Brave New Films - Latest Comments in Jena - John Mellencamp’s Music Video

Re: Jena - John Mellencamp’s Music Video

teacher — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 15:54:56 -0000

Racism and racial hatred in the U.S. has a long, storied, bloodied, and complex history. It deserves to be inspected and analyzed by all those willing and should be by those who refuse. Condemning those who find fault with it, scapegoating those who misunderstand it, and excusing those who perpetuate it only strenghtens it as a cancer to this country. We cannot ignore it, nor can we find resolution by continuously assigning blame. Perhaps if everyone stopped yelling we might actually hear something.

Re: Jena - John Mellencamp’s Music Video

Kim K. — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 17:42:02 -0000

So it's okay for a white person to beat up someone who's black, but the black person should not defend themselves? And it's perfectly all right for white people to taunt black people by hanging nooses on a tree WHICH IS AN OBVIOUS REFERENCE TO LYNCHING? What about if there were Jewish students in that school, would those same white kids write 'Heil Hitler' on that same tree?

Re: Jena - John Mellencamp’s Music Video

Robert Kunferman — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 09:46:05 -0000

Wrong is wrong.

Just citing mitigating circumstances like a cross burning solves nothing outside of the sentenceing part of the trial.

I have no idea what color anybody is on here, but if you like I could probably have six guys beat any one of you up(you pick the soap opea color), and afterwards I hope you are as forgiving and accepting of blind violence.

Pain and injury are the same no matter who delivers the blows, so only in this backwards nation could clowns try to make that into some sort of political problem.

It sounds like Unkle Swine needs more paper tiges to shred, just to make sure all of us don't start to focus our attention on who creates inequality in this country. the government created and continues to create the inequalities, and then they fail to educate you so that you are too dumb to be ableto figure that out.

Grow-up, turn off your cell phone jewlry(the only assetts you own), and go to the library.

On second thought, stay stupid so other people can make a better living watching you serve burgers. Right there where you belong. Serving burgers.

Re: Jena - John Mellencamp’s Music Video

Kit — Sun, 28 Oct 2007 12:31:52 -0000

Scott Hawkins - That was NOT the only violence. Robert Bailey, a black kid, was attacked and beaten when he tried to get into a mostly white party. The next day a white boy pulled a shotgun on him. Bailey took the gun and left and ended up charged with posessing a firearm, second-degree robbery and disturbing the peace. I will also point out that to my knowledge none of the whites who attacked Bailey have been charged with anything.

Re: Jena - John Mellencamp’s Music Video

Robert Kunferman — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 08:13:49 -0000

Most District Attorneys I have seen and heard would find an innocent person guilty just to prevent the city, county, or state for being sued for malicious prosecution, and the swine cops for false arrest. I find few DA's that are anything more than cowards and greedy swine. I have no use for them. If people burn anything in my lawn or near a house I am in, they better run, then I end up in jail for protecting myself and my property. Go figure.

Re: Jena - John Mellencamp’s Music Video

Felix Wilcox — Sat, 20 Oct 2007 17:58:21 -0000

I don't know if you people are stupid or slow but the more I read these commentsI can see racism lives in Jena. If you in any way find it to be alright to hang nooses then you are a raciest. If you can't find a law that is being broken by hanging these nooses then you are a poor district attorney and a raciest aswell

Re: Jena - John Mellencamp’s Music Video

eyeopener007 — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 11:44:34 -0000

It all boils down to what Reagan did in 1988 bowing to pressure from the right: "Abolishing the Fairness Doctrine". This allowed channels like Fox News and Rush Limbaugh to exist. Ninety two percent (92%) of radio talk show hosts are right wing persuasion. Public airwaves belong to the public and the fairness doctrine must be restored. Insist that the presidential candidates promise to restore the fairness doctrine and to bust the 5 media monopolies which control our thought process.

Re: Jena - John Mellencamp’s Music Video

John Ehrenfeld — Sat, 13 Oct 2007 09:09:16 -0000

The economic oppression comes from/genesis of, racial bigotry.

