Domestic Violence
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By -
I am an expert on the topic of domestic violence, I grew up with it. As little children my brothers and sisters and I grew up watching my dad hitting our mother. Despite our cries for help my father would get away with it time and time again. Knowing that she was helpless, the beatings came more often and more severe. I am now 62 years old and not much has changed. I see the same thing happening with our NFL players.
When I read responses by the NFL and other athletes, it makes me sick to my stomach. Was Ray Rice provoked, is it society’s fault? No, it is Ray Rice’s fault, it is that simple. Our athletes have been allowed to get away with bad behavior over and over again because it is more important to win the game. I can tell you first hand the behavior will not get better, it will embolden them to do even more harm. Sweeping bad behavior under the rug begins as early as high school. The high school, college and professional star athletes are allowed to live by their own rules.
Young men look up to our athletes as role models. It is sad that so many young men do not have fathers in their lives and look to athletes to fill that role. Violence against women is no longer reserved for adult women, we see it happening as early as junior high. But why would we be surprised by that disturbing trend when their role models are doing it?
Athletes have a great responsibility when they put on the team jersey whether they like it or not. The NFL has a responsibility to do the right thing, like it or not. The NFL’s current message is that they value the athlete for their athletic ability, not by how they treat other human beings. If I were commissioner, setting policy would be a no brainer. One and done for the season. You volunteer the season at a domestic violence shelter and meet the women and children who suffer from it. I can guarantee your heart will be broken as my heart was when I saw my mother bruised, weeping and feeling helpless. I remember those days as if it were yesterday. The pain follows a child even into adulthood. That is what drives my advocacy in helping women and children who suffer from domestic violence.
Every man should stand up and speak against domestic violence. Real men protect women and children, not hit them. Men show real courage, support your local domestic violence shelters. Flex your wallets, not your muscle. They are in desperate need of funds to keep the shelters open.
State Rep. Rebecca Espinoza Kubacki
District 22
Syracuse, via email[[In-content Ad]]
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I am an expert on the topic of domestic violence, I grew up with it. As little children my brothers and sisters and I grew up watching my dad hitting our mother. Despite our cries for help my father would get away with it time and time again. Knowing that she was helpless, the beatings came more often and more severe. I am now 62 years old and not much has changed. I see the same thing happening with our NFL players.
When I read responses by the NFL and other athletes, it makes me sick to my stomach. Was Ray Rice provoked, is it society’s fault? No, it is Ray Rice’s fault, it is that simple. Our athletes have been allowed to get away with bad behavior over and over again because it is more important to win the game. I can tell you first hand the behavior will not get better, it will embolden them to do even more harm. Sweeping bad behavior under the rug begins as early as high school. The high school, college and professional star athletes are allowed to live by their own rules.
Young men look up to our athletes as role models. It is sad that so many young men do not have fathers in their lives and look to athletes to fill that role. Violence against women is no longer reserved for adult women, we see it happening as early as junior high. But why would we be surprised by that disturbing trend when their role models are doing it?
Athletes have a great responsibility when they put on the team jersey whether they like it or not. The NFL has a responsibility to do the right thing, like it or not. The NFL’s current message is that they value the athlete for their athletic ability, not by how they treat other human beings. If I were commissioner, setting policy would be a no brainer. One and done for the season. You volunteer the season at a domestic violence shelter and meet the women and children who suffer from it. I can guarantee your heart will be broken as my heart was when I saw my mother bruised, weeping and feeling helpless. I remember those days as if it were yesterday. The pain follows a child even into adulthood. That is what drives my advocacy in helping women and children who suffer from domestic violence.
Every man should stand up and speak against domestic violence. Real men protect women and children, not hit them. Men show real courage, support your local domestic violence shelters. Flex your wallets, not your muscle. They are in desperate need of funds to keep the shelters open.
State Rep. Rebecca Espinoza Kubacki
District 22
Syracuse, via email[[In-content Ad]]
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