This crime has be downplayed by not only this player, but also the NFL and the Cowboys. It honestly is disgusting that a person who committed such disgusting crimes is allowed to play. Not only play but according to the Cowboys owner, Jerry Jones is a "team asset". And these organizations continue to support Hardy because he won his appeal because he ultimately paid off his ex-girlfriend through a secret financial settlement. Not only do I have a problem with the fact that Hardy is playing and continuing to make millions of dollars, but he will NEVER admit he was wrong or pay his "dues" to society. The NFL has been known to sweep controversial topics like domestic violence, rape and other issues under the rug while allowing players to continue to be apart of their organization. On the other hand some players have been disciplined and have fought to rejoin the NFL. Take Micheal Vick for example; he served time in jail and constantly gets involved with organizations to correct his past mistakes. Now I still don't like that Vick is back making millions of dollars, but he at least tried to correct his past.
Tuesday, November 10, 2015
Special Treatment for the Unworthy..
As we all know, it's common to hear on the news of all the special treatment that occurs in our country and who is granted those privileges. One key example of this occurrence that we commonly hear about is through the lives of celebrities and athletes. The most recent allowance of this special treatment is the NFL player Greg Hardy. This story has been a topic of discussion recently mostly because of the team Hardy is associated with, the Dallas Cowboys, who is our city's ultimate rival. That reason to me seems very barbaric along with the overall story. Basically Hardy was convicted of multiple charges which include assault and threatening his girlfriend's life. The consequences? Because of Hardy's occupation and the high profile of the case, Hardy was sentenced to a suspension of 60 days and 18 months of probation. These charges were basically a slap on the wrist because of who committed these horrendous crimes.
This crime has be downplayed by not only this player, but also the NFL and the Cowboys. It honestly is disgusting that a person who committed such disgusting crimes is allowed to play. Not only play but according to the Cowboys owner, Jerry Jones is a "team asset". And these organizations continue to support Hardy because he won his appeal because he ultimately paid off his ex-girlfriend through a secret financial settlement. Not only do I have a problem with the fact that Hardy is playing and continuing to make millions of dollars, but he will NEVER admit he was wrong or pay his "dues" to society. The NFL has been known to sweep controversial topics like domestic violence, rape and other issues under the rug while allowing players to continue to be apart of their organization. On the other hand some players have been disciplined and have fought to rejoin the NFL. Take Micheal Vick for example; he served time in jail and constantly gets involved with organizations to correct his past mistakes. Now I still don't like that Vick is back making millions of dollars, but he at least tried to correct his past.
Terry Bradshaw says it best that we don't have any place in the NFL for the Greg Hardy's of the world. We constantly are allowing these issues to become "okay" through the continuation of these controversial players to join these teams and the overall organization. What message are we sending to younger generations who unfortunately are constantly admiring these athletes and celebrities? What message does it send to males about domestic violence? What does it say to women about their worth and what our national organizations think about their treatment? More importantly when is enough actually enough? We should be making improvements as our society advances but it seems like wins and losses are the only thing that matters. The whole ideal of worthiness comes into play and in my personal opinion Greg Hardy is completely unworthy of our compassion. Especially when it is evident he can't show it himself.
This crime has be downplayed by not only this player, but also the NFL and the Cowboys. It honestly is disgusting that a person who committed such disgusting crimes is allowed to play. Not only play but according to the Cowboys owner, Jerry Jones is a "team asset". And these organizations continue to support Hardy because he won his appeal because he ultimately paid off his ex-girlfriend through a secret financial settlement. Not only do I have a problem with the fact that Hardy is playing and continuing to make millions of dollars, but he will NEVER admit he was wrong or pay his "dues" to society. The NFL has been known to sweep controversial topics like domestic violence, rape and other issues under the rug while allowing players to continue to be apart of their organization. On the other hand some players have been disciplined and have fought to rejoin the NFL. Take Micheal Vick for example; he served time in jail and constantly gets involved with organizations to correct his past mistakes. Now I still don't like that Vick is back making millions of dollars, but he at least tried to correct his past.
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Thanks for your thoughts, Jenna..
ReplyDeleteThis seems to be a recurring issue: high profile athletes or celebrities getting away with heinous crimes. Chris Brown, need I say more?
What a horrible example these role models are setting for our children (and adults).. By buying Chris Brown's newest album, by allowing Greg Hardy to continue to play football, by keeping Tim Wolfe in office at the University of Missouri, these institutions are essentially saying "It's alright, your behavior is acceptable"... Why, might you ask? I would argue that it comes down to money and power. With enough cash, one can afford the best legal defense in existence. With enough power, you can force people to continue supporting you.
We are fed messages daily through the media that tell us these issues aren't important, and to stop being so sensitive. Rape, abuse, racism.. who cares?!
Thankfully as social workers we can work to change the narrative and repair the damage. We need all the help we can get.
Continuing your discussion of who and who is not worthy, I wanted to tie it to white privilege and race. For example, those who are rich, or even famous have a way of getting out of trouble with the law. If you’re white, you have an even better chance, and if you are a minority, your chance is slim. Connecting this to white privilege, would white people consider themselves as special? Because you’re someone who is admired, it still is not okay to say something and not be punished. Big organization, or the people (media) need to learn to not give them any pity, because what they say or do is wrong. Instead of just apologizing, they need to correct their past, like what you said. Even though what Michael Vick did was wrong, he tried to make amend. When a white famous celebrity says a racial slur, they can apologize and everything will be okay, but if someone of color says it, the world will bash them. It does not seem appropriate how we are addressing the problem. If we don’t address the problem, they will continue to do what they do, and everyone will think it is okay. Because you’re someone who is admired, it still is not okay to say something and not be punished. Big organization, or the people (media) need to learn to not give them any pity, because what they say or do is wrong. Instead of just apologizing, they need to correct their past, like what you said. Using what you said about Michael Vick, even though what he did was wrong, he tried to make amend. When a white famous celebrity, says a racial slur, they can apologize and everything will be okay, but if someone of color says it, the world will bash them. It does not seem appropriate how we are addressing the problem. If we don’t address the problem, they will continue to do what they do, and everyone will think it is okay.
ReplyDeleteI thought you made an interesting point about athletes who often in this country get away with crimes as if they have a special immunity. I agree with Emily when she says with enough money you seem to have more power and can get away with anything. If seems that America sends the message that if you wealthy or have “extraordinary ability” your more worthy than other human beginnings. Although for some who don’t commit crimes they benefit from this legislation. For example immigration will grant citizen ship quicker to those who qualify as extraordinary which is great. However I still think it is frustrating to say the least that our country has a very elitists mind set. Just because you have more money or more talents does not make you more of a human beginning than someone else. In my opinion this winds up causing a lot of unjust legislation to be made. All humans should have equal faults if they commit a crime. For example, not only do athletes feel as though the rules don’t apply to them. What about the case of Jared Fogal who became famous for losing weight and now feels as though even though he has been associated with child pornography crimes feels as though he should be sentence to a lesser amount of time. Although the courts are not looking to be thinking in his favor. Those who do wind up getting away with crimes like providing others with the feeling that they are entitled to get away with it to. I think it’s disgusting and wrong that Jared even would think that he does not deserve as harsh of a punishment.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-subway-jared-fogle-20151119-story.html
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