It's A Family Affair

100^th Post

Sometimes I wonder how some people ever make it out of da hood with the families they have. As if Michael Vick didn’t have enough problems with his guilty plea on Federal dog-fighting charges, his indefinite suspension from the NFL, and state charges pending, his estranged father crawls out of the woodwork to try and make a buck. I don’t care what the family says to try and put on a good face, this man was estranged from his son for most of Michael’s childhood. This man has the nerve to claim that he was an influence in his son’s life, after he admits to drug and alcohol abuse. The MSM in an effort to sell more papers or commercials only add to the vulture mentality by even talking to this clown.

Now I know from his plea that Michael Vick was neck deep in the Bad Newz dog-fighting enterprise. I have been critical of his involvement, but I’m a stranger. I am not saying that parents or siblings should be in denial concerning a loved one, especially one who is providing their livelihood. But I believe there are some things that need to stay in the family. I think this may be a cultural issue, because I see white folks all the time on television airing all their families business. In the case that you know your relative is guilty you don’t have to pretend they are innocent; that is not what I am suggesting, but you don’t go in the media and sell them out. How about that infamous “no comment”, it works for all those white folks when they get in trouble. Instead we get Mr. Michael Boddie, the estranged father of Michael Vick and husband of Brenda Vick, in an effort to cash in on his sons misfortunes giving him up to the public.

It has been documented that Mr. Boddie has requested large sums of money from his son to live on and Michael Vick has declined, although he does pay for his father’s apartment and gives him money to live on. Mr. Boddie however wanted a lump sum payment of anywhere from 1 million to 700,000 dollars. It should also be noted that Mr. Boddie and his son have not spoken directly in months, so does he have an axe to grind here? Only he can judge that, but I find it ironic that he would choose now to disclose this information.

Michael Boddie defended the request for money. "That's not asking for much from my son," he said. "Most fathers would want $10 million, $20 million."

Boddie also admitted to past problems with alcohol and drugs, and said his son's childhood surroundings help to explain Vick's legal troubles.[1]

And most fathers wouldn’t turn on their sons either, because they didn’t give them money. There is obviously some reason that Mr. Vick chose not to give him this money, because by most accounts he has taken care of those people in his family that were influential in his life. His mother has a mansion in Virginia. Mr. Boddie displays his true character by using this opportunity when a son would typically turn to his father for advice and support into an opportunity to add more fuel to the fire. Whether Mr. Boddie’s allegations are true or not, there is such a thing as family and families should not turn on one another when one is down. Mr. Boddie typifies what is wrong with the Black family. This is the legacy Black fathers are leaving their sons. For some reason Mr. Boddie lost the position to influence his son and to come back now and pretend otherwise is a disgrace.

But Boddie added of Vick: "Nobody dragged him. My son has a fascination with animals anyway. He's a natural dog lover. In our neighborhood in the projects, little boys would get dogs to chase cats in the lumberyard. The big thing with little boys, [they'd] get a dog and sic 'em on the cats. That's what they'd do for fun . . . Yeah, [Vick] did that as a kid. Every little boy in the projects did that. It's a fascination thing. That's just part of his culture growing up.[2]

Ok; on second thought Mr. Boddie don’t try and help. To claim that your son is a “natural dog lover” and then present the evidence you use is difficult to fathom. Just for the record; dog lovers do not fight dogs and cats, or dogs against dogs, or kill them. This is why the “no comment” rule should be in place for most family members. With family members and friends like Michael Vick has had, going to prison might introduce him to a better class of people sadly to say. It is hard to believe that these people turned on him so quickly. Where is the loyalty? Where is the love? I think one of Michael Vick’s attorneys stated it best.

A spokesperson for Vick's defense team replied with a statement attributed to another of Vick's lawyers, Daniel Meachum, that said: "It is a disgrace that Mr. Boddie, who chose for nearly 22 years not to be part of Mike's life, would at this time seek to capitalize on his son's current situation." The statement did not address the specifics of Boddie's account.[3]

Nothing like your family to put salt on that ole nasty wound.

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[1] http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/08/23/AR2007082302385_2.html

[2] http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/08/23/AR2007082302385.html

[3] Ibid.

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Now What?

Now that Michael Vick is preparing to plead guilty in Federal court to the gambling and dog-fighting charges the vultures are starting to circle. It never seems to fail whether you are on your way up or on your way down, everybody wants a piece of a great athlete. Those same people who are calling for his head have no trouble using this story to further their careers or to market something. Michael Vick is selling as much in disgrace as he did in triumph. He is being posterized as much as he is being demonized.