Re: Jena - John Mellencamp’s Music Video

Robert Kunferman — Sat, 13 Oct 2007 08:52:52 -0000

You driveling swine don't have a genuine thread of empathy for anybody. Watch the documentary," The Boys From Barak", a neighborhood in Maryland used to squaller worse than most. They relocate to Africa, and get that rug pulled out from under them as well. This problem is economic, and to define it by race is being a bigot of a different sort. Drivel on, but don't drown yourselves in spewed flem.

Re: Jena - John Mellencamp’s Music Video

Ray — Fri, 12 Oct 2007 14:28:27 -0000

http://www.usatoday.com/new...

Actual quote from the g-mother"I held her in my arms and she knows that I would not harm her or put her life in danger. In order to understand racism one must experience it to make the connection."

In order to understand racism, ONE MUST EXPERIENCE IT TO MAKE THE CONNECTION?"

And yes, the Grambling incident were black teachers and a black G-mother putting a noose around a small black girls neck to show her how much white people disliked or hated her and thought she was inferior.

And why did they do this, Because this child had no idea that whote people disliked her or hated her or felt she was inferior. So they taught her..

I hurt for this child to have to live with this.

Re: Jena - John Mellencamp’s Music Video

Ray — Fri, 12 Oct 2007 14:19:17 -0000

I've, read all the comments and replys. I 've read the newspaper, I've listened to broadcast and debates concerning this issue. I have talked to residents both black and white. I HAVE been to Jena La.

The point to this is, M.Bell was a juvenile, yes. But he had numerous arrest already and was on probation for violent crimes as well as drugs. After so many, if your gonna act like an adult you shall be treated and tried as an adult. He beat his girl friend to the point her eye was hanging out of the socket. When is someone finally accountable?

THe nooses? WRONG, ABsolutley wrong. They were judged according to the law. Not right? then change the law.

WHat about in Grambling when a grandmother and teachers held a young girl up and put a noose around her neck? It was done in the manner of education. Quote" Young children dont understand dicrimination or racism or what the noose represents. It is up to us to educate them on these things" SO HOW ABOUT THAT. How about leaving them not knowing and not hating and not resenting. But let them become apart of a culture, a country a people. One that doenst hate or resent. One that doenst understand racism or discrimination Black and White. There are white kids who dont know or understand. But they are being taught by all of the media and Sharpton and Jackson etc. They are being taught that regardless of the love in their heart, or who they are or theyir great great ggrandfathers are, or what a small group of people do today and 150 years ago, they will pay for it. They will be resented and hated for something they did not do, nor do they support or believe in. My children will be hated and resented because of what a few people have done that they do not know. Yes that IS the way it works. When you have people spewing hate of any color, an entire race pays.

It should be about personal accountability. Not what our ancestors did, black or white or red. No one can change that but YOU and I. And it must stop. We are all equal, so how can one have special interest or favors and still be considered equal?

Re: Jena - John Mellencamp’s Music Video

John Ehrenfeld — Fri, 12 Oct 2007 10:39:49 -0000

You're right Patricia. And many are cowards who spout racist ideology only when protected by the anonymity of the internet, just look at the bigots who have posted here.

Re: Jena - John Mellencamp’s Music Video

Patricia Runyan — Fri, 12 Oct 2007 10:35:27 -0000

Many white "good ole boys" in this neck of the woods are still wearing the white robes and hoods (mostly in private), but they are around and- not only in the "new south"
I raised a black child and I saw what some white people can do. Most are racist and they do not even know it.

Re: Jena - John Mellencamp’s Music Video

Robert Kunferman — Fri, 12 Oct 2007 08:29:32 -0000

Most African Americans do not even know what it is to be black in America today. Either that or they don't know what it is to be an American and directly fight for your constitutional rights.

Just defining yourself by your race, surely limits your right to be normalized or accepted as a part of the society. Sort of a simple catch-22, the media clowns and minorities themselves sure love to play on themselves.

Frankly, I don't care how you got here, once American always one, so enough of the distractions and let's get the country back from those lousey, limeee, snaggle-toothed, imbred, British, pastey faced, no arse, freaken theives.

Then, let's pull the plug on their little raft.

