How Does America Really Feel About Black Celebrities
Author: Todd A. Smith

It is amazing how quickly America can build up its latest
celebrity. We shower them with praise and adulation as if they
are the second coming of the messiah.

High profile athletes have the ability to bring all colors and
creeds together in unity at any professional sporting event
across the world. For those few hours that we are at a stadium
or arena, we seem to forget about our differences and problems
because of the exploits of some superbly talented athlete.

After earning an excessive amount of money, many Black
superstars have the false notion that have crossed over and are
above the struggles of ordinary African Americans.

In Spike Lee's controversial film Do the Right Thing, bigoted
pizzeria employees implied that icons such as Eddie Murphy and
Michael Jordan were beyond being Black because of their success.
They argued that their prejudice toward African Americans did
not include their Black heroes because they had risen above
regular Black folk.

However, because of the recent Michael Vick dog fighting case,
it is time young Black celebrities realize that their success
and fortune does not put them above racists who hate to see
African Americans doing better than themselves.

I have often said that bigots hate rich and successful Black
people more than they hate Black people in general. For someone
who has heard all their life that they are better than people
with brown skin it is reaffirming to see a Black family
struggling on welfare. However, it is extremely disheartening to
believe that you are superior to people of color and then see a
27-year-old Black male earn over $100 million playing football
and endorsing products.

I am the first person to say that Michael Vick should suffer
the consequences for his crime. There is absolutely no reason a
multi-millionaire should even be involved in something as stupid
as a dog fighting.

However, I am totally against those who say he should be banned
from the NFL for life because of a dog, especially when you have
players like Leonard Little who have killed human beings and are
still playing every Sunday afternoon.

Although I am by no means an animal lover, it would sicken me
to see any living creature tortured for any reasons, but it
sickens me even more that at a time when soldiers are dying
everyday in Iraq and students are killing each other everyday in
American schools that so much emphasis is placed on an animal.

Maybe if we put as much emphasis on loving other human beings
as much as we love our pets we would not find ourselves in the
moral crisis that is present in America.

It is time that African American celebrities realize that
bigots will pretend to love you when all is going well but as
soon as you make a mistake they will become your biggest
critics.

During Barry Bonds' homerun chase, he was the victim of vicious
taunts by unruly fans. However, are those same fans criticizing
St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Rick Ankiel for allegedly
receiving human growth hormone in his attempt to make it back to
the big leagues?

The tragic downfall of Michael Vick should serve as warning
that there is a double standard in American sports. Black
athletes must realize that they are constantly under
surveillance and one mistake or accusation can tarnish their
image if not destroy their entire career.


About The Author: Todd A. Smith is the Publisher of
http://www.regalmag.com, an online magazine dedicated to issues
affecting African American men. The magazine tackles such topics
as social and political issues, health, relationships,
entertainment, sports and business.