Fanz23 Commentary: Two Sides of Michael Vick

Fanz 23 Commentary: ESPN Townhall Meeting, "Two Sides of Michael Vick"

Well I was going to chill out and just post some parody or something until I caught this town hall meeting held by ESPN in regard to Michael Vick. The meeting was held in Atlanta, where Vick is..well...was the King of the City before he plead guilty to dog fighting charges and animal cruelty last month. I dunno, it seems that every crime committed by an athlete or a black person is a racial thing. And we don't have to look no further than the subject of this blog entry. Before Vick manned up and plead guilty for the charges against him. The racial line was already drawn between black folk and white folk. Charges of racism and media bias was heard from coast to coast. And yes, even I had my fill of media bias when it comes to reporting the off field troubles, black athletes get into. I also held and maintained like everyone else, who took the position that the sports media in this case was biased, is that, if true Vick deserves to be punished and deserved the full blast of the media scrutiny. Jail? No. Probation? probably. Remember, they were dogs and dogs are property.

But back to the town hall meeting, there were a lot things to point out in this meeting and I guess the end result was, well, as predicted. Folks are taking sides along color lines. Most black folk support Vick and think the charges were bullbleep and that the Federal Gov't were only going after Vick because he is black. Whites are appalled by the crime and disgust that Vick fought "pit bulls" to the death, want Vick locked up as if he killed a blond- haired white woman named Nicole. Of course there are some white folk who stand by and support Vick, just like there are black folk who think that Vick did kill a blond haired white woman.

Another thing about the show is a comment made by former Atlanta Falcon Terrance Mathis. He said that he spoke with Vick and ensured the audience that Vick is sorry for what he did and is holding on to his [new found]faith. But there was one comment made that really stuck out. Mathis said that Vick told him that he didn't think this whole thing would blow up to this. That I believe, and have said in private to friends and family. I don't think Vick thought that fighting dogs, was a big deal and despite knowing he was breaking the law...He probably thought he would get off with a slap on the wrist and him scratching a check to PETA or the Humane Society. Mathis also stated that Vick promised his "boys" or his crew that if he blew up (got successful) he would share the wealth. What kind of friendship is that? That's socialism and communism at it's best. You mean to tell me in Vick's world he believed that if made it to the NFL, that not only did he make it, but his friends also. And when he signed that $120 million dollar contract, that it was for the crew! Are you kidding me? Which brings me to this, someone find Duane Cooper and tell him, he owes me, Tony Barrios, Bryan Williams, Termel Phillips and my brother Troy some money for playing basketball and football with him. And since he made it to the NBA and played for the Lakers, he should have broke bread, when I saw him almost ten years ago at a night club! I guess in all fairness, I gotta put in that Mathis also said that Vick only went into the dog fighting arena to pay his boys, so he wouldn't have to pay them every month....There you go again! Where do his friend get off by requiring this man who worked on his playing skills as a running back err!! quarterback pay them for being his boys? And if Vick is offering that as an excuse for his breaking the law...Sorry. Not buying it.

Wow, folks there was a lot talked about in this meeting, for instance, everytime someone had an unpopular opinion about Vick, they got booed and most noteably was the Atlanta Journal Constitution Sports Columnist, Terrance Moore. Black folk was booing this brotha for saying what Vick did was wrong. Former Atlanta Falcon Defensive Lineman, Chuck Smith was booed for saying Vick was wrong and I won't even mention the guy from the Human Society.

"Stop Snitching" Was an Issue

You know the one thing that upsets me more is this "Stop Snitching" business that is practiced in our inner city neighborhoods. The refusal to assist law enforcement in solving murders and other crimes because of fear or straight ignorance is mind boggling to me. But guess what showed up in the town hall meeting..."Stop Snitching." In the audience Q&A session, one brother from South Carolina, asked Terrance Moore if Vick chooses to tell on everyone else involved in dog fighting will that get him off or back in the league and when asked to clarify his question, he simplified it by saying, If Vick snitches on his friends, will he get back in the league?

So Vick's street cred and ghetto pass is in danger of being revoked. Well, since mine was took for not seeing "The Wiz, " I guess Vick's pass is intact and why is that important!!? Who gives a damn!? Pursuant to Vick's plea agreement he agreed to assist and testify against other individuals or groups participating in this underground sport. Vick's boys didn't leave him much wiggle room after breaking their "word" to Vick and turning on him faster than an indy car going left and left on a race track!

Look the attempt to get a good rating and by the way, not mentioning the medias share in this was noticeable, for ESPN. But the town hall meeting didn't solve anything. When folks left, it was still split on racial lines......

White and Black....