Let us consider the Adrian Peterson child abuse situation. Let us strip way the leaves and the twigs and take a cold hard look at the little mean switch that Adrian Peterson made when he beat his four year old child bloody. There is a word in the Oxford English Dictionary:
sadism, n. Enthusiasm for inflicting pain, suffering, or humiliation on others…
There is more to the definition, but what better explains the perverse abuse of a four-year old inflicted by a 29-year-old man. Let us review. These are the details released by CBS Houston on September 12th. (TMZ provided the pictures, and more details.)
The Adrian Peterson Travesty
‘”The beating allegedly resulted in numerous injuries to the child, including cuts and bruises to the child’s back, buttocks, ankles, legs and scrotum, along with defensive wounds to the child’s hands. Peterson then texted the boy’s mother, saying that one wound in particular would make her “mad at me about his leg. I got kinda good wit the tail end of the switch.”
Peterson also allegedly said via text message to the child’s mother that he “felt bad after the fact when I notice the switch was wrapping around hitting I (sic) thigh” and also acknowledged the injury to the child’s scrotum in a text message, saying, “Got him in nuts once I noticed. But I felt so bad, n I’m all tearing that butt up when needed! I start putting them in timeout. N save the whooping for needed memories!”’
“Needed memories?” These are memories that should never exist in the consciousness or conscience of anyone who has ever experienced, seen, heard, or known of such horrors. Yet, day after day, week after week, month after month, and year after year children experience the sadistic fantasies of maladjusted adults. These experiences are not simply the product of adult visions of domination. They are learned and carried on through sick traditions and rituals. Peterson experienced severe “discipline” from his father as a child.
Peterson is not without his supporters. The legacy, and legitimation, of abuse is echoed in disparate and emphatic voices in black and white. Charles Barkley told Jim Rome:
“…listen, we spank kids in the South. I think the question about whether Adrian Peterson went overboard — Listen, Jim, we all grow up in different environments. Every black parent in my neighborhood in the South would be in trouble or in jail under those circumstances.”
Sean Hannity went on Fox TV to tell the nation that Adrian Peterson just went a little too far:
“I got hit with a strap, bam, bam, bam, and I’ve never been to a shrink, by my father,” Hannity said. “I would tell you I deserved it. I think he went too far, but I don’t want to see this guy get a felony, I don’t want to see this guy lose his job, I don’t want to see this guy – he deserves parenting classes.”
On Tuesday Judge Kelly Case agreed on a plea deal which will allow the Vikings star to avoid a felony child-abuse conviction. Peterson was sentenced to probation, 80 hours of community service and a $4,000 fine. Wow, even Sean Hannity recommended “parenting classes.”
Clearly, people like Adrian Peterson are in dire need of serious, professional counseling. I am sick and tired of hearing the results of polls and opinions that show how acceptable corporal punishment is in America. Let us call it what it is – child abuse. There is never a good reason to raise your hand, or use a weapon, to discipline a child.
The vilification of Adrian Peterson is just as sad and sickening as the generational cycle of child abuse. The point is not to demonize Peterson. Clearly, he was only acting the best way he thought a parent should act. That is the sickness. He freely admitted to authorities what he did – and he never thought he did anything wrong. Now, the NFL, the Texas court system, and the American public have a chance to say that his actions were sociopathic. Instead, Peterson walks out of court – and possibly back into the NFL – feeling like the victim. A judge had the chance to send a message that Peterson needs help. The NFL has the chance to highlight their newfound concern for domestic violence.
Both institutions have already failed. The Texas judge quantified Peterson’s actions to probation, community service, and $4000. Roger Goodell has suspended him for eight games. Minnesota Vikings’ fullback Jerome Felton told USA TODAY Sports. “He’ll definitely have 100% support in the locker room.”
That’s just great. Corporal punishment makes for solid discipline. Everyone takes a beating once in a while. People just don’t understand the child abuse culture. And if you beat your 4-year old kid bloody with a stick you can expect 100% support from your co-workers. Welcome to the United States in 2014 where taxpayers put their money where their mouths are. Childrensbudget.org shows that less than 8 percent of the federal budget is invested in kids. The judicial system leaves the beating of children to the discretion of damaged parents. The NFL’s “gross” yearly revenue is $10 billion. It is a survival of the fittest, and the weakest are left bleeding and screaming in vain.
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Main Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images