Re: Jena - John Mellencamp’s Music Video

John Ehrenfeld — Fri, 12 Oct 2007 06:45:30 -0000

Anonymous says, "There is no law that says you can't hang a noose."

Despite your efforts to articulate a reasonable position, your comment above shows that you are in a complete racist fog when it comes to understanding what it's like to be an African-American in many parts of America today.

David Duke is articulate too.

Re: Jena - John Mellencamp’s Music Video

whatever — Thu, 11 Oct 2007 15:20:51 -0000

Has anyone been to Jena that is singing this song or commenting on this? Probably not. One word of advice.. be weary of the press.. they put what they think people want to read so they will sell their papers. Helloooo... sorta like don't believe what the government tells you either. Do your own research and then make your own opinion. Bet no one thought about that... especially John C.Mellencamp.

Re: Jena - John Mellencamp’s Music Video

A Kid That's Learning This In — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 19:15:03 -0000

Well,I don't really agree with beating anybody with a shoe, but the "Jena 6" kids are being trial unfairly. I mean the reason why they beat that white kid might not be about racism, maybe they just don't like that kid. But since to us it looks like a racist thing, then that's how it's gonna be. As for the trail, yeah, damn massed up. School fights break out all the time, but calling it attempt murder is a little much. And those kids were being trail by only white people, now that's just ain't right.

As for the nooses...IT'S NO JOKE. Them school board people be saying it was a "harmless" joke. Oh, haha, so funny, getting hang. That kid probably did it out of blind anger, and for that he is a retard.

And the way I see it, the school board there and maybe some other folks are just in denial.

Ummm, good song:)

Re: Jena - John Mellencamp’s Music Video

John Ehrenfeld — Tue, 09 Oct 2007 21:03:15 -0000

CPT B, Bravo!

Re: Jena - John Mellencamp’s Music Video

brenda mathews — Tue, 09 Oct 2007 18:15:16 -0000

i like the song. Thank you John (cougar) mellencamp. I am an Al sharpton fan but some times he is a little off base. I totally get the
song and it's lyrics. Its time for a change
racism has held america down for far to long.

Re: Jena - John Mellencamp’s Music Video

John Ehrenfeld — Mon, 08 Oct 2007 05:39:01 -0000

You just don't get it do you? Attempted murder for a school fight!!!! White kids involved in similar events get a slap on the wrist!!!

You can claim there is no racism involved, but the world knows differently.

Re: Jena - John Mellencamp’s Music Video

SomeLittleGirlInLouisiana(colf — Mon, 08 Oct 2007 05:20:41 -0000

Well... here's the thing about the "Jena Six"... They broke the law, and accordingly they are punished. There is no racism involved in this little war that has started... just justice. Jena might have racist qualities... sure... but these kids still broke the law. I know plenty of white students in jail for beating other students... just because the "Jena Six" are black, the laws should still apply accordingly... even more so considering how bad that boy was hurt. I'm no racist, just an american seeing a world in crisis... I know racism still exist, but you all are applying it in the WRONG situations... when a person goes to jail for something they DID NOT do... then we can holler racism... but for these six... they are lucky to get off with what they got.

Re: Jena - John Mellencamp’s Music Video

John Ehrenfeld — Sun, 07 Oct 2007 20:30:46 -0000

Well said strongwoman.

Re: Jena - John Mellencamp’s Music Video

John Ehrenfeld — Sun, 07 Oct 2007 20:29:29 -0000

Scott have you always hated African-Americans or is this a recent affliction?

Re: Jena - John Mellencamp’s Music Video

John Ehrenfeld — Sun, 07 Oct 2007 20:29:28 -0000

Scott have you always hated African-Americans or is this a recent affliction?

Re: Jena - John Mellencamp’s Music Video

strongwoman — Sun, 07 Oct 2007 20:28:40 -0000

Well, Mellencamp is right about racism still being a problem in America. I would say hanging nooses is criminal; nooses only have the purpose of intimidating, a symbol of murder if you don't "do what I say" and inciting to riot. It is disgusting that this still goes on in this nation. The Department of Justice needs to investigate this incident thoroughly and all the other crimes in Jena -- yes, segregation is a crime!