The Tattoo
--- Making a Permanent Impression Since 1994 ---
July 15, 1996
By AMANDA LEHMERT
Tattoo Staff Writer
This is something that will remain with me
for the rest of my life because of the way it
has shaped my view of things in the United
States. I remember all of it in detail as if it
was yesterday, and will never be able to forget
how I felt.
It was sixth period, nearing the end of a
long, miserable day. My friend Danielle and I
had gotten passes to the library so that we
could spend study hall together, as usual. But
this was no ordinary day. A certain buzz of
anxiousness surrounded Bristol Central High
School and all its occupants. Students and
faculty gathered together, tuning in their
radios or televisions, all in intense
anticipation of one thing: The Verdict.
Sure, we all had different opinions.
''O.J. is innocent!''
''O.J. is guilty!''
''I couldn’t care one way or another. It’s
all so stupid.''
But still, almost everybody was just a little
curious.
Meanwhile in the library, two televisions
were set up, one at either end of the library.
Students fought to get a close seat so they
wouldn’t miss a single second of the action.
The administration obviously had no objection to
the blatant misuse of quality class or studying
time. As I recall, the principal and both
assistant principals stood solemnly at the back
of the library with their arms across their
chests, looking very stern as if they were the
ones who had to decide O.J. Simpsons’ fate.
Some of us took out our homework, like we
were supposed to, but I don’t think anybody got
anything done. The TV station we were watching
finally focused its attention on the courtroom.
The tension mounted as the judge explained to
the people viewing the proceedings in person
that there was to be no noise or commotion when
the verdict was read. The library was silent.
Nobody moved. Not one eyeball strayed away from
the television screen. The jury came in. They
had deliberated, and made their decision.
I think everybody in that library, in that
courtroom, as well as all over the country, drew
one consecutive deep breath and held it. It
seemed like forever, but finally, ''We the jury
find the defendant, Orenthal James Simpson, not
guilty of....''
And that’s all I remember. I didn’t look
away from the screen and nobody said a word, yet
I don’t remember hearing anything that member of
the jury said after those words. A stunned
silence wrapped around the room.
Finally someone spoke for us all. From the
other end of the library, one young male voice
shouted a very exasperated, ''What?!''
My sentiments exactly. What has happened to
our famed American justice system? This
''justice system'' that supposedly provides
''justice'' for all? Well how about giving some
justice to Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald
Goldman!
Then again, it really all does come back to
living in America. We are free people, which
also includes the right to try and achieve the
''American Dream.'' What’s that dream? Make a
million and own a house too big to live in,
which I’d say O.J. did quite well. And making
that million also makes it possible for you to
break the law, intentionally or not. Why is
that so, you ask? Because money talks really,
really fast, or at least it pays fancy,
expensive, not to mention great defense
attorneys to talk really, really fast for you.
Where’s the justice? I guess I have asked
myself that very same question. It’s really
hard to say. Maybe there is none. You might
just have to watch out for yourself before
someone else’s American Dream becomes your
American Nightmare.