OJ Simpson, slavery and segregation: Peter Hitchens analyses America’s racism problem

“The terrible problem with the United States is the huge lingering legacy of slavery.”
The “political acquittal” of OJ Simpson was largely due to the “division” between black people and white people, says Peter Hitchens.
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[@danmayberry1185]

Hitchens is right about the performative tone of televised trials. On the racial divide, OJ's trial was in LA, not long after the Rodney King trial and ensuing riots. OJ's acquittal was met in Black America not with glee, but with grim satisfaction following King, and countless non-celebrity convictions of those "walking while black."

[@YourLittleDeath]

I was always amazed at, what seemed to me at least, the absence of outrage from non-Black America concerning the verdict from the Rodney King trial. Talking about the trial I do remember seeing some of it on television and thought that the attorney acting for the police defendants could have successfully argued that a sheet of white paper is actually black.

[@stephencarter7266]

​@@YourLittleDeathNo, there was a lot of outrage among non blacks, just not as intense as black outrage. There is no way that the outrage could have been the same. But it was definitely there.

[@JayDeeChannel]

The prosecution was incompetent.

[@hus390]

More like LAPD and their two detectives Vannatter & Fuhrman.

[@tomharrison1849]

Curiously, the end result of the UK having an empire and then the commonwealth is that we are not a racist country, or racially divided, and we are culturally sensitive. However, recently the bellicose and insensitive attitude of some immigrants is starting to provoke the indigenous population.

[@ericboxer3053]

Wait until juries here start refusing to convict any of the new master race

[@TranquiloTrev]

After the trial a group of British detectives [maybe ex detectives] did a TV programme, where they went through the case. They concluded that if it were in the UK the case would not have been brought for lack of evidence. They then conjectured that OJ's son did it, and OJ was protecting his son. Very interesting programme.

[@TranquiloTrev]

@@TrevLucas-nz6zj No I am afraid, I cannot post it. My post was totally from memory. I am British and was living in London at the time. So, it was a British program.

[@Hidalgoes]

They may be talking about O.J. Simpson: the untold story, a 2000 bbc documentary, the detectives aren’t British for the most part to my knowledge though, I can’t post links here but if you type in the title you can find it on KZbin

[@TranquiloTrev]

@@Hidalgoes Yes, I think you are correct. I just googled it. "OJ Simpson: The Untold Story Full Documentary". I read the written description under the main screen. I think that was it.

[@michaelhutchinsonhutchinso6866]

Peter we have a grandson who he’s done a two year Spanish and music course at Bristol? His scores are As so far! He is trying to get a PLACEMENT in Spain to get his degree. Apparently he can’t get a chance to do it as we are not in the EU any comments?

[@tim2muntu954]

Justice, like sex, has become entertainment, rather than the sacred thing it is. This is how civilisations fall apart.

[@edwardcatt2399]

@Mrfairchap - yes, hence it’s traditional moral confines with a view to family- and ultimately nation-building 👍

[@_Sloppyham]

Define sacred and prove that it is beyond because you say so

[@finnogorman5683]

The average person doesnt adhere to reason and truth as their ultimate goal, rather that their feelings are above reason and truth

[@Dabhach1]

The average person on the political left, maybe.

[@JohnnyinMN]

A Brit explaining world events when he can’t even understand the EU. Englanders have grown humorous with their self-important observations. Your country is doomed. I suggest you focus (if possible) on your internal problems.

[@LavenderJergens]

I rarely agree with the lesser Hitch but his comments on modern segregation rings true in my own experience. We live in Maryland, where we STILL have pre Brown v Board of Education level segregation in the school environment, even Florida was more diverse in school population. Wealth disparity is greater than any wall ever built. It is a tragedy.

[@edwardcatt2399]

Have you tried voting for a different democrat? 🙄

[@Daniel-gb3en]

Why does every idiot have to bring up his brother and make the same crass statement about Peter being somehow lesser

[@edwardcatt2399]

@anastasiabeaverhausen5467 - not sure why your reply to mine isn’t visible in the thread but yeah, you always revert back to blaming circumstances _two hundred years ago_ ay . . . News flash Anastasia sweetz - NONE of African Americans’ problems in contemporary America are white people’s fault so GET OVER IT 👍

[@stephencarter7266]

​@@edwardcatt2399Thank you!

[@topfragg3044]

"Apartheid worse than South Africa". Tell me you know nothing about history without telling me you know nothing about history.

[@markeedeep]

To be fair, I think it's more of a tacit critique of the US governing establishment than an actual comparison of the two countries, but I agree with your expressed sentiment all the same.

[@rascalhusky8129]

Intelligence, money and wealth has always divided the USA .

