O.J. Simpson Passes Away of Cancer at 76
The Facts
O.J. Simpson, the former NFL star whose murder trial riveted the world in the '90s, passed away Wednesday from prostate cancer at the age of 76, according to a social media post by his family on X, formerly Twitter.
Simpson was reportedly diagnosed with cancer in February, and reports claimed he was in hospice while undergoing chemotherapy.
The Spin
Narrative A
Simpson's story is deeply tragic and symbolic as he passed after a civil jury found him guilty of what he was accused of doing to Brown Simpson and Goldman. Simpson's death should be a reminder of those he took from their families in the '90s and an inspiration to support all victims and survivors of violent crimes.
Narrative B
In death, as in life, Simpson should stand as a reminder of the racial tensions that continue to exist in the US — particularly between Black America and law enforcement. Many Black individuals celebrated Simpson's acquittal not because they thought he was innocent but because they felt it made up for many previous injustices. Thirty years later, there's still more work to be done.
