GSU president orders 'hanging photo' off Web

A recent incident at the elementary school on the Grambling State University campus that resulted in a noose hanging around a small child's neck has left university officials scrambling for answers.

Grambling State University President Horace Judson was driving to Dallas on Friday afternoon for the Saturday football game between GSU and Prairie View when his secretary called him, describing certain pictures that had been posted online by the student newspaper, The Gramblinite.

Among the photos immediately ordered taken down by Judson was one of a young girl in a school uniform, a noose around her neck, being hoisted by a woman who may have been a family member.

In the photo, the girl, a student at Alma J. Brown Elementary School at Grambling, appears confused and frightened. GSU oversees the school. The child apparently was taking part in a school lesson related to events surrounding the Jena Six, criminal defendants in that Louisiana town who stand accused of beating a fellow student into unconsciousness. Their arrests on adult charges have spawned organized protests by black leaders and national attention.

"At this point I'm starting a full investigation into what happened," Judson said in a phone interview from his car while en route to Dallas. "I will meet with all the people involved at 8 o'clock Monday morning."

The Gramblinite staff leaders could not be reached for comment on the incident.

According to an article in the newspaper written by Justin LaGrande, posted on the student newspaper Web site some time this week, and sent to The News-Star by Ruston Daily Leader publisher Rick Hohlt, "kindergarten and first-grade students at Alma J. Brown Elementary will always remember the day they marched for equality. The children marched in protest of the imprisonment of Mychal Bell, and the seemingly racial bias shown toward blacks in a small Louisiana town."

LaGrande wrote that while the students "marched," they actually only circled their playground with their teachers during the event.

"Before marching, the students were taught about racism," LeGrande wrote. "They also learned about the events surrounding the 'Jena Six' and their arrest."

According to the article, teachers "had a replica noose and explained why it is such a symbol of racism. They also allowed the children to carry chains and shackles."

The Gramblinite's Web site Friday included a comment from a woman who identified herself as Irene Booker. She said in her posted comment, "Yes, it was a rope around the little girl's neck. It was a (safe) demonstration as to what the rope symbolized to blacks. This was my granddaughter and she along with so many of the other students did not understand the intimidation of the noose. I held her in my arms and she knows that I would not harm her or put her life in danger. In order to understand racism one must experience it to make the connection."

Judson said Sean Warner, dean of the College of Education, has spoken with the principal of the elementary school about the incident.

"This is very serious. I will say that," Judson said. "I'll have a face-to-face meeting with everyone involved. We're going to find out what the facts are. At this point I don't know if my students were involved.

"These are minors at our school and this is a student paper that still must practice complete accountability," he said.

Given the nature of the situation, Judson said, "it was certainly my judgment to take those pictures down."

By Chris Day
cday@thenewsstar.com

Early, but not so Bright

I arrived at school a little early today. I study best in the mornings. Here is a view down Canal Street prior to sunrise. I enjoy views of the city. Well, I should rephrase that. I enjoy views of New Orleans.

Now I'm just sitting in the lobby anxiously awaiting for the cafeteria to open. It can't come soon enough for my stomach.

Quotes to Remember Edwin Edwards

"I did not do anything wrong as a governor, even if you accept the verdict as it is, it doesn't indicate that."

• On his indictment and verdict for racketeering
  

"I never speak ill of dead people or live judges."

• When asked for a statement while on trial for corruption

"I will be a model prisoner, as I have been a model citizen."

• On his way to prison in 2001

"The only way I can lose is if I'm caught in bed with either a dead girl or a live boy. "

• on his 1983 Gubernatorial election against incumbent David C. Treen
  

"My opponent and I have one thing in common we are both rumored to be Wizards under the sheets."

• On the Governor's Race: Edwards vs. Duke, in 1991
  

"If we don't get Dave Treen out of office, there won't be anything left to steal."

• on his 1983 Gubernatorial election against incumbent David C. Treen
  

Reporter: "What will it take to beat Duke decisively?"
Edwards: "For me to stay alive."

• During run-off election against David Duke
  

"Let the bastards freeze in the dark."

• Referring to Senator Edward Kennedy and Kennedy's political allies and constituents when they had Louisiana natural gas forcibly shipped out of state at artificially low prices during the energy crisis - causing shortages and price hikes of natural gas in Louisiana and an unprecedentedly cold winter for residents of the state.

“He’s so slow that he takes an hour and a half to watch 60 Minutes.”

• Edwin Edwards describing his opponent, Dave Treen in the 1984 Governor’s race.

The Sign

As a kid, ok up until two months ago, seeing the Superdome was an exciting event. The Superdome was the first sign that you were in New Orleans. Although, now traveling down I-10, there is a different sign to mark arrival in the city, which would be the water lines.

Nowadays, I see the Superdome on a daily basis. It's not such a big deal anymore. Every now and then, I sit back in amazement that I'm driving in New Orleans without white knuckles. The once foreign is slowly becoming more familiar. I'm just the same ole' country boy trying to make my way.

Perhaps a Plant

Today I called the property office for the fifth time to tell them that I have a problem with inner-apartment precipitation. Now, I'm just annoyed. In six weeks, they apparently cannot even begin to solve a problem. It rains just about everyday in New Orleans. I have to put a towel out daily to catch the rain. The rainfall today lasted a few minutes longer than the regular afternoon showers. I had to break out the big guns, the bucket and the skillet.

Now, I thought about just letting it rain. I mean, they are the ones that will have to fix the mess. However, I'm the one that's going to have to live with the black mold for months before it is fixed. It's bad enough that a cat lived in this apartment before me, and the carpet was never changed. In one spot, where the carpet meets the baseboards, the carpet was a little hard a clumpy. Yeah, that's right...it's left over cat feces from the old litter box.

Do I live in the ghetto? I thought I paid a decent amount of money for things to not be so deplorable. I may as well live on the Westbank.

I guess I should just make the best of the situation. I'll put a plant here. That way, the plant can grow and flourish with the natural rain sprinkling system that came along as a special amenity, courtesy of the Creeks.

Studying

I have been studying all day. Here is a look at some of the things that I have been doing. I like to catagorize things. It makes more sense to me that way. It would be nice if the information on my test were as basic as what is written on this board.

The View

When we are on short breaks from class, we go out into the hall for coffee and socializing. Here is the view I look into everyday. There is always something going on outside. We usually entertain ourselves with the cars parked on the top floor of the parking tower across the street. There is always one and only one. Interesting, huh? We're taking notes. Now this is only a hunch, but we think it is a drug deal. Don't worry, we're on it.

Early For Class

I'm early for school today. Actually, I'm early everyday. Today, I just don't have anything that I MUST do. When I get to school, I usually sit here, in the lobby of the hospital. I don't like to go to the class, sit on the hard chairs, and listen to the women cackle. I like to sit here on a padded seat. Those chairs in the classroom take a toll on a brutha after 6 hours.