Rev. Gilbert H. Caldwell: Words Matter
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This one is comes from the "Straight Foolishness" file.A week after getting busted for shoplifting, Jena Six teen Mychal Bell was rushed to a hospital Monday with a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the chest, according to the AP.
Cops think Bell was upset over media coverage for getting arrested for stealing from a Dillard's on Christmas Eve. His lawyer says it was an accident. Thousands thew their support behind this young man and others in 2007 with massive civil rights demonstration. ...
Bell's record was just cleaned for charges stemming from a racially-charged fight involving him and five other black teenagers at Jena High School in 2006. The case got national attention when prosecutors wanted to charge the teens with attempted murder.
Bell was cleaning a gun when it accidentally discharged, his attorney told CNN. He's been staying with a foster family in Monroe, La.
More Coverage: The Jena 6 - Where Are They Now?
Jena Six Case
Rallies in support of the Jena Six were held in Jena and elsewhere in the United States on September 20, 2007 the date when Mychal Bell was scheduled for sentencing.
AP
The Rev. Al Sharpton speaks to a standing-room only congregation at Trout Creek Baptist Church in Jena, La., Sunday, Aug. 5, 2007. Sharpton criticized officials in this racially tense Louisiana town, saying the attempted murder charges leveled against six black teens show "one rule for white kids and one for black kids." Seated with Sharpton are Marcus Jones, left, and Melissa Bell, parents of Mychal Bell. Behind Sharpton are several of the other accused students. (AP Photo/Richard Alan Hannon)
AP
A man holds a newspaper before the start of a civil rights march on September 19, 2007 in Jena, Louisiana.
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A girl here listens to Rev. Al Sharpton speak before a civil rights march on September 20, 2007 in Jena, Louisiana. Thousands of protesters have gathered for a march on the Louisiana town of Jena in protest of the criminal trial of six black teens charged in an alleged attack on a white classmate. The fight was sparked between the youths after several nooses were hung from a tree at a high school.
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Radio host Michael Baisden(2nd L), Rev. Al Sharpton (2nd R) and Melissa Bell (R), mother of Mychal Bell, march towards Jena High school during f a civil rights march on September 20, 2007 in Jena, Louisiana.
AP
An estimated 15,000 to 20,000 demonstrators attended the rally that day, severely overtaxing the facilities of the small town of 3,000 residents. Because of the congestion on the roads leading to Jena, many protesters left their vehicles and walked into town on foot.
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JENA, LA - SEPTEMBER 20: Bryant Purvis, one of the 'Jena Six' listens to the Rev. Al Sharpton before the start of a civil rights march on September 20, 2007 in Jena, Louisiana. Thousands of protesters have gathered for a march on the Louisiana town of Jena in protest of the criminal trial of six black teens charged in an alleged attack on a white classmate. The fight was sparked between the youths after several nooses were hung from a tree at a high school. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
Protesters march towards Jena High School on September 20, 2007 in Jena, Louisiana.
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JENA, LA - SEPTEMBER 20: A protester holds two paintings ouside of Jena High School during a civil rights march on September 20, 2007 in Jena, Louisiana. Thousands of protesters have gathered for a march on the Louisiana town of Jena in protest of the criminal trial of six black teens charged in an alleged attack on a white classmate. The fight was sparked between the youths after several nooses were hung from a tree at a high school. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
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JENA, LA - SEPTEMBER 20: Brandon Citizen, a student at Prarie View A&M University holds a sign to support the 'Jena Six' during a civil rights march September 20, 2007 in Jena, Louisiana. Thousands of protesters have gathered for a march on the Louisiana town of Jena in protest of the criminal trial of six black teens charged in an alleged attack on a white classmate. The fight was sparked between the youths after several nooses were hung from a tree at a high school. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
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Comments: (70)
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By: jrotced02 on 1/03/2009 8:57PM
The only problem I have with this incident, is the fact that everytime one of these kids screws up, they and their families will be fodder for the media. Some of us refuse to accept the fact, that if it weren't for that racial incident, these kids would have still ended up on the wrong side of the law, and we wouldn't be having this discussion.
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By: What Mel on 1/03/2009 9:24PM
He's a foster child so it must be hard to get guidance or to have a positive figure in his life
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By: Donna and Kids on 1/03/2009 11:50PM
duh! and what about the issue on the ECONOMY?
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By: JAYDEN'S MOM on 1/04/2009 12:10AM
I live in Monroe, LA and not too far from Mychal Bell. In our newspaper, he said that he shot himself because he was afraid of being back in the spotlight because of his arrest by shoplifting in Dillard's. But did he ever think that shooting himself would get him more national attention than shoplifting t-shirts? I feel that it was a stupid of him to shoplift AND shoot himself. Just puts him in the spotlight more. What a shame. And I think that AOL should ban the screenname "noosethenig" simply because of the racist comment he left above.
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By: RACHEL on 1/04/2009 12:31AM
He is crying out for help and I pray to God that he gets the help that he needs.
Have you ever watched kids playing on a merry go round or listened to the rain lapping on the ground? Ever followed a butter fly's erratic flight or gazed at the sun into the fading night? Do you run through each day on the fly? When you ask, “How are you?” do you hear the reply?
When the day is done, do you lie in your bed with the next hundred chores running through your head? Ever told your child, “We'll do it tomorrow?” And in your haste, not see his sorrow? Ever lost touch? Let a good friendship die? Just call to say “Hi!?”
When you worry and hurry through your day, it is like an unopened gift....Thrown away..... Life is not a race Take it slower. Hear the music before the song is over.
Please keeep all the Michael Bells in prayer. Why we can't see the writing on the wall.
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By: joycemlr on 1/04/2009 3:34AM
ok noosethenig just another shining example of why we need birthcontrol in this country to bad your mother or cousin or both who ever she is didnt use it smh
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By: Jazz on 1/04/2009 6:01AM
WHAT IS WRONG WITH SOME OF YOU?????
FIRST OF ALL.....THIS INCIDENT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE INJUSTICES THAT WAS GOING ON IN JENA.....
SECOND....IF YOU CAN READ.....IT SAYS...THE BOY IS IN A FOSTER HOME...RIGHT THERE, YOU KNOW THERE IS A PROBLEM....HE'S PROBABLY HAD A BAD UPBRINGING...
HE NEEDS HELP PEOPLE!!!!!!!!!
HE DOESN'T NEED JAIL OR YOUR NAME CALLING!!!!!!
HE NEEDS HELP!!!!!!!
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By: Jazz on 1/04/2009 6:04AM
RACHEL #65....
WOW...YOU ARE SOOOO ON POINT....AND WHAT YOU SAID
WAS BEAUTIFUL....SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT!!!
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By: Jazz on 1/04/2009 6:07AM
to #64...jayden's mom
just goes to show that the boy needs help!!!
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By: Jazz on 1/04/2009 6:10AM
it's apparent he needs help...
don't rake him over the coals again...
don't be like the media...
pray for him!!!!!
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