Let your heart speak

Normally I am a huge advocate of writing when your mind is clear but I think that there are so many people whose minds are clouded by ignorance and partial stories that I need to speak my peace here.

Note: I’m trying to write this as unbiased as I can and make sure that you gather all of the facts before you shape your opinion. Education will always be the biggest weapon against ignorance.

First off, before you read this… have a moment of silence for the victims. They’ve been courageous enough to speak out and they are being ignored by people focusing on the wrong things.

If you do not go to Penn State- PLEASE do not lump is in with what is going on right now. The students had no idea this had occurred and it occurred while most of us were in elementary school. Don’t refuse to donate money to a Penn State student because we’re one of 40,000 that attends a prized institution. Don’t not hire a graduate because it says the Pennsylvania State University on their diploma. We had no say or knowledge with regards to this and the entire Penn State community should not be looked down upon or disrespected because of the actions of a few.

For every person that was not in State College/University Park tonight, know that many of us were not in the streets rioting. There were students holding vigils at the Lion Shrine. There were students standing silently at Joe Paterno’s house. There were students guarding the Joe Paterno statue. Please, please, please don’t lump all of us into that group. I for one was not standing in the streets or throwing things off of my balcony.

For those of you that are saying you are embarrassed to be a Penn State student- you shouldn’t be. I’m embarrassed that the people rioting are tarnishing the reputation of my school. I still bleed blue and white and I will always do so- Penn State is more than what is going on right now and please don’t forget that. Remember what it means to be a part of the Penn State Community. The actions of a few don’t ruin what the rest of us have accomplished.

For those of you who did riot and/or destroy parts of downtown. You say that you are doing this to avenge Joe Paterno, but this is the last way he would ever want to be avenged. He was even quoted tonight asking students to go home and study. To honor Paterno is to take time and honor the victims. It’s to take pride in who you are and the University you attend. It’s to still go to the football game on Saturday and cheer on our team because they didn’t do anything and don’t deserve to be punished. It’s to hold your head high during all of this and act in a way that you can be proud of the next day, the next month, the next year, etc.

I would like to stress again that Joe Paterno followed the law according to the Pennsylvania Code. He had to report the incident to his supervisor, where it then becomes the supervisor’s sole responsibility (http://www.pacode.com/secure/data/049/chapter16/subchapGtoc.html). While I wish Joe tried harder to follow up on the situation, I believe that in that moment he made the best decision. If he would have gone to the police, it would have undermined Shultz’s authority. I believe in my gut that he should have been punished for being associated with this, but I think he is being treated as a scapegoat. People thrive on seeing fallen heroes, and now Paterno is falling in those footsteps.

Evidence that Paterno is a scapegoat? Sandusky’s house is not surrounded by media. He was able to run errands with his wife today without being swarmed. His name has been uttered maybe 10 times today. Curley is still a paid employee of the university, with them paying his court bills. Both of these men have been found guilty by a court of law, but the public is letting them slip by. McQueary actually witnessed the event occur, reported the event to his superviser, and then did not follow up. This seems worse to me than Paterno, but McQueary is still being able to work for the University and coach this weekend.

Celebrities, students from other schools, Alumni, and so many more are trying to bring down everyone they can without looking at the facts. I was just told that I’m an “idiot” if I look at the facts, with regards to saying how Paterno followed the law. But the facts are what can lead to justice.

I guess from all of this is just keep your mind and hearts open. Don’t jump to conclusions and act irrationally without knowing everything that goes on. The actions of a few does not change what Penn State and it’s current and past students have accomplished. Act in a way you can be proud of.

For the Glory