It would be fair to say that you have been living in a cave if you haven't been privy to the maelstrom surrounding soon-to-be former football star Michael Vick. As I walked into work today, I couldn't help but to see plastered on the 84 inch plasma screen "Two more plead guilty, no word from Vick", I sighed heavily, fumbled for my key and opened the lobby door to my office to start my day. It seems that anywhere I that I navigate, I can't seem to dodge this headline. Although I happen to be African-American I hold no affinity for him because this fact, it is my contention that in lieu of the fact that he makes roughly 6,000 times what I make during the course of the year that he should exhibit at least than much more in the way of common sense. Thusly, I think he deserves whatever sentence is meted out to him...
People are whipped into a frenzy regarding this, when I went onto dogpile.com to do a search on stories pertaining to Vick there was a animation showing Michael Vick on the football field going back for a pass when he is tackled by a dog, mauled into pieces and dirt kicked on top of him, pretty funny. On the side of the screen where the advertisements are listed I see an offer flashing for R. Kelly ring tones, which instantly kindled my anger.
Suddenly, it dawned on me that there was not the same level of outrage over the crimes that R. Kelly perpetrated on girls, some being young as 13 years of age. Why aren't there shirts proclaiming "Jail Kelly", "Put Kelly in the Closet" along with the "Sack Vick" shirts. These accusations plaguing Kelly have followed him even before the release of the sex tapes featuring the 13yr old girl in 1998. I am a native of Chicago and a graduate of Columbia College and I vividly remember rumblings on campus of his recording studio on the West side of Chicago named the "Music Factory" where he had two girls, not more than 17 years old that he locked inside of the facility to service his wanton sexual thirst. Is one to assume that it was because the girls were African-American that their value is less than that of a dog?
What is your spin on this? Can we lobby for both of them to share a cell together? My wife suggested that the headline be "The Pedophile and the Sadist". What say you?
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Comments: 38
I don't support either one for theitr transgressions, but as has been stated elsewhere, Vick has to have his day in court. Now that you brought it up, Shun, why hasn't R. Kelley been punished? Maybe we can get "Jay Z, 34 million dollars" to set up a special fund for young black victims of any crime.
I don't know about the rest of the Gather community, but I don't like being victimized by a corrupt system.
These are crucial dimensions of the "Black Ethos" as developed in the American consciousness.
What is enraging to me is that this R. Kelly pedophile accusations have been dragging out for over 5 years while this issue with Michael Vick seems to be on the fast track to a trial. What I found telling and I wrote about it in my "Big Dummy series" was Senator Robert Byrd of West Virginia a former klansman giving a rousing speech about the barbaric nature of the crime....
I don't recall the same passion in the Senate record in his defense of the Civil Rights act of 1964 which he filibustered his little heart out, the longest on record to be exact! It seems that there is not the same type of outrage when the victims are of African descent... Which is preety sad when you think about it!
Hmmm
Yes, Michael Vick, if convicted, should be punished for the crimes accused of as the law allows and so should Kells (R. Kelly), I'm not saying that, but what's up everyone becoming judge, jury and executioner on these issues?
It is a disturbing fact, though, that the outrage over the accusations is more so for the dogs and not the young girls that Mr. Kelly obviously has an affinity for. It's an excellent point and one that speaks more of how women are viewed in society, one just has to look at TV to see that.
I hold no particular affinity for either person, but what they are accused of doing has not detracted from the fact that they are severely flawed human beings with tremedous talents in their respective fields. Will I buy R. Kelly CD's? Probably, but I wouldn't invite him to my home or ask him to baby-sit. Will I burn any Michael Vick memorabilia? No, but I'd never let him board my dog, either.
I would just rather wait for the verdicts or plea bargains, first, before I register any indignation at their crimes.
In Shun P's world he would be jailed for making stupid, debasing, emptyheaded music!
en
My personal opinion, and I admit it is not shared by many is that anyone who abuses a helpless life in anyway shape or form be that life an animal, a child, a woman, or a man should be locked up with the key thrown away. We as Americans should be prepared to defend ourselves but should do so when provoked into it and not for entertainment. A fight of anykind, be it in the streets, or in war should be entered into as an absolute last resort.
When are we as human beings going to realize that we need one another?
Second, I completely agree that there is something wrong with a society that is more outraged over dog fighting than child molesting. I love dogs, but come on! My belief is that the media plays a major part in this situation. They are the ones that can't seem to stop airing something every 10 minutes about this case. I know there are people out there that can't get enough and I just don't understand that. The people are incited to anger over this because it's being force fed to them. It's very much like the whole Paris Hilton goes to jail, gets out, goes back in story. Or the who is Anna Nicole's baby daddy story. I'm sick of being told what I should be interested in and to what level my interest should be. Yes, let Vick go to trial and sentence him to whatever is customary for his crime, if he is convicted. As for R. Kelley....why are his CD's still being purchased by the public? I guess it's ok with them that this guy molests children?!? I, for one, would never spend my money if even a cent goes into this guy's pockets. I feel the same about OJ, distasteful book, even though the proceeds are going to the Goldman's. I guess the public has too short an attention span and haven't been taught how to stick to their principles long-term.
Vick is a sick human being and he should get the punishment handed to him. Personally, I think R Kelly should have been thrown in jail for what he did long ago, but after he brought out this "Trapped in the Closet" BS, I think he should get a one-way ticket there and the key thrown away. That is probably the most horrible "music" (and I use that word lightly) I have ever heard.
And to answer your question, little black girls' lives are not valued less than that of a dog. Vick just so happened to have a little more "support" (ASPCA, Humane Societies, etc) standing behind the dogs. I belong to the ASPCA and Humane Society websites and I got emails from both of them having me fill out some information to get Vick off the team and Nike's product line-up. I would have done the same thing if I belonged to a little girl website (although, putting it like that sure makes it sound a little wrong). =)