When we last looked at this topic, I laid the foundation as to why the Mike Vick case is so polarizing and spread out the 3 reasons why blacks want Vick to be innocent. ESPN.com eventually published a similar article here (AJ is on top of things, I know). Picking up where we left off, now its time to break down the 3 main reasons why whites want Vick locked down. Please people, keep in mind that all the facts have yet to be determined and I am not looking at the legal aspects of whether or not Vick is innocent/guilty, I am searching in the realm of the “court of public opinion” and how peoples perceptions and backgrounds affect how they feel about the case.
3 Reasons Why White Folks Want Vick In Prison
1. Must Love Dogs
Most logical people know that stereotypes should not be used as indicators to how you believe a person will act, those same people can tell you also that SOME stereotypes are based on truth by means of actualities and repetitive behaviors. So applying the stereotype that MOST white people have a love affair with their pets is not far-fetched. That’s not to say that other races do not love their pets as much, but alot of the extraneous behaviors associated with human/pet interaction such as dog shows, the Dog Olympics, and pet fashion shows can be attributed to white people. I’m not judging or saying whether or not it’s a good or bad thing, but it has truth to it. In the case of Vick, we have seen members of PETA, i.e. angry white folks with pets come out with their “Neuter Vick” and “Sack Mike Vick” t-shirts and signs. How dare anyone do any harm to their beloved pets?, especially dogs. Nevermind the fact that there are seasons in which it is legally ok to shoot and kill deer, duck, etc. But to hurt Fido? No way! These are the same animals that you can buy clothes for!
2. Welcome to America rich Black man!
No matter how much people want to pretend that racism and bigotry don’t exist anymore, it’s usually cases like these which remind you that people of different colors still don’t sip lemonade together. Even though it is dumb to dislike someone based on the color of their skin, it still happens, especially in the socio-economic hierarchy of America. The funny thing is that alot of black people like to put up a front and pretend that societal bigotry is not palpable just because they have a white friend or two and they don’t want to offend them. These black people are usually broke and/or work in minimal paying jobs in which they would have no reason to experience racism. If I were white, why would I be concerned with Joe Schmoe making peanuts, who cares what he thinks or who he is?, I would target the big fish and make an example out of him. I’m not saying that all whites think this way, but they are some, that can’t wait for the opportunity to bring down or discredit the accomplishments of a successful black figure. This happens especially to those blacks who do not typify the role of the hardworking, humble, and honest negro. Many times, when rich blacks make stupid decisions, the media is real quick to say, “Look! See, he’s just like all the others, he’s bad, he even listens to hip-hop music!” In Vick’s case, let’s just say that the fact he dresses like Lil Flip doesn’t help his public perception amongst whites, he should’ve asked Allen Iverson.
3. Mike Vick the QB
On the field, Vick didn’t exactly make his case as to whether he actually gave the Falcons a chance to win it all. True, he has made some of the most exciting plays RUNNING that we have ever witnessed from a QB or otherwise, but his passing accuracy leaves something to be desired. As of the end of the 2006 season, Vick is a career 53.8 percent passer (the standard for good QBs is usually 60 percent), with 71 TD passes and 52 intereceptions. Numbers that don’t exactly burn the house down. Some of those numbers can be attributed to Vick’s lack of a decent receiving corps. I think Keanu Reeves had better wideouts in the movie, The Replacements. Yet and still, Vick has not developed into the type QB that is more likely to take a team to the Super Bowl. With Vick out of the way, Falcons fans that were pushing for former backup Matt Schaub (now with the Houston Texans) to start now have an excuse to root for another QB.
So there you have it, give me your thoughts people!
AJ
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