[Crossposted from Zuky.]

When I stopped blogging not too long ago, the Jena Six case was one reason among many that I decided to quit. I was disheartened a little, even as the petition kept growing and the images were spreading. I was worried that the case wasn't sexy enough, and I was afraid to do more work because it seemed like my work among those I considered my peers wasn't honored. If I casually did something reckless or made myself scarce from a project, it eventually got done. I felt like one of those armchair revolutionaries, obsolete, and I wanted to celebrate finishing my first year of law school, but I couldn't. I wanted to run down to Jena and play Perry Mason after a tan and a sex change, but I couldn't. At the same time, I felt knots in my stomach because of how late the U.S. seemed to pick up the case in its own backyard.

WHAT: The “All-American Presidential Forums” on PBS, moderated by Tavis Smiley, is an historic broadcast marking the first time that a panel exclusively comprised of journalists of color will be represented in primetime. Tavis Smiley, along with Cynthia Tucker of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Juan Williams of National Public Radio and Ray Suarez of PBS’ “The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer,” will question candidates on issues ranging from healthcare and housing to Katrina relief, the economy and the environment, among others, as outlined in the #1 The New York Times best-seller, Covenant With Black America. This forum will provide a major opportunity for the candidates to present a detailed discourse and dialogue on their social agendas.