“Did OJ do it?” Is a question that has circled the media since NFL player OJ Simpson was tried and acquitted for the murders of his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and friend Ronald Goldman in 1995. His acquittal despite significant forensic evidence produced by prosecutors caused the trial to be characterized as the “trial of the century”.
In 1977, a civil jury found Simpson liable for wrongful death in the double murder and he was ordered to pay $33.5 million in damages to the Brown and Goldman families. Even then, Simpson continued to maintain his innocence and did not express remorse or offer any form of apology to the victims’ families. He went so far as to publish a book titled “If I did It: Confessions of the Killer” which received criticism for profiting off of the deaths for which he was considered liable.
“Accountability” is the concept of taking responsibility for your thoughts, actions, and behaviors as well as the consequences that come with them. It is the idea that everything a person does has consequences, and that they must be prepared to take responsibility for these consequences no matter what. And it’s more than just owning up to mistakes; it’s about taking ownership of our actions, fostering a culture of honesty, and cultivating a mindset of continuous improvement.
Personal accountability is incredibly difficult to achieve– it goes against human nature entirely. But it is the cornerstone of responsibility, integrity, and growth.
Both within the walls of Upper Arlington High School and beyond, it is our responsibility to pursue personal accountability. Not just for the people around us, but also for ourselves. Personal accountability allows us to be the best version of ourselves we can possibly be, and who doesn’t want that?
Upper Arlington is only as good a community as its citizens, and it is up to us as individuals to make Upper Arlington the best possible place we can. That requires us to hold ourselves accountable in all aspects of our lives. Do your assignments, treat your teachers with respect, take the time to say hello to administrators in the hallways. Arlingtonian urges you, as this year comes to an end, to reflect on this past school year and ask yourself, “how did I take accountability for my actions this year?”
OJ Simpson passed away on Apr. 10, 2024 from a year-long fight against prostate cancer. Though his lawyer told the Associated Press that Simpson died “surrounded by children and grandchildren”, he later revoked that statement, saying that Simpson died in the presence of only one unnamed person. Simpson was an actor, broadcaster, producer, and Hall of Fame football player, but he is now arguably most known for his trial and the lack of accountability he took throughout his lifetime. OJ Simpson is an example of what happens when you don’t take accountability for your actions: his legacy could have been one of success, yet it is now one of a remorseless murderer.
