12 | April 19, 2018 | The Lockport Legend sound off lockportlegend.com From the Editor Facing an uncomfortable reality Max Lapthorne max@lockportlegend.com When something makes us feel uncomfortable, it’s a natural reaction to try and avoid talking about or acknowledging it. But, while that might work in the short term, when it comes to an issue such as sexual abuse, shoving our heads in the sand and hoping it goes away for decades has done nothing to help prevent an issue that permeates our country. Like many serious societal issues, sexual abuse can feel like something that only happens to other people. I’m as guilty as anyone of thinking to myself, “Well that would never happen in my community.” And yet here we are for the second time in three weeks with stories inside the pages of The Legend detailing alleged abuse by people in positions of power at local high schools. Our April 5 issue featured the story of Danielle Sarna, a Lockport Township High School graduate who is still searching for justice and accountability after allegedly being groomed and sexually abused by a former LTHS teacher for a number of years. It took more than a decade for Danielle to begin speaking out about the alleged abuse, as is the case in the disturbing story on Page 7 in this week’s issue. Former Providence Catholic High School president Richard J. McGrath left his position at the school in December after a female student allegedly saw “what she believed to be a photo of a nude 13-year-old male” on McGrath’s phone, as previously reported by The Legend. No criminal charges came of that incident, as the phone in question vanished, leaving a lack of evidence. But last week, a lawsuit was filed by a former student alleging that McGrath sexually abused him when he was a student in 1995- 1996. Now 36-year-old Bob Krankvich, the plaintiff in the lawsuit, also alleges that Providence was aware of the abuse and Sound Off Policy Editorials and columns are the opinions of the author. Pieces from 22nd Century Media are the thoughts of the company as a whole. The Lockport Legend encourages readers to write letters to Sound Off. All letters must be signed, and names and hometowns will be published. We also ask that writers include their address and phone number for verification, not publication. Letters should be limited to 400 words. The Lockport Legend reserves the right to edit letters. Letters become property of The Lockport Legend. Letters that are published do not reflect the thoughts and views of The Lockport Legend. Letters can be mailed to: The Lockport Legend, 11516 West 183rd Street, Unit SW Office Condo #3, Orland Park, Illinois, 60467. Fax letters to (708) 326-9179 or e-mail to max@lockportle gend.com. www.lockportlegend.com. covered it up. These stories are sickening to read, and my first reaction is to shy away from reading the details, waiting for the news cycle to churn up something more palatable. But that right there is the problem. We can’t continue to simply read the headlines of these stories and say, “Oh my, what a shame,” and move on. We need to read and understand them thoroughly, so we can learn more about how these types of things happen, and can become more wellequipped to prevent them. As a graduate of Michigan State University, I have read all about the horrific crimes of Larry Nassar, a former doctor who abused hundreds of girls over the course of two decades as an employee at MSU. It’s unthinkable that one of the worst sexual predators in the history of America was abusing children on the same campus where I had so many positive memories. I needed to know how. How could such a monster flourish for so long without someone putting a stop to it? But then I heard Danielle Sarna’s story. And then Bob Krankvich’s story. And the stories of so many other brave men and women speaking out as part of the #MeToo campaign. And suddenly I started to understand. There is no quick fix when it comes to sexual abuse. But the vile nature of these abuses have scared us away from the topic, preventing a national dialogue and hamstringing any opportunity for change. But that change is slowly coming. More and more of these victims are coming forward, and that dialogue has begun. The volume of people sharing their stories of abuse is jarring. Are there really this many people living alongside us who carry this with them every day? On the surface, it’s hard to imagine, but given our societal propensity to disassociate with anyone and anything having to do with these abuses — including victims — it isn’t hard to imagine why it has taken so long for people to feel comfortable speaking up about it. Danielle Sarna, Bob Krankvich, Rachael Denhollander — the first woman to publicly accuse Nassar — and thousands of other people speaking up about sexual abuse are, in my eyes, heroes. It’s impossible for me to know the strength it took for them to share their stories, but I do know the world is a better place for having brave people like them speaking out about an issue that’s so pervasive in this country. What I’ve learned from hearing and reading all these stories is that my ignoring them and hoping they’ll go away because they inconvenience my rosy worldview is part of the problem. We need to listen to the chilling details of these stories. We need to learn how the perpetrators of these crimes get away with it. And we need to do our collective best to make it stop. It’s time for all of us to come together and face this issue head on; we owe the Danielle’s, Bob’s and Rachael’s of the world at least that much. Social snapshot Top Web Stories From LockportLegend.com from Monday, April 16 1. UPDATE: Body of missing man found in river 2. UPDATE: Body found in river after discovery of leg prompts search 3. UPDATED: Lawsuit alleges sex abuse by McGrath, neglect by Providence 4. Police Reports: Man attempted to steal $600 worth of merchandise from Walmart 5. Christian Brothers Automotive searching for Lockport franchisee Become a member: LockportLegend.com/plus “Happy #NationalPetDay to our favorite four-legged workout companions!” Anytime Fitness Lockport (Lockport, IL), from April 11. Like The Lockport Legend: facebook.com/LockportLegend “Spring Signing Day for the Porters! Congrats to our outstanding studentathletes!” @lthsporters AD, Jim Prunty, LTHS Athletic Director, from April 11. Follow The Lockport Legend: @LockportLegend
the LOCKPORT LEGEND | April 19, 2018 | lockportlegend.com Game on Local Cub Scout pack looks to attract new members with game night, Page 18 Sweet tea-ser New Orland Park location of McAlister’s Deli a siren song to college grads in southwest suburbs, Page 21 Artist guild’s exhibition celebrates ‘All Animals Great & Small,’ Page 15 Lockport resident Lynnea McGrath explains the story behind her piece “Gamer Wolf” Saturday, April 14, during The Artist Guild of Lockport’s All Animals Great & Small exhibition held at The Flower of Life Art Gallery in Lockport. Laurie Fanelli/22nd Century Media
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