Post by mahein38 on Nov 16, 2011 22:52:07 GMT -5
“The world is a dangerous place, not because of the people who are evil, but because of the people who don't do anything about it.”
–Albert Einstein
As human beings, and as members of society, it is our duty both to ourselves and to those around us to look out for what is right, no matter the consequence. However, individuals sometimes disregard this duty and choose ignorance over righteousness simply because it is the easier option. The recent sex-scandal at Penn State University illustrates the tragedy that can occur when a group of individuals is complicit in neglecting their responsibilities in favor of their own reputations. As the story has unfolded it has become apparent that individuals who should have known better and should have taken more aggressive steps, willingly and knowingly turned their back on their moral obligation to protect innocent children. The collective, conscious negligence of human rights by the administration at Penn State University illustrates that once a consensus has taken on a tyrannical nature, the protection of individuals as well as the quest for justice becomes secondhand to the preservation of the integrity and reputation of the institution.
In collectively ignoring reports of Coach Jerry Sandusky’s illicit sexual conduct with a number of under-aged children, the administration and officials at Penn State University allowed the tyranny of consensus to prevent decisive and appropriate action against their colleague. Sandusky’s actions on Penn State grounds, first witnessed by Coach Mike McQueary in 2002, were reported to the head coach of the Nitany Lions, Joe Paterno who, in a chain of events, reported it to the athletic director and then the vice president of the University. These men did not confront Sandusky, nor did they get the law involved. Instead, they wrongfully thought that in reporting the account to their superior, they were completing their responsibility towards these children and fulfilling their obligation to report questionable behavior. The administration then decided not to tell the police or take action towards disciplining Coach Sandusky, but instead to keep these allegations under wraps as to not bring negative attention to the university. This refusal by the administration at Penn State to take action against alleged-pedophile Sandusky clearly illustrates the tyrannical and oppressive nature of their consensus. Just as Danforth put the preservation of the witch-courts over the fair carriage of justice for the accused witches in The Crucible, Penn State put the conservation of their reputation as an outstanding football program and university over the needs of these suffering victims, children completely unable to defend themselves. In both of these storylines, the tyrannical consensus of those in power served to suppress the rights of the innocent; both resulting in tragic outcomes.
Perhaps, more tragically, the situation at State may have longer-lasting consequences that reach far beyond the football fields of Happy Valley. The media frenzy, student outrage and the Paterno firing backlash casts a darker shadow over the rights of those who have been or will be abused by others. The long-term collateral damage of the Penn State scandal may be that victims of abuse will choose to remain silent themselves, rather than the face the cruelest of all tyrannies of consensus, that of public opinion.
Word Count: 535
Works Consulted:
Sheinin, Dave. "Joe Paterno Fired as Football Coach at Penn State - The Washington Post." The Washington Post. 9 Nov. 2011. Web. 10 Nov. 2011. <http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/colleges/joe-paterno-will-retire-at-end-of-penn-state-football-season/2011/11/09/gIQAQbkb6M_story.html>.
Wertheim, L. Jon, and David Epstein. "Scandal. Shame. A Search for Answers at Penn State." Sports Illustrated. 16 Nov. 2011. Web. 16 Nov. 2011. <http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/magazine/11/16/penn.st/index.html?eref=sihp>.
–Albert Einstein
As human beings, and as members of society, it is our duty both to ourselves and to those around us to look out for what is right, no matter the consequence. However, individuals sometimes disregard this duty and choose ignorance over righteousness simply because it is the easier option. The recent sex-scandal at Penn State University illustrates the tragedy that can occur when a group of individuals is complicit in neglecting their responsibilities in favor of their own reputations. As the story has unfolded it has become apparent that individuals who should have known better and should have taken more aggressive steps, willingly and knowingly turned their back on their moral obligation to protect innocent children. The collective, conscious negligence of human rights by the administration at Penn State University illustrates that once a consensus has taken on a tyrannical nature, the protection of individuals as well as the quest for justice becomes secondhand to the preservation of the integrity and reputation of the institution.
In collectively ignoring reports of Coach Jerry Sandusky’s illicit sexual conduct with a number of under-aged children, the administration and officials at Penn State University allowed the tyranny of consensus to prevent decisive and appropriate action against their colleague. Sandusky’s actions on Penn State grounds, first witnessed by Coach Mike McQueary in 2002, were reported to the head coach of the Nitany Lions, Joe Paterno who, in a chain of events, reported it to the athletic director and then the vice president of the University. These men did not confront Sandusky, nor did they get the law involved. Instead, they wrongfully thought that in reporting the account to their superior, they were completing their responsibility towards these children and fulfilling their obligation to report questionable behavior. The administration then decided not to tell the police or take action towards disciplining Coach Sandusky, but instead to keep these allegations under wraps as to not bring negative attention to the university. This refusal by the administration at Penn State to take action against alleged-pedophile Sandusky clearly illustrates the tyrannical and oppressive nature of their consensus. Just as Danforth put the preservation of the witch-courts over the fair carriage of justice for the accused witches in The Crucible, Penn State put the conservation of their reputation as an outstanding football program and university over the needs of these suffering victims, children completely unable to defend themselves. In both of these storylines, the tyrannical consensus of those in power served to suppress the rights of the innocent; both resulting in tragic outcomes.
Perhaps, more tragically, the situation at State may have longer-lasting consequences that reach far beyond the football fields of Happy Valley. The media frenzy, student outrage and the Paterno firing backlash casts a darker shadow over the rights of those who have been or will be abused by others. The long-term collateral damage of the Penn State scandal may be that victims of abuse will choose to remain silent themselves, rather than the face the cruelest of all tyrannies of consensus, that of public opinion.
Word Count: 535
Works Consulted:
Sheinin, Dave. "Joe Paterno Fired as Football Coach at Penn State - The Washington Post." The Washington Post. 9 Nov. 2011. Web. 10 Nov. 2011. <http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/colleges/joe-paterno-will-retire-at-end-of-penn-state-football-season/2011/11/09/gIQAQbkb6M_story.html>.
Wertheim, L. Jon, and David Epstein. "Scandal. Shame. A Search for Answers at Penn State." Sports Illustrated. 16 Nov. 2011. Web. 16 Nov. 2011. <http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/magazine/11/16/penn.st/index.html?eref=sihp>.