Ian WhiteMichael Vick: Hatred and Hypocrisy
December 22nd 2010 17:26
Category: No Category
One of the glaring flaws of American culture apart from obesity and ignorance, is hypocrisy. When Michael Vick went down for dogfighting, it became a national scandal. He was instantly painted as the worst human being alive. Vick actually did more jail time than a fellow NFL player Dante Stallworth got for vehicular homicide. I by no means support dogfighting, but I don't hate Michael Vick because I understand the conditions that led to him financing the gruesome sport.
See if you notice, the biggest dog lovers tend to be white. There is a reason for this. Before the far more progressive 90's and 2000's there was a glaring divide in this country. In Vick's region, the older blacks who would shape his view on animals never had the luxury of a pet. To them, dogs were status symbols of white supremacy. A reminder of the privilege their glass ceiling didn't allow them to reach. If you can barely feed yourself because the only job you're allowed to get is washing dishes, you can't feed an animal. In addition, the area many of these people lived in wasn't suitable for a dog anyway. So generation upon generation not only grew up without pets, many only ever got to see dogs when one was being told to bite them because they were unfortunate enough to be marching for human rights, or they happened to be walking within view of bigots. Consequently, a dislike, and at best apathy for animals was developed and passed along to the next generation. Thus black people like Vick don't romanticize animals or put them above humans like PETA does.
But let's get to the hypocrisy in the matter. You can't criminalize dogfighting, but promote horse racing. They're breaking the spirits of wild horses, forcing them to run, and when they can't win anymore it's straight to the glue factory. Hunting for sport can't be allowed. People used to have to hunt in order to live. That is the only way they could eat. Americans hunt because they're bored. They shoot defenseless animals for the purpose of entertaining clients or to mount them on their wall and brag. If you're an animal lover, it has to extend to all animals, not the cute ones, or the ones that you can put a collar and t-shirt on. Don't screw around with animals and put it on youtube, or make a website dedicated to it. Don't splurge on mink coats, or animal skin bags.
Then let's have some human life outrage. People can hate Vick for dogfighting but they have no problem buying a diamond ring that cost some kid in Africa his arm? Where is the outrage about the people in poor asian countries working for pennies a day so you can add to your wardrobe? All I hear are excuses when a cop gets nothing but a paid suspension for killing an innocent person. Catholicism has effectively made pedophilia legal as long as there's white around your collar and a bible in your hand. Nothing has been done about it. Who knew self-righteousness would abandon the religious at such an important time? People are rotting in jail over weed while American's are getting high on pain pills. Our military is killing more civilians than alleged terrorists and most people couldn't begin to explain why this country is even in the middle east right now.
So before you jump on the Michael Vick hatewagon, how about some perspective, and consistency?
See if you notice, the biggest dog lovers tend to be white. There is a reason for this. Before the far more progressive 90's and 2000's there was a glaring divide in this country. In Vick's region, the older blacks who would shape his view on animals never had the luxury of a pet. To them, dogs were status symbols of white supremacy. A reminder of the privilege their glass ceiling didn't allow them to reach. If you can barely feed yourself because the only job you're allowed to get is washing dishes, you can't feed an animal. In addition, the area many of these people lived in wasn't suitable for a dog anyway. So generation upon generation not only grew up without pets, many only ever got to see dogs when one was being told to bite them because they were unfortunate enough to be marching for human rights, or they happened to be walking within view of bigots. Consequently, a dislike, and at best apathy for animals was developed and passed along to the next generation. Thus black people like Vick don't romanticize animals or put them above humans like PETA does.
But let's get to the hypocrisy in the matter. You can't criminalize dogfighting, but promote horse racing. They're breaking the spirits of wild horses, forcing them to run, and when they can't win anymore it's straight to the glue factory. Hunting for sport can't be allowed. People used to have to hunt in order to live. That is the only way they could eat. Americans hunt because they're bored. They shoot defenseless animals for the purpose of entertaining clients or to mount them on their wall and brag. If you're an animal lover, it has to extend to all animals, not the cute ones, or the ones that you can put a collar and t-shirt on. Don't screw around with animals and put it on youtube, or make a website dedicated to it. Don't splurge on mink coats, or animal skin bags.
Then let's have some human life outrage. People can hate Vick for dogfighting but they have no problem buying a diamond ring that cost some kid in Africa his arm? Where is the outrage about the people in poor asian countries working for pennies a day so you can add to your wardrobe? All I hear are excuses when a cop gets nothing but a paid suspension for killing an innocent person. Catholicism has effectively made pedophilia legal as long as there's white around your collar and a bible in your hand. Nothing has been done about it. Who knew self-righteousness would abandon the religious at such an important time? People are rotting in jail over weed while American's are getting high on pain pills. Our military is killing more civilians than alleged terrorists and most people couldn't begin to explain why this country is even in the middle east right now.
So before you jump on the Michael Vick hatewagon, how about some perspective, and consistency?
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Comment by nightlydvdreview
Nightly DVD Review
Cinema Voyage
Green and Healthy
The Writer's Nook
Great article though.
Comment by Ian White
A Cynic's-Eye-View
Amuse I
Collective Wit
Daily Wit
Comment by J. A. Jones
Agent Politics
Comment by Anonymous
I don't think that's true. Last I checked they really don't do that per say. That was really the only thing that didn't really make sense to me but other than that I really like this blog.
Comment by Seyal
Seyal's Slice of the Universe
Seyal's Adventures in Dog Training
Comment by Seyal
Seyal's Slice of the Universe
Seyal's Adventures in Dog Training
Maybe he meant that you have to do that in order to 1) ride them, 2) make them run like that because the jockey spurs them on.
Perhaps a wild horse would buck the guy as soon as he hit him with that riding crop?
And the outrage as that it's done, not to serve a functional purpose, but to run themsleves and abuse their bodies for our amusement?
Just trying to see where he may be coming from.
Comment by Anonymous
As for the race horses, good try, but they don't get turned into glue. They breed future generations of race horses. Put to pasture to eat and screw. When I reincarnate, I want to come back as a race horse.
Comment by Ruth Moratz
Treasure Hunt Adventure
Lilac Blue's Pad
Big deal, he spent a little time in jail and now he thinks he should be allowed to get another dog. Of course people are pissed off. Everyone seems to be rallying around the abuser and as usual the victims are forgotten. Those dogs that managed to live through his abuse still live everyday in fear and shake when people come near them. But thats ok, because Vick spent time in jail so they no longer matter. He wants the fame and money that comes with being in the spotlight, that comes with a responsibility not to act like a douche bag.
People who use animals to make money (horse racing, dog racing, breeding, etc) are equaling as disgusting. Get off your lazy asses and get a real job instead of using animals to make it for you.