The real victim in Jena is white

Much as with the original O.J. trial, the uproar over the arrest of six black students in Jena, La., has white people shaking our heads.

The facts of the case are not in dispute: Six black students beat a white student unconscious. The blacks were identified, charged and arrested. On the face of it, the only issue was whether the charge should be one of attempted murder or of assault.

It may also have been a hate crime against the white student, but, as usual, the news media only report on such things when the black person is the victim.

Somehow, the story has been turned around. Somehow we are led to believe that the attackers are the victims in this small Southern town. It's Emmitt Till all over again, but wasn't Emmitt Till the one who was attacked and murdered, not the attacker?

Are blacks now to be absolved of crimes simply because they are black?

By the way, the white student's name is Justin Barker. He is doing fine, if anyone cares about the real victim here.

Abe Krieger
Philadelphia