Nelson's captivation of Odin's innocence to explore racial impacts is further exhibited in his final speech, claiming that he "ain't different" from all the other whites, and that "drug dealers" were not associated in his commitment of crimes. Nelson denies the societal alignment of African American with "drugs" and "rape", attempting to shatter the prevalent prejudice embedded in the American history. He also signifies the spreading nature of racism as Odin pushes the ball-boy (who is also African American) under extreme anger previously aroused by Hugo. The symbolic scene transcends racism over morality and human mentality, emphasizing its powerful nature which can subconsciously succumb one's well being. Othello and Odin are characters who are disempowered and insecure under the impacts of racism. Despite sharing a similar fate, the protagonists' unique approach to racism demonstrates the changing values of contexts across time and culture. Othello's decision to internalize and Odin's denial against racism conveys the need for society to progress in order to discover new values, and in O, Nelson 's modern version of Othello educates us of the need to reflect upon issues of cultural marginalization. .
The value of woman in the Elizabethan and 21st society is elucidated through comparing Shakespeare's and Nelson's representation of Desi and Desdemona. Under a different time period, Desi is granted much more power and rights than Desdemona as a woman. Her individualism and independence transcends over Desdemona's vague sense of identity, who only acts as a possession of her father and later Othello when married to him. This is elucidated in Iago's dehumanization of her as a "white ewe", drawing upon an animal imagery to depict her as Brabantio's possession. As Brabantio questions her love for Othello, she remains respectful, attempting to persuade him by referring him as the "lord of duty", whom she is "bound for life and education".
