Nearly one year ago I was tagging along with my girlfriend Charlotte as she was playing in a Co-Rec Softball game with one of her friends. There was a chance I was going to play as well. As it turned out, I wasn't needed. I guess they didnt need a rocket arm, or a heavy bat as they where getting pounded each inning. It led to something much better as it where. There was some little kid throwing a football up to himself. I realized his dad was playing and he was bored. I went over to him and asked if I could play with him. At first I truly saw an awkward look in his eye as he was sorta shocked. I didnt know if this was due to me being white, me being older, or what was really going on. At any rate, we quickly became "friends" and played catch for nearly an hour. He kept refferring to himself as "faster than Michael Vick". At the time it was so comical mainly because he was a slow, fat kid! He had on his Vick jersey and all but it didnt make him very good with a football, but it sure was fun anyhow!
My question now is this: What does this kid think of Mike Vick now? This kid represents thousands, if not millions of young people. What is he to make of this. I dont want to get into the whole animal cruelty thing, but seriously who gets in that deep, and still finds a way to get into it even further with this latest escapade. I mean who in thier right mind would do this when out on bail? Why doesnt Vick see consequences as serious for any of his actions. He obviously truly doesn't get it. He talks about how sorry he is, and how "he has" to vindicate himself.
It begs the question(s): Does the celebrity/athletic/famous people-type world really get used to being above reality to the point that they dont think the law pertains to them; or is it more of a social shortcoming. Do certain people just not have that little dinger go off in their heads that says "this is wrong". Not all criminals, perpetrators, or convicts have the same mental make-up, that is obvious. Some get through paying thier debt to society and are ready to be productive and law abiding. Others, modeled by Vick in this case, obviously just don't really get it.
These kids I've mentioned are my main area of concern. In a social-justice, educator type of way, I am mortified that values, ethics, and common good have all become very flimsy at best.
This kid may not be faster than Michael Vick in real life, but I hope he's half as bright.
My question now is this: What does this kid think of Mike Vick now? This kid represents thousands, if not millions of young people. What is he to make of this. I dont want to get into the whole animal cruelty thing, but seriously who gets in that deep, and still finds a way to get into it even further with this latest escapade. I mean who in thier right mind would do this when out on bail? Why doesnt Vick see consequences as serious for any of his actions. He obviously truly doesn't get it. He talks about how sorry he is, and how "he has" to vindicate himself.
It begs the question(s): Does the celebrity/athletic/famous people-type world really get used to being above reality to the point that they dont think the law pertains to them; or is it more of a social shortcoming. Do certain people just not have that little dinger go off in their heads that says "this is wrong". Not all criminals, perpetrators, or convicts have the same mental make-up, that is obvious. Some get through paying thier debt to society and are ready to be productive and law abiding. Others, modeled by Vick in this case, obviously just don't really get it.
These kids I've mentioned are my main area of concern. In a social-justice, educator type of way, I am mortified that values, ethics, and common good have all become very flimsy at best.
This kid may not be faster than Michael Vick in real life, but I hope he's half as bright.
1 comment:
Good post Josh. I miss you!
Vick sucks...I had him for two years straight in my fantasy league.
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