I’m sad that she said this. I understand that she may indeed believe it, but there’s a greater issue at hand. The Vick debacle reinforced for many non-blacks the idea that black ppl blindly (and often stupidly) defend our own even when blatant criminality and cruelty is involved. With her statement Whoopie added her name to the list of prominent black people who have made themselves look (sound) like uncivilized and irrational ppl.

Whoopi, what????? I don’t understand how ANYONE can condone this??!!!

I am a proud southern girl. I do not know of anyone that participates in dog fighting. I don’t have any sympathy for Vick.

Before all ya’ll’s head explode, I have to say I agree with Whoopi. I didn’t read it as she was trying to defend him as more as she was trying to explain a cultural norm.

I have people that are literally from rural areas in East Texas, Louisiana and Arkansas and amongst both black and white, dog fighting and cockfighting is not unusual. I will say that the folks engaging in this are not stupid and they know it’s illegal because it’s done hush hush and undercover. I would also disagree with Lauren in saying this isn’t a Southern thing because typically I don’t think you hear about this happening in other areas of the country.

Now Mike Vick is stupid all on his own, he had money to burn and let his stupid friends influence him to be stupider all by himself. But dogfighting is occurring, in the shadows of course but it is happening.

I can understand why Whoopi and many other Black figure heads, would attempt to defend the nature of his actions, rather than justifying the result of his actions. The Black Community already has a negative image that is perpetuated in all forms of media, including our own. When an individual of African descent, does anything questionable, it is held against us for a very long time.

Just look at the frequency that OJ has been brought up, after his trial and up to the point of his book release. Look at how often R.Kelly and Michael Jackson pop up. Nobody remembers the Duke Lacrosse white boys that raped that Black stripper. But everybody will talk about Michael Jackson and Mike Vick. We have a responsibility, to explain away the mistakes made by individuals in our Community, because if left unchecked, it will be a long lasting weapon against us.

Look at all of the effort to ban the word nigga, but not any other racial slur. Look at how rap culture and music are blamed entirely for violence, despite artists like Talib Kweli, Blackalicious and Zion I. But when rock is called into question, it is usually on an individual group basis. I am not saying that Michael Vick is not guilty. He absolutely is. But I also believe that we really need to stick together as a Community. White America will crucify us with every opportunity. We are the only ones who can bring ourselves down from that cross.

Dogfighting happens all over. It’s less a “where it happens” and more of a “who is doing it” question. Dog fighting happens in Compton, Inglewood, South Central, etc. Cockfighting is big with Mexicans and other Latinos in LA. This has been the case since I was a kid, but I don’t hang with the same types that I did when I was a teenager so I haven’t seen or encountered it much as an adult. I’d like to think that is has faded away with ppl from my hood - but that’s probably not true. LOL.

“Nobody remembers the Duke Lacrosse white boys that raped that Black stripper.”

Well….considering that all the evidence points to the fact that she made up the story, her lawyer ran with it and she wasn’t raped…maybe we should forget it.

I saw this segment this morning and it left me torn. On the one hand, I don’t think that Whoopi Goldberg said that what Michael Vick did was ok. She said that people are harshly judging him as a monster because of their own perspective. Legal or not, Vick (according to Whoopi) may not have seen dogfighting such a horrible phenomenon, because people around him have been doing it all the time. I can relate to that. I live in a Midwestern town where the “crime-ridden neighborhoods” seem like paradise compared to where I grew up. It didn’t occur to me to be upset by the crime rate in my neighborhood.

I was also really pissed off that Whoopi just tossed out such blatant generalizations. You know, Southerners just love dogfighting and Chinese people just love eating cats. Wow, Whoopi! You should know better.

I dunno. I still think that the Duke thing just flew by a bit too easily. Most of their aquital, was based on the fact that

1)Some DNA evidence was omitted and from there, not identified (several DNA samples of males were found in her pubic region and anal region, that were never tested for identification).

2)It became a case about character credibility, rather than responsibility for actions. It was pretty much rich university kids vs. poor stripper university kid.

