Growing up as a child I was always told by my father to never “tattle tell” ; if I was to see something suspicious, I should mind my business and keep it moving. In other words don’t be labeled the term people use in the streets “snitch.” Being exposed and living in an urban area snitching was something you did not want to do because they eventually lead to consequences. Well I am going to be honest there was times when I had to tell for my own safety. There were also times when knew of something that was not right, but had to speak up and say something. This was not because I was scared, but because it was the right thing to do. We as humans were blessed with mouths so that we can speak and be heard whether it be right or wrong.
To explain more the Penn State scandal exemplifies how some people know of things, but choose not to say anything about it to solve the problem. Joe Paterno who holds the most wins for football in the National College Athletic Association is a perfect example of taking the fall for something many people believes he should not be a part of. More than six decades of achievement could not bear the sin of exception in connection to a terrible scandal. So the coaching career ends for Joe Paterno because of former assistant Jerry Sandusky and his monstrous acts. As I write this I will position my opinion whether Penn State Board of Trustees were wrong for firing Paterno, is Jerry Sandusky guilty, and will Paterno’s legacy live on.
Paterno was fired as Penn State head coach; someone who holds a long lived legacy in the world of collegiate football. He is someone who has helped many young men past and present, and someone who has shaped and helped form the Penn State campus during his years of head coach. This sound all good and all but let’s state the obvious. After hearing the sad news about Paterno being fired you have thousands of college students in the streets upset, angry, mixed up in riots, and protesting Paternos name. Let’s look at this picture right here, why aren’t these college students and fans protesting the lives of many young boys who suffered from being badly treated and raped by Jerry Sandusky? It seems like these students are amazed by the achievements and accomplishments Paterno has received over the years. Maybe the students are proud to say they know who holds the most wins in the National Collegiate Athletic Association of all time. Don’t get me wrong, I think Paterno is an excellent coach who has done extraordinary things for the Penn State football program and the game of football however, I feel this was the right decision for the Board of Trustees at the State College to terminate Paterno especially when he claims he wish he could have done more, and was fully aware that his former longtime assistant Sandusky was having sex with a 10 year old boy and others. If you are aware of something as cruel as this why not open your mouth and speak up? We have mouths right, when something like this is happening for so long something should have been said. Period! It bothers me that college students at Penn State praise Paterno for his image as great coach, but look into the deeper side that he never took the time to help victims being abused.
In a recent interview with NBC’s Bob Costas Jerry Sanduski quoted “I am innocent of those charges.” The 67-year-old Sandusky said, “I could say that I have done some of those things. I have horsed around with kids. I have showered after workouts. I have hugged them, and I have touched their legs without intent of sexual contact.” After hearing these words directly come out his mouth I think “what kind of grown man enjoys engaging in activities like this?” I feel bad for all the victims who had to be a part of this, and who knows it maybe more victims out here who are scared to speak up. If I was a victim I would be scared to speak up as well, because you never know who people will tell. Put yourself in a 10 year old shoes being in a shower with an old man. Would you feel comfortable seeing a grown mans private part, or would you feel safe horse playing? These are things we must think about Nevertheless, I think Sanduski is without a doubt guilty.
As you know Paterno has a legacy that will live on forever. He holds the record for the most wins in NCAA history. He also has done many positive things for the school also. Even though I think Paterno being terminated was the right thing to do, before you just look at what he got himself into now don’t avoid his legacy. Think with all the riots and disturbance that went down at State College shows how emotional and hurt the fans are. Yes, Paterno will still be the great coach he was. 13 million dollars was helped raised by him for the campus library. To everything Paterno has done proves and shows a lot of a good man he can be and was.
In conclusion to my position on the Penn State scandal everything I said remains. Like I said before, there are times when “tattle telling” is the right thing to do especially when you have young boys being raped, and sexually abused by an older adult. No child should have to go through this. Far as Paterno goes I am sure this is something he regrets and wish he could have spoken more on and did things in professional way, and for Sandusky I hope that he get what he deserves because I believe there is something really wrong with him. Remember this is just my opinion and what I feel. Leave Comments below if you feel the same or different.
