I have been sorely disappointed with the state of Black talk radio in the last few weeks (years, really) pertaining to the Michael Vick-dog fighting debacle. It has even prompted yours truly to call several media outlets to attempt to center the issue but alas, it appears to be an exercise in futility. A number of African-American radio personalities, pundits and sport enthusiasts have insisted that Vick is a racial victim and is not deserving of the media and/or public scrutiny swirling around his fall from grace. I beg to differ. In my estimation, it is imperative that not all cases be viewed through a racial paradigm. I have witnessed too many Black pundits go to great lengths to make Vick’s actions not a “big deal” in the context of animal cruelty. Some have even likened Vick’s actions to hunting or how cows and pigs are treated for human sustenance. The quick answer, of course is that if Vick wanted to satiate his bloodlust, why not invest in a farm or a meatpacking enterprise? Such an answer would require a certain level of sophistication and doesn’t fit into the comfortable liberal victimization mindset that is literally killing the concept of credibility and accountability in communities of color. And lest we forget, the Vick mess also encompassed gambling/racketeering allegations coupled with extreme examples of animal cruelty. Folks, let’s try to put the appropriate focus on these issues and not lose sight of the cases that are really racial or discriminatory in nature. Our dear Mr. Michael is not a vick(tim). Pun intended. Check out the latest regarding the Vick matter, courtesy of the Chicago Sun Times:
Vick OKs plea deal with feds
August 21, 2007
BY LARRY O'DELL
RICHMOND, Va. -- More than football, Atlanta Falcons star Michael Vick's freedom is the question now.
With three associates prepared to testify that he brutally executed dogs and bankrolled gambling, Vick agreed Monday to ''accept full responsibility'' for his role in a dogfighting ring and plead guilty to federal conspiracy charges.
Worries about playing time will have to wait while Vick faces prison time -- from one to five years. The maximum sentence is five years in prison and a $250,000 fine, but federal guidelines call for less.
Defense attorneys wouldn't divulge details about the plea agreement or how much time Vick can expect to serve, but a government official, speaking on condition of anonymity because the terms are not final, told the Associated Press that prosecutors will recommend a sentence of a year to 18 months.
The official said such a sentence would be more than what usually is recommended for first-time offenders. But U.S. District Judge Henry Hudson isn't bound by prosecutors' recommendations or the sentencing guidelines and will have the final say.
Twenty-five days after he said he looked forward to clearing his name, Vick said through defense lawyer Billy Martin that he will plead guilty. A hearing is scheduled for next Monday.
''Mr. Vick has agreed to enter a plea of guilty to those charges and to accept full responsibility for his actions and the mistakes he has made,'' Martin said in a statement. ''Michael wishes to apologize again to everyone who has been hurt by this matter.''
The NFL noted Vick's admission wasn't in line with what he told commissioner Roger Goodell shortly after being charged.
''We totally condemn the conduct outlined in the charges, which is inconsistent with what Michael Vick previously told both our office and the Falcons,'' the NFL said.
The league, which barred Vick from training camp, said it has asked the Falcons to withhold further action while its own investigation wraps up. The Falcons said they were ''certainly troubled'' by news of the plea but would withhold further comment in compliance with Goodell's request.
Martin said salvaging Vick's NFL career wasn't part of the talks.
''Football is not the most important thing in Michael Vick's life,'' Martin said. ''He wants to get his life back on track.''
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