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My heart is heavy again today. As I think about all the ways the powerful oppress others in this world, in this country, I wonder how any of it will ever change.
When the Jerry Sandusky case hit the mainstream media, I followed it with a focus that bordered on obsession. I witnessed my sister go through sexual abuse as a child. I saw the changes the abuse she suffered at the hands of our father brought in her life. She went from being the straight A spelling bee champ to being a promiscuous stereotypical African American teenage mother. I had personal ties to the Sandusky case because I grew up in the midst of some Sanduskyesque monsters who had power over me.
Despite numerous victims coming forward, years of abuse that had been documented by a few officials who failed to act, and a report from a Penn State psychologist who identified Jerry as pedophile in 1998 after a shower incident with a boy; despite all this, the man is not behind bars. He is on house arrest as he awaits his May trial.
Had this man not been the defensive coordinator for "the most storied" college football program ever, he would have been stopped years ago. Why is it that those in power in these situations are always more concerned what's going to happen to them if they stop the perpetrator? Where is the concern for the powerless victims? How many of these upper echelon men thought about the already socioeconomically disadvantaged boys being abused by this monster? Their reaction was to ban him from bringing boys to Penn State, but they had to know that this reaction didn't solve the problem for anyone other than themselves. This "don't do it around me because I don't want to lose my reputation" attitude they took is complete idiocy. Idiots should not be in charge of anything!
I read all the articles from the major news outlets, and I also read all of the comments, including the ones defending Sandusky. Some people wonder how he can have a fair trial after already being found guilty in the court of public opinion. While I do believe that everyone deserves a fair trial, I'm also aware of the fact that the wheels of justice usually only crush those who are socioeconomically disadvantaged. I do not think media coverage of this case will
result in an unfair trial for Sandusky. He can afford a good lawyer.
Those officials who knew what was happening should admit that they knew enough to stop him, yet did nothing because they were more worried about their own reputations than the physical and emotional well being of a bunch of charity case kids. Those people in power, the 1% that look down their noses at the rest of us, realize that they can basically do whatever they want and get away with it. Their cronies will protect them, or their lawyers will get them acquitted. They don't care about the suffering they allowed to continue just to spare their stupid football program. These people should be in jail, right along with Sandusky... yes even McQueary and Joe Paterno (figuratively speaking since he is no longer living).
I read the entire 23 page grand jury report. The only thing more disturbing than the abuse chronicled by the victims was the absolute mockery of "reporting" these crimes. Everyone who witnessed it either called their boss or talked to a close friend or family member about what to do... Not one of them separated Sandusky from the victim and took a clear stand in the situation, and not one of them called the police.
Sandusky had all the power, and the boys he abused had none. Now that there are so many Americans speaking out against Sandusky and Penn State's actions, the balance of power has shifted. I hope the massive outrage sends a message to those who perpetrate and cover up crimes against others.
When the Jerry Sandusky case hit the mainstream media, I followed it with a focus that bordered on obsession. I witnessed my sister go through sexual abuse as a child. I saw the changes the abuse she suffered at the hands of our father brought in her life. She went from being the straight A spelling bee champ to being a promiscuous stereotypical African American teenage mother. I had personal ties to the Sandusky case because I grew up in the midst of some Sanduskyesque monsters who had power over me.
Despite numerous victims coming forward, years of abuse that had been documented by a few officials who failed to act, and a report from a Penn State psychologist who identified Jerry as pedophile in 1998 after a shower incident with a boy; despite all this, the man is not behind bars. He is on house arrest as he awaits his May trial.
Had this man not been the defensive coordinator for "the most storied" college football program ever, he would have been stopped years ago. Why is it that those in power in these situations are always more concerned what's going to happen to them if they stop the perpetrator? Where is the concern for the powerless victims? How many of these upper echelon men thought about the already socioeconomically disadvantaged boys being abused by this monster? Their reaction was to ban him from bringing boys to Penn State, but they had to know that this reaction didn't solve the problem for anyone other than themselves. This "don't do it around me because I don't want to lose my reputation" attitude they took is complete idiocy. Idiots should not be in charge of anything!
I read all the articles from the major news outlets, and I also read all of the comments, including the ones defending Sandusky. Some people wonder how he can have a fair trial after already being found guilty in the court of public opinion. While I do believe that everyone deserves a fair trial, I'm also aware of the fact that the wheels of justice usually only crush those who are socioeconomically disadvantaged. I do not think media coverage of this case will
result in an unfair trial for Sandusky. He can afford a good lawyer.
Those officials who knew what was happening should admit that they knew enough to stop him, yet did nothing because they were more worried about their own reputations than the physical and emotional well being of a bunch of charity case kids. Those people in power, the 1% that look down their noses at the rest of us, realize that they can basically do whatever they want and get away with it. Their cronies will protect them, or their lawyers will get them acquitted. They don't care about the suffering they allowed to continue just to spare their stupid football program. These people should be in jail, right along with Sandusky... yes even McQueary and Joe Paterno (figuratively speaking since he is no longer living).
I read the entire 23 page grand jury report. The only thing more disturbing than the abuse chronicled by the victims was the absolute mockery of "reporting" these crimes. Everyone who witnessed it either called their boss or talked to a close friend or family member about what to do... Not one of them separated Sandusky from the victim and took a clear stand in the situation, and not one of them called the police.
Sandusky had all the power, and the boys he abused had none. Now that there are so many Americans speaking out against Sandusky and Penn State's actions, the balance of power has shifted. I hope the massive outrage sends a message to those who perpetrate and cover up crimes against others.
