Had Paterno or McQueary gone further in reporting the rapes and continued molestation, what do you think may have changed? The university, local and county law enforcement agencies worked hard to cover this up for 15 years because no one wanted to blow up the dream of PSU football.
Once again, I’m asking myself what the lesson is for the rest of us. What do you worship? Where do you stay sil…ent? What do you accept because it keeps your life comfortable, even though your comfort (or silence) may be a gesture of violence toward someone else? Where do you betray the values that you think define you?
Penn State football gives a lot of people a sense of power, identity and community. But power has nothing to do with how many games we win, since power comes from living a life of integrity and authenticity. Identity has nothing to do with status or sponsorship, but a deeper awareness of who we are beyond labels, rivalries and accomplishments. A true community knows that we are all here for the same goal, and that is peace, respect and courageous acts of love that change the world.
Well said Ali- although I think most would not understand how to live a life through integrity and authenticity if their value of worth is measured in paw print face paint and pre-game chicken wings. There is a hilarious David Sidaris essay where he reflects on a childhood memory of not wanting to share his Halloween candy. I’m simplifying, of course, but in the end, his mother says “you need to take a look at yourself…I mean a really hard look at yourself” where he then decides, there are more pleasant things to look at, so, no thank you. You do the math. Xo
Thanks Mel- you are right. I can’t assume the authenticity and integrity mean the same thing to everyone but I think the values are worth contemplating…with or without the face paint. xoxo