Jena 6: The New Surge For Justice

It’s been a little while since I felt the urge, rather the need to write. So, I have been silent on a number of important issues that touch our lives in profound ways: the war, inadequacies of educational institutions, the continued disrespect of black women, global warming, presidential politics, and the gripping violence in communities of color.

However, today, I can not sit silent on the issues raised by the Jena 6 students: racism, criminal injustice and socio-economic inequities that many black and brown skinned persons endure everyday in America. When will it all end?

The Jena 6, as we have come to know these students, acted bravely, courageously and defiantly on behalf of all oppressed, poor and marginalized people in America, not just Louisiana and not just the Jena High School. Their actions have sparked a social revival and moved us out of our complacency and self-interest to a place of change and national-global focused-interests. They have fueled the flames of justice, liberty, and equality for all God’s creation.

We must applaud Louisiana for being the state that challenges everything America supposedly stands for: equality for all, justice for all and liberty for all. It is the state that shows how repression of civil rights and social justice is the real reality of life for so many hidden and unseen faces. Rights and privileges afforded to its more wealthy citizens are God-given and deeply protected. On the other hand, the rights and privilege of its poor, disadvantaged, and communities of color remain a dream deferred.


I join the many activists, preachers, civil rights leaders, students, community and national organizations, church groups, policy makers,alternative media, main street media, bloggers, sororities and fraternities, entertainers, members of the hip hop community in coming together to bridge age, gender, sexual orientation, beliefs, and class to heal the emotional, spiritual, mental, and physical pain caused by racist laws and a racist justice system.

Can we bridge egos, big heads and perceived vested interests to launch the next “civil rights” movement that truly liberates the soul of America by looking racism in all of its ugly forms of expression-explicit and implicit at its core? Can we bridge generational gaps and invite the young in spirit, in age, in experience to the table with the tested and tried veterans: bruised from the battle, skilled in the art of war, and the keepers of the truth.

It is my hope that we remain vigilant and determined in our pursuit of justice, of liberation, and prosperity for all. I call for a new surge of justice, in economic parity, educational reforms, and job renewal-living wages. Let us double our local, state, and national resources to wage war on poverty, ignorance, and racism: a surge for justice.

In the weeks ahead, let's mark our ground breaking social revival by wearing black every Thursday (Black Thursday) until all of the Jena 6 are safe, free, and home. And, let us pray too, for our enemies: those opposed to justice.