DryCreek
03-30-2008, 01:03 AM
Very well written!
Just breakin' it down
By Greg Page
Issue date: 3/28/08 Section: Opinion (http://media.www.thebrownandwhite.com/news/2008/03/28/Opinion/)
It's a beautiful day in Bethlehem, Pa. The sun is out, the sky is clear, and on top of everything, I just finished my only Friday class. As I walk down the street to my off-campus home, I spot an unleashed pit bull straight ahead of me. Even though we humans generally cannot distinguish an animal's facial expressions, I can tell he is sporting a scowl.
My body instantly fills up with anxiety. I have heard that once this kind of dog grabs a hold of you, it won't let go. I contemplate turning around so I won't have to put myself in harm's way, but I man up and keep walking.
The pit bull glares in my direction. I try to avoid any eye contact and continue walking. "Woof!" The pit bull lets out a thunderous bark and starts walking toward me.
I am only three houses away from my own, but the closer and closer the pit bull gets, the more and more I speed up. I feel his glare locked in on me, and I hesitantly look up at the massive creature. Now that I am much closer, I can see his tongue hanging out the side of his mouth and his short, stocky tail rapidly moving back and forth.
I think to myself, Option A: Should I make a dash for my front door and elude any encounter with this pit bull? Or, option B: Should I continue along at the pace I am going and give the pit bull the benefit of the doubt, even though they are perceived to be dangerous dogs? I decide to go with option B.
The pit bull comes up to me and starts sniffing my Jordan sneakers. He continues to sniff for a few more seconds, and then he is called back to his yard by his master.
"Sorry about that, buddy," his master says to me. "Champ is a good dog; he won't bite."
After my close encounter with Champ, I began to think about stereotypes. Without giving this dog a chance, I assumed he was violent and aggressive, simply because of his breed. I should've known better.
I've heard the comparison between black males and pit bulls on more than one occasion. Pit bulls are known for their aggressive behavior, recognized as the most athletic dogs, seemingly intimidating and most importantly, misunderstood by society.
Continued HERE (http://media.www.thebrownandwhite.com/media/storage/paper1233/news/2008/03/28/Opinion/Column.We.Wont.Bite-3287488.shtml)
Just breakin' it down
By Greg Page
Issue date: 3/28/08 Section: Opinion (http://media.www.thebrownandwhite.com/news/2008/03/28/Opinion/)
It's a beautiful day in Bethlehem, Pa. The sun is out, the sky is clear, and on top of everything, I just finished my only Friday class. As I walk down the street to my off-campus home, I spot an unleashed pit bull straight ahead of me. Even though we humans generally cannot distinguish an animal's facial expressions, I can tell he is sporting a scowl.
My body instantly fills up with anxiety. I have heard that once this kind of dog grabs a hold of you, it won't let go. I contemplate turning around so I won't have to put myself in harm's way, but I man up and keep walking.
The pit bull glares in my direction. I try to avoid any eye contact and continue walking. "Woof!" The pit bull lets out a thunderous bark and starts walking toward me.
I am only three houses away from my own, but the closer and closer the pit bull gets, the more and more I speed up. I feel his glare locked in on me, and I hesitantly look up at the massive creature. Now that I am much closer, I can see his tongue hanging out the side of his mouth and his short, stocky tail rapidly moving back and forth.
I think to myself, Option A: Should I make a dash for my front door and elude any encounter with this pit bull? Or, option B: Should I continue along at the pace I am going and give the pit bull the benefit of the doubt, even though they are perceived to be dangerous dogs? I decide to go with option B.
The pit bull comes up to me and starts sniffing my Jordan sneakers. He continues to sniff for a few more seconds, and then he is called back to his yard by his master.
"Sorry about that, buddy," his master says to me. "Champ is a good dog; he won't bite."
After my close encounter with Champ, I began to think about stereotypes. Without giving this dog a chance, I assumed he was violent and aggressive, simply because of his breed. I should've known better.
I've heard the comparison between black males and pit bulls on more than one occasion. Pit bulls are known for their aggressive behavior, recognized as the most athletic dogs, seemingly intimidating and most importantly, misunderstood by society.
Continued HERE (http://media.www.thebrownandwhite.com/media/storage/paper1233/news/2008/03/28/Opinion/Column.We.Wont.Bite-3287488.shtml)