The Penn State Protests: A Blinded Response to Moral Obligation

Strategic Insights -

Thousands of Penn State students took to the streets in protest on November 9, not in response to the accusations of sexual assault against former assistant coach Jerry Sandusky, but in response to the firing of Joe Paterno, the university's head football coach. The protests were an embarrassment to the students, the university, and college students around the country. The students' allegiance to Paterno was understandable, given his status as a champion, statesman, and icon, but their actions displayed a juvenile lack of judgment and utter disregard for the victims and their families.

Key Takeaways:

  • The protests were sparked by the firing of Joe Paterno, not the accusations against Jerry Sandusky.
  • The students who rioted were a small minority of the 44,000 undergraduates at Penn State.
  • The protests displayed a lack of judgment and disregard for the victims and their families.
  • Joe Paterno's actions, or lack thereof, in reporting the sexual abuse allegations against Sandusky were a moral failure, even if he technically fulfilled his legal duty by reporting the incident to athletic director Tim Curley.
  • The firing of Paterno and other university officials was a necessary step, despite being controversial.
  • The protests were not about the victims, but about Paterno's legacy and the football program.
  • The university's response to the situation, including candlelit vigils and silent prayer, was more mature and respectful.
  • The protests were a missed opportunity for the students to show solidarity with the victims and their families.

Statistics:

  • 44,000: The number of undergraduates at Penn State who were not involved in the protests.
  • 23: The number of disturbing pages in the grand jury report detailing the allegations against Sandusky.
  • 2002: The year in which Paterno reported a sexual abuse incident to athletic director Tim Curley.
  • 1: The age of some of the victims who were allegedly abused by Sandusky.

Sources:

  • The article itself.
  • No external sources were cited in the article.