The noose is the ultimate reminder of racial hatred that keeps popping up everywhere. Even here in Prince George's County at the University of Maryland only this month (Washington Post story, U-Md. Responds to Possible Hate Crime). I shuddered at the very sound of the words "hanging tree" when I heard it once at a party when my husband & I were approached by a KKK recruiter (his post here & my comments follow).

NPR reports on the latest on Jena 6: "Mychal Bell, one of six black teens arrested for allegedly attacking a white classmate in Jena, La., has had both of his convictions in the case thrown out. A Louisiana judge ruled that Bell, a minor at the time of the crime, should not have been tried as an adult." and they have a photo gallery story about the case.

Many white folks need these reminders as they can be so blind to racism as I mentioned in this essay about a conversation online when someone said they hadn't seen racism in 40 yrs. Will Jena help to wake everyone up about the hatred that still exists? I understand 10,000 are expected to rally in the town on Thurs.

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