For months, the story of the so-called “Jena Six” unfolded largely out of sight of the mainstream media. But in the emerging “Afro-Sphere,” as some call the loose network of black bloggers, the story of six black teenagers initially charged with attempted murder in the beating of a white classmate passed from blog to blog, taking on a life of its own. Petitions were signed, money was raised and protests were organized — all online.

“I think a lot of people ignored the story but the African-American blogosphere has been on it from early on, and it has really caught steam recently,” said Shawn Williams, who writes the popular Dallas South blog.

Jerry Smith, photographer and co-founder of the blog, says he wants the beating resolved “as a school issue, not an attempted murder issue.”

source: NPR

Jena, Louisiana.

Also, check out articles in New America Media category: African American