Written by Michael Thompson.

CNN’s coverage of OJ Simpson’s recent passing has ignited a firestorm of controversy over its portrayal of the former NFL player’s impact on race relations in America.

Questionable Commentary from CNN Analysts

CNN correspondent Stephanie Elam, primarily known for her work as a climate change analyst, suggested that Simpson’s acquittal in the murder trial of his wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ron Goldman was a cause for celebration among some due to his status as a wealthy, black celebrity. “It’s worth noting that so many people were just happy to see that someone who was rich and famous and black could get away with… what other people did in the system as well too,” Elam stated, highlighting the racial tensions of the 1990s that influenced public perception of the trial.

Racial Dynamics in Media Analysis

Adding to the network’s provocative coverage, CNN commentator Ashley Allison provided an analysis that suggested Simpson represented the black community during his trial because his victims were white. Allison, reflecting on her feelings during Simpson’s acquittal, noted, “I cheered, I was happy. It was so racially charged because of what had happened just before with Rodney King, but also just how black Americans feel about policing.”

Broader Implications of Simpson’s Trial

Allison further explained that Simpson’s case symbolized more than just a legal battle; it was a moment of significant racial implications, intertwined with the historical persecution of black people during slavery. “He wasn’t a social justice leader,” Allison said, “but he represented something for the black community in that moment in that trial, particularly because there were two white people who had been killed.”

CNN’s Struggle to Balance Perspectives

The network’s coverage also touched on the complex feelings surrounding Simpson’s acquittal, suggesting that for some, his release was seen as a victory against a biased legal system, regardless of the actual guilt or innocence. This narrative points to the deeply embedded racial tensions and the contentious history of policing in the United States.

Our Take

CNN’s handling of OJ Simpson’s death serves as a reminder of the complexities involved in discussing race, celebrity, and justice. As conservatives, we emphasize the importance of maintaining objectivity and respecting the legal system’s verdicts, regardless of the individual’s celebrity status or race. The network’s framing of Simpson’s legacy, suggesting a racial vindication in his acquittal, potentially overshadows the broader issues of justice and the rule of law.

It’s crucial for the media to uphold standards of unbiased reporting and avoid inflaming racial tensions. In reflecting on such high-profile cases, the focus should remain on the facts and the principles of justice, not on using individual events as symbols of broader social struggles. True progress in race relations will come from honest discussions and a shared commitment to fairness and legal integrity, not from divisive rhetoric or polarizing commentary.

WTF: CNN Contributor suggests black people identified with OJ because he k*lled white people.

“[OJ] represented something for the black community in that moment, in that trial, particularly because there were two white people who had been k*lled.”

These remarks are insane.… pic.twitter.com/zJHNDJ0I7t

— Western Lensman (@WesternLensman) April 12, 2024