I caught the majority of his speech and found it to be one of the most honest speeches of the political season so far. He not only spoke of the embalances of our justice department,but also of the importance of our community to address the issues of tolerated violence within our neighborhoods. It was good to see a leader who not only addresses the problem with the system but also the problem of parental apathy and neglect that continuosly sends african-american and hispanic men and woman to prison. I hope to see and hear more from Mr. Obama.

Black sycophants play the racial card and glaringly neglect the fact that SIX men beat ONE man ... If these were 6 KKK beating 1 black man, words like cowards and prejudice would fill the airwaves of the hate generators. Civil rights legislation has morphed to create special classes of citizens who have preferential treatment. Nooses don't kill people, but 12 black feet kicking 1 white body on the ground can. Whites have no rights to privacy, and no one complains about whites not being able to walk thru black ghetto neighborhoods at night without being beaten, if not worse. Our legal systems are biased, towards the blacks and other designated non indian "special" citizens, such as homosexuals, bureaucrats and other economic deviant euro mediterranean stocks.

I finally realized that the media bias is very ture!

I don't think for one moment Mr. Obama or the vast majority of those supporting the Jena 6 feels these kids shouldn't have punished for their actions. I feel it's the LEVEL of punishment these kids have received versus NO punishment levied towards the white kids involved in these past few incidents...including one who beat up a black kid. Let's not talk about the system being in favor of minorities, or even equal when what has taken place down there clearly shows that it isn't

It takes money to win a case in court. Many are priced out of justice. This is not right.

wow, he sounds just like Jessie and Al. Its not a black problem its a goverment problem. It has nothing to do with the fact that a lot of black boys go up without a father because there dad is to sorry to take on his responsibilities. This guy wants to be president? You got to be kidding.

Apparently Jesse is running Barrack's show and here's the proof. Remember a few days ago the news story where Jesse Jackson, thinking the interviewer would not quote him, said that Obama was "acting white" about the Jena case, after Obama had said "The Jena case is not about black or white. It's about fairness." (Don't remember that story? Probably because only one news outlet ran it, and I bet you can guess which outlet and and why they were the only one!) Well Obama now says it IS an example of racial injustice. Don't underestimate Jesse Jackson's power. There have been several news stories over the past few years where large companies have forked over huge bucks instead of minimal bucks whenever Jackson became involved in a case.

The criminal justice system has become more system than justice. I respect Obama for raising the issue. However, he cannot ignore the need for vigorous law enforcement. We take the professionalism of police officers for granted in the United States. The justice system is still administered by a jury of our peers. How do you give ultimate decision-making power to regular citizens and expect to weed out racial bias? Crime itself seems to be racially biased. When the crime is black on black, is that racially motivated? Who wins when you pick sides? Approaching systemic change in the justice system with an eye to right racial wrongs is just a bit too self-righteous to succeed. Can Obama really claim that he is above racial bias because of his African American roots? To indict the American justice system as racially biased is over-reaching and counterproductive. It is an insult to dedicated prosecutors and law enforcement (many of whom are black) who struggle with race issues in nearly every case. Racism must be addressed on a case-by-case basis. However, justice will always be administered by people, not robots. Unless those who protest against racism take up the responsibility of prosecution and enforcement, prosecution and enforcement will remain more or less the same. Few protestors against racism would even consider a career in law enforcement because they understand how they would immediately face conflicts of interest. This sounds more like campaign bluster than a legitimate call to action. I would love to be proven wrong, but I won't hold my breath.

Obama is correct when he says Justice System is racially biased. I agree the Jena 6 should be punished, but the degree of punshiment is the question.

It was over zealous, and why didn't our Justice Department step in? I think all of this is a result of all the judges and prosecuters that are being replaced by conservatives and the Bush Administration.

Say what you like but, compare what the LaCross Players were able to do to the over zealous prosecuter in that case. I also happen to agree with the verdict on him. He was just stupid, HMMMM!

I did not hear Mr. Obama's speach. I have been tracking the recent events in Jena, and previously New Orleans when Katrina paid a visit. If Mr. Obama can create change, even without being elected president, then by all means, he should do so. I was raised in Arkansas, I am white, and my friends were predominantly black. Now, I live in GA, not 10 miles from where, so I've been told, a grand dragon of the KKK lived. When my black friends from work would tell me that they'd never get out of their car in such-and-such place, I would have to stop and remember...Oh, that's where the KKK members lived. As a white person, I don't have to worry about that... except in certain areas of Atlanta. If Mr. Obama can create change - if he can create laws that protect everyone equally under the law nationally, then he has my respect and my attention. But only if he is sincere...

OK, am I the only one who thinks the picture for this article on the main page makes Obama look like Mickey Mouse?

Wha barack is saying is 100%collect because when you look in issues in American justice is fully of racism.Look at issues like katrina,the most poor people of the united states,and the most poor areas of usa are all areas of the blacks.These areas and people were deliberately isolated coz of the colour of their skin,look in issues like jena case they are all judged on racial basis you imagine if iy was the whites were beatingup the black they would have freed by now.And those white they donot want to talk about the truth take the example of martin luther king who came up with the truth was killed.Even obama is isolated coz of the colour of his skin you imagine if obama was awhite he would have been needed by everybody but coz of his colour he is hated by many so racism still excists in usa and its very rampant in all most every sector but we just need to unite we were all created in God's image so we have to be like brotheres and sisters.
Lwanga

Susan B. Smiley:

Your remarks are right on target. Thanks for such smart and insightful comments.

I think obama will change this situation whereby he will bring balances in justice such that everybody is judged eaqually regardless of the colou,race,sex and age because we are all eaqual to each other coz we are all resembles God as we are in his image so there is no issues of superiorit and inferiority but Gods people.Please vote for obama,vote for obama,vote for obama,vote for obama.
Lwanga

I think the system is racially biased also, but I think it depends in large part where you live. I'm from the South and, although it wonderful in many ways, it is far more racist than other areas.
Also, to restate the obvious - money matters. Black people are more likely to be poor and can't afford proper legal representation.

Obama, you just lost my vote.

Maybe he hasn't noticed the gangs who are running around shooting people armed with machine guns. The only social injustice is that we have not gone into these areas and eradicated gangs. Then the crime figures would drop for minorities.

What injustice? Just do not commit the crime. A quality public lawyer is another socialistic philosophy. The reason there are so many Black and Mexican people in jail is the same reason there are White people in jail, THEY BROKE THE LAW! Just obey the law, and they will not have to worry Senator.

It is easy to speak on these things: we need someone who can change these things

I have some crazy ideas and it involves something called "personal responsibility" - something many Americans have forgotten. Instead of focusing on changing the laws that are incarcerating blacks at a higher rate, why not focus on teaching young blacks not to break the law in the first place? Instead of blaming the "biased justice system", blame the law-breaker in the justice system. Instead of making everything a race issue, make it a family and community issue. If there was so much institutionalized racism in the U.S., Asians would have the same statistics as black Americans, but they don’t. In California alone, Asians make up 10% of the population, but in the universities like UCLA, Asians are the majority (more than whites). Teaching family values (with both parents) and emphasizing education are important factors in succeeding in life. Stop trying to “fix” the system or else we’ll be fixing it forever. Change must come from within the community, within the family, and within oneself.