Saturday, December 01, 2007

Sean Taylor in Black and White

Unfortunately, It came as no surprise when the photos of four African American males were unveiled as the perpetrators of the abhorrent murder of Redskins' safety, Sean Taylor. For more than thirty years, an ugly persistent trend of murder and mayhem has plagued America's inner cities. This voracious predation by ruthless young black males is taking a beleaguering toll on the survivors of these victims. The latest unsuspecting target was Taylor. He was slain when four youths entered his home intending to rob him; but Sean surprised them and shots were fired striking Taylor in the delicate femoral artery. Shortly thereafter, he bled to death. Young black males comprise less than six percent of the population; however they make up forty percent of those in lockup. Consequently, a culture of incessant killing pervades the mean streets of many major urban areas where drugs, prostitution, also murder run rampant. But what causes such blatant disrespect for the value of black human life? According to the Department of Justice, African Americans are most likely to be killed by someone of their own race. Whites, on the other hand, are more likely to commit rape along with other sexual crimes. The disparity results from blacks' historic role as mules for the drug trade. It's no secrete: blacks sell the drugs to whites; yet the justice system targets the sellers, not the users. It isn't fair, but two wrongs don't make it right. Nonetheless during the predawn hours on Monday, it all came full circle for Sean Taylor as the last globule of blood drained from his body. Meanwhile, one of the assailants, 17-year old Eric Rivera, went on his myspace page, and posed in a bed engulfed by crisp hundred dollar bills. Dade County police believe Rivera was the shooter. His attorney said that it hadn't yet dawn on Rivera what he had done, nor the consequences of another youth whose salad days are wasted. Fortunately despite the carnage, dedicated mentors are redirecting some black youth into educational programs which are finally steering some of these young men into college, rather than prison; it will be generations, nevertheless, before black males realize Barak Obama is a true role model, not Fifty Cents.

Today in the National Football League, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will have to win in New Orleans to gain street cred in the NFC; otherwise, the Bucs could find themselves facing a must win situation next Sunday in Houston against the Texans. Tampa has a great secondary capable of matching up with New Orleans' receivers, but the Bucs must pressure New Orleans quarterback, Drew Bledsoe, into mistakes. Tampa Bay has not consistently rushed the passer all year, therefore New Orleans should cover the three points; but if your gut instincts say the Buccaneers will win today, you may be right. Either way you look at it, today's game is a toss up. Very few teams are capable of taking down the Saints in the Super Dome, however if Tampa wins, they could become a team destine for a deep playoff run. In other games, Indy should prevail against Jacksonville, and the Bears should defeat the injury riddled New York Giants.

On Sunday, the National Football League will pay tribute to Sean Taylor's memory by emblazoning his number, 21, on every player's helmet.

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