Reply #37: Debunking dogfighting and "urban" culture

[Brewman_Jax]

I've read of some articles and blog entries (by admitted white writers, of course. :eyes: ) that say that dogfighting is integral or epidemic in urban areas or a big deal in the hip-hop community. Earl Ofari Hutchinson highlights this assertion here at http://www.alternet.org/columnists/story/57682/ You can google at your convenience for others. I don't know where they got that idea, but it doesn't pass the smell or logic tests.

I grew up in a black suburban neighborhood. If the topic ever came up, which was very rarely, dogfighting was always out in the mountains or farm country. Nowhere near the city.

Now for a few facts: Animal sports are the provence of the rich and well-off. Most black people that live in the inner-city (code word for "black and poor") do not have the disposable income for the care and feeding of a large-sized fighting dog. If you thought feeding a teen-ager was expensive, try the care and feeling of a large dog. We won't get into veterinarian bills.

Space is needed. Both for the dog's comfort and for the arena and spectators. That much free space is in short supply in the urban city, and even suburban areas. Add to that, dogfighting is illegal in the USA. Where can an illegal and rather noisy activity involving animals and lots of spectators be held without attracting unwanted attention? Someone's backyard? :silly: The police get called for loud parties all the time; why would this be any different? Add to the mix the secrecy needed to keep a people-intensive illegal activity away from prying eyes and law enforcement. This validates the above statement of stories of dogfights out in the boonies.

Now for the obvious: pet owners love their pets. I don't know of any pet owner, regardless of race, that would allow their pets to come to harm. Doesn't happen.

A survey of hip-hop lyrics shows only one song (Dog Match by Eve /w DMX) that has any reference to dog fighting--and they aren't talking about the 4-legged furry ones.

This is another urban legend perpetrated by white-owned media to show that "those people of color are just as bad". Is dogfighting in the city impossible? No, but highly unlikely, and hardly some sort blacks-only epidemic or habit. The resources required for this is something that the people who live in urban areas, meaning black and poor, just don't have.