But that is all beside the point. I was mostly trying to establish, that in the media, we are dragged through the mud to no end. But when a white person does something questionable, it is quickly forgotten. I believe that is why so many members of the Black Community are trying to stand up for Vick, in the sense of understanding why he did wrong, rather than saying that the wrong he did, should be excused. It’s like explaining that a man stole money and then bought groceries to feed his starving family. It doesn’t mean that the stealing was right, but when you understand the entirety of the situation, you are less likely to pass broad judgements/generalizations.

I understand. I think we pick the wrong battles. This is, after all, a man who knowingly gave a woman herpes right? Why is he worth us looking foolish to defend him or explain his actions?

I can concede and agree to the very first line of that statement. While oppression is out there, and apparent, the Black Community spends too much effort, trying to fight every battle, rather than fighting the right battle. If Black leaders were as righteous and outspoken about the Jena Six, as they are about Mike Vick, we would all be better off for it. Then again, Mike Vick’s scandal is a media sensation, while most of America could give less than a damn about the Jena Six. You know, that is the beauty of a good debate. I would have never even been aware of the irony, had you not challenged my statements BMD. Good lookin’on that, Queen. Peace and love.

While I disagree with dog fighting, I don’t really know if it’s that uncommon in the south. I’ve never lived there, but if someone told me it was a lot more common in that area versus, say, Connecticut, I’d believe them. Not to defend Vick, but there are a LOT of cruel sports out there. Skeet and trap. All types of hunting. The point is to kill the animal. People hunt for foxes and seals, and both fall under the category of “cute animals that we like” so where’s the outcry over that? I only hear PeTA screaming foul.

well we dont have dog fights here in jamaica but my question is How much is it different from deer hunting and when other hunter kill animals for fun then hang there heads in their living room????

Oh and let’s not forget that many animals suffer before they are actually killed. To summarize several graphic MSNBC specials, some are skinned alive and bleed to death in piles with other animals. If you have a fur coat or think it’s fine, you shouldn’t have a problem with dog fighting. Foxes are a hell of a lot cuter than pit bulls too.

I hate when people say it’s a cultural thing in the south. I’m from the south and never saw a single dog fight. Also when did Mike Vick become the beacon for all things below the Mason Dixon line? Mike Vick is a jerk, end of story and there are jerks everywhere. let’s say his actions were because no one ever stood up to him b/c he could run fast and throw a ball not b/c he’s from the souf(with an f, that’s right)

As this is equivalent to hunting and fur trading, IF this is actually occurs as often as people seem to imply for whatever reason, why not take on the hunters? Again, I’d pick most of the wild animals over fug pitbulls any day.

We all know we care about animals in proportion to their cuteness. Maybe if they were some labs or golden retrievers, I’d care more.

Dogfighting exists. It’s going down. It’s been going down FOREVER. Just b/c you didn’t know about it doesn’t mean it wasn’t happening. In states like Wyoming and Montana, it’s only a misdemeanor. (And lots of black people live there right?) Black people are not the only ones that do it. It’s not a South thing. It’s not a cultural thing. It’s a stupid thing done by people of all races, of all socioeconomic backgrounds.

I think doing cocaine and drinking and driving are reprehensible but they seem to get a free pass in society. They are illegal. And people do those things EVERY SINGLE DAY. Mike Vick made a very poor decision regarding an illegal act. It was just that. A poor decision. Let it go, let him do his time, and lets focus on something more important like the Jena 6.

Oh, and one more thing. There is a report out today that the great PETA knew about Vick’s dogfighting activities BEFORE HE WAS DRAFTED INTO THE NFL. Their reason for not reporting it? They didn’t want his involvement to go more underground. Guess he wasn’t a big enough star yet. Dogfighting is wrong, period. So what this means is that PETA allowed this to go on for almost 7 years without putting up a fight until it was unearthed by a local police force. I tell you, each and every day I like these PETA people less and less.

