Even if you aren't a football fan, you probably heard the news about Joe Paterno. But, for those living under a rock, I will put you up to speed on who Joe Paterno is. Joe Paterno, 84 years of age, was Penn State's head coach for almost half a century (up until last week), and has the most wins in Division 1 college football (second is Bobby Bowden - FSU's past coach, (around the same age) who retired two seasons ago.
Joe Paterno was fired this past week because he did not report the sighting of former assistant Jerry Sandusky raping a child in a shower. He should have reported what he thought he saw. Maybe he would have kept his job and this disgusting individual would be in jail. But unfortunately, child abuse happens in all communities in all parts of the world, and many do not report such sightings. Fear perhaps?
Since the allegations, Paterno himself has been called a child abuser, and has left Penn State. He now deals with a tarnished reputation along with constant humiliation- and people could care less about his coaching abilities.
Because of the recent Penn State Scandal that has rocked the mindsets of football fans nationwide, multiple advocacy leaders from all over the nation have come out against Paterno, and have voiced their opinions on the subject. Advocates wish that children would be left as children, and not violated or forced to work in child labor or harmful environments. (To learn more about child labor rights, read Shae Garwood's Advocacy Across Borders.)
What has the world come to when children are used as sex slaves, tormented and abused? (Reluctant Bedfellows discusses this issue in finer detail.) And, why aren't adults holding their responsibility to report these sightings to authorities? Both sides seem to need a lesson in social justice and advocacy.
No comments:
Post a Comment