Hey Black folks!...anyone else offended or am I the only one?!?

Question

I'm tired of hearing about Michael Vick as much as anyone else. The new thing that has made me upset about the situation is the likes of Whoppi Goldberg and Terrell Owens. On the View, Whoppi stated that dog fighting is a part of our culture. T.O. basically said the same thing during an interview I saw on ESPN yesterday. I don't know about any of you, but that is FAR from anything I identify with my black American culture. Soul food? Yes. Blues, jazz and R&B? Yes. The Harlem Reinassance? Yes.
Dog fighting? Absolutely not! It's illegal and inhumane. I'm highly offended that W.G. and T.O. would say this. Anyone else feel that way?

Yes, Jeffery C. I'm black and I'm quite sure of it. Your remark almost makes it seem like just because I'm against dog fighting it makes me less black. That's a bold, stereotypical and idiotic remark. Anyone who has a heart and conscience should be against the act no matter what color they are.

Answer 1

THANK YOU! I'm am truly sick of people claiming that dog fighting is "a black thing". To lump dog fighting in with black culture/s is just as ignorant as lumping c0ck fighting in with white cultures/s. What a few people do (And yes, they are very few compared to the entire populations of groups.) isn't evidence that any particular behavior/s is/are a part of a culture.

Tony made some excellent points. If the actions of a few were an indication that their actions are a part of any culture/s then it could be successfully argued that most crimes are a part of most cultures. To add: We would all do well to not trust statistics and the media. Statisticians, the media, big business, celebrities, etc....anyone who has a "loud" voice in this world....are thinking primarily of themselves and their own personal gain. Their motives are far from altruistic. Whether the subject is concerning race, socioeconomic class, religion, or whatever- Their purpose is to tell us only what they WANT us to think or know. Just because news reports claiming that black men rob little old white ladies, for example, are pumped into our brains on a consistent basis DOESN'T mean that most black men engage in such activities. And, furthermore, it doesn't even mean that each individual report is accurate or contains any amount of truth at all. What's more, even if all of it were true, it still wouldn't mean that robbing little old white ladies is, in any way, connected with black culture/s.

$0.02, I have to agree with Tony concerning his response to you. The issue has nothing to do with projecting values onto people. Gambling or not, boxers aren't forced into doing what they do. But what if they were? Would that be okay as long as gambling was the purpose of said cruelty? NO! Reaping financial gain doesn't excuse oppression and barbarity. Human slavery brings much profit. However, it is a despicable institution, as it violates the freedom of others. (And before you, or anyone else, says that I'm comparing apples to oranges- Don't forget that you're comparing tonk, dominoes, and shooting dice to animal cruelty.) Basically, what you're telling us is that we should consider a person's motive (The motive in this case being gambling.) rather than the action/crime (The action/crime in this case being dog fighting.), but this doesn't make sense to me... Motive should only be considered for the purpose of arrest, indictment, prosecution, and deliberation in a court of law. A motive is just that- a motive, NOT a justification.

Someone else mentioned white people "blowing the Vick case out of proportion." ....For the most part, it isn't a matter of black vs. white. I can't speak for all white people, but I can say that many (perhaps most) of the white people who disapprove of Vick's actions happen to be animal rights supporters or activists. People may be under the impression that they are racially motivated, but this is simply due to the fact that the Vick case is so high profile. Believe me, animal rights activists demonstrate all over this country (and the world) constantly, in droves, with no regard for race. While many of the black protesters were motivated by reasons involving race, it was quite the opposite for the white protesters. And anyone who pays attention can clearly see that, while it appears that most animal rights activists in this country are white, there are indeed blacks among them. Don't misunderstand- I am in NO WAY generalizing black people. I don't believe that the black protesters are a representation of what all black people think or feel any more than I think Goldberg or Owens are. In fact, it disgusts me that so many folks truly believe that said people (or anyone else) represent blacks.

Getting back to the issue at hand- I would also like to add that, in my opinion, anyone who believes that dog fighting is a part of black culture/s is buying into one of the many stereotypes created by white racists. Go, I: I really do appreciate your open-mindedness and desire for truth. I completely agree with you and hope that you will continue to make your voice heard.

