The "Jena 6": Need Proof Racism is Alive and Well in the United States?

I ran across this story on another blog - and even though I know racism is still a problem in our country (we lived in Cincinnati for five years, and there are very real racial tensions in that city), I'll admit I'm still shocked by the blatant nature in this case.  How is this allowed to go on in our country?

Here's the "highlights" of the story:

• 3 black students dare to sit under the "white tree" at their high school;
• The next day, 3 nooses are hanging from the tree - the boys responsible are given 3 day suspensions by the superintendent, despite the principal's recommendation they be expelled;
• The county district attorney speaks at a school assembly - he faces the "black" side of the auditorium (yes, the students sat according to their color) and says "See this pen in my hand?  I can end your lives with a stroke of this pen.";
• School board officials initially refuse to talk to black parents about the issue - once they do agree, they make clear that nothing they say will have any influence on the matter;
• A black student is beaten with fists and beer bottles at a party - 1 of the attackers later receives probation, and none of the others are charged;
• A white student pulls a shotgun on 3 black students - when they wrestle the gun away and run, they are charged for stealing the shotgun;
• One of the white students involved in the attack on the black student is attacked at school after taunting black students with racial slurs - he is well enough after the fight to attend the school's ring ceremony that night;
• All 6 of the white student's attackers are being charged.  One has already been convicted of 2nd degree battery (a felony - his shoe was listed as a weapon because he kicked the white student) - he now faces 22 years in prison for a schoolyard fight.  The other students have not yet been tried, but will soon stand trial.

Truly, I'm shocked that this sort of thing can still happen - it sounds like something out of the 50s or 60s.  The officials involved should be ashamed of themselves - and the superintendent and district attorney should be fired immediately.  There is no excuse for such disparity in the way the different students are treated, and since when did a simple schoolyard fight (where the "victim" is virtually unharmed) become worthy of felony prosecution?  Frankly, I'm not sure what more to say - except to plead for anyone who reads this to pray earnestly that true justice be done in this situation.