an apology
Yesterday I read an article about Atlanta Falcon’s quarterback Michael Vick that shocked and upset me. I had heard that there was some kind of “incident” on ESPN but never read more about it until yesterday. I read an editorial by James Pinkerton and a USA Today article. It was enlightening and sad. It seems that this superstar had his home raided by police and they found, along with all kinds of drug paraphernalia, over 60 dogs that were being used for fighting. Chains. Blood. Traps. Cages. Medieval horrific stuff. And as of yet he has not been disciplined, his fellow NFL stars support him, and he is still selling stuff for Nike. I felt the need to respond on my blog. I chose an unorthodox way for me…Pictures. I have always been fascinated with the idea that you can communicate so much by saying something so short. A haiku…A picture. No words…Just pictures.
So I figured I would respond by posting some “telling” pictures from the web in a dada type collage that would shock and show people how horrific and hypocritical these crimes against dogs are in our supposedly enlightened judeo-christian society. I contrasted these images with pictures of “glamorous” sports stars and football fans. No words just pictures. Interesting….But it did not communicate. A caring good soul from one of the schools I have visited saw this blog and felt it was inappropriate. They also didn’t think it was me that did it…Because my show and my message is not one of shock or sarcasm…at all. So not only did they not think it was me…They didnt think it was like me. After considering the email from a friend I decided that this blog was an inappropriate forum for that kind of expression. I am not one to “sell out” or censor myself …but I felt that sometimes when things are taken out of context or when no context is provided…There is no communication.
Communications 101 teaches us that Communication is sending a message->receiving feedback->Sending a message->etc. We alter our message when it does not communicate and when we are not understood. My goal is above all else communication. Communication that breeds Understanding. Discussion. Enlightenment. Respect. My show “dirt” does that…and I am proud of it. Yesterday this blog did not. I am a dog lover and animal rights advocate and my emotion got the worst of me. I apologize. Let this be a teachable moment and I do hope that you will click on the links below to read for yourself the stories that originally “inspired” me. Thanks.
john
Mary says:
I applaud you!
June 8th, 2007 at 10:33 pm
Joe B. says:
I get why you took the pictures down, but I did get the original message, and appreciated it, for what it’s worth.
One of the sports radio guys — I want to say Colin Cowherd, but I could be mistaken — said last month that you can pretty much separate the evolved from the non-evolved by their feelings toward dogfighting, and if someone says they dig dogfighting, you might as well ask what they think of child porn, because you’ll probably get the same answer.
That’s an extreme statement, too, moreso than your photo essay, but one that makes you think.
And if Vick is unquestionably linked to the actual fights and/or breeding specifically for fighting, a long suspension is in order. I know that, especially in today’s harsh political climate, people disagree passionately all the time on what is acceptable or not in society. But can we all at least agree on this one?
June 12th, 2007 at 2:01 pm
John says:
Here Here! Right on the head Joe!
I think he should never play again. If he does the sentence for this, then he will be old and washed up when he gets out. Although quarterbacks do last long (Marino, Favre etc.). I don’t think he’ll be as mobile when he gets out though.
June 12th, 2007 at 2:37 pm