A Defining Situation - The mess at Penn State

I didn't post anything yesterday, because every time I sat down to write, the only thing I could think about was the horrific situation at Penn State.  This morning I got up and tried again, but to no avail.  It's still the only topic that pops into my head. So instead of avoiding it I figure I'll just dive right in.

It's unlikely that you haven't heard, but in case you're not up on the story here's a link with all you need to know.  There is also a pretty lively discussion about the aspects and outrage at Morning Joe on MSNBC.  This morning when I sat down to have my coffee, I was glad to see that Penn State finally got something right - they fired Joe Paterno.  But my disgust quickly resurfaced when I read about the protests over the firing.  There are many articles out there, and I feel very much like the person who wrote this one.  Protest all you want, but raise your voices in support of the victims and demand accountability.
The only good thing about the Penn State situation is that hopefully it will encourage an honest, open dialogue about what kind of systems and support need to be in place to protect children.  Maybe it will even result in stronger consequences for institutions and people who choose not to report, for whatever reason.  I don't know...but suffice it to say, when I heard about the situation, sadly, I was not surprised. I will post on this topic a bit later....

I have made numerous child abuse reports.  I've had to because I am a mandated reporter. Children growing up in families where there is addiction are three times more likely to experience abuse and neglect.  I wrote about one report I made in an earlier post.  It is never easy to do and generally uncomfortable, especially if you know the person you have to report on.  It is never something you take lightly.  But the bottom line is this - as a mandated reporter you have a legal, ethical responsibility to report when you have a reasonable suspicion of child abuse.  

Mike McQueary didn't have a reasonable suspicion. He witnessed a sexual assault. He then told his superior about that assault, and so on, up the chain. And nobody did anything. Regardless of whether they followed the letter of the law, how did they look at themselves in the mirror? How did they feel when they watched Jerry Sandusky continue to bring young boys to football games? Did they feel sick to their stomachs?  Did they justify it somehow?  Who knows, but as this sordid story continues to unfold I expect that many more victims will come forward. I also have a lingering feeling that a few more people had a "reasonable suspicion" that something was going on.  A person like Sandusky cannot do what he allegedly did for as long as he did, without some eyebrows going up.  People aren't stupid.  Call it what you want - fear, denial, confusion, whatever the reason there truly is no excuse for this type of inaction.  

Sometimes in life a situation arises that gives you the chance to decide how you will be defined as a person. When that chance comes up, it can present itself in a way that is uncomfortable, difficult and scary - a situation you wish you weren't in and that no matter what the outcome, it will prove to be a rough road.  Often it's when you are in a position to take a stand, to help someone with less power than you, to give someone else protection and a voice.  I'm reminded of this simple quote:

"All that is needed for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing."

In this case the people involved in the Penn State mess had some choices to make. They chose to do nothing. Unfortunately the decisions they made have now defined them as people, regardless of what other good they've done in their life. Adults who had all of the power and advantage in the world decided that their institution and football program were more important than anything else. They decided that the potential damage a scandal could cause to them and their organization was more important than the lives of children. They acted as cowards.  

The Huffington Post this morning lead with an article in the sports section titled : Joe Paterno Fired:  Jerry Sandusky Causes Downfall of Penn State Coach.   I beg to differ. He had all the power and was presented with that one defining situation. The only person Joe Paterno has to blame for his own downfall is himself.