ABSTRACT

The O. J. Simpson murder trial verdict was one of the most emotionally-charged events Americans have collectively experienced in recent times. It was by chance that the announcement came shortly before my undergraduate cultural diversity course. The following is an excerpt of one of my student’s journals which describes her experience of the event:

With the verdict given within one hour of our class that week, this served as a timely catalyst for heated controversy. Like countless others, I awaited the verdict in front of the television that morning. I sat, stomach churning, following a sleepless night of restless thoughts during which I reviewed every conceivable outcome and its repercussions. Still, I realize now, in retrospect, how grossly ill-prepared I was for my reaction to the verdict. … [My significant other and I] were convinced that O.J. would be charged with the murders. We were fairly comfortable with our certainty, so for several incredulous seconds after the verdict was read, neither one of us breathed a word. Shocked into silence, we agreed to talk later… .

I drove to school in a distracted daze, arriving shaken and immensely sad. I felt lost, pacing the halls and lounge area, hearing snippets of conversation. Words floated back to me—’’verdict,” “murderer,” “unbelievable,” “unfair,” and “racial issue.” I didn’t know where to turn for answers and was unprepared to discuss my reactions with anybody yet. At the same time, I felt that I needed a therapeutic cleansing. The group processing that we engaged in during class that day fulfilled this function and helped tremendously. Knowing that so many others were confused, outraged, and full of questions made me realize that I could explore my own feelings safely and more fully in the group. Although I was still reluctant to verbalize all of the pain I was then experiencing, it helped to hear others and silently commiserate. Despite a difficult morning, that class discussion was a fruitful, timely, and healing process that enabled some closure. The aftermath of the Simpson verdict has left many scars, and many of us reached a new level of awareness about racial tensions.