Are Pit Bulls Black?

Pitt Bulls & thier Parallels with Black People

I’ve always been a believer that the breed and personality of a dog can reflect the essence of their owner.  Additionally, dogs don’t just compliment image, they can also be a practical component to your environment or lifestyle. Furthermore my philosophy is a dog can’t eat (in my house) for free. Basically, “do something”: bark, patrol, retrieve a duck, win a race, find somebody, chase cats, rats or detour raccoons and robbers…something.  This is how I see dogs.  Plus where I come from the Bichon Frise wasn’t too popular and the homes in my hood didn’t exude the elegance of Afghans and it's easy to see why.

On that note, I grew up in an exotic part of the western hemisphere that was more heard of than visited. The environment consisted of trees, concrete, broken glass and steel.  To say the least, if you lived in Oakland, versatility in your dog was a plus. And from what I learned and witnessed, the "practical" dog of choice was the ghetto bred Pit Bull…

Now when I say "ghetto bred," I mean just like how my African-American brothas and sistas born here in the United Ghettos of America can have green eyes and/or yellow skin. In similar light, the present day Pit Bull can look like anything ranging in an array of patterns and colors from black to red to faun, to brindle and even blue. Size wise, a pit bull can range in weight from 25-120 lbs and it will still be considered a “Pit Bull.”  Again, like us, the Pit Bull can come in all flavors.

Historically, just like the present day African-American, the Pit Bull did not originate here in the United Ghettos of America. Like us Black folk we share a transatlantic voyage which ultimately landed us here in North America. 

Much like the African slaves, Pit Bulls have been selectively breed for performance and stature. The result of which has marked the Pit Bull as one of the most agile, strongest, and more intelligent dogs in the K9 world.  This ain't about fighting dogs.  No, it's all about survival and adjustment.

Amongst the African-American population, much of the above qualities are  mirrored in the world of sports, science, business and entertainment.  Either that or it's just a coincidence that  African-American excel in Science, Business, Sports and Entertainment.  Let's keep it real--not to belittle the African-American woman contribution or image--the whole world has its' eye on African-American men.  Despite our challenges and failures, the globe waits on edge to see our next move to either witness it or copy.

When we came to this country, we had to overcome many factors rooted in foul stereotypes, hatred, and overall racism.  Since then we have made a word-wide distinct reputation for ourselves as winners, thinkers, and entrepreneurs...and a brotha just won a gold medal in the winter Olympics  HELLO?!?!!!!

The same can be said about Pit Bulls and their image battle with the media.  The history of the breed's origin as fighting dogs doesn't lend to help the  Pit Bull come off as a humane pet.  But contrary to myth, they truly are.

The most notable trait about the Pit Bull breed is their loyalty to their families.  Not only have I had the pleasure to have a Pit Bull as a pet/family member, I've seen them from afar as central family members in other households...

When my son was a newborn, I remember the family Pit was forever restless whenever he cried.  She'd sleep at the foot of my son's bed and if he stirred, the dog would come get our attention and look at us like, "You better do something."   And don't get too loud in a heated conversation because the dog will get in the middle and growl as to say, "I'm sick of this shit.  Shut up!"  Pit Bulls are like wise elders that just want to keep the peace.

Personally, I'm irritated that the media continues to choose to focus on the  horrific episodes related to Pit Bulls and people.  Especially since I know these dogs to be loyal lovers of humans.  And when I think about it, I've never been bitten or chased by a Pit Bull. I can't say the same about Dalmatians and German Shepards (which give me the creeps in the form of Black and White nightmares gushing water hoses at full blast...)

Yes, Pit Bulls are very powerful dogs that--like many dogs--come from a very strong line of dog fighting.  If in the wrong hands, the temperament of these dogs can be manipulated. By no means are these dogs people-haters or people-eaters. Their natural aggressive tendencies are toward other dogs and animals, not people. However if they are properly socialized they will not even be aggressive with them. These are truly quality companions for quality owners only! Unfortunately, the media has honed in on their powerful, physical K9 abilities and the horrible mishaps of careless and ignorant owners causing the general public to place an unfair stigma on Pit Bulls.

(Interestingly enough I've noticed a surge in White Pit Bull owners over the last decade or so.  I kinda relate it to the whole White Black adoption thing)...

Yet and still, the Pit Bull remains as a prevalent loved breed of choice amongst Black families. I'd like to think that there is some relatable trait linked to survival and adaptability that keeps Black people and Pit Bulls in the same company--like kin.

Like Black folk do, we live on (with our dogs) knowing the truth about our place in history and contribution to society. We overcome the barriers that society may place before us. In other words, even though there is a misleading proportion of African-Americans behind bars, we aren’t all bad apples and I can’t say that all or even most of us behind bars are bad apples either. Perhaps much of our incarceration can be attributed to environmental factors; drugs, historical racism, or the lack of  education, unemployment, culture, housing…  Feel me?

For the most part, people who are not familiar with the Pit Bull breed might be quick to call them "monsters" or "killers" much like the stereo-types that have been placed on Black people... But to the owners of Pitt bulls and friends and Family members of Black people, we know better. 

