Orange and Blue Hue » Michael Vick’s punishment seems black or white

Michael Vick’s punishment seems black or white

The NFL and football has become the latest battle ground in the racial tension that underlies US Society. On July 16, Michael Vick, quarterback of the Atlanta Falcons, was indicted by a Federal Grand Jury as part of a conspiracy to breed, train and fight Pitt Bulls on his property in Surry County, Virginia and for cruel and inhumane treatment of losing dogs or dogs deemed worthless because they would not fight. However Michael Vick isn’t just a typical NFL quarterback, Vick is the “next generation” NFL quarterback and a player who has enormous popularity, especially among young black athletes. Although his performance and results have been erratic the past few years, no one doubts the excitement he brings to the football field and the amazing highlights he performs on a regular basis.

Vick has not been someone who has stayed out of the limelight and criticism and scandal has managed to follow the quarterback over the years. Michael Vick is a man noted for establishing the Vick Foundation to support at-risk youth after school programs in the Metro Atlanta area and donating to the families of the Virginia Tech Tragedy as well as for his incidents in flipping off the fans of New Orleans and the infamous “Ron Mexico” court cases where he was sued by a woman who accused him of giving her herpes (the case was later settled out of court).

According to a poll by the Atlanta Journal Constitution 45.9% of Georgians believe the Atlanta Falcons should release Vick while 45.7% believe they should keep him until a verdict is rendered. But looking closer at the numbers shows that 54.4% of whites felt Vick should be released compared to 26.6% of blacks. 65.6% of blacks felt the Falcons should wait until a verdict while only 36.7 of whites felt the same way.

The Kansas City Star states that Mike Vick had deliberately maintained his “street cred“, aka his credibility amongst urban youths, by being involved in the hip hop culture. Hip-hop culture is defined as one that glorifies negative behavior and attitudes to the detriment of the historically positive reputation of previous black athletes. Jason Whitlock, the author, states that despite his financial security he felt compelled to participate in a hobby that had no reward other than his personal reputation among his friends and family. LINK

Some folks question why the federal government put so much energy prosecuting dogfighting when so many crimes against people go unpunished.

“They need to be over in Newport News where the kids are shooting each other,” said Reginald Evans. “What do you think is more important? A dog or a child?” LINK

Others feel like Vick was targeted specifically because he is a famous black athlete.

“So what’s the story here? Plain and simple, the government wants to make an example out of a high-profile sports figure. And since they can’t seem to snag Barry Bonds, Michael Vick will have to do.” LINK

Despite the racial divisions emerging in the opinions regarding this situation, it seems likely that no matter how this ends it won’t end well for either Vick or anyone associated with him, including the Atlanta Falcons. For someone who once had a brilliant and promising sports career ahead of him, it looks now as if Vick’s legacy might not be football related at all but rather as a cautionary tale to future athletes of the benefits of avoiding these types of situations and predicaments. And if that turns out to be the case then perhaps this will all have a positive ending after all.

42 Comments so far
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vick is the lowest form of life.

Just another example of the man trying to keep a brotha down!

Donovan McNabb is next!!!

McNabb and Vince Young are oreos. They are as black as vanilla ice cream. Vick was the only one to remember his roots and wasn’t afraid to act his race no matter what the corporate sponsors or league officials thought and that’s why they want him to burn. They only want nice, obedient blacks to parade around on TV. Charles Barkley was right.

Vick was “keepin it real” and for that he’s gonna be hung out to dry in a modern day lynching. There’s no room in the NFL for a quarterback with corn rows, ya’ll know that!

Federal felonies, herpes, and electrocuting and bodyslamming animals is “keeping it real?”

Don’t forget Marcus Vick. That’s one classy family.

Look Hamster- I have a pretty good feeling that the black attorneys and accountants I deal with on a daily basis would take offense to you calling them “oreos” or referring to them as “black as vanilla ice cream” for being “nice, obedient blacks” on account of them actually being productive members of society. As a matter of fact, I’m just going to completely forego what I had planned on saying because I either think your post was completely bogus and you meant to come off as an ignorant, foolish individual or you actually believed what you posted, in which case you and your skewed perspective is not worth my time to correct.

