what the phoenix

I’m sure everybody have their opinions on the Penn State scandal by now. I don’t intend to change your beliefs. The only thing I ask is this: Please don’t blame Penn State’s current students and officials for Sandusky’s heinous crimes. Full disclosure: I’m a senior at Penn State. I didn’t have anything to do with the crime or the cover-up, and neither did my fellow students or my professors or Coach O’Brien, etc. I saw one tumblr post saying “Penn State alumni need not apply,” and I’ve heard others call for closing the entire school or taking away all our financial aid.

I don’t want to seem like we’re the victims here. Because we’re not. The young men abused by Sandusky are the true victims here. My heart goes out to them. I’ve donated to RAINN and I’ve even started praying again (it’s been years), asking God to make them whole again.

When we are dealing with such a horrible issue like child rape, emotions will understandably run high. Let’s punish the guilty, and make sure academics and safety are always a college’s first concern. But in our pursuit of justice, let’s not point fingers at innocent bystanders.