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A Hero vs a Monster
14 years ago
Okay, with the onslaught of news reports of the goings on up at State College regarding the pedophile scandal in the football dept, I've been trying to come up with some understanding of where the scales tip between hero and monster.
Some of the bloggers that I read have equated nearly everyone up there as mentally ill with hero worship syndrome, and have pegged the entire football coaching staff as predator-enabling monsters. While I think assessment might be a little wrong, I have been trying to figure out where the line is, and if there really is a line between the two.
Let's juxtapose the players involved here really quickly. Let's say that Galileo who brought us much scientific advancement was found to have preyed upon two young boys. Now, granted, one could state that the era was different, but does this make him a monster in our eyes? Does this nullify any gratitude that we would have for the contributions that he has made? Is there a way that he could still exist as a hero and a monster in our minds?
That is the question that I'm trying to figure out.
Now, in the case of Joe Sandusky, there is little doubt in my mind that this guy was a manipulative monster. This goes way beyond a moment or two of weakness. However, because of the remainder of the staff's lack of action classify them as monsters as well? Are all of their prior achievements and successes null and void?
I've been trying to do a lot of soul searching on this lately, and I can't say for certain either way. How do you all feel about it? I definitely condemn the action, but can I still have them exist as both hero/monster in my mind?
Discuss!
Some of the bloggers that I read have equated nearly everyone up there as mentally ill with hero worship syndrome, and have pegged the entire football coaching staff as predator-enabling monsters. While I think assessment might be a little wrong, I have been trying to figure out where the line is, and if there really is a line between the two.
Let's juxtapose the players involved here really quickly. Let's say that Galileo who brought us much scientific advancement was found to have preyed upon two young boys. Now, granted, one could state that the era was different, but does this make him a monster in our eyes? Does this nullify any gratitude that we would have for the contributions that he has made? Is there a way that he could still exist as a hero and a monster in our minds?
That is the question that I'm trying to figure out.
Now, in the case of Joe Sandusky, there is little doubt in my mind that this guy was a manipulative monster. This goes way beyond a moment or two of weakness. However, because of the remainder of the staff's lack of action classify them as monsters as well? Are all of their prior achievements and successes null and void?
I've been trying to do a lot of soul searching on this lately, and I can't say for certain either way. How do you all feel about it? I definitely condemn the action, but can I still have them exist as both hero/monster in my mind?
Discuss!
