Of Dogs and Class

Blogging twice within 36 hours, whoa! All right, it was triggered by the Micheal Vick mess. To recount would merely be adding to media noise already proceeding apace. Instead, I wish to address what is being unsaid. Part of the discussion going on is the reaction of a significant portion of the black population to this. Said portion feel Vick's treatment is manifestly unfair. Said portion of the population has not too many problems with dog fighting. At this point of the blog, I should state that I find dog fighting to be completely reprehensible. It belongs in the dustbin of history along with bear baiting & gladitorial games.
What is being left unsaid is the issue of class. The class of people who enjoy dog fighting are primarily poor. Because the USA has this weird prism that views minority status & class as virtually the same thing while promulgating the myth of a "classless society," (which partially explains why poor southern whites fought and died in vain during the Civil War to preserve a system that produced their circumstances...and continues in a form to this day where the vast majority of Republican supporters vote contrary to their interests). Througout history, activities such as what Vick was doing has been the province of poor people (cock fighting has a similar demographic profile). Left out of the media noise is the issue of class. Why is that so? Could it be that it could provoke a larger more ranging conversation that the elites whom largely control the nation's mass media do not want out there? Throughout history, proverty has always had a brutalizing effect on the people it afflicts. It is sad that this necessary portion of the Vick discussion is being left to outlets such as this blog.