TORRANCE : Simpson Satire Prompts Racism Condemnation

Councilman George Nakano brought his strong feelings about a book related to O. J. Simpson’s murder trial to his peers on the council last week and persuaded them to pass a resolution condemning racism.

Nakano and others have been offended by “O.J.’s Legal Pad,” a fictional account of what Simpson might have doodled on a note pad while sitting at the defense table.

Nakano called the book’s characterization of Judge Lance A. Ito and others racist. The resolution calls the book “demeaning, racist and condescending to all Americans.”

Villard Books, a subsidiary of Random House, published the book by Henry Beard and John Boswell last week.

In a letter to Nakano, Villard publisher David Rosenthal said the book is clearly labeled satire and parody, and it is the nature of parody to amuse some people while offending others.

The council voted 6 to 1 in favor of the resolution. Councilwoman Marcia Cribbs voted against.