C’mon man Vick was stupid for getting involved in that shit, no doubt. HOWEVER, the bestselling NFL jerseys just 2 years ago were Moss and Vick.

You look at Vick, Moss, Ray Lewis, Clinton Portis, etc, those guys are more popular than players like LT, Marvin Harrison and Jason Taylor among black youth because of their off field behavior. The possies, the bling, the attitude make them relateable to the rap/gang culture.

Again with the race card? Shut up already with that nonsense. I don’t care if he is purple he is a low life and any one of any color involved in such violence is a waste of life - saying people that care about this issue is saying they don’t care about child welfare? COME ON - it comes down to violence and that is an issue that affects children, so eveyrone just shut up with all this run around, it is what it is a horrible violent activity - cruelty is cruelty wether it is a black or white person - wether it is done to a child or an animal -

Wow, I can’t believe this is going to turn into a race issue. Is this just going to turn into another excuse to whine about how things aren’t “fair”? Fair is a place you take your pig in the summer. You either fly or fail by your own merits. As to the comment about the government wanting to make an example out of a high profile sports figure, (black I presume?) that was tried with O.J. Simpson, and the order of business was that of a human life, instead of animal cruelty. The state lost because of a very nice obedient black lawyer named Johnny Cochran.
It’s my hope that Michael Vick IS innocent, not just found innocent. Because if he gets off on a legality, it’s not a victory for people of color. It’s a failure of we as a people together, as a society, to allow a wrong to go unpunished. And that wrong is also a crime. It’s incumbent on us to try to raise ourselves up instead of wallowing in a sewer mentality.

I think the problem here is between “heros” and “role models”. As a black man I notice that too many of today’s black ‘heros’ are poor ‘role models’. I have a son who I think has his head on straight but to many of his friends think guys like Ray Lewis, Mike Vick and Sean Taylor are the guys they need to emulate.

It’s really sad but many of these kids either have no fathers around or they are uninvolved in their kids lives. These kids lack guidance and too much of the guidance they DO get comes from peers with ‘questionable’ morals.

That’s where the difference we have to make as parents comes in…

As parent of children heavily involved in sports…

I ensure that my kids understand the difference between studying and emulating athletic abiltity and the on or off field behavior undertaken by ANY person they may choose to model their game after…

This isn’t about RACE, it’s about despicable cruelty. No man can justify this behavior. This man is an amazing athlete, makes millions of dollars and yet he is involved with something so violent, so evil. What type of role model is he to our society? If he is truly guilty, I hope his punishment will be as cruel as he is.

“If he is truly guilty, I hope his punishment will be as cruel as he is.”

Good point, Dani…

I was kinda thinking something along the lines of locking him in a 100 x 50 yd area with an equal amount of dogs found both alive and dead on his property…

Then cutting him loose to run around while said dogs chase him down…

Maybe sell it on ppv as an example to other idiots who engage and condone this kind of crap…

Let’s be VERY clear here - the case against Vick & his ASSociates has NOTHING to do with race. Nothing. They only found out about his dog fighting business because a drug investigation lead them right to it. White, black or yellow - cruelty to animals is WRONG. I see nothing wrong with business’s cutting ties with Vick based on the indictment. Some are saying they should wait. Why? It is their business and THEY decide who gets to endorse their products. No matter what level of involvement Vick is proven to have, it is MORE THAN OBVIOUS he was involved. Thus, sponsors are almost obligated to end their relationship with Vick. Keep in mind, this was a CHOICE made by Vick to get involved with dog fighting. Nice choice huh? ANYONE supporting this clown is a joke and anyone playing the race card needs to get a clue. Allen Iverson and others that feel this is racially motivated prove their stupidity by not even knowing the facts that have come out. Ridiculous to even suggest it. Clinton Portis proved his stupidity with his absurd comments as well. I hate cruelty to anything that can’t defend its self - kids and animals - and I hope Vick rots in jail. He lied to the Falcons owner. He lied to the NFL commishioner. He is a selfish punk and the NFL doesn’t need him.

