“We are not as far away from slavery as we thought,” said Christian Harris, Fresno City College student and a member of IDILE, in reaction to the developments in Jena Louisiana where sis young African-American high school students are facing criminal charges believed by many to be unfair. “We’re still close to things that happened in the sixties,” he also said.

Harris and dozens of other African American students as well as faculty and staff had gathered for the IDILE mentors’ reception in the Staff Dinning Hall on Monday, September 24.

Nearly everyone in the room full of young and aspiring African- Americans had an opinion on the topic that many feel illustrates the imbalance in the nation’s judicial system.

“I feel that it’s sad that we’ve overcome so much in our history, and yet, something like this can still happen,” said Jasmin Stanfield, a new member to IDILE.

Another IDILE student Robert Bailey disagreed, “I didn’t really find it surprising that it happened; I found it more surprising that it got out.”

The Rampage ran an article in its Aug 29 issue on the story of the “Jena Six,” the six African-American high school students in Jena Louisiana who were charged with beating a white student.

The beating resulted from months of racial tension after white students hung three nooses from a tree. The events surrounding the “Jena Six” have resulted in nationwide discussions about race, the judicial system, and fairness.

There have also been new developments in Fresno. Students here at Fresno City College participated in a rally of sorts as well, showing their support by wearing all black on Sept 22.

Rallies and other events have also been planned, but have been pushed back to due to weather concerns. Students at Fresno State rallied in support of the “Jena Six.”

On the day Bell, one of the “Jena Six” defendants was scheduled for sentencing, a rally was held in a show of support for all those involved.