Vick is not the First: America, Media, and the Black Athlete
Richmond, VA – It's no secret that in this country race and socioeconomic status' plays a major role in the media; especially with crime and punishment. Noticeably, African Americans are overly portrayed as the convicts, felons, and murders in the news media. Subsequently, when it comes to black athletes, crime, and punishment, these images presented in the mass media double; as in the cases O.J. Simpson, Kobe Bryant, Steven Jackson, and now Michael Vick (just to mention a few).
According to Young African Americans against Media Stereotypes (YAAMS), Black athletes images are often tainted by the misrepresentation in the media when it comes to crime. "Last year, less than 50 of the 1500+ pro black athletes (that's 3 percent) got into trouble with the law. But because of the sensationalized, over-hyped coverage of this 3 percent, the media has effectively undermined the image of all professional black athletes." Without excusing the behavior of these athletes and the crimes committed, one must seriously analyze this from an objective stand point: the law is the law; justice must be served. However, with the recent controversy surrounding Michael Vick (with illegally dog fighting), one cannot help but to see that his supporters are primarily black whereas his toughest critics are primarily white.
Do the media strive to tarnish the reputation of the black athlete? One could easily disagree to a certain extent because the media helps build the image surrounding each successful black man who just so happens to be a professional athlete. However, at the same time, one can strongly agree by saying that because the media has that power to develop or tarnish one's image then they are able to ruin one's good name. Gerald Rose, with Atlanta-based New Order National Human Rights Organization said, "It's been too many cases involving African-Americans (where) they got through the court of law, they've been found not guilty, but damage has been done." This point can be taken with O.J. Simpson and Kobe Bryant. Although they were found not guilty, you still have that perception of them as being a killer or a rapist. "A hundred-million-dollar black man?" he huffed. "They can't stand it."
Bryan Burwell, a MSNBC contributor states in his article, 'Keepin' it real' has ruined Vick, Pacman' states, "PETA thinks he's a villain. The NAACP thinks he's a victim. The NFL and his corporate endorsers think he's poison. Most of us, though, just think he's a damned fool. Yet as the carnival unfolds, and the madness mounts, and the sublime slips smoothly into the ridiculous, tell me haven't we seen this act before?"
Later, he goes on to say, "The actors change, the plot remains the same. Here we are with another high-profile athletic indignity that will surely give us the same queasy feeling as the others. Chart a line through the absurdity of the O.J. trial, slash a path through the Bonfire of the Vanities sensationalism of the Duke lacrosse scandal, then weave it through the Pacman Jones insanity. By the time that line reaches the disturbing case of the United States versus Michael Vick, we can see the familiar ties that bind them all together."
Honestly, can you name one white athlete that's been tried in the court of law for committing a crime without googling it? I can't.
While awaiting trial, many of Vick's supporters agree that it is too soon to judge a man who has not been convicted of his crime. "We're in support of Michael as a human being," Southern Christian Leadership Convention president Charles Steele said. "Right now, he's feeling discarded, ostracized by people who are rushing to judgment. It's our responsibility to save him." Michael Vick is scheduled to attend this conference.
A spokesperson for Ethical Treatment of Animals Dan Shannon said, "We're reacting very strongly to this case because Michael Vick is someone who's a hero ... If this were Peyton Manning or Brett Favre, we'd be out there," as he spoke of two white NFL quarterbacks. Jeff Menzise, assistant director of the Race Relations Institute at Fisk University in Tennessee said, "Whites may have underlying anger at blacks they feel constantly play the race card. Blacks, meanwhile, may feel whites rush to judge black suspects, but are more lenient to white ones." He later went on to say that a case such as Michael Vicks helps us vent those frustrations.
Vick and two co-defendants are scheduled to stand trial Nov. 26.
Editors note: We at Oh, Nicole! Entertainment & News are not against the rights of animals, nor do we excuse the behavior or crimes committed.
For more information: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20112312/