If given a loving environment, like most people and domestic animals, the true nature as intelligent and loyal companions will be revealed. I'm saying, a mere blog can't do justice for a dog who is always happy to see you (I can't even say that about people). In many ways I'm thankful that I was lucky enuff to experience the greatness of Pit Bulls through my mother's companion for the last 10 years.

...Now whether a breed and history of dog can represent a race of people might be pure opinion.  I'm just giving you mine....

Lastly, if Heaven's got a ghetto, I look forward to walking him down streets paved with gold when I get there.

Thanks for blessing us and NEVER letting me down.

Comments

[Supa]

Awww. I won't be too much of a smart-ass, since you just lost BLU. How sad!! Sorry to hear that.

(Your pit-bull case notwithstanding, I have unfortunately witnessed how some irresponsible nuckas raise their pits to attack and fight.)

South Central is PIT hell. They're actually trying to impose a ban on them, in the "interest of public safety."

exotic part of the Western Hemisphere = Oakland

lol

[Dal]

Sorry about your friend BLU!! I had a Pit and my homeowners insurance gave me three options, get rid of Santana, pay an exhorbitant rate, or go else where. I chose to get rid of the dog. I completley agree with everything you are saying here. My Santana earned my respect and admiration one day when another pit which was behind a gate, barked at my oldest daughter too heavily. Santana was but a puppy and broke through a glass door to face off with the other dog.

We grabbed him and when we did he came and sat at our feet.

I miss my dog.

Good post OTV!!!

[ThatGirlTam]

Aww...sorry to hear about your loss. I've never owned a pit...I've always had shephards and one WORTHLESS $500 cocker spaniel. Now I have 3 boys...who needs more animals in the house?

My cousin had a pit...her name was Cinnamon...and prior to meeting Cinnamon, I probably wouldn't have EVER come near a pit. She was VERY friendly and extremely passive - unlike the horrible things I had heard about that breed of dog. It's possible, just as you say...

R.I.P. Blu

[emergingphoenix]

Sorry to hear about your baby. I know it can be hard to lose a pet. I never had a pit bull, but I've always had a pet - dog, cat, etc. I love big dogs, although ironically I am a little woman. My latest fave is the whippet (I know they're not big), and that's before all the drama w/ the dog show missing champion. Can someone tell me why this dog has been on CNN for the past few days?

[satisfiedsistah]

My daughter has a pit/rhodesian mix and she attacks everybody and everything. Actually when I look at lailah I see this crazy south african dog mixed with pit and think its like a bad experiment in genetics gone horribly array.
The clock is ticking on Lailah, they are going to have to put her down, they can't even get her rescued.

[DPM]

Thanks for the love y'all. Please know that I had to be hard about the whole situation. Nonetheless, I appreciate your condolences.

Sup: I'm not down with the ban but I do think folks can be required to neuter them. There are too many pits or let me say, "enuff".

Dal: Sounds like you had a true one. You gotta love a down dog.

SS: Your daughter's dog probably suffers from a combination of apartheid anger and post American slavery syndrome. That's definitely a bad mix.

[satisfiedsistah]

Postscript: There are rescue centers for all breeds of dogs. These rescuers are committed to preventing good dogs from being "Put down". Unfortunately there are breeds of dogs who are unpredictable and should not be family pets. Dog breeders have pretty well detailed the personalities of dogs so we can choose wisely. Now Lailah will have to be put down, killed, because no rescuer will take her. Her genetic predisposition to overprotecting her owners, and being high strung doesn't mix with neighborhoods with kids or even dog parks (and its not the dogs she goes after, its people).
I love animals, but I think people should choose wisely to prevent animals from having to be killed. Pit Bulls and blacks? Well, then we get into genetics and whether or not we can paralell that blacks are genetically predisposed to being aggressive, I don't think so. But I understand the thought....I think pits more or less have been the label or poster pets for thugs and gangsters so therefore the association with all blacks.
My thoughts.....

[Furious Styles]

Interesting! My condolences on Blu.

[DPM]

I wasn't focusing on the agressiveness of the breed. I was mostly was commenting on adaptabitly, potential, stigma and survivial of the breed and how Black folk might be able to relate.

[Cocoa Girl]

Sorry to hear about your dog. I never knew Pits weren't violent animals. I'm always one of those people (I guess wrongly) saying they are aggressive and attackers in the genes.

R.I.P. to Blu. I just adopted a kitty and am already sad for the day she goes.

[Jen]

I'm so sorry about Blu, I dread the day when my 'baby' has to go. It's a shame that we are stuck with some people our whole lives, but dogs, who are one of the best creatures in the world get such a short life span.
I think Pits are just like anything else, a product of their environment. If you raise a Pit to fight and be aggressive, or mistreat them, then they are going to be a shitty dog. Just like a lab, golden retreiver, or dalmation would if you raise them like that. In a proper home, any dog can be good, and in a bad environment, any dog can be bad. Just like people.