One dog doesn’t stop the show

(Warning: This could be eye opening)

With all of the cards and feelings on the table it is now time to re-evaluate the saga that is Michael Vick. The man that has made a bigger impact on this nation in one month by being indicted on dog fighting charges than he has in six years playing quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons. Whoever knew such a heinous act could affect so many people, but should it? Vick’s pending Falcon teammates have had to dodge questions about a man that they have no control over, the dog fighting practice has been made into a black or white issue, and they have even reached for the hip-hop cop out. When does the pendulum swing back to Michael Vick?
Since the emergence of these charges there have been organizations such as PETA protesting Vick’s presence in the league and position in the Falcons organization. If convicted, Vick deserves all of the legal punishment handed down but until then he has the right to work and earn a living. Don’t misunderstand the point here, it does look bad for Vick but we cannot be so quick to condemn people and strip them of their rights. It is a different scenario if the Falcons decide that Vick isn’t prepared enough for game days due to his trial responsibilities and feel he isn’t up to par to lead that team. Then by all means sit him down and put in another worker (he cannot be fired due to contract). Now take a moment to put the shoe on the other foot. Let’s imagine Vick is able to come to work and plays better than ever at a phenomenal level and ends up not guilty in the court of law. Would it be right then to say “sorry Mike, have a nice day”, no it would not. Look at the Duke University students who were ostracized by the community and that turned out to be an egregious mistake. As people we have feelings and we often reason with them instead of reasoning with logic and fact. We citizens of the United States of America have a tendency to stand at the top of the hill and throw stones into the valley. Everyone is entitled to have an opinion of the situation, some support him and others do not. If people stop going to the games and the Falcons organization says we need to let him go because he is not the best thing for our business then so be it, good-bye Vick. But let it play out. Look at our dear friend Kobe Bryant, they thought he was done for and even he was acquitted. We have to show some restraint, don’t all the model citizens stand up at one time please.
On the other hand we have to take a look at ourselves and stop blaming other people for one person’s actions. Michael Vick is being tried for dog fighting, not everyone in Atlanta or every black person south of Ohio. Recently on 680 the Fan an Atlanta radio station, one of the members of the Buck and Kincade show said it was a slap in the face to those who live in Atlanta. How so, Michael Vick represents himself and is responsible for his own actions. Everywhere he travels he doesn’t portray the hardworking mailman, office clerk, or executive he represents Michael Vick. Other outlets have even mumbled that it was because of the hip hop culture. When does the blame fall on Michael Vick or whoever did it. All of the individuals being tried are grown men and responsible for their own actions. They know the difference between right and wrong. You try telling the police officer you drove through the barricade because you are a huge fan of Die Hard movies. It is irrelevant as to what influenced you to do this because you know it is out of order. The society that we live in is always looking for the pawn to pin it on. People are told as they come up in this world, “life isn’t fair” and it doesn’t matter that you left for work on time but there was a huge accident on the freeway that made you late for work, YOU WERE LATE! Then we have situations like this happen and we say, “yeah, you did it but it was probably that music video that you watched last night”. We have to be a little more consistent here when dishing out punishment. The reasons are trivial, at least that’s what they say when the car payment is late.
Michael Vick is a man that deserves due process in the legal system. We shall see where the chips fall. If he did it then he gets what is coming to him. If he did not do it, leave him alone. It is what it is. The judgmental approach isn’t the way to go people. So hold on before you throw that stone.