This is solely intended to be an addition and correction to the Daily Forty-Niner article “Students walk out over Jena 6 case,” documenting the student walkout/teach-in on Monday, Oct. 1.
I must clarify that the purpose of the student walkout/teach-in was to educate students on the criminalization of African people and inspire community activism. The unreported “teach-in” exposed documentation on numerous issues related to the walkout.
The event was not only in support of the “Jena 6,” but the struggle against constant victimization of African communities. This must be clarified to counter baseless comments that attempt to trivialize the reality of this issue.
I must correct my alleged quotations because some statements were never made. This was “a national event” on campuses around the country, not “a national feeling.” “[F]eeling” was never used and does not convey our focus or the organizing that took place. Instead, it inaccurately depicts students driven by emotion. “Jena 6” is nothing new to our communities and the walkout/teach-in was an extension of continued student activism.
It is extremely important to note that there were a series of events (other than the hanging nooses from the “white tree” at Jena High) over the last 10 months, in which black students were threatened and whites were not arrested or seriously charged for their actions. These incidents then led to the “Jena 6” and must be highlighted to get a detailed understanding of the case.
Finally, we must be informed of another case of police terrorism that occurred on campus a few weeks ago in the courtyard of the College of Business Administration. It was reported that a CSULB student, and my personal friend, was falsely arrested by campus police without proper explanation and is currently being held in jail, awaiting trial.
“Accept the charges or change the reality!” Hotep (Peace).
– Tessema Garedew, Walkout/teach-in organizer
