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Motivation

Central figure of the Jena Six speaks out in Houston

written by AQM Blog Staff

Originally published 5.23.09

(Blogger’s Note: The following is an excerpt from an article that will appear in an upcoming edition of the Final Call Newspaper)

by Jesse Muhammad for the Final Call Newspaper

Houston, Texas—On May 19, a community forum was held in honor of the birth anniversary of Malcolm X to discuss the dismal effects the public school system is having on young people that sometimes leads them down the road to the prison system.

Mychal Bell, the lead figure of the Jena Six, was the special guest speaker for the event held at the Shape Community center.

“I was a star athlete and a honor roll student. I would have never believed that I would’ve been facing second degree attempted murder charges for a school fight”, said Mr. Bell, who is now 19 years old. “But I know I would have never made it through without the support of people like you who stood up.”

“To the young people here, everyone makes mistakes but I am here to tell you that you do not want to be inside those prison walls”, said Mr. Bell. On May 13 he graduated from Monroe Carroll High School in Monroe, La. “Listen to your parents, stay out of trouble, and set goals.”

July 12, 2015
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Mychal Bell of the Jena Six preparing for college

written by AQM Blog Staff

(Note: The following is an excerpt of an article that will appear in an upcoming edition of The Final Call newspaper)

By Jesse Muhammad, FCN Staff Writer

Mychal Bell, the central figure in the case of the “Jena Six”, is nearly a month away from graduating from Monroe Carroll High School and will be attending a four-year university in the Fall.

He is realizing his dream while his family continues to suffer. His mother, Melissa Bell, was arrested on April 5 for failure to pay child support.

“I am excited about the opportunity to play football and get an education. I am still looking at other options but my dream is coming true”, he said to The Final Call.

Mr. Bell and the other members of the “Jena Six” faced attempted murder charges in the 2006 beating of Justin Barker at Jena High School, in north central Louisiana’s LaSalle Parish. The charges for all the defendants were eventually reduced. But the severity of the original charges brought widespread criticism and eventually led to more than 50,000 people converging September 2007 on the tiny town of Jena for a major civil rights march and rally.

“Since that time, my life hasn’t been easy”, said Mr. Bell in a recent blog on GlobalGrind.com. “A lot of people talk bad about me and the media has portrayed me as someone who I am not. I know the truth about who I am and I know I am not a bad person.”

July 7, 2015
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ActivismMotivation

Mychal Bell Speaks during My Speaking Engagement at Tulane University Law School in New Orleans

written by AQM Blog Staff
(Photo by Jordan Flaherty)

Originally published 3.7.09
On Friday, March 6, I was a guest speaker at Tulane University Law School in New Orleans at an event sponsored by the Blacks Law Student Association, Human Rights Law Society, and the Public Interest Executive Committee. Prior to my talk, we watched the screening of a Jena 6 documentary which was phenomenal and one of the best ones I have watched.

I was then introduced by local community activist Emily Ratner, who worked hand and hand with law student Annie Johnson to make my appearance happen. I spoke on my role in the Jena 6 story from a journalistic and mobilization perspective. I also spoke on the importance of lawyers in the movement, the power of The Final Call Newspaper and Min. Farrakhan’s recent call for accepting responsibility to build our communities.

But the greatest moment for me as well as for the audience was when I put Mychal Bell of the Jena Six on my cell phone to do a Q&A session with the audience. Boy they got excited! Mychal fielded questions about his upcoming graduation, legal matters, the media pressure, and how he think they can better serve people who face injustices.

Great and unforgettable moment. Thanks Mychal Bell and everyone at Tulane wishes you the best.

July 5, 2015
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