The O.J. Simpson case is one that hit media like a storm. Based on the articles I’ve read and the video I watched, there’s two perspectives. One is the perspective that the video emphasized, which is that racism was a part of the case that can’t be overlooked. The video talked about how racism is something that most people don’t feel the extent of sometimes or realize how prevalent it is in society. When you’re not on the receiving end of racism, it’s more difficult to notice, which is what Marc Watts said, who was one of the few African American reporters covering the case.
The other perspective though is that racism isn’t a part of this case, specifically because it was O.J. Simpson who was on trial. One of the articles said that O.J. Simpson was in an environment surrounded by white people. He went places where African Americans never usually went (like golf clubs). He also got involved with women who were predominantly white after leaving his previous relationship, often treating him like objects. He just wasn’t in an environment or scenario where racism would affect him because he was so accepted by the white population for his accomplishments.
Both perspectives are backed with logical statements on what was going on during the time of the case, but it’s complicated especially because he was acquitted for the murder charges. That in itself is a conversation that is sometimes up for debate especially because he wasn’t in a traditional environment. I understand where the author of the article came from saying he wasn’t in an environment where racism can affect him, but at the same time him being a black man accused of murder and it being such a huge case exploded by the media is something that can’t be brushed away so easily.
I agree with your blog that there were two perspectives to the OJ Simpson case. Was OJ Simpson really a “black” man? Was OJ Simpson only acquitted because he was a celebrity and not because of his race in this race war?