Saturday, May 8, 2021
Supporting the victims
I have been writing and rewriting this post all week. Seeing the failure in a system you so strongly believed in brings about so much anger and disappointment. I feel ill equipped to articulate my feelings on the many layers in the attitudes towards sexual assault in our culture. The long history of devaluing the experiences of women and excusing the actions of men speaks for itself. In my most optimistic times I have hope that through the courage of those who have survived and are no longer afraid to have their voices heard, we will move forward as a society. In between I see the same lip service and promises that are always made when the underbelly of a corrupt institution is exposed. Accountability is a two sided issue. Moving forward from past mistakes with programs, initiatives, and a promise to protect and support the victims of sexual assault is necessary to create change. However, the other side of accountability in the acknowledgement of past mistakes. Without that, the push for change feels hollow. Many actions by individuals at Vermont were damaging, hurtful, and fundamentally wrong. From those committing the sexual assaults to those who failed to support the victims after the fact, there needs to be accountability. Thus far there has been no accountability or acknowledgement of the damage from past actions. I am not confident that there will be. Conversations about this are far from over and it is my hope that through these difficult conversations, through the bravery of survivors, real societal change will happen.
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I've seen a number of comments on Twitter/Instagram accusing Anthony Lamb of multiple sexual assaults. Personally, I don't know what to make of it. I would like to think that Schulman and the athletic department would hold their athletes accountable, even if the athlete in question was the star player for the basketball team.
ReplyDeleteThat being said, Lamb has brought the program to new heights, generating increased revenue and establishing Vermont as a bona fide mid-major powerhouse. You have to wonder if Schulman is covering Lamb's back, knowing that if he launched a formal investigation, he would forever taint not only his own image, but the image of the men's basketball team and UVM Athletic Department at-large. (Not to mention ruining Vermont's best chance at one of their players making the NBA).
What are your thoughts about these accusations, and, if true, do you think Lamb deserves a spot on the Houston Rockets, and Schulman a spot in the athletic department?
I think we are past the "if true" point and more in the "how widespread" point. As I stated accountability and admission of harm caused is the first step.
DeleteThe local sports shows don't seem to want to touch this story. While I get that due process needs to happen, these shows appear to be doing a disservice to their listeners by not at least acknowledging that something is brewing within UVM athletics. Regardless of who you believe, it sure looks like UVM admin mishandled the
ReplyDeletesexual assault allegations being tossed around.
Agree one hundred percent. The lack of news coverage strikes me as very odd.
DeleteDidn’t renew my season tickets with my buddy. We’ve been going for years. Every single thing about this is sad. My girlfriend asked me if I was going to keep going to the games after she heard about all of the accusations. I told her, of course not. She said, good. This has been a dagger to the heart.
ReplyDelete