Frequent commenter Eric M. Weaver Sr., a former Durham policeman, said recently that the DPD has a “hug a thug” approach to law enforcement. Well, the hip hop entertainment industry has taken that approach to the limit by honoring two members of the Jena 6. No matter what you think about whether these guys got overcharged for their crimes by the local DA, no one disputes that they actually engaged in six-on-one assault. When they were introduced the audience gave them a standing ovation. One of the two Jena 6 said the reception they got shows that people can still “rally around a cause” and he made a point to name the other four of the Jena 6 attackers. Hug a thug, indeed. I think this is what Bill Cosby meant when he said, “There’s some insanity going on here.”
Question: If the kids who hung the nooses in the trees at Jena High School were introduced at the Country Music Awards would they get a rousing reception? I think we know the answer to that. But if they did, would it be met with as little condemnation as this?
