Artificially Flavoured

A double-standard usually tends to expose itself in very ironic fashion, for instance in issues of race. For thirteen years now, many have debated as to whether or not O.J. Simpson should have been found guilty in the double murder of his estranged wife and her lover. At the time, the competent and almost magical courtroom presence of Johnny Cochrane mesmerized us all. I can remember that rhythmic tag-line of his, "If the glove don't fit, you must acquit!" And acquit they did. What followed was intensely mixed. People both white and black felt that O.J was guilty. But the issue was not really about guilt, but rather race. The difference was that O.J. was being extended the privileged side of the double standard that often exists when it comes to the races, all be it because of his celebrity. Fast-forward to today and ironically O.J. is now on the other side of the double standard. While his image had been spalshed across the media, and others still have insinuated that this is in some way justice, for his previous acquittal, the double-standard has again reared its head, though not specifically with this case.
On October 3rd 2008, while O.J. was being convicted in California, a white State trooper was being acquitted in South Carloina. Indeed the case of Lance Cpl. Steve Garren is not a new one in terms of U.S. law as it deals with allegations of police brutality, though this time with a twist. Or at the risk of being crass, with a swerve. It is 'alleged' that the officer under question intentionally ran over a suspect with his car in order to stop him from fleeing. The jury in the case was shown a video of the incident which occured in June 2007 which showed the suspect, Marvin Grant, at first running from the patrol car and then suddenly changing direction and running right into the vehicle's path. He was hit at this point. On the video the voice of Officer Garren can be heard saying, "Hey, I nailed the (expletive) out of him." Followed by, "Yeah I hit him. I was trying to hit him."
Police in the U.S., as in the world over have guidelines of force that they must follow. Because an invidiual is suspected or guilty does not give an understanding of permission to use 'excessive force', as it was in this case since the suspect was on foot and unarmed. With this in mind there are two explanations for Marvin Grants' change of direction relative to the cruiser. Either Mr. Grant has a death wish and tried to get runover, or the officer tried to hit him, as he is heard saying on the video.
As previously stated Officer Garren was acquitted and herein lies the double standard. O.J's conviction is seen by some as justice acting in its ultimate manner in ensuring that O.J. does not escape the long-arm of the law. And while we are distracted by mainstream media's almost blanket coverage of this, a white trooper is being acquitted of vehicular homicide against a black man in the southern U.S. Admittedly, connecting the two cases is a bit of a stretch. Yet it seems possible using race, an artificial tie that binds.