Sometimes, you just have to call out hypocrisy when you see it. Although I rarely write anything political, I have to speak out about this topic.
A 7th grade girl, 12 year old Brooke Choi, is a talented football player and has been a part of a football team for three years. She has suddenly been denied a position on the team- the "Crusaders" in Philadelphia. She loves the game, her dad is a coach, and she has even been a contributing member of champion teams in the last three years. So, why would she be denied the ability to play the sport she loves? The answer is this - because she attends a Catholic school, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia believes there could be "inappropriate touching." Really? Through pads and helmets? While the game is going on? While running, passing, and tackling?
I am stunned. If you have viewed the shocking and disgusting Pennsylvania Attorney General's report on the rampant decades-long sexual abuse perpetrated by priests, this statement is nothing short of hypocritical. I am a Pennsylvania resident, and when this report was released on August 14, 2018, parts of it read like an X-rated novel, except that the lewd acts were being committed against children. Perusing this report made my stomach turn and my heart ache, so I stopped reading. The Catholic Church overlooked decades of abuse, and now, they want to deny a girl the ability to participate in the sport she loves. By the way, it isn't just this girl - the Archdiocese will not allow any girls to play on the football team. Have they never heard of Title IX? I hope their federal funds disappear.
I urge you to take a look at the article about this controversy. Shame on these hypocrites for thinking football is about "inappropriate touching" instead of camaraderie, working toward a goal bigger than oneself, acquiring new skills, sharing group experiences, learning self-reliance and accountability, and understanding the value of becoming part of a team. I coached for 33 years, the the lessons kids learn from being on a sports team are used throughout their entire lives. This girl loves football, and if she is talented enough to make the cut, she should be able to participate in the sport of her choice.
Here is link to the article. https://sports.yahoo.com/archdiocese-philadelphia-denies-talented-girl-spot-cyo-football-fear-inappropriate-touching-202339166.html
As always, I welcome your comments and suggestions.
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Please invite Grady Gets Glasses (and me) into your school. if you are not in the Pittsburgh area, we do virtual field trips with a group called Field Trip Zoom. www.Fieldtripzoom.com GRADY GETS GLASSES was the winner of Best New Children's Book 2016 from The Authors' Zone. For more information about The Authors' Zone, please visit http://www.theauthorszone.com/submissions/
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I LOVE writing. And I love writing children's books- my newest passion. Although it will be a ton of work, I am looking forward to selling my books. Since I was a secondary teacher, I know that I have much to learn about elementary students, and I will have to follow my own advice and be my genuine self. However, I also know that I am passionate about helping kids who have to wear glasses, and that GRADY GETS GLASSES sends a positive message. I am willing to work hard and do all the things that also made me a successful teacher for 37 years. I remain inspired!
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