The questions I'm going to pose are serious and I expect nothing less than mature behavior from the members here, and as this is a VERY sensitive subject, I will not hesitate to take extreme measures against folks that get out of hand in this thread.

Now that that is said:

Can we talk about Mike Vick and the reaction from certain members of the African-American community? This is something that's been on my mind for a while.

For the sake of simplicity, allow me to recap:

In July 07, Mike was indicted for dog fighting and gambling.
He denied culpability for months and Al Sharpton, Whoopi Goldberg, and others defend him.
To paraphrase: Mike's getting a raw deal 'cause he's black

In August 07, a couple of former associates were given plea deals and he changes his mind.
This bears repeating: HE PLEAD GUILTY OF HIS OWN FREE WILL AND ACCORD

Now this should be a done deal, right?

Nope... last week Roddy White flashes a "Free Mike Vick" T-shirt after a touchdown.

So why is it that after Mike admits to what he's done AND IS IN JAIL these nutjobs are still defending him? Does Rev. Al apologize? Not a chance, but then again he didn't apologize when he backed the wrong side in the Duke Lacrosse case or Tawana Brawley.

Now as a white male, I can say that I haven't been subjected to persecution either perceived or actual that I assume is a fact of life in the African-American community.

I can also say that you will never see me defend anyone (or accuse anyone for that matter) based on race. Let me go further out on a limb... most people (white or otherwise) don't either. So is it a fair perception that black people defend their own regardless of guilt or innocence?

Consider this... the overwhelming majority of serial killers are middle-aged white males.
Nobody holds press conferences to defend the BTK, Bundy, Kaczynski, Manson or any of the whackos who happen to be white... other than their defense lawyers and they do it 'cause they are paid to.

So why is it acceptable and accepted that a convicted criminal and his actions are still being defended?

Let me take it to the next logical step...

Imus was fired for racist statements he made on the air (Look... no defense of this idiot either). He's back on now, but still...

Are Sharpton's actions any less racist? And if so, why isn't his livelihood in jeopardy as well?

If we are ever going to get past racism, shouldn't this double standard also be eliminated?

For those of you in the PCApex family who are African-American (or African-Canadian or African-Briton) do you find yourselves siding with a high-profile defendant based on race? If so, why?