If you equate it to hunting…then why not to fishing and why not to going to Fatbuger do dinner? That’s fucking absurd. I don’t care what that idiot went to jail for…HE is not a hunter. HE is someone who electrocuted, drowned, etc. dogs. Let’s not turn this into some referendum on hunting b/c that’s bullshit. He is sick and anyone who is going to hold a dog’s head underwater is sick and deserves a fucking ass kicking. If you don’t think it’s sick - tell me this…would you leave your pet with him? Or your children alone with that mofo? Fuck Michael Vick and any other nigga cruel enough to do some stupid crap like that. I don’t care where you come from or what your background is. He deserves to get run up on. And I hope someone takes care of that while he’s in prison. Period. Point blank.

Sorry about all the cuss words…I’m not in a good mood today. LOL.

As a transitioning vegan, my lifestyle doesn’t contradict the fishing statement so yeah, I guess save all the animals. I’m not doing it for ethical reasons. Animal products just disgust me, so yeah sure, fishing is cruel. I’ve been hunting once and that was all sorts of f-ed up so I do equate it to killing animals for their skin. Some of the animals that go into making those wonderful furs are also electrocuted.

My view is that punishments should be consistent if the level of cruelty is the same so ALL the people who hold the view that Michael Vick should be jailed need a reality check. It’s far more widespread than dog fighting. Michael Vick didn’s do anything more inhumane than what these people do all day long to foxes, seals and yes, dogs and cats, for both the Fox stole at Saks to the “faux” fur trimmed coats at Wal Mart.

http://www.veoh.com/videos/v7372578G4QPFNa

Great, I’m glad you’re a vegan, but not everybody has to be a vegan to feel like what he did was wrong. I am a proud meet eater. So does that mean I have to say, “oh well..I can’t find it wrong that niggas electrocute dogs b/c I like fried chicken.” No. There is a such thing as nuance and this is one of those situations where it is not black and white to most ppl in this country. You are in the minority. Reality check? Who’s reality?? Vegans ALWAYS want to get on some high horse and tell ppl about their evil meat eating ways. And I haven’t met a single vegan in my life that wasn’t hypocrite in some area of their life (I don’t eat meat, but I smoke weed all day! Yay!) or wasn’t some closet elitist pretending to be down with some type of cause or just isn’t pulling a Polow by talking about something they no nothing about b/c they read a book or saw a PETA video. Fuck that. You can have your reality, but that may not be mine. Last time I checked it was illegal to dogfight and until hunting becomes illegal - ppl need to come off that. In the meantime - feel free to lobby your congressman about making hunting illegal. Oh…that’s right most vegans just find it easier to pass judgement on others vs. actually doing something. Which is true of most ppl. I had a tilapia omelette for breakfast and it was yummy up in my tummy! So I guess I can’t say anything about dogs being drowned? If voicing your opinion or finding an action heinous was dependant on living your life a certain way then…well…I don’t need to even finish that sentence, do I?

bmd, NO. There are two main reasons why people are vegans: for health reason (the minority) and for ethical reasons (the majority). People who are vegans for ethical reasons will tell you how evil eating meat is. I am a personally will not put animal products in my body because I think it makes me fat and sluggish. Same with gluten products so I’m just going down to the basics for now and slowly incorporating oats, etc.

Note that I did not criticize the meat industry. I don’t know enough about their practices because I’ve never cared for fish or meat. I’m not against others eating animal products as long as there is no unnecessary cruelty involved and it’s not full of hormones and chemicals. The latter part is just because we don’t know what’s in our food or what it’ll do to us in 30 years and I’m not going to trust my health to people who have a stake in maintaining the status quo. Trapping an animal and letting it suffer for hours and sometimes days is cruel and it’s important to be a conscientious consumer. You cannot in good conscience criticize Vick’s actions and then

The FUR industry as it is currently is cruel. It is the one animal rights area that I’m passionate about because it’s just inhumane. Yes, I have seen animal hunting for fur firsthand. Ripping the skin off of a conscious animal after anally electrocuting it is wrong. Even “faux fur” has been found to be dog and cat fur a lot of the time. You can’t persecute Vick and contribute to that industry.

**I am a “health food” vegan and personally will not put animal products in my body because I think it makes me fat and sluggish.

I wasnt talking about hunting for food… I was speaking doing it as a sport, then i think it is not necessary , what every ur view on hunting for for food it it the way we have been from the beginning of time, we have always been meat eaters