THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, October 16, 1995 TAG: 9510140014
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A8 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 34 lines
Seems strange that in the trial of the century, O.J. Simpson is acquitted of any wrongdoing and suddenly white America wants to rewrite the jury system.
Don't we still operate under the premise that all are innocent until proved guilty? I wonder why so many whites concluded that O.J. was guilty before the trial began? I think many whites (not all) should open the doors of their hearts and see if maybe a little racism is alive and well.
For many years there have been thousands of injustices perpetrated against blacks in America. Where was white America then? The whites were the perpetrators. The jury system worked then, and yet now, based on one trial, the system is obsolete. Seems strange, doesn't it?
Of course, I will never forget the awful demise of Ms. Simpson and Mr. Goldman, but isn't there just a small possibility that O.J. is actually not guilty?
White America should wake up and feel what many blacks have felt their entire lives and not just on one occasion. I think we all (black and white) should evaluate our way of thinking and learn to grow together from this turning point in our lives. There is still hope.
ANTONIO A. GARDNER
Chesapeake, Oct. 11, 1995 by CNB