The reason for watching this film is that a teacher who teaches "Comparative Constitution" used it as a pre-class assignment. The teacher arranged this film to give us a general, perceptual, and intuitive understanding of the American Constitution and the American social and cultural environment. In the author's opinion, this film not only discusses grand and professional narratives such as race and the constitution, but also shows us the good and evil of human nature. Even though we probably won't have Simpson's life experience, this film can bring us a lot of thought after "covering the book".
"Race" in the United States is not only a biological and anthropological concept, but also a set of cultural norms and ways of life. Issues of race are closely intertwined with issues of class and social governance. The author will use "race" as the starting point to understand this extraordinary trial and Simpson's "up and down" life
(1) Black and white take all
Simpson was able to please the white group, and even once "ranked" as one of them. His amazing athletic performance was just a stepping stone. More importantly, he insisted on self-transformation for a long time to adapt to the white culture. Simpson did not join the black athletes to speak for the black community in the social unrest caused by the "iron-blooded crackdown" of black criminals by the white police. He learned golf, danced, dropped his body to perform comedy, corrected his accent... Finally, he became the darling of the white world, a "black spokesperson who won't offend white people."
However, Simpson was not just popular with the white community before his accident. Ordinary black people still have a very high reverence for Simpson. How did he get this "take-all"?
The reason lies in his unique, cunning theory.
Simpson emphasized in different interviews, Q&A, "I'm not black, I'm OJ." This theory seems to be impartial, but it is not difficult to understand that its essence is an excuse to try to remove the "black" label.
This theory appeals to whites because Simpson doesn't speak out for the interests of his own race like so many prominent blacks do, intimidating whites.
And this theory can please black people because it is very "warm-blooded" and "inspirational". It seems to be telling those black brothers who have suffered from discrimination and injustice: You can also wash away this innate "shame" and become yourself!
Furthermore, Simpson will win over the people around him. He can be described as "heart-to-heart" to his childhood friends and teammates, and he is full of righteousness. Simpson, after breaking the historic record of 2,000 yards for a running back, gave each teammate a gold bracelet that read: "We did it, 3,082 yards." Instead of writing his own record, he wrote the team's yardage. These actions did not allow Simpson to bear the infamy of "forgetting his roots".
He carefully walks on a tightrope between "black" and "white", which can not only reap benefits from the "white" camp, but also leave a safe place for himself in the "black" world.
(2) Winning with "black"
However, Simpson's "tightrope walk" finally lost its balance after the "wife murder" case.
After the hard evidence of domestic abuse of white wife Nicole was released, white society (especially the upper class Simpson tried to integrate into) has closed the door on Simpson. As a result, Simpson resolutely "turned on his side" and raised the "black" banner.
It is true that Simpson is not a "hero" in the black community. He did not speak up for the black community like boxer Ali and other black athletes. He tried his best to please the white upper class, and even committed domestic violence that black women suffered.
However, these misdeeds are less important than the "elevation" that he may bring to the black community as a racial honor symbol. After a long history of police brutality and injustice by the justice system (especially the Rodri King and Tasha Harlins incidents), what the black community in Los Angeles needs is an outlet for its grievances and a heart-warming Victory, even if he is not replicable, cannot last.
The "Dream Team" of defense lawyers hired by Simpson, including Hollywood star defense expert Shapiro, criminal expert Lee Bailey and appellate expert Dershowitz, etc. The skill of using Simpson's "black" label.
First, the Dream Team fully utilized the judicial right of "procedural fairness". After they won the judge's approval, they led the jury to visit Simpson's mansion, and displayed carefully arranged photos between Simpson and "black people", trying to shape Simpson's "black" image.
Second, the Dream Team went to great lengths to polish every detail in the courtroom, doing their best to "muddle" every fact and evidence against Simpson. Although the race card is the decisive weapon in this battle, the use of the race card must be based on sufficient details to support it. If you want to confirm that "the police framed 'Black Simpson' because of racial discrimination", you must produce enough evidence to counter the prosecution's evidence. By watching the video repeatedly and studying the reconnaissance reality, they found out that the investigator touched the envelope with bloody shoe prints with his bare hands, the sheets covering the corpse might contaminate the evidence, and the bloodstains appeared on the back door after a month... , lawyers with excellent skills, they are not only strong in thinking and words, but also can work hard in the meticulous work of "finding evidence". These skills and professionalism are truly admirable.
