No Honor Among Dogfighters - and the Typical Black Response
by: bpayne1
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Word Count: 1133
Without a doubt copping a plea means your back is against the wall. It means you are concerned that you are going to lose, and be found GUILTY. It also indicates to some degree that you are partially guilty or completely guilty. For Michael Vick his hand has been forced to ‘punk out’. He had no other choice - but to put his head between his legs, and bargain with those Alphabet Boys. The FBI. Who would have thought Michael Vick would construct an X’s and O’s play to get out of the self-created mess with those who are gunning to sack him? This is a sad state of affairs for the black quarterback with a rushing yards record. But, what did we expect?
Expectation. Vick expected his boys to hold out. To hang in there with him. They were supposed to be his offensive line. The blockers who stop the blitzing free safety from clocking the passer. Those big men who never get any accolades for protecting the leader, the star. In this case, Michael Vick is getting sacked. However, he is familiar with this. His linemen stopped blocking for him a long time ago. Why would they block and block – while Vick selected to run and run? Nevertheless, I bet you he never expected his dog fighting frontline would flop on him. This turn of events is not what most well-known celebrities and spectacular athletes anticipate. They self-righteously expect someone to take the heat with them or even take full responsibility.
Either we are crazy or we are naïve for thinking men are built like they use to be. At one time in American history the Scarface of the group would dodge all types of indictments, court cases, and prison time because his first lieutenant would willingly go to state penitentiary for the Don. The Boss. The Man. Apparently, Michael Vick does not have those Ford Tough assembled men within his former entourage of dog killers. They are tough enough to kill Bruno the pit bull, but too soft to spend a few years locked-up for Mr. Atlanta Falcons. ‘Man, we ain’t tough no mo. We, modern day gangsters, sure ain’t like Frank Lucas (one of the original American Gangsters). We be the new type of turncoats!’ This is the most accurate and revealing statement I have heard in a long time regarding the state of affairs within Thug Life.
Even with my spearing sarcasm and intense seriousness, I am certainly aware of one fact that I hope all these wanna-be thugs will learn from this soon to be forgotten Nike endorsing icon: Today, in this new fake gangster environment the badest of them all are not immune to ‘punking-out’. Typically, when a man’s back is against the wall he will resort to one of two things: Fight to get out or bow down. Mr. Vick has bowed down. He is humble again. He is broken. He has selected not to fight with the intensions of beating the system. And, we all know why: He is more than likely guilty. Funny. We knew this before we went running to his defense. The attention-wanting NAACP of Atlanta should have known better. Those desperate and ill-advised black folk who were out there in 100 degree heat marching around the Georgia Dome a few weeks ago should have known better. Where are the fair-weather supporters when our children get struck by bullets fired from a gun shot by Antwan? Do we protest then? No! Where are the marchers and the supporters? I will tell you where they are: Lowering their heads in humiliation while our race relations event seeking leaders are hopelessly attempting to shame the white man and make the white man the guilty party while failing to realize that we have shamed ourselves once again. Pathetic.
Calling all the supporters of Michael Vick who jumped on the ‘he is innocent until proven guilty bandwagon’ even after reading the evidence against him.
Did you come to the defense of Mr. Vick too soon? I am flabbergasted, but not lost for words of disappointment; and certainly willing to boldly and rightfully point the following out: I was hard pressed to find one white compassionate supporter of Scott Peterson after he was accused of killing his wife, Laci Peterson. I was hard pressed to find a white sympathetic supporter of Robert Blake, formerly known as Baretta, after he was accused of killing his wife. I am even harder pressed to find a white bleeding heart supporter of Phil Spector while he is on trial for killing his girlfriend. My point: We, black folk, have to stop impassionedly jumping to the defense of our brothers and sisters just because they are black. While I deeply appreciate this type of ‘unity’, and it is needed in some situations – I am disgusted with the way we implore our brotherhood allegiance and also disgusted when we, with heedless miscalculation, choose to extend a supportive hand and/or comment. Knee-jerking is always the wrong move.
Who will be with Michael Vick when he can’t get a contract to run up and down a football field next season? These ‘in his corner’ persons will be enjoying someone else running and passing that ball on Any Given Sunday. Michael Vick will be someone they ONCE cheered, conditionally loved, and wrongfully idolized. He will be alone like too many of the athletes who have left the game in disgrace. Remember, Pete Rose?
It is too bad Vick did not fully play the game of life with integrity, respect, and honor. And, this is NOT to say that I have. We all fall short. Redemption is not lost. Right? Nonetheless, it is pointed out because he like too many of us: Screwed-up a good thing to feel more machismo, and why is there a need to feel this way? Well, because he and countless others are too intellectually weak, spiritually lost, emotionally empty, and looted with a false sense of entitlement to stay away from image damaging foolishness.
Michael Vick goes down like thousands of black men in America: a victim of trusting homeboy. I would rather be taken down by that “system” we always conjure up as the reason for our demise: The Conspiracy Against the Black Man.
Tell me how I am wrong without calling me a trader, a sell-out, an Oreo, or another version of Armstrong Williams. PLEASE. I really want to be WRONG on this one!
Written by Brian E. Payne. Inspired by life and the lessons I have learned from blindly extending trust to “my boys”. Inspired by that one thing we usually resort to doing when all else fails: Praying. Mr. Michael Dwayne Vick and those of us like him need your prayers.
About the Author
Brian E. Payne is a native of the former furniture town, Thomasville, NC. Brian received his bachelor's in Physical Education/Health at High Point University and a master's in Divinity from Howard University. While at High Point, Brian was a dynamic campus leader and he became a Five-Time Track and Field All-American, and received an invitation to compete in the 1991 Olympic Track & Field Trials. Immediately upon graduating from High Point University, Payne worked for the YMCA of Thomasville as a Youth Fitness Director, with an array of responsibilities ranging from teen health fitness to adult fitness. After one year at the YMCA, he entered the Peace Corps. In Antigua, Payne was responsible for developing and implementing a Physical Education curriculum. He also worked as a Peace Corps trainer for incoming trainees, host country teachers, and host government community leaders. In his most recent service with the Peace Corps, Brian served as the Recruitment Coordinator for the Atlanta Peace Corps Recruiting Office. He was responsible for coordinating all recruitment activities within six states and two United States territories. Prior to the Recruitment Coordinator position, Brian served in various capacities within Peace Corps. As a testament to his leadership qualities and productivity Brian was granted the maximum tour of service (8 Years). He is a devoted father of one, a prolific writer (several of his writings have been published), and he is currently working on completing his first book of commentaries and a book addressing the power/complexities of Christianity. Several of his writings are housed on his blog: Muatatruthtelling.blogspot.com. Brian can be reached at 404-668-2089 or by email at payne0323@aol.com.
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