OJ Simpson after being acquitted. New York Post/AP.
The White House offered condolences to OJ Simpson's family after his death but did not offer any for the two people he was accused of murdering. New York Post. White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said “Our thoughts are with his families [sic] during this difficult time — obviously with his family and loved ones,”. Simpson was reported dead of prostate cancer today at the age of 76 and was a famous football player and actor. However, he was most well known for the "trial of the century" where he was acquitted of the murders of his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend, Ron Goldman. Brown had also accused Simpson of being physically abusive during their marriage.
My Comment:
The tone-deafness of the White House continues. And I have to say Karine Jean-Pierre is one of the worst press-secretary we have ever had. The press secretary should not be making news for her own comments, her job is to make the President's accomplishments make the news.
Expressing condolences for the death of a man that the vast majority of people think of as a double murderer is, quite frankly, baffling. Does Karine Jean-Pierre think that O.J. Simpson was not guilty? Does she even know who OJ Simpson is? That seems impossible since she's 49 and was absolutely around for the trial. Was this on purpose? Some kind of snide commentary on race relations? Or a deliberate attempt to outrage people?
What would have been a better response? No comment. Or, failing that, expressing sadness for his family but also acknowledging that he was a likely murderer and wife beater. There's absolutely no reason to not mention that he probably killed two people, unless you are going to be smart about it and ignore the issue entirely.
Regardless, I am kind of surprised that OJ's death isn't bigger news. For people that are too young, it's easy to not understand how important the OJ trial was. It was the biggest news story in the world and the whole world was paying attention when it happened. I still remember watching the OJ Simpson police chase. And it's not every day that a huge celebrity goes on trial for a double homicide. It was a huge story and it will remain one for the foreseeable future.
It also exposed how bad race relations were in the country in the time and it would show in the future how certain groups cared more about scoring points during a trial than actually proving guilt or innocence. Very few people actually thought that OJ was innocent but they celebrated his acquittal nonetheless.
As for OJ himself, it is strange to see him go. I do think he killed his wife and Ron Goldman, so I am not exactly mourning him. And he was also absolutely guilty of the crime that got him sent to prison many years later. Despite his career as an actor and sports star, he should always be remembered for what he was. A criminal.
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