Words From The Warden
Stand Up & Be Counted
The last few weeks have presented us with ample evidence that we do not pay attention to some spiritual leadership qualities we are called to follow. Proverbs 31:8-9 says, “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves…”
The head football coach at Canal Winchester High School was terminated after verbally assaulting and physically abusing a boy on the team. Because the young man had no transportation to summer practices, he walked about three miles, crossing U.S. 33 on his way to the high school. When he arrived late one day, the coach forced him to stand on a box, shouted terrible names at him, and did everything he could to humiliate him. This occurred during a team meeting while at least four other coaches were present.
Not one of those coaches intervened. The incident came to the attention of school administrators only after a young female trainer learned about the behavior and obtained video footage.
Shame on the head coach—and on every other adult who was entrusted with leading these young men but failed to speak up. Isaiah 1:17 urges, “Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed.”
Good leaders set expectations, lay out values that are expected and model what they talk about.
Of course the most recent, heinous example of failure to stick up for someone is what occurred at Cornell. The assault that took place could have been prevented if one person said stop it.
In 1983, I was employed as an adult probation officer in Wood County. Occasionally, I accompanied the special investigator for the county prosecuting attorney when he needed an additional set of eyes and ears on a case.
One such investigation took us to a fraternity at Bowling Green State University, where several young men had assaulted a coed. County Prosecutor Betty Montgomery worked closely with the police, the university, and everyone involved.
I did not have children at the time, but I held on to this tragedy as a lesson to share when I eventually had children and a teachable moment arose.
When each of my children reached junior high school, I told them what had happened. We discussed—and, in a sense, practiced—what we could and should do if we ever witnessed something similar.
The lesson I believe all three learned was simple:
We are accountable for our own behavior.
We are responsible for stepping up to help when someone cannot help themselves.
It can seem as though we are living in the only time in history when the powerful crush the most vulnerable. In truth, this behavior has existed since the beginning of time.
We follow the teachings of a man who stood up for the vulnerable and challenged the religious powers of his day. We can follow Jesus’ example by stepping forward when others need our help.
Those in power may want us to be afraid because fear is contagious. But, as Billy Graham observed, “Courage, too, is contagious. When a brave person takes a stand, the spines of others are stiffened.”
Peace,
Henry Zaborniak, Senior Warden