Michael Vick: Another Victim of Black Exploitation

I know sometimes I can be a little edgy about my views on race. So instead of speaking on the Gates situation, I'm going to tackle the "Michael Vick Story." And though the race card doesn't have such a bearing impact, in my opinion, there are minuscule elements that still embody the situation as a whole.

As it relates to Vick's hideous actions, I disagree totally. There is nothing anyone can say that would convince me otherwise. Moreover, what probably was a minor decision to Vick ended up having major impacts. According to U.S.A Today, Mike forfeited 70 million dollars in his 10 year, 130 million dollar contract, lost millions in endorsements and paid 928,000 bucks in restitution for the state taking care of those abused pits. Briefly put, he owes creditors 20 million.

Now, some African-Americans want to pull the race card out. And no doubt, there is a time to do so. But I don't think this is good situation to pull it on. When you look into some of the details of how dumb Vick got in the treatment of the pits, it doesn't leave much room for the race card.

For example, in the indictment, it is documented that dogs were hung, drowned, and electrocuted. To put it bluntly, thats piss poor.

So lets all hope that Vick learned his lesson. The commissioner is giving him a second chance, so lets hope he's marijuana free and done with dog abuse (for his sake).

The problem I had with the "Michael Vick Story" is how the media exploited him. If you didn't see Vick on the Cover of U.S.A. Today, you missed a sad and gloomy front page. It was so sad and gloomy that I felt compelled to purchase the paper. And what the heck is Vick doing on the cover (featured article) of the USA TODAY anyway!

In lieu of all the issues this country is having, why is Vick on the cover of a nationally syndicated newspaper? Ahhh, the race card unfolds just a tad bit. Seems to me that he's been humiliated enough (by his own actions and that fact that he's broke). Then you want to put him on the cover of the U.S.A Today with his head down and eyes shut. NO FAIR.

I tried to let it slide, but under the picture it read, "A pretty stiff penalty: Michael Vick, leaving federal court May 22 in Norfolk, Va., has lost more than 70 million and spent about 18 months behind bars on a dogfighting conviction." Then to make it crazy, to the right of Vick's article was "Fed says jobless rate may hit 10.1%-Still it sees end of recession this year." Now you tell me what's more important, the recession ending and the current unemployment rate, or Michael Vick. It's a no brainer if you ask me. Apparently the chief editor didn't feel the same way.

In conclusion, let us not pull the race card out on a man that made dumb decisions and subjected himself to the rule of the law. But let us recognize that the media has exploited Vick to the upmost and he doesn't get to see any of that money. Sad indeed.