Sophia A. Nelson: Where Do Broken Hearts Go: Whitney Has…
Morris W. O'Kelly: African Americans Must Shoulder Blame…
The mayor of Jena, La., says a new song by John Mellencamp called "Jena (Take Your Nooses Down)" is "inflammatory, defamatory" and crosses the line."The town of Jena has for months been mischaracterized in the media and portrayed as the epicenter of hatred, racism and a place where justice is denied," Jena Mayor Murphy R. McMillin said in a statement, according to The Associated Press.
Mellencamp says in a note posted on his Web site that the song tells a story.
"The song is not written as an indictment of the people of Jena but, rather, as a condemnation of racism," he says. "The current trial in Jena is just another reflection of prejudice in our nation." Mellencamp adds that the song is intended to catalyze thought.
Last week, the Jena Town Council voted to create an interracial committee to address racial relations in the town.
What do you think about the song?
click below for more photos
Comments: (77)
Add a comment
By: RJ on 10/09/2007 9:39PM
I applaud John Cougar Mellencamp for making the song and for using his music as a platform for taking stand against racism. John ,keep on keeping on!
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: JERRY on 10/09/2007 4:43AM
I'D LIKE TO KNOW WHERE JOHN COUGAR LIVES,NICE OLD WHITE AREA I'LL BET.HE DOESNT HAVE TO PUT UP WITH THE FEAR SOME WHITES HAVE TO.LIKE GETTING JUMPED,ROBBED,SHOT,ETC.
HE LIVES IN HIS WHITEBREAD WORLD JUST LIKE THE REST OF THE HOLLYWOOD LIBERALS.
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: Michelle on 10/09/2007 7:00AM
To respond to #2. Maybe he does live in a "whitebread world" but I commend him for coming out and expressing that what happened in Jena was an injustice. We need more regular, all around white American people to help us make change in this world. It is good for all of black America to come together for the cause, but we need everyone, not just black folk, to recognize that there is a problem, and then use whatever gifts that God has given them to contribute to the solution. Whether it is marching and holding signs, singing, preaching, radio talk show, ....
We as black people need all the help we can get while living in this world of injustice. The bible says the God is the only righteous judge, and if we are God's children, a little bit of our father should shine through us. And we are all God's children, even the "whitebread" ones.
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: ALEX HERRING on 10/09/2007 11:10AM
IF WE LIVE IN A CIVILIZED COUNTRY THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY SHOULD BE ARRESTED.
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: JOKER on 10/09/2007 7:31AM
Posters to this blog, please ignore jerry. he tried very hard to be the first poster to this blog in order to set the tone.
Just like his friend dick did to the one before.
He is a lowlife looser who monitors Black Pages in order to disrupt our "Town Meetings." Our efforts to understand our world and correct it through proactive, constructive, communication.
He has even stated that it bothers him that there is a Black Pages, and endeavours on some wild discourse about how mad you and I would be if there were a white pages blog. Really stupid.
He is a childish pig with a tiny little pecker who needs to compensate by putting someone else down.
John Cougar Mellencamp has always been an outspoken advocate for the America that the founding fathers did not know they were planning, but that God in His infinite Wisdom wanted.
It can be ours folks, let JCM know that we appreciate his taking a stand that is inclusive.
And leave jerry to his nightmare of exclusion of others.
Be afraid jerry, be very afraid.
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: TANK on 10/09/2007 7:53AM
Mellencamp gets a ghetto pass:)
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: Anthony O. Vann on 10/09/2007 9:00AM
If the injustice never occured a song would not be necessary about it, but since it did...I also applaud John for stepping out and lifting his voice on the situation.
Guaranteed Lowest Prices:
http://www.Noirefashions.com
http://www.Noireproductions.com
Home of the Miss Black NC USA Pageant
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: whitey from seattle on 10/09/2007 9:32AM
racism is ignorance!
Thank you John for your contribution to the idiots.
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: sff on 10/09/2007 9:51AM
To answer Jerry in statement #2, John Mellencamp lives near Bloomington, Indiana. He is always pushing for great causes regardless if they are white or black. I am a resident of Indiana and as the others have stated, I applaud him for giving his voice to causes theat some others don't care about.
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: Steve Kioi on 10/09/2007 10:21AM
Congratulations John!!!!!!!!
Racisim is so deep even into the deep marrow of the bone.deep in the sense that it begins when you go asking for a job and the first thing you get is the form asking you to declare you RACE. I think that should stop in order to teach ourselves what the real meaning of equality is. I say this because there are other better ways of identification which are already in place.It does not make any sense when I produce my picture ID and sum it up with the form.
Reply to this Comment | Report This