartreuse has been updating the post from his wife rather than doing new posts:
http://chartreuse.wordpress.com/2007/08/24/the-jena-6/
She says the Color of Change folks have partnered with the Jena 6 folks and that you can donate directly to the fund online:
https://secure.colorofchange.org/jena_fund/
That would mean that this is a more official site:
http://www.freethejena6.org
These comments contain a wealth of good links! Thanks for posting all of them, I will try to read as much as possible over the weekend.
Thanks Clyde! I love my name, it reminds me of an all important adage that helps in this situation too:
“Keep the fire of the beginning and avoid the poison of the end.”
Kinda means don’t get burnt out by things that sparked a lot of enthusiasm at one time….
It’s nice that I have a constant reminder of this.