Blackout - Jena 6

Submitted by Shauno

September 20th, 2007

Let it be known to begin that this is NOT directed at all of the thousands people who showed support and solidarity for the Jena 6 today (this is the what's NOT good page). The whole situation is what's NOT good.  As we showed our support by attending one of many rallies and gatherings in our local areas, those that went to Louisiana from all over the U.S. and folks who wore black to show unity against injustice (this particular rant is focused on the last one),  There are many (too many) people who don't know even the least or they know and stay oblivious to what is going on with this and many more of the Black communities and societies issues in general.

When I heard on the various radio shows and through email chains, posts, etc. that to show support for the Jena 6, dress in all black, I thought it would be interesting to see how many people I noticed, especially Black folk, dressed in all black.  You know, people in the street.  Now what I'm talking about is something very simple that's  just a statement regardless of religion, location, race, etc.  I am fully aware that we live in a mass media, entertainment-hypnotized society of mental slaves but I thought, "Wow, whatever you're doing, do it in Black. Simplistic genius."  Unfortunately, as I walked through the streets of NYC today with my black on, people are just as blissfully ignorant as I thought they were.

Out of a sea of people, you could count the number of people that chose to do this regardless of their schedule or what they were doing today.  It started to become apparent, the deep rooted complacency we have lulled ourselves to continue to sleep in.  Why can't we by majority get just this one tiny aspect of a MUCH LARGER issue right?  The answer...Mental Slavery and Ignorance.  My beef is that I felt if you asked any one of them what happened at the VMA's last week, what's going on with OJ or when the new season of I Love NY starts, they would be right on it.  Because we are by majority constantly connected to a myriad of electronic devices that are networked into information, text, IM, email, myspace, google, whatever, the answer would have to be ignorance and mental slavery because you're already plugged in and you make a choice the of content you view.  What the fuck are we really doing though...what the fuck are we listening to and watching?  

This is not just an issue for the south, for Black, for White but for equal justice!  No one's asking you to adopt radical views or convert to some new religion.  Just show you stand against injustice by wearing black.  We have become a society of complainers with no action.  Selfishness reigns supreme.

REAL CHANGE is a tall order.  I don't necessarily agree that true progress comes from all of of the issues we take up but maybe there is a string of events that can shift the general consciousness.  I do know however, we cannot save everyone from ignorance.  Our issue is shifting the mentality while maintaining balance.  The universal nature of the cure for the SPELL makes it a difficult task.

LETS CONTINUE TO SHOW OUR SUPPORT BEYOND THIS DAY!

NO JUSTICE! NO PEACE!