Let me state again for the record what those men did and what others like them continue to do is reprehensible. In my opinion, cruelty to animals is indefensible and maybe a symptom of other deeper issues. However I don’t understand why cases like this continue to divide us along racial lines. More than dividing us they become polarizing instances of racial injustice or athletic privilege. These cases share amazing similarities in that they involve black celebrities who are accused of some heinous crime that you would think we could all agree on. Yet as usual in America nothing is ever what it appears, nothing is ever cut and dry when it comes to race.

In cases like these there is rarely any middle ground that all reasonable people can gravitate to. You have the off with his head crowd or you have the it’s really not that bad crowd. What Michael Vick did was bad in most civilized societies, let’s be real. However is it worthy of the death penalty or a lifetime of banishment to the nearest leper colony? That depends on who you talk to; I for one think no and not because I take any less umbrage with what he did. In our society we accept that none of us are perfect and that we all make mistakes. Many of us believe that everyone has a potential to be rehabilitated and should be offered the opportunity. The problem I have is with the hypocrisy of those who cry for the death penalty, when asked who is without sin they obviously raised their hands.

But more than anything, people are angry with Vick because they understand that dogfighting is a gratuitous form of cruelty. This was a calculating, deliberate and sustained cruelty, perpetrated over a number of years. Sixty-six tortured and battered dogs were found on his property, and affidavits say he personally helped kill eight others. Lots of crimes are committed in a moment of passion, with one lapse in judgment or snap of the temper. This isn't one of them.

The crimes may have been committed against canines, but at issue is basic humanity. Commit those crimes against people, and the words we'd use for it are fascism, and genocide. Don't kid yourself: The people who are so angry at Vick are angry for all the right reasons.[1]

Michael Vick did not invent the sport of dogfighting. The problem is that those who find the practice cruel realize that it is continuing as they read this and so Michael Vick represents all those who have gotten away with it before him and all those who are getting away with it now. Their anger is not only towards what he did, but also the pent up anger and frustration of knowing it continues and that there are people who enjoy such cruelty. Michael Vick is the face of this cruel sport to many, but really he is just one man who for whatever reason found pleasure in this activity. I don’t believe in his mind it was a calculated plot to be a dog serial killer. We are not raised with the same understanding of animals or share the same beliefs in the rights of animals. For too many of us we assume that everyone was raised with the same values, beliefs, and experiences; so how could anyone do this? Well given your level of those three things they couldn’t, but we don’t all share those three things. The writer says, “If these crimes had been committed against humans,” they would have another name and if they were committed against roaches we wouldn’t even be here. I don’t understand why you would have to try to make this crime more despicable to escalate the anger quotient. I think we get the message.

On the other side you those who would justify any behavior based on racism, childhood, or their own economic incentives. Is the outrage unjustified and racially motivated? No, there are many people of all racial persuasions that find this to be cruelty to those unable to defend themselves. What shall we do then? Let him off with a warning or a slap on the wrist? The following are some comments from the head of the NAACP Atlanta chapter; this is why black leaders have no credibility.

"At this point, you're not looking at guilt or innocence," White said, referring to the possible harsher sentence Vick could have received had he taken his case to trial and been found guilty. "You're thinking, 'What I better do is cut my losses and take a plea.' But if he saw this as the best thing to do at this point for his future, then I think he made the correct choice."

White said he regretted that the plea deal will mean all the facts of the case might never be known.

"Some have said things to save their own necks," White said. "Michael Vick has received more negative press than if he had killed a human being."

White said he does not support dogfighting and that he considers it as bad as hunting.

"His crime is, it was a dog," White said.[2]

This is inaccurate and it completely ignores the facts we already know. Michael Vick attended, gambled, and killed dogs in a dogfighting enterprise he ran. In order for this process to reach a conclusion and for the rehabilitation to begin he has to acknowledge his role, if not, then there can be no healing. If he were in fact innocent he has the wherewithal to fight this, hell we’ve had guilty people fight and win. I’m sure if we checked the NAACP Atlanta chapter books there might be a large contribution from Mr. Vick.

So what’s next? That will depend on Michael Vick. He can use this to become a better person or he can use it to descend further into anger and cruelty. I pray that he will allow this experience to reshape him and help him to see the limits we all share. I don’t recommend prison for anyone, but I know of many people who have used it as a stepping stone to a better life. He is still a youngman and if he wants to continue his football career, I don’t think we should hinder that. So let’s take the rocks out of our pockets and give him an opportunity to learn from this.

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[1] http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/08/21/AR2007082102093.html

[2] http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/falcons/2007-08-22-vick-wednesday_N.htm

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Back in Da Hood

A federal grand jury in Richmond indicted Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick and three other men yesterday on charges related to their alleged operation of a dogfighting ring based at a property Vick owns in southeastern Virginia.

