NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell's decision to "reinstate" Michael Vick left me perplexed and puzzled. Goodell said the intent was to"do the right thing" by Vick. Was the NFL really doing the right thing or pandering to the animal rights groups? Michael Vick was indefinitely suspended from the NFL 2 years ago. He served 2 years in a federal prison for his illegal gambling and dog fighting operation. Upon release, he had 2 months home confinement. He now is on 3 years probation. If he doesn't walk a straight and narrow line and violates his probation terms, he will serve more time. So why does the NFL need to extract an additional pound of flesh from Vick? The Commissioner's decision to "reinstate" Vick has additional terms. He won't be eligible to play in regular games until game 6. Goodell wants to monitor Vick until then before fully deciding his fate. Michael Vick must adhere to and provide a written plan to the Commissioner outlining his housing, finances, counseling and work … [Read more...] about NFL- Do The Right Thing
Archives for July 2009
Wake Up Everybody- We Are Not Post Racial
I never understood those who said we were living in a post racial society after the election of President Obama. Racism is so deeply rooted in our society. No one act or election is going to eradicate racism over night. For those of you who thought we had entered a post racial zone, the Henry Louis Gates incident should tell you otherwise. If you're African American living in America, you likely think it was racism. If you're white, you may think the officer acted wrong but not racist. Then there's President Obama who's trying to act like Rodney King with his can't we all get along statements. President Obama has invited everyone to the White House for beer and pizza. The President carefully backed away from the issue once he saw it was a political landmine. The fact of the matter is there was no real reason for the officer to arrest Professor Gates at his own house after producing his identification. The reason for the arrest was a result of inherent racism. Just because the … [Read more...] about Wake Up Everybody- We Are Not Post Racial
Michael Vick Deserves to Be Reinstated
There's no reason why Michael Vick should not be reinstated to play in the NFL. Michael Vick completed his prison term. He's re-entered society. He's paid whatever debt he owes to society. And he should be allowed to be reinstated. He had amazing talent before his prison term. Whether he still has the gift remains to be seen. He deserves the opportunity to show whether or not his skills remain. I don't see how the NFL can deny Vick reinstatement without being hypocritical and judgmental. Of course, they've been both. What does it say about the NFL to deny him a second chance? It says your debt is not paid by your prison term if your job is professional football. The NFL needs to just get over it and reinstate Michael Vick. … [Read more...] about Michael Vick Deserves to Be Reinstated
The NACCP Celebrates Its Centennial
This week the NAACP held its centennial celebration. The NAACP was formed in 1909 and is still standing 100 years later. The question is whether the NAACP is relevant today. After all, we have elected an African American President. The U.S. Attorney General is African American. Both spoke at the convention. Some think we are in a post racial world. Those who doubt the NAACP’s relevancy needed to be in attendance. I was fortunate to be able to attend and witness first hand the reasons why the NAACP is still relevant today. The NAACP amply made out the case for its existence today citing facts, figures and issues. Every viable organization that withstands the test of time must change to remain relevant. As times change, some issues change, some remain and others evolve. President Obama said the barriers of the past are not the same as today. We no longer face Jim Crow or lynching. Yet, we must still eradicate prejudice and discrimination. The NAACP must now stand for advancement of … [Read more...] about The NACCP Celebrates Its Centennial
Judging Judge Sotomayor Fairly
The Senate Judiciary confirmation hearings on Judge Sotomayor begin this week. Senators will inquire if Judge Sotomayor can be a fair and impartial judge. Republicans will grill her on quotas, racial bias and gun control. Democrats just want her to be fair and rule liberally. So what does it mean to be fair and impartial? Judges are asked to set aside their own personal views and rule solely on the law as applied to the particular facts of a case. Yet, must a judge truly forget and set aside his or her own ethnic background, race, religion, gender, family background to rule fairly? We start life with a clean slate. From then on, we learn what it means to be male or female, black, white, Asian or Latino, rich or poor, educated or non-educated, Catholic, Jewish or Muslim. The Senators cannot seriously expect Judge Sotomayor or any judge to truly set aside everything that makes us who we are. We are the sum total of all our parts This includes race, religion, gender, familial … [Read more...] about Judging Judge Sotomayor Fairly
Michael Jackson: A Funeral Fit For a King?
Why is Michael Jackson's funeral being broadcast worldwide? He was not a head of state, a president, prince, king or queen. Princess Diana at her death was no longer royalty. She was divorced from Prince Charles, heir to the British throne. By the time of her death, she was only "the People's Princess", a title lacking in substance. Yet, her funeral was broadcast all over the world with millions watching. Is there any difference between Michael Jackson and Princess Diana. In this country, we have a long and warped fascination with royalty. We treated President Kennedy and Mrs. Kennedy as the royalty we never had. We referred to them as Camelot, a reference from the legendary King Arthur days. Before President Kennedy, we were star struck by American actress, Grace Kelly who married the King of Monaco. Even before then, we were fascinated by the royal marriage of Wallis Simpson to Prince Edward. He was forced to give up his heir to the British throne by marrying an Ameircan … [Read more...] about Michael Jackson: A Funeral Fit For a King?