The George Warren Brown School of Social Work is doing more than talking about the Jena Six-they’re taking action, starting with a blank sheet of paper.

Last night, the School of Social Work hosted a panel discussion regarding the recent events and issues surrounding the Jena Six. Attendees included individuals who attended the Sept. 20 rally in Jena, La., interested community members and those who participated in

local solidarity events here in St. Louis.

The Jena Six refers to six black high school students charged with various felonies after allegedly beating up a white student in Louisiana on Dec. 4, 2006. The altercation was part of a series of racially-charged incidents that stemmed from the hanging of nooses on a tree at Jena High School after a black student and his friends asked to sit under the “whites only” tree. Numerous protests, rallies and discussions, such as this one, have sprung up in response to the charges, which critics say are overly harsh and motivated by racism.

“I’m thrilled with the turnout,” said Sara Ward, a masters of social work student and one of the organizers of the event. “There are high school students, undergraduates, retired people and even a 2-year-old here.”

The goal of the event was to catalyze community dialogue and action.

“It’s not enough just to go to this rally,” said Ward. “There’s been amazing energy building around Jena and we want to continue that movement and actually leave here tonight with some concrete action steps.”

These desired “action steps” began on blank sheets of paper that were distributed to the approximately 50 attendees. People were asked to write down their suggestions and ideas or specific programs and ways of coming together to address the issue of racism, the judicial system and the Jena Six case. They could also provide their e-mail address to be contacted for involvement in future actions.

“The idea is not just to talk about these issues, but to act on them as well,” said Sudie Nallo, a second-year student in the School of Social Work who was instrumental in organizing the panel discussion. “[We want to] form a collective effort toward seeking change.”

Panel members represented a wide range of age, profession and involvement. Members included Dorothy Rocks, an 18-year-old from Hazelwood East High School; Reverend Jimmy Scott, president of the East St. Louis NAACP; Jack A. Kirkland, associate professor at the

Brown School of Social Work; and several rally participants.

These panelists detailed their involvement in the Jena Six case and what drew them to become more involved. They responded to audience comments later in the discussion and, in effect, demonstrated the wide range of individuals affected by this event.

“[Racism] is not just happening to a people, it’s happening to a society and a nation,” said Kirkland. “The reason progress is so slow is because it only responds to pressure.”

A’eesha Bell aided in leading the panel discussion and was the organizer of the bus that took Washington University students to the rally in Jena in September. She urged continued action and awareness of the racial and judicial issued surrounding Jena Six.

“The 21st Century civil rights movement, as this has been called, is not over with the rally down in Jena. This injustice that happened in Jena is not just exclusive to Jena.It’s everywhere,” she said.

Speakers recalled their experiences at the rally and the power they witnessed when so many people came together to try and make a difference.

“When I was there, I sensed the solidarity and was humbled,” said Tesheba Wadley, a first-year Brown School student.

The panel pointed out that racism exists on many levels-with individuals, institutions and the judicial system-and that there is much left to do to fix these inherent problems.

“If we don’t get it right the first time or the second time, it’s going to repeat itself,” said Reverend Scott. “That’s the way history is and we’re going to be in it.”

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