The Journal

Issue date: 9/20/07 Section: Opinion/Editorial

Since the 1954 landmark decision of Brown v. Board of Education overturned previous rulings of segregation, schools across America have steadily become more racially diverse, but in the United States a sometimes hostile air of racial tension and violence continues to exist. Amid the controversy of the "Jena 6," Webster University needs to persist as a model of racial tolerance and diversity and set an example for other schools.

In September 2006 at a local high school in Jena, La., a black student sat under a tree primarily reserved for white students. Because of this, three nooses in the school colors were hung from the tree. Although three white students were implicated, and the principal advised expulsion, the white superintendent overruled the principal and gave the students a three day suspension instead. He cited the lesser punishment because the nooses were only part of "a youthful stunt."

After this incident, some of the black students staged a sit-in under the tree. Racial tension intensified, and in December 2006 a fight occurred between black and white students. As a result, six black students were expelled, arrested and charged with attempted second degree murder. The day of the trial, the charges were reduced to second degree aggravated battery and conspiracy. The aggravated charge came from the prosecutor who argued one of the student's shoes could be considered a deadly weapon.

None of the white students were arrested. After the all-white jury deliberated, one of the students was found guilty and charged as an adult. At age 17, the student faces at least 22 years in prison and a maximum of 40 years.

Thankfully as of Sept. 18, 2007 the student was acquitted of all charges after the Jena prosecutor and judge did not to show up to the hearing.

The nooses were not a boyish prank. They were a hate crime, and should not have been ignored by the school system. The black students were only trying to exercise their rights, and without the support of their school system, they were forced into a position where they had to defend themselves. In the face of the Jena school district's negligence, schools across America need to take a stand against racism, especially in the school systems.

On http://www.studentuniversity.com, which gives an overview of colleges across America, more than half of Webster University's student demographic is white, but minority groups' numbers continue to swell due to an increase of international students' and minorities' enrollment. The diversity has not only enhanced our educational process, but it has also produced a diverse group of campus leaders.

Continued...

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