Vox ex Machina recently wrote a post about how the “Jena Six” case is only starting to get widespread attention, in part thanks to bloggers of color. I once heard the internet described as a “democratized publishing arena.” While I still think it reflects internet users in general (educated, wealthy), there is a broader spectrum of coverage than in traditional media.

Part of the problem is that issues of social justice are often portrayed as the “black problem.” So stories like this one are not seen as being of interest to the general (read: white) public. Maybe whites don’t think the District Attorney’s statement “I could end your lives with the stroke of a pen” will ever be aimed towards their children. And maybe it’s in the best interest of whites to see and portray social justice issues as belonging solely to one specific group.

The lede in this USA Today story reads as follows:

A grass-roots movement is spreading across black America in support of six black high school students charged with attempted murder for beating a white classmate in the small Louisiana town of Jena.

But it hasn’t been just “black America” who has been speaking out. But it does seem White America has been apathetic.