Monday, December 12, 2011
Fleury's Confession
Hockey star Theo Fleury's story of sexual abuse, drug abuse, and suicide attempt are ridiculously crazy. Not crazy because it doesn't happen, but because you would never expect it to affect a established athlete. It is inspiring to see athletes tell their stories so people like me can relate and feel not so alone. I personally don't understand any of Fleury''s emotions except for feeling helpless. It is the worst feeling in the world and it eats away at you. I for one appreciate celebrities and athletes relating to their fans. To be honest, when the celebrities and athletes demonstrate feelings and incidents that relate to their fans, you just don't seem "weird" anymore. For example, I am always getting in arguments with my sister and when we fight I am usually the one that yells and screams. At the end of the fights, I just feel so bad and feel as if I am too sensitive and begin to over analyze the situation. I then watch Keeping Up With the Kardashians and she their sisterly fights and deem myself normal. ;) Athletes make a difference, in more ways than one. We gain hope, fun, loyalty, and commitment when rooting for our fans. Something athletes should always remember. Fleury openly told his story, giving victims something to hang on too, and not to feel along. Being idolized is a huge responsibility and athletes should always understand that.
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Speaking for Victim One
As we have all heard of the Penn State scandal, the stories have not stopped yet. Allegations against Sandusky are under investigation by a grand jury; however, this story of the first victim is heart breaking. It amazes me that the legendary role in sports can blind someone’s capabilities from right and wrong. Penn State is a football college; Having a record and reputation that all college football fans are aware of. However, is there reputation in the college football league, a golden ticket to scandalous conduct, ignorant behavior, and mishandling of power and position? This scandal seems to tell that story. Victim one went through an ordeal in order to bring this forward and still the controversy lies with the result of the coaches, rather than the effect brought on to the victims. Community members and school officials of Victim One’s neglected all appropriate measures to understand what was really happening. First, my concerns go to the leading psychologist that considered Victim One’s rash change in behavior to be puberty based. I understand that children change when they hit puberty, but a psychologist should have seen the warning signs of other underlining issues. My next concern is the school who neglected to handle this case properly. This is a child’s safety and potentially another student' if proper action is not taken. Lastly, I would like to voice my concern for the victim harassed at school. Being sexual abused is not an easy struggle. No one can relate to this victim and instead of being sympathetic, some are more concerned with their devotion to the love of college football. I love sports but never to put them before the well-being of a person. It hard to believe that someone would. I just want people to place themselves in the shoes of the victim. Now the shoes of the parents of the victim. Now place yourself in the place of Sandusky. In all the scenarios, which person had the most control? Who was hurt the most? Lastly, who was wrong?
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