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I remember it like it was yesterday. At the 2007 BET Hip Hop Awards, David Banner raised an old Atlanta Falcons Michael Vick jersey into the air and screamed, "We still love you, Mike Vick!"

Although the event is foggy, I clearly remember that moment. It was after it was revealed that Michael Vick held a pivotal role in a dogfighting ring. Vick had grown up with his father running dog fighting rings, and it was something that he carried with him into his adult life. The revelation was a dark part of the NFL star's life that practically cost him his entire football career. He lost everything — endorsements and his football deal, among much more — and he went to jail for four years in 2007, with a release in 2010.

Vick was at the top of his game when this unfortunate ordeal happened. At the time, I didn't know anyone that didn't think he was the best quarterback in the league. He was a Black quarterback running the entire NFL, and a role model for so many young people. He was entertaining, breaking records and constantly making new ones. We all knew how great he was, and how great he was going to be.

And then, during those dark days, came the backlash, hatred and death threats from white America and lovers of dogs. I'm not saying what Vick did wasn't wrong, but damn, they came for him with a fervor I've never seen. However, it's a fervor I'm now numb to. How many Black men are castrated and used as examples when they do something wrong?

Again, what Vick did was wrong, I agree with that, but my question is — and a question for so many in the Black community — where is this energy from white America when young Black youth are killed by police? Where is this energy for the massive amounts of garbage in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans? Where is this energy for the priests that are touching young boys? Where is this energy for the systemic oppression of Black and brown bodies in America and across the globe? Where is this energy for Donald Trump and his racially-charged rhetoric that basically placed Latinos in concentration camps? My question to white America is, why do you have such a consistent anger towards Black men that make mistakes? Why this much hatred for a man that has
atoned for his wrongdoings?

At the end of last year, Vick was announced as the NFL Pro Bowl captain, and the hatred and anger has arisen again. 12 years after we found out he was fighting dogs, and after all the philanthropy and the humanitarian work that he has done over the past eight or so years to rectify his wrongs, people still hold a grudge against him. And to what end? For what reason? Do we still have the same type of energy for those such as George Zimmerman, who runs free and has done nothing but victimized himself in his murdering of Trayvon Martin?

Zimmerman sold the gun that he used to kill Martin and is now suing the victim's family for false accusations. But yet, there's silence in the white community for this heinous act — the murdering of a young, innocent Black boy who was just trying to get home. White America won't speak up on that issue, but can attack a man who has changed his life and is trying to do right by the wrong he committed in killing dogs.

Where is the continued anger towards Donald Trump, who put out a $25,000 campaign against five innocent Black and brown boys for a crime they did not commit?

This is addressed mainly to white America, but also to anyone who still has any type of hatred towards Vick. We understand what he did was wrong; he understands what he did was wrong. He has fought to change his image, and also did right by all that he has done wrong. But it's a love for animals and sheer hate that supersedes anything that he is done right.

People grow, people change and they do time for what they did wrong. We must accept the fact that Vick is doing the right thing. He has started foundations and has done a lot of humanitarian work for animals. And it's not a publicity stunt; he's been doing this for years.

Currently, there is a petition going around with over 200,000 signatures to keep Vick from being in the Pro Bowl captain. I am grateful that the NFL is standing strong and keeping his name as the Pro Bowl captain.

To be clear about what I'm really addressing: when it's time to fight for Black issues, white America has been silent for decades. When it's time to fight for Black and brown justice, white America has turned the other cheek. When it is time to seek justice for human lives, white America has said nothing. The silence is deafening and disheartening.

There is a laundry list of other people who deserve the type of hate Vick has received. There are issues today that truly deserve more of white America's time, not a man who atoned for his sins and has fought for almost a decade to change his life.

As I said earlier, we still love you, Michael Vick.

As many of us still fight to remind people that this man is a good soul, those words, "we still love you," mean even more today than when David Banner spoke them years ago. The hate towards Vick is just another example of how when you're Black, no matter who you are, if you do something wrong, the microscope will burn you until the day you die — and even after that.

To those who understand my argument, you know this is an address to some of white America, not all — but it is finally time we start addressing their silence.

Pro Bowl

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