There are two groups of our society that, when they are taken advantage of, I really get irate — and that is the elderly and children. So, like many of you, I am outraged by the Penn State scandal. Unless you have been held hostage in a Basketball Wives LA marathon and not following the news, I am talking about former Penn State assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky, who has been charged with sexually abusing several boys during his tenure with the university.
I do not follow sports, but I do follow the media. Sandusky was initially arrested and charged with sexually abusing eight boys over a 15-year span, some on Penn State property. Recently The New York Times reports that at least 10 more additional suspected victims have come forward. It seems Sandusky has been as busy off the field as he has been at coaching folks on the field.
Sandusky denies any allegations of sexual misconduct. "I am innocent of those charges," the 67-year-old Sandusky told Bob Costas in a telephone interview for NBC’s Rock Center on Monday night. "... 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."
Is this man truly delusional? Did he graduate from the Michael Jackson School of Secondary Education? When is it appropriate for a grown man to shower with underage boys?
In that same NBC interview, Costas asked Sandusky if he's a pedophile and Sandusky responded, "No." If you hear the actual interview Sandusky answers “no” only after a very uncomfortable pause.
Something unnerving has been at the back of my mind during this media circus and it was validated recently when I ran across an article written by Dr. Joyce Watkins. In the piece, Watkins says that we have to look at code phrases like “at-risk youth,” or “underprivileged kids.” Watkins believes that this is the media’s attempt at not dealing with race. Which begs the question: How many of these boys were Black?
It would be unimaginable for any child to have to endure such despicable acts, but in a society that has an unspoken hierarchy as it relates to race, class and gender, we have to ask were these factors in how this investigation was handled? We must also acknowledge that these victims, regardless of race, at least come from marginalized communities — communities that do not enjoy the same consideration (or in this case protection) as, say, youth from more privileged communities.
Case in point: If we examine the timeline of Sandusky, we see that his graduate assistant Mike McQueary almost 10 years earlier enters the locker room and witnesses Sandusky sexually abusing a young boy. McQueary later reports this to the head coach and university authorities, but nothing comes from this report. The lack of protection from the institution and authorities on some level cosigns the deplorable behavior of this pedophile and others who knew of these acts. We have to ask, would the outcome be the same if the youth were from a well-to-do family? Would McQueary have just walked away if the boy being molested were from his son’s car pool?
I am not trying to play the race card but at least open a discussion of the disparity of power as it relates to certain communities.
Sandusky with a history of questionable and inappropriate interactions with young boys was allowed to continue his work with the nonprofit organization The Second Mile. This gave Sandusky “American Idol interview”- like access to a continuous stream of vulnerable young boys. Hello? This is like allowing R Kelly to be a celebrity judge for Toddlers and Tiaras. The Second Mile describes its mission as being committed to underprivileged youth in Pennsylvania. Remember Dr. Watkins’ code words?
I have to put this into perspective: Organizations like The Second Mile exist because there are so many absent fathers. Predators who should be keeping children safe are using their institutions and authority to prey upon the weak. How you doing Bishop Eddie Long?
If anything comes of this scandal and others then it could be a wake-up call to a community to step up and take ownership of our youth. Do not get me wrong: I am not blaming the victims — but calling upon the men that are ultimately responsible for them being here.
I am a dog owner and lover. I also remember how vehemently society and key organizations went after Michael Vick for his mistreatment of animals. I also do not condone Vicks actions. However, I do not want to believe that as a society, we rank our emotional investment in our youth based on ideals like race, class and gender or that we would not react as passionately in reaction to a pit bull being abused as we would to say an “at-risk” youth.
But if the historical laissez faire approach to investigating Sandusky is any indication, then the said truth is that I would not treat a dog like some of these young victims have been treated.
I am curious about your take on this scandal. Are the facts clearly black and white?
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