Jena Now.. By Evie Talley Still a Nice Place to Call Home Our country has become a super power in the world because of our tolerance of different people, their cultures, race, and religions. America had a past of racial intolerance with slavery and cultural intolerance but as a democratic nation America had the ability to overcome and change. Our country's super power status is due to the ability to assimilate many different people from around the world and those people become Americans. It takes a few generations for new immigrants to assimilate into American culture and that is the key, assimilate. As a first generation American of German and Irish heritage, I was taught by my parents that this county was great because of its religious and political freedom. Nowhere in the world is there a county like this and tolerance is what has made America the only super power in today's world. People all over the world still want to become Americans. Jena's reputation as a tolerant rural community has been given an undeserved thrashing. Jena is special in many ways and most people are tolerant of other cultures and races because it is the teachings of Christ. The foundation of Jena is its churches. Intolerance will destroy our great country and intolerant people are bigots and bigots are not good Christians and the people of Jena are for the most part good, practicing, Christians. To try to create a situation like a new civil rights movement in Jena and compare it with the 60's is playing on the emotions of the past and is an injustice to all Americans. America changed during the 60's. If every American Indian and African American now chose to be angry about Americas early lack of ethnic and racial tolerance they are not good students of America's changing history. People who took advantage of the poor soles who came to Jena and sold them down the river for their money and personal political power will answer for their actions in time. The people of Jena were accused of not being good Americans because they believe in the American justice system, the constitution, and in religious tolerance. The BBC returned to Jena to see how much better we have become as a result of the false images they used to destroy our reputation by making the people look like a racially intolerant community. I find it increasingly interesting since the Brits are having so much trouble with Muslims integrating into British society. Is the BBC's interest in truth and justice for the Jena 6 or do they question the United States Justice system and the constitution? First Baptist Church was criticized by the BBC for having only one black in the congregation. What is it about religious freedom that the British still do not understand? They were once a super power but people left and came to America because of their religious intolerance. Leave people alone with their God and take care of the serious racial and religious problems at home. We are patiently waiting for just resolve by the American judicial system not by the bully tactics of the media. BBC for having only one black in the congregation. What is it about religious freedom that the British still do not understand? They were once a super power but people left and came to America because of their religious intolerance. Leave people alone with their God and take care of the serious racial and religious problems at home. We are patiently waiting for just resolve by the American judicial system not by the bully tactics of the media. Evie Talley