My Reaction to the Firing of Joe Paterno

“Throughout history, it has been the inaction of those who could have acted; the indifference of those who should have known better; the silence of the voice of justice when it mattered most; that has made it possible for evil to triumph.” Haile Selassie

You are not supposed to write things when you are mad. However, I am ignoring that right now. Anger is my reaction to the horrors that allegedly happened at Penn State. I have spent my career working with kids that have been abused. I work with therapists, educators and social workers that help these kids heal from some of the same stories that you are hearing on the news.

Did Coach Paterno deserve to be fired? Yes. Do I feel sorry for him? No. Maybe that will change when more facts come out. However, the INACTION to protect vulnerable children is intolerable.

On a related note, the new budget recommendations by the Governor’s office has recommended the elimination of funding for treatment to sexual assault victims. Most of these victims are children. If you want to do something – contact your local legislators to ask them to keep funding for these essential services. Please join me in my outrage.

There is no positive note in regards to this story – yet there is hope. We at HopeSparks witness every day kids healing from trauma and unspeakable acts.