The Media and the Jena 6

The editor of the Jena Times, writing in the Christian Science Monitor, takes the national media to task for basing its stories about the recent controversy in Jena, LA on myths about what in fact happened.

Not being there, I am in no position to judge, but it is worth noting that many stories that prove to be, if not untrue--distorted, are biased in a manner that allows us to confirm prejudices or pre-held beliefs. We have a sense of how the world works and we use that to process information. Studies suggest that the act of processing information can alter it significantly. We remember things that did not happen, or ignore things that did, because it does not fit our picture of how the world works. The criminal justice process has has to take this into consideration when attempting to determine the validity of eyewitness testimony. Did a witness actually see what they believed they saw?

Louisiana has a pretty bad track record in civil rights matters, so it is easy to believe the worst when stories of this nature arise. Stereotypes seem hardwired into our brains.

We discuss this further in 2301 when we talk about public opinion.

The Little Rock Nine

Fifty years ago today, Eisenhower sent federal troops to enforce a federal court order to desegregate Central High School.

In his words, the troops were to ensure that "the mob" did not succeed in thwarting the legal process.

Ironically, given the recent controversy surrounding the Jena 6 and the recent court decisions that some argue have effectively overturned Brown v Board, some wonder how far as a society we have progressed since 1957.

This is also the anniversary of the last day the Brooklyn Dodgers played in Brooklyn.