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Thursday, September 20, 2007

Whatsoever Things are Just
By webmaster @ 9:20 AM :: 342 Views :: 3 Comments :: Rev. Kimberleigh Jordan

Marble Church is a diversifying community. It appears to me that this old church has launched out on a journey toward being a diverse community and the journey will have no return.

Every once in a while, however, society throws out a “pop quiz” and progressive and diversifying church communities are the recipients. The current societal pop quiz is a(nother) situation in Louisiana that has come to be known as the Jena 6. The 6 are six African American students from Jena High School. They are currently sitting in jail (meaning unable to attend school or apply for college) awaiting trials.

The story began in September 2006 when some African American students sat under a tree on the high school campus traditionally reserved for White students. On the next day, three nooses were found hanging from that tree in Jena High School colors invoking the terrible American history of lynching. The students responsible were expelled, but the school superintendent reversed the expulsion saying that the nooses were only a prank. In response to the superintendent’s decision, African American students organized a sit-in under the tree.

Now the story turns a bit: someone set fire to the school, a gang of white students beat an African American student at a party, a white student taunted that same Black student and was beaten up by some African American kids. After this, six African American boys were arrested and charged with attempted 2nd degree murder and conspiracy. One was given the max sentence of 22 years in prison. This has become a prime topic of conversation among many African American people.

The reason I bring it up here is that there’s been no talk of it in our diversifying community. There are those who are weeping, but they weep alone.

Reach out. Become informed. The pop quiz is on the table.

Comments

By Rob Williams @ Friday, September 21, 2007 9:05 AM

Kim, your blog on the Jena 6 is potent, challenging and convicting. I know that I, and far too many others, want to ignore the continuing struggle against racism in our communities and in our churches. We bury our heads in the sand of our personalistic, privatistic "spirituality". I have done this for 50 years and am struggling to "wake up". Thank you for ringing the alarm clock. I heard God speak in your voice!

By Bflood27 @ Saturday, September 22, 2007 12:37 AM

Thank you Kim for bringing this up. This topic hits home to me-having been raised in the south, and being a young african american male in an all white neighborhood, and schools growing up.

We all got along for the most part.Mostly because I was the oddity, the main attraction as it was (look at the exotic black kid etc) I faced racism but not to the extent of fist fighting and noose hanging on trees. This all sounds like scenes from a Harper Lee novel. Certainly not something that would take place in 2007!
I look at this church, and all of my white/yellow/black/red/orange brothers and sisters in Christ,and how we love each other at Marble. Then I look at Jena and I try to see how people can look at another person and decide they are worthless because of their skin color. I just don't understand.

By revlee21 @ Saturday, September 22, 2007 11:07 PM

Rev. Jordan,
Thank you for sounding the alarm. It is a blessing to see clergy throughout the country who continue to challenge us to strive for a better community. Your brothers and sisters at Community Of Hope AME salute you (and stand by you) as you "stand on the wall". God's Peace and Blessings.

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