O.J. finally shed some light on something important

I have refrained from speaking on the O.J. trial ever since I began writing this column, and I will certainly not break from that welcome practice. Yet, what cannot be ignored are the contrasting messages about race relations created either by the media's indecisiveness as to what was an important news item (the president of the United States or O.J. Simpson) or the simple commercial pandering to sensationalism. I am sure the television newsroom producers are thanking those techno-nerds, because when two newsworthy stories are happening simultaneously, there is no longer any pressure to choose (and maybe lose): they can simply split screens and show both! Voila! The entire viewing public is served.

We all saw what happened. Toward the end of his speech, President Clinton spoke of diversity and how it will benefit this great nation of immigrants. He gave examples. He honored the memory of Frank Tejeda, the Mexican American congressman from Texas, and acknowledged Gary Locke, the Asian American governor from Washington state, on whose campaign he made an appearance. Soon after, with technology at their disposal, the networks split the screen and showed the verdict from the O.J. Simpson trial, a caricature of American racial harmony. But wait, there's more! The Republican response was soon to follow, featuring none other than their symbol (read: token) of racial brotherhood a la Clarence Thomas: J.C. Watts.

This side-show solicitation seeking sympathy and legitimacy (read: votes) from the communities of color may have inadvertently illuminated a large canyon between where most people hope race relations are and where they actually stand. The O.J. Simpson trial represents one of the most extraordinary examples of how differing viewpoints are held by African Americans and whites.

One example can be found in the comments made by many commentators after the Simpson civil trial. They intimated that the existence of a black juror in the civil trial would lend some credence to the verdict, thereby calming any fears of injustice and short-circuiting any possibility of unrest. Besides the insulting implication that anytime something occurs that may upset the African American community, they will respond by rioting (indicating they completely misunderstood April 1992), they assume that the presence of one African American exemplifies the concerns of an entire community.

The Democrats and Republicans made a politically correct attempt to reach out to the communities of color; however, their play for diversity was marred by reality. The communities of color have long called for inclusion in the political arena, and President Clinton and the GOP proudly displayed their contributions to that ideal, but the O.J. trial countered with a sentiment of exclusion. The reaction to the O.J. trial has no more to do with O.J. than the riots of April 1992 have to do with Rodney King. The O.J. trial represents what is missing, and what is missing is inclusion. The African American community does not believe they are part of the justice system, in that this legal and penal strategy is imposed upon them. This arrangement is not inclusive.

I would hope that our political leaders would take a look at this attempt to please everyone and find that, ironically, a large portion of the population has been ignored. Notwithstanding the O.J. trial, racial harmony in this country has a long journey ahead, started only by a few steps so far. Without the continued commitment by our political leaders, community leaders and the entire citizenry, the short-term effects of an angry constituency will be a welcomed alternative to the complete devastation of a nation because of ignorance, greed and shortsightedness.

David H. Benton is a third-year law student and promises never to be involved with the Simpson trial should the case ever come up on appeal in the 9th Circuit. He sits on the ASUA President's Cabinet and is a member of the Arizona Students' Association board of directors.

By David H. Benton
Arizona Daily Wildcat
February 11, 1997