We Are... Family

Although there are various aspects of each article and movie that I agree with, the one particular article called Notes from Inside a Burst Bubble: On the ground in State College, PA by David Housely, shared a lot of similar ideas I had about the resent Penn State scandal.  Things like keeping with the Penn State family and continuing to make a change.  Here I will share some of these similar ideas, but in my own words.

While watching, reading, listening and talking to others, there is one thought that I stick to; all the people who were involved or kept quiet about the sexual abuse at Penn State are guilty of letting our school down.

Football is not my life, even if it was, it is most definitely not a reason to ignore something as serious as sexual abuse.  I know, people tell me that I could never understand the situation unless I was in the shoes of someone like JoePa, but I still find it as no excuse. How could one human being ignore the mistreatment of another, especially a child?  Maybe its just me, but all this does not sound right, no matter what excuse any person could come up with.  

Here at Penn State we are known as a family.  From what had happened, it did not seem like one the past couple of weeks. A family is supposed to be supportive and help each other. Isn’t it a responsibility to take care of your family members and protect them from harm too? 

I feel like those in authority, lost what Penn State really is about, not the football but rater the family aspect.  Like the little boy Ben from the Barrelhouse Bubble article he knew Penn State even at a young age.  This is a University where many people grew up, studied, or more importantly a special place they call home… a person does not need to be here a long time to feel apart of Penn State.  Unfortunately in this family, not only did the sports coach and president disappoint us, so did we, the students.  Some were very angry and knew of no other way than to riot.  From that, Penn State grew even more apart. We, the students, had also hurt the family too.

Everyone who talks about the scandal including myself, other students and writers are all confused about who we are as Penn State, and how this University was hurt by the disguising selfishness of one person. It is hard for me too, to understand but I also believe that with the start of the candle lit vigil everyone came together and became what I believe we were, broke from, but now still are, a family. Like Dave had mentioned from the Penn State alma mature, “may no acts of ours bring shame.” Penn State did have leaders we thought we could trust, but instead they brought shame and disappointed to the school. Paterno and our President, Spanier were removed from their positions but from this, I believe Penn State will try its best to not bring shame anymore, and hopefully become a more aware and stronger University.