(I have not seen the movie but intend to this weekend when I can set aside some time)
Is that answer in response to the culture in Steubenville in particular or the general 'boys will be boys' culture that permeates much of American culture? I grew up in Steubenville and - while I don't hold that many fond views of the area - I don't feel that it is particularly segregated or sexist across the board. Though being male, maybe I just didn't see it. (for the record, I went to the tiny catholic school across town and was long gone from town before these particular incidents happened)
I would say that in this particular case it is mostly a matter of hero worship. In a steel-belt town where many people stop education at high school, get a blue collar job, and never leave the area, high school football is held in much higher regard than in the rest of the country. It is an escape and a chance to relive the best years of their lives for many locals. A chance to be the winners again and to boil all life's problems into 'us vs. them'. The school, the colors, the team are treated with reverence and almost deified. People have been beat up for wearing the wrong colors to school on game day. Middle-aged men who have no kids in the school and no connection other than being alumni have had heart attacks during a particularly close game.
So I'm sure it is much better in many minds to turn a blind eye to something even as bad as these events than to be the one that speaks out and maybe gets star players in trouble or ruins the team's chances to make it to state finals. It seems all too similar to the stories you see about college coaches doing bad things but nobody wants to report them as long as they keep winning.
NedRyerson_Insurance21 karma
(I have not seen the movie but intend to this weekend when I can set aside some time)
Is that answer in response to the culture in Steubenville in particular or the general 'boys will be boys' culture that permeates much of American culture? I grew up in Steubenville and - while I don't hold that many fond views of the area - I don't feel that it is particularly segregated or sexist across the board. Though being male, maybe I just didn't see it. (for the record, I went to the tiny catholic school across town and was long gone from town before these particular incidents happened)
I would say that in this particular case it is mostly a matter of hero worship. In a steel-belt town where many people stop education at high school, get a blue collar job, and never leave the area, high school football is held in much higher regard than in the rest of the country. It is an escape and a chance to relive the best years of their lives for many locals. A chance to be the winners again and to boil all life's problems into 'us vs. them'. The school, the colors, the team are treated with reverence and almost deified. People have been beat up for wearing the wrong colors to school on game day. Middle-aged men who have no kids in the school and no connection other than being alumni have had heart attacks during a particularly close game.
So I'm sure it is much better in many minds to turn a blind eye to something even as bad as these events than to be the one that speaks out and maybe gets star players in trouble or ruins the team's chances to make it to state finals. It seems all too similar to the stories you see about college coaches doing bad things but nobody wants to report them as long as they keep winning.
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