3 years ago
WASHINGTON, DC (WUSA) - Three mothers and one stepsister of the Jena 6 joined a panel Tuesday to discuss how racial injustice affects young people.
The panel, which included a civil rights attorney and a civil rights activist, was part of an all day series of panels organized by the Children's Defense Fund. Today's topic was called "Cradle to the Prison Pipeline - Crisis in America."
"We're talking about the overuse of the criminal justice system to take care of many problems in society," said Dr. Alan G. Bean, Executive Director of Fruends of Justice.
Bean first brought the Jena 6 story to the media's attention. The six black high school students were initially charged with attempted second-degree murder for beating up a white classmate after nooses were hung in a tree on campus.
Panelists agree the Jena 6 story epitomizes the the devastating affects the "pipeline" can have on young people.
"It really illustrates a toxic social situation can often create serious legal situations for ordinary African Americans and young people," said Bean.
Jena 6 parents came to Howard University to share their ideas on how to solve racial problems as well as share personal stories. Some of them felt the effects of Thursday's march in Louisiana, where thousands swarmed the Jena High School campus.
"We start getting threatening phone calls, they're looking for us or our kids. They're going to burn our house or lynch us," said Tina Davis, a Jena 6 mother.
Howard University students filled the auditorium, listening earnestly.
"As teenagers or young adults, we tend to think 'It's 2007. There's no more racism,'" said Whitney Shepard. "But racism is still everywhere. We have a lot of work to do before we get over it."
Written by Brittany Morehouse 9NEWS NOW
