Orenthal J. Simpson, better known as OJ or "The Juice", was one of the best running backs in the history of football. He came along at a time when white people needed a model Negro in the late 60s and early 70s. During the height of the Civil Rights Movement and social unrest, OJ was not known to step outside of his new found fame and acceptance by white America to protest against racism and racist treatment of Blacks by the white establishment like many Black athletes were doing. He was proud to carry the torch during the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles. When asked once why he never got involved in community activities, he described himself as being "neutral" on any issue as it related to racial tension.

Because of this attitude, OJ rode a long and successful wave one right after the other. Not only was he a famed running back for the Buffalo Bills and broke Jim Brown's rushing record in a single season, he was an actor in movies and a variety of television series, he endorsed products such as Hertz Rent-a-car service, and did other commercials as well. He quickly became a familiar face on television and was said to have blazed the trail for many Blacks to get into the television industry. It has been reported that OJ felt quite comfortable in the company of white people and always seemed to emulate their behavior quite well, unlike most "jocks" during that era. He was always in the company of white businessmen who liked his non-radical demeanor and smiling, easy going ways. In fact, he felt so comfortable that not long after he and his first wife, Marguerite (a sister) divorced, he married the 19 year old blonde Southern Cali girl, Nicole Brown. Sisters, particularly, felt outrage at this relationship because many felt that when he was climbing the ladder to his success he remained with a sister, but when he reached the pennacle of success, he switched to the symbolic token of success, a blonde, thin, youthful white woman.

This year is the 10th anniversary of Nicole Brown's and Ronald Goldman's death due to homicide in 1994. There were and still are many people who believe that OJ was/is guilty of their murders and the verdict of the jury served to highlight the racial divide that continues to exist in America today.

As millions of people watched the reactions between Blacks and whites when the verdict was read on national television, it was evident that when a Black man and white woman are involved, justice is never blind because the Black man is always guilty. Another important fact that I think the OJ Simpson verdict proved was that the judicial system in America made a gross mistake. It is only supposed to be fair as long as it decides in favor of white majority opinion. It didn't turn out that way in the case of OJ Simpson v. The State of California. Thus explains the rage and backlash that Blacks are experiencing today, particularly when it comes to issues like affirmative action.

Queenie :spinstar:

Historical chronology: http://www.bestofcolumbus.com/fussichen/otdoj.htm

What can I say NN? They'll always have Tiger Woods.

This is such a sensitive and controversial issue for many people. The OJ case became more about race than anything else. There seems to be "rules" when it comes to race-mixing and as long as the rules aren't broken, people develop a false sense of security when nothing disrupts the flow. The awkward thing is, both races involved appear to set their own separate sets of rules.

Regardless of what anyone says or thinks, race is a major issue in America as well as other places around the world. Some places appear more tolerant than others when it comes to mixing and mingling among people of different races, but because of a strange phenomenon called oppression due to elitist attitudes,people are thought about and treated differently.

Even though some people of African descent may reject their own and prefer to be with people of other races, many Africans accept them as part of their own anyway. When OJ was released from prison and returned home, who was there to greet him and embrace him as a friend, another Black man!

Queenie :spinstar:

How does one gain acceptance within the eyes of America when the enter an Inter-racial relationship? This really isn't my issue...LOL! However it is safe to say that after years of selling them products, charming them with his "million dollar" smile, not offending them with "radical" & offensive talk about racism, entertaining them with his movies, and taking one of their own (a poor girl) for marriage.....OJ had gained the "trust" of white America.

You asked for the "rules" of inter-racial dating NN? As for the men, so is it for the women: 1. The golden rule of inter-racial dating is that you must treat your white mate better than you would a member of your own race. 2. Show them more understanding and patience. 3. Lower your expectations for them, whether they be financial or physical. 4. Never complain about your white mate, for you risk your family & friends telling you "I told you so". 5. Keep a public facade of a happy stress free life at all cost, in order to maintain the image of the grass is greener on the other side.

OJ violated these rules, he entered the heart of white America, and broke it. Michael Jackson has done the same thing. This is the ultimate sin, and it can never be forgiven. As far as black people's acceptance of this situation. Inter-racial dating is essentially assimilation into American society, as white people are the dominate race in the country. A lot of us identify with this "struggle" so we accept it. However I am not quite sure this is an adequate description of what happened with the OJ case. I believe more black people identified with the circumstances of the case (police racism) than OJ himself. Black people are well aware that police do as much harm as good in our community. Police are just as likely to plant drugs on us, harrass us, "accidently shoot us, as they are to prevent crimes. This is not the case with white communities, the police are their heroes, and they can do no wrong. Different perceptions.....different realities.