Harry Edwards suggests Michael Vick a victim of society

[Publius]

For those that don't know, Harry Edwards was the guy responsible for orchestrating the "Black Power salute" at the 1968 Olympics. He is Professor Emeritus of sociology at UC Berkeley and has written numerous books and papers on the ties between sports and sociology.

This morning on NBC, I think (may have been CBS), he was talking about the Michael Vick dogfighting case and he suggested two things that are patently ridiculous, imo:

1.) Michael Vick may not have felt he was doing anything wrong legally because the law enforcement regarding this sort of activity is typically restricted to activity by humane societies, not the actual police. Further, even if he felt some twinge of illegality he may have felt that society has made him above the law because of his status as a professional athlete.

2.) Michael Vick may not have felt he was doing anything wrong ethically or morally because of the "shadow culture" of dog fighting surrounding him with people that felt it was okay, and we as a society do not work hard enough to dispel these sorts of shadow cultures.

So basically, he is arguing that Michael Vick didn't do anything wrong REALLY, society did. Society didn't make sure that Vick felt responsible to law enforcement when he does something illegal, society didn't make sure that Vick didn't have access to these "shadow cultures" that support illegal and immoral activities. Michael Vick is a victim of society!

I find his arguments absolutely idiotic, and on that ground alone I question his validity. But given Dr. Edwards' history, I'm also curious if he would come to the defense of Michael Vick if he were a white athlete, or if he is coming to Vick's defense because Vick is a black athlete that is being "subjugated" by society for something society "made" him do.

[Linzyhop]

weak argument.

[Scrum]

I have been hearing things like this on sports radio since the story broke.

It's such a load of crap.

[JaJae]

He needs to have a talk with Bill Cosby.