Ni**a Please: The People V. OJ Simpson, Ep. 5 Recap - Page 7
It’s show time. All the world’s a stage, OJ Simpson’s freedom is hanging in the balance, and Johnnie Cochran has no problem taking center stage and giving a performance that will echo through the ages.
In last night’s episode of The People V. OJ Simpson: American Crime Story, OJ’s role was minimal as the show belonged to the only two Black lawyers involved in the case. Knowing that his star is rising, Johnnie Cochran didn’t just play to the crowd like a silver-tongued politician looking to lock up primary votes on a campaign trail, but he also used every opportunity to bury Christopher Darden’s credibility – and Blackness – in the process.
And that’s just a few of the obstacles that the prosecution had to overcome as race is becoming a bigger issue at a time when they’re committed to the putting the walking swastika known as Detective Mark Fuhrman on the witness stand.
Hit the flip to refresh your memory and learn some things you probably didn’t about the trial of the century.
Way before being considered the greatest trial lawyer who ever lived, Johnnie Cochran was a constant victim of racial profiling whenever driving in white neighborhoods.
The naive as a home schooled child Marcia Clark said that if someone like Mark Fuhrman “acts polite then they are polite” after Chris Darden warned her Fuhrman was putting up a front to hide his racial tendencies.
Arsenio Hall sent Judge Ito a fan letter. Again, Ito was giddy about being involved in the trial.
Taking exception to Johnnie Cochran’s attacks on why he was added to the prosecution’s team, Christopher Darden spoke to Cochran about being diplomatic during the trial process. Cochran responded by insinuating that this was a “by whatever means necessary” situation and he was there “trying to win.” That man was truly earning every penny.
Darden tried to get the judge to not allow Fuhrmans past use of the N-word during trial fearing Black jurors would be “blinded” to the truth by the word. Cochran came back with a scathing retort and sonned Darden like Carl Winslow used to do to Eddie. Oh, and when he was done whispered to him, “Ni**a please.” Now we can see why Diddy hired him for his trial. G’d up from the feet up.
76% of African Americans felt Darden wasn’t doing a good job and some went so far as to call him an Uncle Tom. He should’ve listened to his father when he said to stay away from the OJ case.
The inclusion of witness names they weren’t aware of in Johnnie Cochran’s opening statements caused the Prosecution’s lawyer Bill Hodgman to have a complete breakdown in the middle of the courtroom.
Before the jury could visit OJs house, Johnnie Cochran redecorated Simpsons house to look more “Black” and welcoming to Black and family oriented jurors. Johnnie went so far as to use his own African-American inspired art pieces and even pictures of other people’s families. Earning. Every. Single. Penny.
OJ was nicknamed “The Mayor of Brentwood.” Sounds regal, but it wasn’t a good look to anyone who didn’t live in the lavish community. Kind of like when John Brown declared himself “The King Of The Burbs.”
Johnnie Cochran warned Darden to avoid questioning Fuhrman. Adding, “Make the White people do him.” Whether it was honest advice or a ploy to throw him off his game, it definitely got under Darden’s skin.
In his interview, Mark Fuhrman stated that he collected World War II memorabilia, but failed to specify it was WWII Nazi memorabilia. Donald Trump would understand.
