If Not Happy, Could You Keep It Classy, Happy Valley?
There’s no need to tread once again here on the facts of the child sex-abuse scandal that has wiped any happiness out of State College, PA. The most delicate of children the victim of a predator. The significant lack of reporting of that activity that brought down a coaching legend, a university president- and the attitudes about what had been one of the nicest college communities in America.
Rick McKee / Augusta Chronicle
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But then there are the Penn State students. Of today. With a chance to make a statement about what tomorrow’s leaders in this college community think about such winking and nodding. What do they do? They show they are upset. While the nation watches.
PHOTO: LA Times
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But what they were upset about was NOT the abuse. Well, unless you consider it to be the “abuse” by the media of their beloved “Joe Pa”. Many of the students focusing on thoughts that somehow the media focused inappropriately on the coaching legend that admitted himself he should have done more when he first learned of the alleged abuse. “This is a tragedy,” the 84-year-old coach told the media Wednesday. “It is one of the great sorrows of my life. With the benefit of hindsight, I wish I had done more.”
But, still he wanted to coach four more games. And if the throng would have had their way, he would have.
Penn State students had the opportunity to communicate the right message. The same opportunity we all do, but without the limelight. This kind of abuse should not be tolerated anytime, anywhere, and any knowledge of it SHOULD be shouted out loud- even from the streets. I’m not talking about the abuse of a coaching legend, either.
There were reports of students that knew what the RIGHT position was- but were afraid to appear on camera or talk to reporters last night.
Finally, one beacon of light. And from the Penn State quarterback, Matt McGloin. On Twitter late Thursday: “This is a tough time But the outrage we are feeling now is nothing compared to what the victims are going through.keep them in our prayers.”
THAT is well said. Stay Classy, Penn State. I know you have it in you.
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