[@stephencarter7266]

How has "intelligence" divided the USA? That sounds like a NPC programed talking point.

[@Nicenotherbaltea]

Did I notice him doing the very thing of emphasising the horrific circumstances of the crime OJS was tried for in the same way he said prosecutors lacking real evidence did to get a conviction in televised court proceedings ? (Hope this isn’t word salad)

[@Nicenotherbaltea]

I can’t bear victim statements.

[@kil93]

Times radio attracts all the Alex O'Connor and Christopher hitchens fanboys who have never read a word Peter has ever written 😂

[@hus390]

Just watch the closing arguments and then get back to me!

[@niriop]

Was nobody from Broadmoor available for interview?

[@28pbtkh23]

They tried to reach you but you were unavailable.

[@niriop]

@@28pbtkh23 Then what’s your excuse?

[@jamesreagan9063]

A case You claimed You were going to follow keenly as the evidence, in your words, appeared intriguing was that of Vincent Foster! I would be Honored if, by chance, You were to read and reply! Interestingly enough Brett Kavanaugh was staffed on Mr. Stars panel of investigators! Which brought upon an interesting row prior to confirmation in his present seat! Very much admired You are! And, indeed, Your Brothers voice very much missed still.

[@LukVik]

🤔???? Speechless 😶!!!!

[@longfence6528]

Zimmerman

[@28pbtkh23]

Ah yes: the case of a Hispanic man suddenly being transformed into a white man by the MSM.

[@stephencarter7266]

"Racism" in 2024 has absolutely nothing to do with slavery. "Racism" is an idea maintained by a media industrial complex for want of a better term. This guy has no clue.

[@dorcasmcleod9439]

I agree the ideas that racism in U.S.A. is inflamed by media.

[@Dabhach1]

For once, I disagree with Peter. The Simpson jury certainly delivered a political verdict and knowingly freed a guilty man, but I'm not convinced it was a purely racial verdict. There can be no question whatever that Simpson was framed. The problem was that he was also guilty, which means that whichever way the jury went, it would be the wrong way. People often fail to understand how appallingly badly trained American police officers are compared to other advanced industrial countries. Without that foundational training, it means that, contrary to what we see on TV cop shows, they actually get WORSE with age and experience. As hard as it was, the jury actually made the right decision for the protection of citizens going forward .

[@Jack908r]

He's definitely riding on the coat tails of the smarter brother.

[@RandomAussieGuy87]

True

[@kil93]

The smarter brother who supported the Iraq war and believe in nom existent WMD 😂

[@JohnnyRingo-c5v]

Don’t like his opinion 😂?

[@minui8758]

I think we need to stop deifying a noted Islamophobe as some sort of liberal hero

[@RandomAussieGuy87]

@@minui8758 Christopher warned us about people like you: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Zna8mGuKnNebZtEsi=aDHvkQnkmQqcp43T

[@joelharris4399]

OJ Simpson's tragic story demonstrates the importance of reputation and what happens when it gets besmirched by the media and society at large

[@fabiosplendido9536]

....and how murdering your ex wife can tarnish a reputation...

[@kanu88kanu88kanu88]

peter please shave off your moustache

[@angusgus123]

Why is this guy invited on anything ever? Just his meltdown on Alex O'Connor was bad enough

[@RandomAussieGuy87]

It baffles me

[@buchanfoulsham6314]

😂 That was flipping hilarious. It was a proper flounce.

[@kil93]

Because he has been a journalist and writer for 50 years. Has lived and worked in both the Soviet Union and the USA. Has visted over 60 countries and has had a plethora of experiences that a random Alex O'Connor fanboy will ever have.

[@RandomAussieGuy87]

@kil93 And yet for all that experience he stomped away from 20-something O'Connor like a petulant child. Peter really is the lesser hitchens.

[@kil93]

@RandomAussieGuy87 After being asked for 45 minutes about drugs by an interviewer who clearly hadnt read up on his views on the subject. Ahh yes, the "lesser Hitchens", as opposed to the "Greater Hitchens" who supported the Iraq war and believed in non existent WMD 😄

[@timmy1814]

The wrong Hitchen died.

[@kil93]

What a disgusting thing to say. Why would you want either of them to die ?

[@prophetsnake]

@@kil93 Well, you're apparently not too fussed that Chris died.

[@kil93]

@@prophetsnake how do you deduce that from my comment ?

[@prophetsnake]

@@kil93 Yoiu know the way that hogs can smell truffles? I'm like that with arseholes.

[@JohnnyRingo-c5v]

Don’t like some hard truths

[@riocox6445]

Sure oj was guilty but everyone forgets that the District Attorney planted that bloody sock. The sock had residue from a blood tube.( edta?)