RubberBuzz || Akron Unleashed: History Repeats

6.05.2005

History Repeats

I'm amused by how history actually does repeat itself. It may not be the exact same as in previous years, but certain things come back to haunt us. As Davie G. from The BJ points out, monkeys seem to play a big part in important trials at the beginning of the century.

Like it or not, [the Jackson trial] is the Trial of the Century. And even though the century is only 5 years old, I'm confident it will hold that title for decades. The Jackson story defines our present culture as much as any American event has defined its era. We are going to have to live with that.

The early part of the previous century was similarly defined by its own sensational trial: the 1925 Scopes ``monkey trial.''

The Scopes trial focused on the legality of Tennessee's Butler Act, which stated that state-funded classrooms could not teach a theory of evolution that conflicted with the Bible's story of divine creation.

That trial and the Jackson trial share certain similarities: unprecedented media attention, celebrity participants, monkeys.

They are also distinctly different. In 1925, the celebrities were attorneys Clarence Darrow and William Jennings Bryan, both famed for their skills of oratory and persuasion.

In 2005, the celebrity is Jackson, famed for moonwalking and his curious pigmentation.

With Scopes, the monkey was the alleged origin of the species. With Jackson, it is Bubbles, a pet chimp.

As Jacko's trial nears its end, I would like to take a minute to reflect on my favorite memories of the Trial of the Century. First there was Jackson getting on top of the black SUV to greet the crowds who gathered to support him. Then there was the pajama incident and the Jesus Juice. And who can forget Jackson saying "I'm a warrior," and denying the licking of heads? And finally, we can't neglect to mention the countless number of memorable headlines from the Drudge Report that made us giggle and feel just a little bit repulsed. I'll be happy when this trial finally ends, but I know I'll always have my Jacko memories to make fun of... er... I mean, reflect on.

The BJ :: Trial of star a revealing look at us?

(joe :: History Repeats)

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