Alright kiddos, strap in because this is something I have really tried to avoid writing about. A majority of people read the headline and rolled their eyes, scrolling annoyed down their Facebook feeds, thinking "ugh, not another opinion about the Plum Sex Scandal, I hate when I have to see other people's opinions" while searching for a pasta recipe on Tasty.
It's as over-talked about as whatever stupid thing Trump says in the news for that week, or whatever opinion your cousin has on the transgenders and bathrooms situation. I get it. No one wants to hear about this anymore. Must be a slow news day, right?
Most recently, a new point in the Plum Sex Scandal was brought to light. A Grand Jury pointed out how basically many, if not all, administrators at the school district I graduated from knew about the sex abuse that was happening and did nothing to stop it. The fact that a JROTC teacher even emailed the school board to warn of this two years before the teachers accused were finally caught and it took two years for anything to be done speaks volumes. Students witnessed it first hand for six years and more. We told our parents, we made jokes, but no one batted an eye.
If you're reading this and not aware of the situation, it's simple. A tale of the instituational violence that goes on and on and on in our country and is happening probably right now in a school district across the US. Two teachers were caught in "inappropriate" relationships with students. Two teachers took advantage of the very people they were supposed to protect, two teachers took advantage of the system, and two very good teachers will now be serving a long time in jail.
Just last weekend, I read an article from a former Plum student. It outlined all the good that Plum does. It talked about the Make-a-Wish Tele-a-Thon. It talked about how students can get college level education. It talked about the star athletes the school has produced (because let's be real, that's really what's important). It talked about all the good things (read: money raised) about my high school and how we should feel unity as Mustangs. And while that writer is completely valid in her feelings and points, I still believe that all those things pale massively in comparison, to what has been brought to light during this scandal.
Plum betrayed the confidence of its students and put their protection at risk for nearly ten years. I don't know why.
And that is why the school district will never be more than anything but trash. I am not proud to be a Mustang.
