Millenium Emmitt Till

Modern Day Emmit Till: Noah Jamahl Jones by: Black Jesus Recently I’ve watched the Africn American community pull a page straight out of the 70’s. Our herats have been in the right place, but I call our actions insane.. Yesterday Mos Def called for a walkout. Last week, thousands of African Americans descended upon the small town of Jena, La. To have a peaceful march and rally. If we have proven that we have nothing else we have faith. We as people might have a lack of money, lack of black pride, or a lack of car insurance. But we never are lacking in faith. If I come of as pessimistic, it is what it is. I guess I’m a non conforming pessimist.


Myself, and most of rational America believe that the Jena 6 were being treated unfairly. If you didn’t know Mr. Bell(of the Jena six) has a history of violence. He has a few juvie assault charges. Does this make him the next John Allen Mohamed. I doubt it. As a juvenile I had about five assault charges. But tendencies as a child didn’t follow me into my adult life. Everybody can change. The Jena 6 case is a reminder to all minorities that racism does still exist in America. If you ask me I think it always will. Is it me, or have you noticed that white people are the only people who think that racism doesn’t exist. I’m still trying to figure out what reverse racism is. If anyone can define it, please email me. All civilized Americans (not to exclude those a you who have a wire hanger posing as a antenna hanging out of the back of your tv) know about the Jena 6. But how many of you know about Noah Jamahl Jones. If you don’t live in Maryland the name probably doesn’t ring a bell. Even if you do live in Md you probably haven’t. Do I blame you. No. I blame Black people as a whole, the media and good ole Al and Jesse.



I wasn’t present when the events took place. I had to rely on the Baltimore Sun for my info. Nevertheless, walk with me. On 7/24/2004 Mr Jones along with three friends went to a house party in his hometown of Pasadena, Md. One of the friends was said to have a firearm, and the other was said to have a stun gun. They were going to the party to rescue a friend who feared a group of men in attendance. For whatever reason the two groups engaged in a brawl. Jones was knocked to the ground. Guys from the opposing group kicked and stomped Jones while he was on the ground. Mr Joes would never rise again. No shots were fired and no one was shocked. A few hours later Mr. Jones was pronounced dead. On 7/25/05 four white men were charged with the murder of Jones. I thought it would be a open and shut case. But I was wrong. On 8/18/04 Anne Arundel county Md proved to me that racism was just as much alive as it was when Kunta Kinte got off the boat in downtown Annapolis. On this day the state dropped the murder charges against the four white men. Citing that the preliminary autopsy showed that Jones’ death might have been caused by the fall, not the kicks. The charges were reduced to manslaughter. On 5/5/06 trial began for Tyler Fortney. The first of the six to go to trial for manslaughter. One of Fortney’s co-defendants even testified against him. On 5/12 a all white jury acquitted Mr. Fortney of the charges. 12 days later the charges against the other five were dropped. Justice was never served.



Another mother loses another son and no one is held responsible. Just like Emmit Till some 50 yrs ago. Black man killed, white men acquitted. Same justice system, no change. But we still have faith. I’ve have been told that insanity is doing the same thing over and over expecting different results. If this is true, we as black people are insane. We still marching and singing “we Shall overcome.” Question, when. My, people what is the next step? Any suggestions? Al Sharpton, Jesse Jackson Bill Cosby and Oprah, any suggestions?