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Sunday, September 23, 2007

O J Simpson, or America the Polarised










By comparison with Europe, America is a very young country, and it has a whole lot of growing up to do. Of the most important nations, it is perhaps the most divided, both along political and racial lines. Generally, things are seen through the prisms of the Democrat or Republican eyes. Trying to get a straight answer on the facts is almost impossible.

The other polarisation is along racial lines. America is racially split among White, and Others. That tension is always there and comes rushing to the surface at the mere drop of the proverbial hat.

The thing that has prompted this topic from me at this time is the arrest of O.J. Simpson. For those of you who have been away on an extended visit to the moon, Mr. Simpson is a former NFL football star. He is most infamous, however in that he was charged with the murder of his ex-wife, and a man who had the bad fortune to be in the wrong place at the wrong time, and he was controversially found not guilty.

The circumstances of the case were so super-charged with tension that the case would most likely have earned the title of “The Trial of the Century” anyway. However, add the elements of murder victims who were white, and accused who is black, wealthy, and a movie super star, and the script was a guaranteed best seller

The jury in the criminal case acquitted Mr. Simpson because they were convinced one of the detectives manipulated the evidence against the accused, and therefore they felt that it was unsafe to convict where there was such indication of tampering. They used the time honoured directive that it is better that a guilty man be set free than to convict an innocent man where there is convincing evidence of illegal manipulation.

Vocal black people in the United States went out of their minds with joy that a black defendant in a case involving white victims was set free. Usually the black man is put to death. White people throughout the country reacted in utter astonishment, then in rage of the injustice, because the only reasonable doubt that they saw was that anyone other than O J Simpson did the crimes.

The interesting thing is that up until that time White America had taken O J within its bosom. He was this fantastic football player, and movie star, and that was cool. He married a beautiful white woman, and that was cool. He belonged to white clubs, and went everywhere in a circle of white friends, and that was cool.

When trouble came, and most of White America turned their backs on O J, the black community felt the need to formally conduct an event whereby O J was welcomed back into the Black American community as “our prodigal Son.”

In a civil case he was found to be liable and a judgement was handed down for compensation of Thirty-Three Million Dollars against him. So far, he has not voluntarily paid one cent towards satisfying that debt. In fact, he has lived quite well. (He also has the worst golf swing that I have ever seen!)

White America wants O J in jail. Now he seems to have gone out of his way to give the people what they want. He has been involved in an armed robbery, being concerned together with others, and has been charged with eleven counts in connection with that incident. The Media have been falling over themselves talking about this one man, sometimes to the absolute exclusion of real news, and this has been going on for almost two weeks. The program hosts have not even made any attempt to cover up their own personal views against him. How unprofessional is that? Fair and balanced? I don’t think so! They claim, “We report, you decide.” Not any more!

Incredibly, with practically a confession by O J made before the cameras of his involvement and wrongdoing, many vocal Black Americans are now saying that they think he’s innocent of this incident as well. Equally, many non-vocal Black Americans have no problem accepting that he is guilty of the murders and this latest incident.

My prediction: O J Simpson will be found not guilty in a court of law, if the case does actually make it that far. This is a case with an all-crooks cast and no-one is to be believed.

I cannot even begin to imagine the fiesta-like celebrations that will take place across America in certain quarters, and the utter disillusionment in others. I would also like to hear and see what the media will have to say.


Copyright © 2007 Eugene Carmichael