Some Strong Arguments

Throughout the past couple months or so, I've attempted to take the centrist position in the Michael Vick case when it came to how bias played in both the people's and the media's reactions. I've contended that the amount of fame a celebrity contains will equate to the amount of airplay the story receives via the media, but without conviction, the public's reactions would weigh more heavily in the name of bias.

I read a column the other day in the USA Today by a man who stated how befuddled he was that Vick's sponsors have cut ties with him, because they're (the sponsors) involved in 10 times worse actions throughout the course of the year than Vick was and it's not like they're trying to truly save their image or reputation, because what is that to begin with? The columnist then spoke at length about a bias many people hold against black athletes (celebrities). If the athlete is white, he/she is innocent until proven guilty, but if the athlete is black, he/she is guilty until proven innocent. He brought up an example by comparing cyclist Lance Armstrong to major league slugger Barry Bonds. The media and population in general, have indeed taken Armstrong's side when there were reports he may have taken illegal substances. The media's reports on the matter were scarce and when they did make the air, the reports were brief and largely in Armstrong's favor. It's a completely different scenario for Bonds. He is now the all-time home run king. Over the past couple years, there has been talk about how he took illegal muscle-enhancing drugs in the latter stages of his career. The media reports have been a fairly regular occurrence and much more negative than that of Armstrong's. The public opinion largely reflects that. Many see Armstrong as innocent and many have already concluded that Bonds is guilty and that there should be an astrict next to his name on the home run list.

One complaint I do have with comparing the two is the fact that Armstrong overcame so much to become the Tour de France champion. If he didn't battle brain, lung, and testicular cancer, I doubt the public and/or media would feel such a strong attachment to him and his "innocence." But, why is it that we seem to have these great stories about white athletes and not so much about black ones?

John Daly, a golfer that can't be missed, as he has the physique for a couch potato, has battled alcohol problems off and on throughout his career. What's the public reaction? Many root for the guy. Whenever he is in contention for a weekend, the media will always give him notice.

Quarterback Jeff Garcia, took over the reigns as quarterback of the Philadelphia Eagles last year, after starter Donovan McNabb was sidelined with an injury. Garcia played well enough to keep the Eagles in ball games and they won the majority of the games he started. At the end of the year, McNabb was hounded by the press, many claiming that the Eagles should make the 38-year old Garcia their full-time starter over the 30-year old, Pro, and Super Bowl quarterback Donovan McNabb.

Before this circus of an off-season for Michael Vick, there were some Atlanta fans wanting then back-up Matt Schaub to start over Vick. Schaub, who has never won an NFL start in his career, has only impressed during the pre-season, when he faced opponents' back-ups and rookies.

Many still claim O.J. Simpson is guilty of murder even though the federal court (not civil one) found him not guilty. Some still believe Kobe Bryant to be guilty of rape even though those charges were dropped. Some will go on to believe Bonds cheated, even if he is never found to be guilty. Some will undoubtedly believe Michael Vick to be guilty in the dogfighting arena even if he's found to be not guilty. But, that's not going to be the case for others. If Armstrong is never found guilty, there will be fewer doubters and skeptics on the legitimacy of his titles.

There was even more positive press in regard to the professional wrestler who killed both his wife and his son than some of these other cases. Bill O'Reilly even went as far to blame the wrestler's wife. Even after guilt is certain, there are doubters and there are people scapegoating the wife. But, in the cases of O.J. Simpson, Ray Lewis, Kobe Bryant, Michael Vick, and other African-American athletes, it seems that the media and public seem certain of their guilt before trial even begins.