Speaking of US, Adults: "All we needed was for one adult..."

Don't look away, in the spotlight: Please stay with me here, as I continue to reflect with you on the critical importance of all of us adults to all our children's futures, their physical, mental, and financial well-being (see September 14). Their basic feelings of security that allow them to venture out into the world, to take healthy risks, knowing we will continue to step up and say "No" if they are about to get into danger, expose themselves to unnecessary or otherwise unhealthy influences, circumstances, pursuits, etc. US having the courage to say "no" to them as well as others who may put them in harm's way without a significant reason, a reason that may include saving the lives of others. WE certainly wouldn't let others harm them if we knew...which takes US back to a protracted period of time during which many accomplished and aspiring gymnasts were subjected to egregious acts by a team physician who in turn ostensibly operated under the watchful eyes of numerous overseers, which eventuated in this defrocked doctor serving a life sentence (a private cell as well as a private Hell I would imagine), which eventuated in a legion of victimized gymnasts recognized at the 2018 ESPY's with the Arthur Ashe Courage Award...eventuating in yesterday's Senate hearings, putting into the spotlight many notable individuals who have become role models for youngsters as profiles in courage, perseverance, and resilience. Who have been calling all of US out, putting all adults into the spotlight, bringing our attention to...

Acts of Omission - FBI, USAG, DOJ, MSU...MIA (?): The legion of adults the many gymnasts petitioned in an attempt to bring the heinous acts, maltreatment into the light, including at least eleven employees of the University the then physician was tenured, the officials of USAG where he was team physician for 18 years, and...FBI agents who eventually interviewed them as their complaints finally started making the chain of command, at both the University in question, whose president, a woman (!) finally resigned but continued to hold a tenured position, which she finally retired from, after being charged with two felonies and two misdemeanors (i.e., lying to police), charges which were eventually dismissed in 2020. What's still being debated is what she actually knew, as well as whether she deserved what amounted to a golden parachute wrapped in green and white (school colors); full details of her retirement package can be easily accessed via Google or any search engine. What was also in the spotlight in particular, beyond the heinous acts that were committed by Larry Nassar, but the errors of both omission on behalf of many of these gymnasts by the "Special Agents" who finally interviewed them, their failure to pass on their findings to those who could make a difference, as well as acts of commission themselves: "...not only did the FBI not report my abuse, they made entirely false claims about what I said..." testified one gymnast and supported by several others. Volumes of studies on abuse and neglect reveal they can both have equally long lasting effects.

Safety in numbers (?) Several of the young women who ended up victims of this physician testified (including a few I interviewed as part of their recovery) that they themselves felt ashamed when they eventually realized what he had passed off as "normal procedures" were anything but...feeling ashamed they did not trust their own instincts, which may have more readily brought this debacle to light, saved others from having to endure him. But simultaneously they had also put a degree of trust in the legion of gymnasts they had talked with who had preceded them in their 'team physicals': "I figured if that many educated and accomplished gymnasts had not complained, this must be normal..." They also testified that they trusted the many 'watchdogs', ranging from University officials, to USGA coaches and administrators, to the police, to...those who end up investigating some of the most high level federal crimes, those highly trained individuals also licensed to carry, who have sworn an oath, who now find themselves in the crosshairs of an investigation. Some of the individuals in question who also started to question the possible abuse have anonymously disclosed that they figured that, because so many people knew this and it was so compelling, someone else would step up. There are many (in)famous studies in social psychology/group dynamics supporting this unfortunate phenomena, which results in a failure to act in situations where someone is in peril. Fortunately tempered by some other studies and examples where someone does step up even when they have everything to lose, on behalf of someone in need; hard to tell how we are trending as a society, civilization in these acts of humanity...

It doesn't take a...No, it does not take a village, nor a university, nor an entire gymnastics organization. As Aly Raisman reminded us on behalf of the throng of athletes who together received the Arthur Ashe award in 2018, "If just one adult had listened, believed, and acted, then the people standing before you on this stage would have never met him". She was speaking, of course, to many who were not privileged to be in the audience that evening. She was also speaking to each of US, YOU and ME. I have mentioned before here that as part of a daily devotional I reflect on the hope that I will recognize an opportunity to make a difference if it comes my way and further, that I will have the courage to act if/when I recognize such a opportunity. The jury deliberates.