Cochran’s legacy important to all

Attorney Johnnie Cochran was an inspiring person who I deeply respected, as did many African-Americans around the country. The Los Angeles native attended UCLA and obtained his law degree from Loyola-Marymount University.

Mr. Cochran is well known for representing O.J. Simpson in the controversial double-murder trial in 1994. He is better known for boldly challenging high power officials and the government in legal cases involving injustices for African-Americans.

He represented African-Americans in police brutality and anti-African American government conspiracy trials.

Mr. Cochran first gained media attention from representing Black Panther Geronimo. Geronimo allegedly murdered a teacher, but Mr. Cochran believed he was framed. Many years later, this case was thrown out and Geronimo was set free.

Mr. Cochran’s critic’s often accused him of using the “race card” to win cases. How typical is that accusation coming from people who were not willing to address the issues African-Americans were facing in the legal system.

No, I did not know Mr. Cochran personally, but I feel as if I did. I guess I felt connected to him because he gave me a sense of security at an early age.

I felt confident knowing there was an educated person who knew the law and was in touch with the concerns of the African-American community. I remember my heart racing and feeling a strong sense of pride every time his name was mentioned. It was really weird. It was like he provided a sense of security that most adults in my life could not.

He was someone who was not afraid to defend people that he deemed innocent by navigating through the legal system. He proved that African-Americans could be influential and he inspired students around the country to strive for leading positions in the legal system. Mr. Cochran did not solely defend African-Americans, but I am thankful for his efforts to seek justice by shedding light on conspiracies and the brutality that suppressed the African-American community.

He will be missed and may he rest in peace.