[csense]

Here's a blog I found on the first page of a google search using the keyword jena, and it's one of the many reasons why a lot of peope are ignorant about this case.

Excerpt:

"Black students were assaulted at white parties. A white man drew a loaded rifle on three black teens at a local convenience store. (They wrestled it from him and ran away.) Someone tried to burn down the school, and on December 4th, a fight broke out that led to six black students being charged with attempted murder."

Another:

"Keep in mind that when one of Mychal Bell's friends (one of the Jena Six still facing trial) had his head cracked open with a beer bottle at an all-white party a few nights before the school fight on Dec. 4th, his assailant received a "simple battery" charge."

[csense]

Of course, where would ignorance be without the Daily Kos:

Prior to September 2006, this tree was only available to white Jena high schoolers. But after a black student named Kenneth Purvis questioned the policy, the school board issued a statement indicating the spot was available to all students, regardless of race.