Vick, one of the NFL's most exciting players, was charged with competitive dogfighting and conducting the venture across state lines. The 19-page indictment alleged Vick was highly involved in the operation, alleging that he attended fights and paid off bets when his dogs lost. It said he also was involved in the executions of dogs that did not perform well.[1]

Many people will wonder how a man under contract to make 130 million dollars, not to mention millions more in endorsements, could be involved in something so cruel as what has been alleged in this case? A man who arguably is one of the best athletes in the NFL and a public icon in Atlanta is being indicted for such a heinous crime. Why is it that so many Black superstars continue to find themselves on the front pages accused of criminal activity, some of it imitating “gangster” behavior publically? Are Black stars different from White stars?

In order to get a better understanding of what is taking place; one must look into the history of many of these stars. It is in looking at their backgrounds that their behavior begins to not seem as bizarre as we would like to think. Many of us cannot understand how men who are making ungodly amounts of money are willing to throw it all away to ride around carrying guns, smoking pot, and assaulting women. Let me start by saying that the majority of athletes both Black and White are not criminals. Because we live in a celebrity driven society the media will continue to highlight the ones that they consider newsworthy. This may not be fair, but everyone who signs on for their 15 minutes are aware of the rules and consents to them. You can’t accept the money and the perks from having celebrity status, but then whine when they use it to sell newspapers, because you got caught doing something stupid. It may be something that Joe Sixpack may do all day long and nobody says anything, but that’s because he is not considered newsworthy. Again, it isn’t fair but its how the game is played.

Having read a number of articles concerning this particular case and others that are similar in recent weeks, I can’t help but notice that there are those who will defend a Black man no matter what he is accused of, convicted of, or confessed to doing. I understand the desire to do so, but at the same time it is this blind race defending that cheapens the times when there really is racial outrage. It is not a secret that Black stars are targeted by the media, law enforcement, and an angry white public. There are those who would like nothing better than to see the frailties of Black men and women exposed and make it stereotypical of all Blacks. Again it doesn’t make it right, it just makes it real. Every Black person in America is aware of these harsh facts at an early age and lives their lives accordingly. Having said that, it would be foolish of me to acknowledge that I am being profiled and still continue to do stupid behavior. When I smoked pot, if the police were behind me I wouldn’t pull out a joint and light it. I don’t care how many white boys were driving down the street doing it, I knew better.

We should stop confusing how things should be, with how things are. Sure in a perfect world we would all be judged equally and based on our character and not our color, but we don’t live in that world. We should be able to condemn the behavior of criminals and deviants no matter what their race. Why does it have to be an either/or scenario. Why can‘t we be able to acknowledge that there is prejudice and that we have some criminals worthy of punishment.

Black stars are different from many of their white counterparts. Most black stars come from poor, single mother households. This is not an indictment against being poor or single mothers, it is merely a fact. They grow up in bad neighborhoods and are surrounded by the “ghetto” lifestyle, these are there realities. Poor people live by different rules. The things that people value changes as their economic status changes, but the rules are much harder to change. Because so many of the Black stars grew up poor and most were not just in situational poverty, but generational poverty the rules they live by are still the same no matter what their economic circumstances. The difference in situational poverty and generational poverty is that when one has situational poverty, it occurs due to some unforeseen circumstance, a medical catastrophe or a layoff. The family was making ends meet until the incident occurred and usually given a change in economic circumstances the family regains some semblance of their previous life. Generational poverty is when the family has been poor for multiple generations; this occurs a lot with single teenage mothers, coming from single teenage mothers. My grandmother lived in the projects, my mother lived in the projects, and I live in the projects. For these stars, no matter how much success they receive or how much money they make, in their minds they are always “back in da hood”, keeping it real. This is why they exhibit the same behavior as others who are still living in the ghetto. You have stars that are making lots of money, dealing drugs, not because they need the money but because this is what we do in the hood.

You add to this poverty mix, the star worship culture that we surround them with and before long they think they can do no wrong. Having been a part of the athlete worship environment I know firsthand how we coddle our star athletes from a very early age, we give them a false sense of the world. They can begin to believe that they are above the law. This attitude is dangerous for any black man no matter what his status is.

I have read that because of white people’s unhealthy love of animals and animal rights that Michael Vick is being unfairly treated. I admit that the calls for the death penalty are a bit ridiculous. I am not an animal fanatic. I have had dogs and I like dogs, but I don’t put animals in the same category as people. As much as sometimes I despise people, I will unfortunately always chose a human life over an animal. What Michael Vick is accused of is heinous. I have never found pleasure in watching animals fighting each other, it just isn’t my thing. But what troubles me more is the treatment of the animals after they fought or during the training process. It is cruel to hang, drown, or beat a dog to death, I’m sorry regardless of your feelings about animals and animal rights this is a no-brainer. I pray that these accusations are false, but if they prove to be true then Mr. Vick will surely be thrown to the dogs…

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[1] http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/07/17/AR2007071701393.html

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