O.J. Simpson is not black!

Are you done gasping yet?

Let me explain. I am watching the start of the whole O.J. circus unpacking their tents and getting ready for the big show. Reporters are reminiscing about the 1995 trial and waxing poetically about the "old days". In other words they are chomping at the bit to cover another ridiculous story that distracts us from the Iraq war, the buildup to invading Iran, the corruption in the Bush administration, and many more very important stories.

So I knew what was coming next, it was inevitable. And then there it was. Somebody brought up "racism". And that was suggested as the reason that O.J. was being charged while others who are involved are not.

Now I am very aware that racism exists in this country, and I am perfectly willing to accept that racism is more then likely a factor in the Jena 6 situation. But it is not an issue in the O.J. case. It just isn't!

And it wasn't a factor in 1995. Even though the African American community believed that O.J. was being persecuted because he was a black man who was being accused of killing a white woman, that was just not true.

You know why? Because he is not black.

Before 1995 O.J. was one of the most beloved figures in America. He co-starred in the popular "Naked Gun" movies and many other films, he made the famous Hertz commercials where he ran through the airport, and he was on television commenting on football every Sunday. He was a much loved media superstar. He was the "Juice".

So when he was accused of the brutal killing of his wife, and then he engaged in that slow motion escape attempt in the white Bronco, we were riveted. Not because he was black. Because he was famous.

When his defense team brought up race, it was simply as way to muddy the waters and to get support from the black community that was still incensed over the Rodney King beating and subsequent trial.


But race should never have been raised in that trial or this new trial. And the reason for that is that O.J. was just too damn beloved.

If Oprah went on trial, nobody could use racism as her defense. It just would not make any sense! She is Oprah for goodness sakes! The same is true of Tiger Woods, or Michael Jordan, or Will Smith, or Michael Jackson! (Okay that last one is a given.)

It can be argued that O.J. will not receive a fair trial because of prejudice due to his last trial, or a general dislike of him because of his press coverage, but not because of the color of his skin.
That just diminishes the importance of racism in this country.

Now having made that point, I am going to ignore this stupid story. I find it to be a distraction from the important issues of our time. Or maybe you haven't heard? Our country is broken!