2008 Woodie Awards
Kentucky Derby winner struggled for too long
By: Breanna Herschelman
Issue date: 2/8/07 Section: Opinion/Editorial
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For eight long months, Barbaro, the 2006 Kentucky Derby winner, underwent multiple surgeries for injuries he sustained during the Preakness Stakes race May 20, 2006. Barbaro was finally freed of his pain Jan. 29 when he was euthanized after surgical complications. His ordeal made headlines for months-and all for the sake of money.
Horseracing is a sport driven by risk taking and gambling. After the injury Barbaro's life was one big risk for both doctors and the people funding his recovery. Millions of dollars traded hands for Barbaro's sake throughout his short life. These millions could have helped save the lives of countless other animals, not to mention humans.
It's disgusting how little attention Americans, particularly the media, give to issues of human rights throughout the world. Most countries have had issues with human rights violators in some form or another¬-Sudan, Chad, Nigeria, Cambodia, El Salvador. Many people do not even know where to locate these countries on a map, much less their long histories with human rights violations. In Nigeria, the government has taken away much of the funding for healthcare and education for its poorest citizens. Thousands of people die everyday, not just from the violence, but from malnutrition as well, which is something others can help fix.
People forget the issues in other countries. However many remember the name Barbaro, or at least know his situation.
As of Feb. 1, over 400 people had left comments on just one editorial praising Barbaro in the New York Times. Barbaro was more than a horse; according to the comments he was an American icon. But why was he so adored by fans throughout the country? Barbaro wasn't necessarily an underdog; he did win the biggest horse race in the country.
USA Today gave Barbaro the front-page story in the Sports section, as well as a full page inside and an editorial. It must have been a slow news day.
No one can say how Barbaro actually felt during his eight months of suffering. Headlines across the country read he endured a brave fight. No one can say how brave Barbaro really was and how much his owners wanted to keep him alive for financial gain. It's not like Barbaro could tell us how he felt.
Horseracing is a sport driven by risk taking and gambling. After the injury Barbaro's life was one big risk for both doctors and the people funding his recovery. Millions of dollars traded hands for Barbaro's sake throughout his short life. These millions could have helped save the lives of countless other animals, not to mention humans.
It's disgusting how little attention Americans, particularly the media, give to issues of human rights throughout the world. Most countries have had issues with human rights violators in some form or another¬-Sudan, Chad, Nigeria, Cambodia, El Salvador. Many people do not even know where to locate these countries on a map, much less their long histories with human rights violations. In Nigeria, the government has taken away much of the funding for healthcare and education for its poorest citizens. Thousands of people die everyday, not just from the violence, but from malnutrition as well, which is something others can help fix.
People forget the issues in other countries. However many remember the name Barbaro, or at least know his situation.
As of Feb. 1, over 400 people had left comments on just one editorial praising Barbaro in the New York Times. Barbaro was more than a horse; according to the comments he was an American icon. But why was he so adored by fans throughout the country? Barbaro wasn't necessarily an underdog; he did win the biggest horse race in the country.
USA Today gave Barbaro the front-page story in the Sports section, as well as a full page inside and an editorial. It must have been a slow news day.
No one can say how Barbaro actually felt during his eight months of suffering. Headlines across the country read he endured a brave fight. No one can say how brave Barbaro really was and how much his owners wanted to keep him alive for financial gain. It's not like Barbaro could tell us how he felt.
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