Is it right? Is Penn State still Penn State without Joe Paterno? A lot of negative comments were received when a critical article of the celebration of Joe Paterno was published. “Before Lauren Davis finished writing her editorial about Joe Paterno for The Daily Collegian, Penn State’s student-run newspaper, she braced for the response.
“The piece she wrote, an editorial reflecting the opinion of about a dozen editors at the paper, said the university “needed a reality check” after it announced plans to commemorate Paterno at the Penn State-Temple football game Saturday, when it will host a celebration of his first game as coach of the Nittany Lions, 50 years earlier.
“Davis, the opinions editor, wrote that it’s not the right time or the right way to honor Paterno when current students associate him with Jerry Sandusky, a longtime assistant coach who was found to be a serial child molester.” Click here for the full article.
Penn State boosters, like other sports fans, want to relish triumph! Traumatic brain injury, the rape of children by coaches, the perversion of education at the altar of competitive sports? Collateral damage.
Everyone else? Are we bystanders to the abuse of the vulnerable by perpetrators?
We know that abuse is most likely to occur in situations where one person or group is isolated and/or dependent. We know that people get victimized when savvy outsiders cannot witness what is taking place.
So where might abusive situations be happening around us locally? How can, at least, the vulnerable elderly maximize social engagement and avoid isolation?
A group of seniors recently decided that they want to be welcomed outside their CCRC:
http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/these-capitol-hill-senior-citizens-are-on-a-mission-to-find-fun-and-even-empowerment/
If this group of intrepid venturers creates their list of Seattle eating establishments that are elder-friendly, I for one am eager to patronize these establishments. Just imagine enjoying the company of a mix of ages with background music and noise at a soft enough level to encourage conversation! We might even share a pleasant conversation – or, just imagine, a recognition of our common humanity – with each other!
Bravo to those who go forth!