It was stupid what Vick did but there is a double standard when it comes to black athletes vs whites. Mark Mcquire was not giving nearly the same treatment as Barry Bonds for doing something that most athletes do.

Michael Vick won’t do a day in jail because he’s black. There definitely IS a double standard. He’ll pay a small fine and that’ll be the end of it, but if he DOES go to jail, all the niggers will scream, “Racism!”

Vick won’t do a day in jail and everybody knows it. Why? He’s black. He is to dog fighting as OJ was to murder. It will hardly be mentioned again.

Michael Vick did not make a mistake, he simply got caught at what he has always done. It is time for him to grow, grow-up and mature. He needs to take on the attitude of wwjd and be that man and stop working for the devil. Change is good. I do not believe his career is over because can’t no one take what God already gave you. This is an opportunity for MV to take a journey into finding out his true purpose for life and go with God’s original plan for him. Speed, agility and royalty has to be reclaimed by MV.

Some enjoy it when young studs run around the arena and entertain them. If one is injured or made lame, he can easily be replaced by another who awaits to take his place in the arena. The entertainment continues. What fun! These studs are paid to attack each other. The are paid huge amount of money to provide entertainment. Many resent the amount of money these studs are being paid to provide entertainment. Many proclaim we love our stud but actually resent him. Their hatred and resentment emerges when the opportunity present itself. Who does he think he is? He should be happy we allow him to entertain us. They have excellent bodies. They are assessed on how well they attack each other. People are paid to observe and analyze the stud’s movements in the arena. When a stud can no longer entertain in the manner desired the proclamination is made, “it’s time to replace him with another stud.” The money these young studs are paid is worth it. The returns on the investments made are excellent.
When someone is needed to prmote a cause or be sacrificed for that cause, a stud who would draw attention to the cause is selected. His life is not important. Afterall he is merely a stud. Vick was a such stud. Many knew of Vick’s activities but chose to ignore them. They merely waited to expose them when the timing was right. When they first learned of his activities the timing was not right for their exposure. They proclaim to hate the abuse of animals but they allowed Vick to continue to abuse animals that they proclaimed to love until the right time to expose him and his activities. What hypocrites. The timing must be right when we expose these activities and vent our disgust they decided. These are activities which they had been long aware. They began to publicly accuse him of those activities. Some are so gullible. They believe the excitement without stoping to examine the evidence for themselves. They did not stop to quesion the timing or the lack of exposure when the activities were first made known to the pretenders.Once again why the delay in exposing activities that harm animals that should be protected.Why not allow their love for those animals speed Vick’s exposure regardless of whether the timing was right or not right. The timing is now right foor the exposure they decide. Vick is placed on the alter. Fires are lit. A sweet aroma comes forth from the fire. Others capture the aroma and enjoy its smell. Vick is an animal abuser and and should be put to death many cry. The coffers of those pretenders are being filled. It would be interesting to discover how monies collected are actually spent. Is the collected money being used to support the cause proclaimed or it merely shared among each other.
Vick will be okay. He asks that no one feel sorry for him. He has learned a valuable lesson. Rather than remain an idealist its time to become a realist. He actually believed they loved him. What a fool. He has been forced to open his eyes to the truth but at so great a price. He failed to understand many “so-called” friends would tag along to increase their coffers. He failed to understnad that when he acccepted that large sum of money his life would be followed and examimed with an electric microscope. His life would be closely monitored by some who resented his possession of that money. “That many has been taken away” some mock. What a fool. He actually believed they loved him when he was merely used as a stud. Money gained can be easily lost. At least he has his life which he can rebuild” he proclaimed. Although he did not say it, his life can be rebuilt with or without football. Only God knows what this saga is all about. I question the motives of many involved. Only God knows their true motives. His determination and sentencing will be made on the day of judgment.