For the most objective and undeniable DNA test comparison evidence, the Dream Team adopted the technique of "drawing from the bottom of the pot" and directly questioned the source of the samples. Dr. Li Changyu, a well-known Chinese family member who once joined the Simpson team, made a detailed analysis of the blood samples and concluded that the blood drawn from the Simpson for testing was finally 1.5ml less. It was found that a police officer who was supposed to send Simpson's blood sample for testing brought the blood sample to the scene of the crime. Combined with on-site evidence such as the bloody gloves that could not be worn and the sudden appearance of bloodstains, "whether the Simpson's blood sample at the scene was framed by the police" has become more and more suspicious. And this question can not only weaken the importance of DNA evidence, but also can "follow the trail" to question whether the police have "planted", and "planted" can be directly linked to the most sensitive "racial discrimination". This move can be described as a lore.
The most decisive thing is that the Dream Team's ability to "bring rhythm" is far better than today's Weibo big V. If the whole court process is likened to a delicacy, the above are just the preparation of the highest quality raw materials. And a "race card" that is played without any trace is exactly the seasoning that gives this delicacy a peerless delicacy. The Dream Team cleverly used the mixed feelings of fear, dissatisfaction and even hatred of the black community for the police, and captured the typical character of the Los Angeles police - Officer Foreman. The Dream Team's anatomy of Foreman's life is a hundred times more cruel and cruel than today's various "skinning" posts. They questioned step by step, dug deep, and found out that Forman wanted to go to work in South Africa. He once highlighted "sensitive words" when he saw a white woman sitting in a black man's car, and once "spoke wild words" in an interview. Foreman's image has changed from a model police officer to a "racist" who even the police department hastily drew the line. In the end, "Foreman forged evidence" turned from a fantasy to a plausible presumption. "Foreman" himself also became the personification of "Hitler" in the closing argument.
Simpson won for hurting Foreman and the rest of the police because black people who had no reason to support him were always hurt by the police. The retribution of injustice and all kinds of karma formed a closed loop in Simpson.
And a new tear between races has quietly emerged.
(3) Backlash
When Simpson greets the world in court as a victor, that should be the end of the story.
However, there will never be one-act plays in this world. Even death is not necessarily the end. Simpson gets the gift of his means and luck, and then spends the rest of his life paying hefty unplanned prices.
When he chose to play this racial card, white society had already excluded him from the world he aspired to.
When he lost a civil lawsuit and was sentenced to a sky-high fine, his property shrunk, and even trophies and other honorary souvenirs were taken away to pay compensation, his inner pride had been shattered to pieces. He can never go back to the old days.
Somerset Maugham said: "When a man is interested in himself, self-discipline is a breeze." And when all pride and self-identity are ravaged and crushed, the "self" is nothing but money and desire to support After the body, the fall is just as it should be.
Simpson's drunken life did not last long, and his retribution still came.
In 2008, Simpson was sentenced to 33 years for a farce-like armed robbery. According to the case, 33 years must be the result of a deliberate heavy sentence. This time, there is no longer a "dream team" and grand public opinion to escort him. He can only sit alone in the courtroom, accepting the judgment of the judge with disdain, and the belated "justice" that millions of people are eagerly waiting for.
The day he was convicted was the same day he was convicted 13 years ago.
His 33-year sentence echoes the 33 million yuan in civil damages awarded.
He paid the price for his cunning and fluke.
On July 20, 2017, Simpson was released on parole from a Nevada prison.
To this day, we don't know what Simpson's status quo is and what kind of imprint the past will leave on his mind.
All the noises that belong to him constitute his reincarnation.
To this day, the truth about Simpson's wife murder is still unknown. We are powerless to go back to the past. As a lawyer, my hope is that the law keeps its own camp as pure as possible. Only when it is united with logic, evidence, and reason, rather than tumbling in the boiling soup of public opinion and incitement, can the law play its best role in maintaining justice.
It is hoped that what each court will carry out is the confrontation of evidence and logic under the legal framework, rather than the never-ending noise and retribution.
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