Answer 2

I think him being black is one of many reasons as to why blacks are supporting Obama. I think you made a great argument for Coleeza Rice. Many blacks don't support her and she is black. The same is true of Farakhan. I think people still like to think of blacks as a single minded people with little to no diversity in looks, opinions, intelligence, etc. I don't think you should get so offended. Just remind them of what you have mentioned here and that will have people thinking about their own judgments.

Answer 3

I agree. It's especially daunting when AA celebrities make such imbecilic comments. Just because something occurs in our community doesn't make it part of our culture. Do you people know that definition of culture is? Using your flawed logic; high crime rates also occur in the AA community; does that make high crime rate a part of our culture? You all sound just like the bigoted people you claim to despise. Its embarrassing!

$0.02: Yes, but most those boxers get a nice purse for beating the crap out of each other, not to mention they CHOOSE to box. The other animals you mentioned aren't domesticated, however animal rights activists see them as equal, therefore the act of fighting said creatures is equally crude and barbaric. No matter how you spell it, or what rhetorical tactics you choose to use, it's DEAD WRONG homeboy!

Answer 4

White girl here, but I'm going to have to agree with you and quite frankly, I'm shocked that Whoopi would say such a thing. I don't much about T.O., so I'm not disappointed him, but I'm definitely disappointed in Whoopi! It's absurd to think that dogfighting is a part of our culture or is, in any way, acceptable!

Shame on them!

Answer 5

We should put Whoopi and TO in a tag team cage match with two of the pit bulls that Vick trained and tortured. Im guessing they might not be so supportive of a "cultural" activity anymore. The black community should be proud that people like them choose to step up and represent you, LMAO. Seriously, the black community needs to stand up against its self-appointed representatives.

Answer 6

i'm black too but i have to say, even though you're not going to like it. yes, dog fighting is a black thing. the dog of choice for dog fights is pitt bulls. black people are the big lovers of pitts. Why? because they are known for ripping someones throat out, they are good protection dogs, and they bring in good money in a fight.

i have had pitts and would never fight mine but people are always mad at me for "not using my dog to it's full potential". i made all of mine lazy house dogs and i would never get anything but a female.

as much as you dislike the idea it's true. white people cock fight (fight with chicken's) black people dog fight. just like back in the day white people sniffed powder and black folks smoked rocks. two different cultures doing the same thing in two different ways.

people are going to be people. you can't control anybody but yourself. there are shames no matter what race you are you just have to do what you can do to not be part of it. that's the only way to get it to stop.

Answer 7

You will be criticized by the Black community for being a sellout, like Jason Whitlock. I admire your honesty and common sense.
Besides, Vick knew it wasn't right. Why else were the buildings painted black? So they wouldn't be seen at night. He was trying to hide it. Why hide it if you don't think it is wrong. These lame excuses only make things look worse.

Answer 8

I DON'T THINK THAT MAKES YOU ANY LESS BLACKER BECAUSE YOU DON'T THINK DOG FIGHTING IS APART OF OUR CULTURE,, BUT HATE TO SPOIL IT FOR YOU THEY ARE RIGHT. I AM NOT OFFENDED BECAUSE IT IS THE TRUTH.. NOW IT IS WRONG YES 100% BUT THE MAJORITY OF BLACKS ENGAGED IN DOG FIGHTING AND MOSTLY WITH PITS

I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU HAVE NEVER HEARD OF THIS IN OUR CULTURE.. MAKES ME WONDER THOUGH...

Answer 9

The thing people fail to realize is that dog fighting is not really about the entertainment of watching doigs fight. thats stupid. Dog fighting is about GAMBLING!. Its along the lines of tonk, dominoes, and shooting dice.

while somep people may find it repugnant. Others do not. I think the problem is people are too busy projecting their values onto other people.

Nobody is bothered by watching to human's fight (boxing).

There is also cockfighting. and right now, in Iraq, soldiers are gambling over scorpion fights. Its all the same thing, gambling.

Answer 10

I too am tired of hearing about Vick. Dog fighting isn't apart of our culture. I think these white folks are blowing the "Vick case" way out of proportion.