ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, February 18, 1996 TAG: 9602160010
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 1 EDITION: METRO
COLUMN: The Back Pew
SOURCE: CODY LOWE
James Williams has taken it upon himself in the last few years to make sure that I know something about one of Western Virginia's lesser-known religious minorities - the Bahais.
He's been a friendly voice of conscience in other matters as well, prodding me to challenge my assumptions about God and human beings and how we interact. As with many who share his religious faith, he has a passion for breaking down barriers between religions and nations and races.
When he called recently he caught me a bit off guard by launching into some questions about O.J. Simpson's video. "Think about it," he said in a familiar challenge that I've come to trust will lead to a valuable exercise in self-examination - one I'm going to ask you to engage in as well.
Though he never used the word, James wanted me to think about the hypocrisy of the nation's reaction to Simpson's marketing of a video in which he reportedly gives "his side of the story" about the night that Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman died.
I admit I am among those who found Simpson's money-making scheme crass, to say the least. It constituted an obscene cashing in on the tragic deaths of two people who - if the polls can be believed - a majority of Americans believe Simpson murdered.
James began by insisting that no matter what you thought of the outcome of Simpson's murder trial, there is a kind of fundamental hypocrisy in the way the media and the public have reacted to Simpson's attempt to sell his video.
Some publications have refused to run ads for the video. The TV news and tabloid shows delete the phone number for ordering it when they show clips.
These are the same people who for months devoted countless rolls of newsprint and hours of airtime each day to the "trial of the century," and now they don't want anything to do with him?
Now, James said, let's do some supposing.
What if, in this video, O.J. were confessing all? How long do you think it would take CBS News, NBC News, ABC News and CNN to violate their own policies of not paying for news? Would they pay for the rights to air such a video - with O.J. detailing how he did it, how he got away with it?
Would there be the same cynical "moral stand" by broadcasters and publishers subtly to thwart the sales of the videos?
Would I be willing to buy one of those videos, even though I turn my nose up at the vulgarity of what he is selling now?
I had to admit it was hard for me to imagine that the major networks wouldn't do all they could to get that juicy - you'll pardon the pun - bit of video on the air. The national newspapers likewise would be joining the tabloids in doing all they could to get excerpts in print.
And, I have to admit, I would be a lot more likely to want to see that video than the one he's selling now.
Why the difference? Is an admission of guilt - especially now that Simpson cannot be tried again for the same crimes - any less morally offensive than trying to argue his alibi?
From another angle, as other commentators have pointed out, we are selective about what offends us in the apparent orgy of profiteering from the murders.
Marcia Clark, the lead prosecutor who couldn't get a conviction of Simpson, stands to make millions in a book deal that will capitalize on the deaths just as surely as Simpson is. Who has stepped forward to criticize her for that? Will ads for her book be rejected?
Christopher Darden, Clark's assistant in the case, undoubtedly raised his speaker's fees after the trial was over, likewise capitalizing on the graves of two human beings. Has he been vilified?
Sure, those two were not charged with the crime. But does that make it any less vulgar? Isn't the notion that it's obscene to profit from the tragedy of others what we say we object to?
Why should Simpson, who has been cleared of the crimes by a jury of his peers, not be allowed the same privilege of "telling the real story" - his story - for a profit if others do?
What do you think? Would you pay to see a video confession instead of a video alibi? Is Simpson being treated fairly by the media and the public? Does it offend you that those who conducted the trial stand to profit from it?
Send your responses by e-mail to cloweroanoke.infi.net or regular mail to The Back Pew, in care of The Roanoke Times, P.O. Box 2491, Roanoke, Va. 24010. Your responses must arrive here by noon, March 4, to be included in a follow-up column.
LENGTH: Medium: 82 linesby CNB