Former Biden staffer and Harvard fellow compares OJ Simpson to persecuted ... trends now
A former Biden staffer turned Harvard fellow has compared notorious double murder suspect OJ Simpson to persecuted slaves while appearing on CNN.
Ashley Allison, who is also the broadcaster's political commentator, warned there will 'always be moments like him' unless America 'deals with the issue of race'.
Former NFL star Simpson passed away surrounded by his family at his home in Las Vegas on Wednesday night after a short battle with prostate cancer.
Simpson was also found civilly liable for the 1994 deaths of his ex-wife Nicole Brown and her friend Ron Goldman after being controversially acquitted at a criminal trial.
'It was so racially charged because of what had happened just before with Rodney King, but also just how black Americans feel about policing,' Allison said on CNN.
Ashley Allison likened OJ Simpson to persecuted slaves during a CNN appearance Thursday
Simpson (pictured in his 1995 trial) became one of the most infamous figures in America after he was charged with murdering his ex-wife Nicole Brown and her friend Ron Goldman in 1994
Simpson was acquitted but later found civilly liable for the murder of his ex-wife Nicole Brown Pictured: The couple in New York in 1993
'It's not like OJ Simpson was the leader of the civil rights movement of his era; he wasn't a social justice leader.
'But he represented something for the black community in that moment, in that trial, particularly because there were two white people who had been killed.
'And the history around how black people have been persecuted during slavery.
'There were just so many layers. There was racial tension then; there is racial tension now.'
'Until this country is ready to actually have an honest conversation about the racial dynamics from our origin story until today, we will always have moments like OJ Simpson that manifest,' she added.
'And our country will always be divided if we don't actually deal with the issue of race.'
Simpson's family confirmed his death in an X post on their official account on Thursday.
'On April 10th, our father, Orenthal James Simpson, succumbed to his battle with cancer,' they wrote.
'He was surrounded by his children and grandchildren. During this time of transition, his family asks that you please respect their wishes for privacy and grace. - The Simpson Family.'
It was previously reported that Simpson had been battling prostate cancer and undergoing chemotherapy
OJ Simpson in a mug shot following his arrest in Los Angeles, California, US, 17th June 1994
Simpson's family released a statement confirming his death on X on Thursday
Goldman's father said Simpson's death only serves as a reminder of the agony his family have suffered over the years.
'The only thing that I have to say today is that this is a further reminder of the loss of my son Ron,' Fred Goldman told DailyMail.com.
'It is a further reminder of my son's murder and a reminder about the many years we have missed Ron.'
Simpson, a former football running back who played 11 seasons mostly with the Buffalo Bills, reinvented himself
