OJ is an example, but not the root, of a problem - 8.1.2007.1

So OJ decided that he needed to open up his mouth again. As is being reported by everyone, yesterday OJ was interviewed online. Of course he needed to discuss his book If I Did It. Why in the world he would do that, I have no idea. But he has and every news media has picked up on it.

This is of course in retaliation or because of the fact that the Goldman family has gained control of the rights of the book. I’ll get in to the Goldman family in one second.


While everyone is focused on the fact that OJ continues to defend his innocence, there are aspects of the conversation that are not being spoken about. So far I have not been able to find the entire interview online. Looking at what’s been shown by the news media one of the actually interesting parts of what he has been speaking about has been completely obscured.

That commentary deals with the perception of the news media on African Americans accused of a crime. Whether it’s Mr. Michael Vick, OJ, Bobby Cutts, or the Duke Rape case victim we see that the media has the immediate reaction to assume absolute guilt. [I realize that I have commented strongly about Mr. Michael Vick. I have also mentioned that I believe he is innocent till proven guilty. But if he is not, I believe he needs to be prosecuted severely. My concerns and anger are to the nature of the crime no matter who committed them and in this instance Mr. Vick is culpable to some degree.]

As I mentioned in the Bobby Cutts case from the first day the media virtually declared that Mr. Cutts had to be the guilty party with out any knowledge of what was happening. In the Duke rape case from the first day the major news media proclaimed the absolute innocence of the three Duke Lacrosse players with out any more information than the rape had been alleged. In the case of OJ Simpson the media has been completely incredulous through out the entire case and in the ten years since, that he is the modern day Jack the Ripper.

But I wonder where is the major news media outrage about who killed Amadou Diallo, who killed Sean Bell, Abner Louima, and various other victims. Why is it I know more about any African American accused of a crime than any and every non-black suspect of a comparable crime? I presented a comparison of Mr. Cutts and the father who killed his wife and two young children in their car, which occurred at the same time. I’m willing to bet most people today can tell me how many kids Bobbie Cutts has, how many girlfriends he had, where he worked, and why he left his jobs but can’t name the gentleman I just referred to. I bet 99% of people can’t name the ages of his two children that were killed. Why is that?

Continued in Part 2...