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Spike Lee: boycott of Michael Vick's V7 apparel is racist

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HOLLYWOOD, CA - Well-known film director and racial activist, Spike Lee, has called the boycott of Michael Vick's new clothing line "yet another example of white racism in the United States, where black people aren't allowed to get ahead." In a recent media interview, the award winning filmmaker stated that "white Americans just can't stand to see a successful African-American entrepreneur, so they'll do anything to make sure that Vick's V7 clothing line will be a non-starter."

The anti-Vick activists pushing for the boycott of his new clothing line in social media explain their protest by the fact that "Michael Vick is responsible for the death and torture" of over fifty dogs when he ran a dog-fighting ring at his estate, for which he was arrested and convicted in 2007. "While Mr. Vick apologized and served time in a US prison for his crimes," says one anti-Vick Facebook page, "as compassionate humans, we cannot forget" that he hung, beat, and killed dogs for not meeting his expectations during fights.

According to the activists, the boycott is aimed at reminding people about Michael Vick's "horrific abuse of dogs" and at pointing out the immorality of supporting any product carrying the name or the face of a man capable of such cruelty, and putting money in his pocket. "It is outrageous he wants to continue to profit off criminal cruelty to animals," says an online petition on Change.org, which urges sporting goods stores to pull their stock of Michael Vick's inventory.

The boycott organizers do not disclose their own race, nor mention Mr. Vick's race, and neither do they say that race plays any part in the boycott. This, however, didn't stop Lee from having a strong opinion and making a forceful allegation that "the real reasons here are, of course, white prejudice and racism."

"Michael Vick is another victim of white America's systemic targeting of African-American talent," Spike Lee continued. "This is no different than the racist Academy Awards. The world has many problems right now, but none are as important as the unfair targeting of talented African-American celebrities like Michael Vick."

The Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick has faced heavy criticism in the wake of his 2007 arrest, but Spike Lee's latest characterization of Vick as a victim of racism has created a surge of sympathy among his mostly white fans, college students, and recent graduates with a widespread guilt-induced penchant for discussing white privilege. Almost overnight, following Spike Lee's media interview, online sales of Vick's clothing line have skyrocketed.


 
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