Oh, I see now, Hypo…

It’s the FANS fault Vick chose to abuse animals…

Many people feel that Vick shouldn’t be punished for what he did and that he was only sentenced because he’s famous. This just isn’t true. Regular civilians are handed the same or similar punishment for this crime. As a pitbull lover and advocate, crimes against any animal, no matter the breed should not go unpunished. In fact, a few months isn’t enough. There should be a harsher punishment for these offenders. I don’t care if the NFL reinstates him or not, if he serves his time in jail, he has been pusnished. No reason to further it by banishing him from the game. I hope he learns how cruel his actions are and what kind of example he is setting for today’s youth. Shouldn’t he oppose violence…use his fame for good?

Honestly who gives a fuck about some fucking dogs there is so much shit goin on in the world and it seems like the media gets off by crucifing athletes and celebrities. They honestly need to get a fucking life i hope Vick keeps his head up and comes back and fuckin just dominates on every fuckhead that has had something negative to say about him

Is there seriously controversy as to whether or not Michael Vick’s conviction was race related ? How left wing of an opinion to call it racism. He was convicted on felony charges legally and fair. I could see if he had an unfair trial or there wasn’t enough evidence for a conviction and was charged but for heck sake, he had the animals buried in his own yard for crying out load and you want to say that “some” wonder if he was targeted because he is a “black” athlete. Give me a Break!!! What about his prior conviction for possession or as was just the topic his court case where is was the defendant for giving a girl herpes which was later settled out of court. Thats a lot of accusations within a short period of time for such a model citizen and asset to the community . White americans must have targeted him again right? Tukie Williams, the man that started the infamous Crips gang wrote a few childrens books and worked to influence gang members to put an end to their violent natured lifestyles and live constructivley amongst society. Does that mean he wasn’t a murderer anymore? Does that wipe away the things that he did? Michael Vick had more of an opportunity than that. He was put in a position many americans would kill to be in and through it away by his own actions. He was warned the first time when he was convicted on drug related charges ( I dont know about you but I would give up any habbit for garanteed millions a year ) but then he is convicted (meaning there is either a confession of enough negative evidence against the defendant to have a conviction )on felony charges this time and “some” (democrats )have the nerve to use the race card? Facts are facts!! There is no fine print in this story. He broke the law and was punished as either you or I would be black, white, purple or blue. Race was not the issue.

Im glad that Punk got what he deserved. I have pitbulls and was disgusted by Vicks Behavior. Animals especially Dogs Are Mans Best FRIENDS we have to defend the because they cant defend themselves

hip hop is not defined as “as one that glorifies negative behavior and attitudes” your an ignorant ass for thinking that! sure there are plenty of wanna be poser thugs that think they are cool for doing stupid things, but hip hop is more than that…maybe you should look into it before you bash it

well the reason i think that so many crimes against people go unpunished is the fact that they can control there behavior, even if they have gone crazy there are people that can help them. dogs don’t have rehabilitation centers to help them,in this case with Michal Vick these dogs where forced and trained to do this, i say that this is a cruel and terrible thing to do i think that 5 years of in prison is not even half the amount he should be in jail he should be in jail for life! he hung and drowned these innocent dogs because the wouldn’t fight. i mean this when i say this i will never watch a football game with Vick playing or a team i know he is playing on. i feel terrible for the dogs.

ok rkh it look like you don’t know the entire story

yea rkh put your self in the dogs place.

Here’s an idea, Take Michael Vick, Lock him in a tiny cage for a few months,beat him once a day, starve him once in a while, then throw him in a ring to fight for his life,if he wins he gets to live and fight again next time, if he doesn’t he gets drowned or hung. Do onto others as you would have done to yourself.

i think pit bulls have such a bad rep are cause of people like Michael vic. I am not saying it just is i him i am saying people fight pit bulls or any other dog which is fucked up dogs meant to be your friend not something you fucking fight and bet on that is why the get a bad rep

I think Vick should have his nuts cut off and shoved down his throat!!

no man can torture maim victimize and destroy these beautiful animals the way he did and expect to be respected for anything at all he is not being given the full extent of the law ,far from it,if there is any justice some good hearted soul will electrocute drown or strangle his dumb ass,kids think hes a tough guy for torturing dogs? hes a fuckin joke just like all you trying to make a racial issue out of a humanity and morality issue the dogs are the victims, my friend has four of them and they are doing great ALL OR NOTHING TATTOO/ PITBULL RESCUE IN THE HANDS OF A REAL MAN THEY WILL BE PETS

i do not like that racies man up there that is named hamster

Michel ick deserves something 9 billoin times worse then the death sentence

I can’t believe someone like him would fight pitbulls. there such a beautiful dog. but when people do this its so cruel and gives them such a bad rep. these dogs are nicer than people make them out to be.

