The O.J. Verdict
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join the discussion: What are your thoughts on the Simpson case and Americans' racially divided  reaction to the verdict? Ten years later, has your perspective on it changed?

Dear FRONTLINE,

I just watched your thought provoking program about O.J. Simpson's trial. For me, it was never a question of race, but about guilt, and, in my humble opinion, he was guilty. However, I can understand how the black population in the US felt. I believe many believed he was guilty, yet it was a payback for them. I believe Justice in America is not, unfortunately, always a question of guilt or innocense. OJ got off because he could afford high paid lawyers - the same as caucasians in his position. Unfortunately, justice in North America often depends on money, position and connections. So much for Democracy. I very much appreciate PBS for their courage in producing the types of shows that the mainsteam media no longer produce because of political, etc. pressure.

Kristin Nielsen
Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada

Dear FRONTLINE,

The reaction to the Simpson verdict was one of the most embarassing moments I witnessed as an American. The world got to see our dirty laundry. They got to see that same laundry again, close to the 10th anniversary.

Amit Thakkar
Richlands, VA

Dear FRONTLINE,

I watched the OJ verdict with a black man. Not a rich man, but a security guard at my place of business. I personally was not shocked, but he slumped in his chair, put his hands over his face, and kept saying, "its not fair",and "its not right".

Do I live in a vacuum? Why did you show only one side of the verdict reaction. Where are the people, African American, that represent those apalled at the injustice, as displayed in your report?

Clearly, good people, of any race find it a horrid example of American justice, and not vendication for a race. But you found some who did see it one way.

I realize you didn't have to dig under rocks all day to find those that cheered the verdict, but you should have reported a true cross section of the Black population's reaction. Not to mention, some mention of other races in America.

If this is the kind of reporting we get on PBS, I say lets yank out the public support.

David Owens
Chapel Hill, NC

Dear FRONTLINE,

My opinion then and now has not changed. He did it. How anyone can look back and still think he is innocent is just showing their stupidity and no common sense. The only consolation I have after the not guilty verdict was announced is that the day will come when Simpson takes his last breath of life and comes face to face with the real Judge! If there is a hell, he will burn for eternity with all the other evil human beings departing this life. He better starting praying now.

Marie Castor

Dear FRONTLINE,

I watched every word of the trial of O.J. Simpson, and was convinced that he was not guilty. And, I am a white female. I was proud of the jury for their verdict.

ruth sanders

Dear FRONTLINE,

In all this discussion of OJ and race, I'm struck that no one addresses the fact that two individuals did not have justice served. They had lives, were brutally murdered, and deserved justice. They seemed totally incidental to this story in the midst of all this droning on about race by people who had the luxury of having watched this case unfold on television and the luxury of dumping all their resentments on the graves of Nicole Brown and Ron Goldman. Shameful.

Kate Flood
Boston, MA

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posted oct. 4, 2005

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