Truth Is, People Can Change
(as printed in the Philadelphia
Daily News, August 20, 2009)
I WAS born in Baltimore, and the last time I cared about most pro
sports was when the Colts played there.So I
ask indulgence in writing about Michael Vick.
But I do know about people and their capacity to
change. I know that city kids desperately need role models to show
them that change is possible. And that one of the strongest
motivations for change is to be someone your kids are not shamed by.
And I also know that no one is ever going to find a
cruelty gene. Someone who is just plain mean has been treated just
plain mean, often in ways he or she doesn't recognize. That's just
the way things are.
Change can work when you're brave enough not to
excuse cruel behavior, to people as well as animals. Then you make
yourself be different. For those capable of the horrific acts that
Vick was imprisoned for, change isn't going to come easy. You have
to own up to the fact that your behavior has been beyond horrific,
and practice something different until you can feel it in yourself.
With enough practice, change from the inside can happen.
Those who hate that Vick is now one of ours, or just
hate him period, should think about what change for him can mean to
some of our city kids who don't know they can turn their own lives
around. Think, too, of the time and money Vick will be able to
donate to those who can protect all who are helpless and victimized,
not only animals.
I don't bet much, but I've seen hundreds of people
change before my very eyes. So I'm betting on Vick.
SaraKay Smullens
Philadelphia
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