They should of locked him in a cage with his own breed of pitbulls and let him fight…he’s a dog anyways

Ok, whoever pulls the race card in todays society, is either a moron or extremely ignorant, as the fact of race has nothing to do with anything anymore. As for the pit bulls he allegedly killed for their disobediance, i believe he should be lynched. It is his problem and must face a panel of his peers for his injustice. He is a disgrace to all mankind and should never be allowed to own dogs of any kind.

Not everything is black and white. Give me a break. He was responsible for the brutal murder of three dozen dogs. I don’t care if you are white, black, yellow, or green; dogfighting is wrong. He’s lucky he didn’t get the maximum which is five years. Oh, poor African-American football player lost $142 million dollars and had to file bankruptcy….so sad really. So he grew up in a bad neighborhood, he managed to get out and make a bundle. He was a role model for kids all over the U.S. including Newport News and he blew it. I am so tired of excuses based on the color of your skin and the police not having their priorities straight. As far as what is more important the life of a child or a dog, I say both are important. NEWS FLASH: Children who abuse animals grow up to be serial killers and sick freaks. If some societies believe that dog-fighting is perfectly normal, what are their children going to think. Dogs were meant to be man’s best friend and their lives should mean something to their owner. Michael Vick is not sorry for his actions; he is sorry he got caught.

This is truly a crime to sentence this guy. They should have made him fight the dogs…………..in an octagon…………and to make it fair…..Vick should be in a straight jacket…………a pink one……….with a bow…………next to a steak……

wow some of yall are some heartless muthafuckers.he should be in jail for life.rkh had said “whos give a fuck about dogs” well if you were a dog you wouldnt want to be treated that way!you wouldnt wanna be fighting for your life like that.for the people who are standing up this ASSHOLE; yall are some dumbass people.pitbulls are nice dogs, dont blame them for their behavior, its not there fault, its the muthafuckers fault that made them that way!!!

I don’t apprieicate people who think that dog fighting is not a big deal, that there is too much emphasis on it, and not enough on human suffering. As humans, we do so much for each other. I agree more could be done. But one can fight, starve, mame, beat, torture, neglect, and dump an animal, and the most time you’ll get in jail is 2 years???? Do they not realize that it IS murder? that iit cruel, disgusting, horrible? if you kill a person, or beat a person, starve, lock in a cage, etc., they will be likely to be “out of commisssion” for the rest of their lives. I rescue pit bulls, and they trust me, after being left for dead, after god knows what happened to them. I’m so sick of Michael Vick/all pit bull fighter advocates. It is terrible, and they who commit this crime should be put down, just like all the dogs in shelters who aren’t wanted because people think they’re vicious, or dangerous. Michael Vick, I hope you burn in hell, and are raped everysingle day until you pass out from the pain, only to be awaken and have it all happen again.

probly been said before. he should be slapped, the scum. lol, but really? just another typical representation of the human race - facinated with violence, blood, and suffering, no matter what it does to the victim(s). He is only enjoying his oppurtunity to decide the fate of living things by spending his tons o’ cash on torturing animals for the entertainment of his public. whoopee! have fun in hell, vick, I’m still rootin for ya.

He is a low life piece of scum, waste of human space. His mother should be mortified to call him her son…he is nothing but a n….! As most dog fighters are negros, poor, un-educated, low life, thug, gang banging pussy’s who have nothing better to do than sell drugs, run women, and fight dogs…should have kept ya’ll locked up as slaves…ignorant dumb mother fuckers!!!! Anyone that stands by him is just as guilty and ignorant as Vick, you uneducated waste of human space. Burn in HELL you piece of shit burn in HELL!!!!!!!!!!!!

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