Detailing the mixed reactions and ripple effects of BET highlighting OJ Simpson during the 2024 Awards’ memorial segment meant to honor impactful black artists recently deceased.
Shockwaves erupted when OJ Simpson appeared alongside other black icons during BET Awards’ 2024 In Memoriam. Why was this controversial? How did social media react? Let’s break down this complex situation.
The Inclusion of OJ Simpson in the 2024 BET Awards In Memoriam Segment Causes Controversy
The 2024 BET Awards made an unexpected choice to include OJ Simpson in their annual In Memoriam segment, meant to honor influential Black figures in arts and culture who passed away over the last year. This decision caused immediate backlash and debate on social media, given Simpson’s infamous association with the 1994 murders of his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ron Goldman.
Overview of the BET Awards and Purpose of In Memoriam Segments
The BET Awards celebrate achievements in music, entertainment, sports, and more by Black artists and icons each year. The In Memoriam segment specifically pays tribute to impactful Black public figures who have recently died.
Tia Mowry introduced this year’s In Memoriam by saying it honors “the Black excellence that we unfortunately lost this year”. She highlighted how the selected honorees “changed how our artistry is seen and left us with a legacy” we should remember.
Other departed stars featured alongside Simpson included Willie Mays, Richard Roundtree, Ron Cephas Jones, Louis Gossett Jr., Carl Weathers, and Bill Cobbs.
Background on Why OJ Simpson Was Included
OJ Simpson first rose to fame as an award-winning NFL running back in the 1970s. Though beloved early on, his public perception changed forever following the 1994 deaths of his ex-wife Nicole and her friend Ron.
- Simpson was charged but controversially acquitted of their murders in 1995.
- Many still speculate about and debate his guilt.
- In 2007 he was convicted of armed robbery and spent 9 years in prison.
- Simpson passed away in April 2024 at age 76 after struggling with cancer.
The BET Awards likely chose to honor Simpson solely regarding his sports legacy as a Hall of Fame football player. The decision aligningly sparked immediate outrage for ignoring his connection to Nicole and Ron’s deaths.
Social Media Backlash Over Simpson’s In Memoriam Inclusion
Viewers flocked to social media as the BET Awards aired live to express shock and criticism over memorializing Simpson. Highlights of the passionate online responses include:
- Viral X posts like “lol OJ Simpson in memoriam for anything is WILD no matter how you slice it”
- Memes conveying confused, speechless reactions
- Suggestions the audience and BET execs “didn’t know what to do”
- Comparisons to only remembering notorious people like Jeffrey Epstein for their professional work
Despite the social media fury, applause for Simpson could be heard from the awards show’s live audience.
Public Perception of Simpson as Controversial and Polarizing
OJ Simpson has essentially lived as a cultural lightning rod since his 1995 murder trial and subsequent acquittal. The public remains divided in perceiving Simpson solely regarding:
- His sports legacy as an elite NFL player
- His alleged role in his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson’s death
This dichotomy explains why many supported honoring Simpson’s athletic career at the BET Awards, while others found BET highlighting him distasteful and outrageous given the murder context.
No statements have yet been made by BET Awards’ organizers explaining their rationale and addressing the controversy.
How the Tribute Impacted the Entertainment Industry
Highlighting OJ Simpson amid an In Memoriam meant to honor impactful Black artists caused significant short and potential long-term ripple effects, including:
Short-Term Reactions
- Celebrities and entertainment figures publicly expressed criticism
- Outrage dominated entertainment news cycles for days
- Significant social media debate over proper “cancel culture” protocols
Potential Long-Term Implications
- More scrutiny over In Memoriam selections for future awards shows
- Reluctance to feature polarizing figures despite artistic achievements
- Social media’s power to instantly react and shape narratives
In short, the intense backlash may pressure awards shows to play it safe with mourning artists moving forward.
Comparisons to Past Controversial Tributes
The BET Awards have sparked debate in the past over who they omit from the In Memoriam segment. But featuring OJ Simpson created a new level of shock value some compare to other controversial memorial choices:
- Michael Jackson at the 2009 VMAs shortly after his sudden death
- XXXTentacion at the 2018 AMAs after fans rioted for his inclusion
- Abuse allegations ignored for Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston
Highlighting often divisive celebrities in mourning retrospectives frequently stirs debate between strictly honoring artistic success versus wider public perception and controversy.
The Crucial Role of Social Media in Driving Public Opinion
The visible outraged reaction to honoring OJ Simpson on platforms like X illustrates social media’s profound influence in instantly shaping narratives and swaying perspectives today.
Additional examples of viral posts dictating events include:
- Forcing Kevin Hart to drop 2019 Oscars hosting gig
- Fueling the #OscarsSoWhite movement’s power
- Creating needed momentum for #MeToo allegations
These cases and the 2024 BET Awards backlash exemplify how we must acknowledge social media’s increasing role as a catalyst and indicator of public opinion trends even if fueled by “cancel culture” aggression.
The Complexity Behind In Memoriam Tribute Selections
Rendering which impactful artists and figures warrant inclusion in awards show In Memoriam segments is an undoubtedly complex, nuanced decision.
Organizers must weigh various factors spanning:
- Cultural influence and artistic greatness
- Cause/circumstances of death
- Public persona and controversies
Trying to outline specific standardized criteria feels impossible given how subjective and emotion-driven these choices remain regarding saying goodbye to icons recently deceased.
Perhaps the best strategy is simply aiming for as consistent guidelines as possible on who merits memoriams while accepting and preparing to address inevitable related criticism and debate.
How BET Can Learn From This Year’s Backlash
Highlighting OJ Simpson struck many viewers as too outrageous to include among other Black luminaries at the 2024 BET Awards.
As organizers regroup to start planning the next BET Awards In Memoriam, they have an opportunity to proactively address this year’s misstep backlash by:
- Issuing a formal explanation/apology statement
- Outlining revised selection guidelines for future tributes
- Allowing some fan input on In Memoriam suggestions
- Preparing a crisis management plan if controversies reoccur
Owning and learning from this episode can strengthen BET Awards’ integrity and transparency around memorializing esteemed Black artists.
The complexity of human legacies makes an occasional misguided call inevitable. But consciously avoiding inflammatory picks like OJ Simpson is crucial going forward.
Clearly this memorial choice stirred intense feelings and debate. What do you think about OJ Simpson’s tribute after learning these perspectives? Share your thoughts in comments or chat with friends about this polarizing pop culture episode.
