Ed Rybacki talks about the alleged lacrosse incident.
When the process for justice is rushed, a miscarriage of justice often occurs. Such is the case, I believe, that occurred during activities on the athletic field at Haddonfield High School. I am not questioning what was or what wasn’t said. What I question is the process that was followed to punish, not seven, but all members of the lacrosse team because of an alleged racial slur. Weeks later, it still hasn’t been determined what exactly took place on that day, but a decision was made by the superintendent after a HIB investigation was conducted.
What I have found more puzzling or disturbing was the decision made by then-acting superintendent, Dr. David Lindenmuth. In an article that appeared in the May issue of the Haddonfield Living magazine, he wrote, “I was enormously proud of our high school and middle school students who stood in solidarity with students all over the country in calling for change after the tragedy in Parkland, Fla. While we had students attend protests and engage on campus, I was particularly pleased to see that while passionate, our students were respectful of dissenting opinions and viewpoints. In the last sentence of the article, Lindenmuth wrote, “The potential, like the students and faculty here in Haddonfield, is outstanding.” A few weeks later, he punished 40 members of the lacrosse team for an alleged slur that one team may have or may not have said.
With the complexity of the incident, I do question the amount of time that was provided for the investigation. I believe I read where eight days were devoted to determine who may have been responsible. At this very moment, another incident involving some assistant to the girls’ basketball team is still under review in Trenton. This racism charge was made months ago and yet, no outcome has been verified. Because the HIB committee was unable to determine what had happened, thirty-three other team members were denied the opportunity to continue with their season and participate in the Group 2 playoffs. But what if those seven involved were telling the truth? The decision amounted to nothing more than a modern day lynching. Only something like this could happen in this town.
Two months have passed and no one knows exactly what took place that day. Having been a resident here for 50 years, I realize a secret can’t be kept for too long in a small town, but in this case, it has, leading me to believe that possibly a racial slur was never made. There will be those who will agree with the girl. On the other hand, there will be those who side with the boys. Unfortunately, a decision was rendered but more time should have been provided before a decision was announced.
While the so-called investigation was taking place, were the teachers, guidance counselors or coaches asked to comment on the characters of the seven lacrosse members? They, more than anyone else, would have more knowledge of the boys involved. Were any of them involved in determining the outcome? Were the boys’ school records examined?
The superintendent and the members of the board of education were forced into appeasing members of a movement that appears to be surfacing throughout our country, “Social Extortionists” who are all too eager to seek out situations to exploit. One of the individuals leading the attack stated that “A culture of hate is taking place and that he has seen similar complaints taking place for years and that this behavior has been allowed to exist for years.” This individual used the very same method of crying “racism” at another area high school. Well, he did not receive his pound of flesh from that school, but he certainly made up for it at Haddonfield High School.
I feel very fortunate to have spent so much of my life in town and have met many decent people and I have never noticed any hate or prejudice that allegedly exists here according to these extortionists. The school system is very well respected and the teachers have much to do with that success. Finally, because this entire episode occurred during an athletic event and members of a team were involved, the men and women who coach there have been targeted. That is a travesty because this group is made up of not only talented coaches, but also individuals who are good parents.
I do not know any of the members of the board of education but I would guess that they are decent, hard-working people who found themselves in a very difficult position when that incident occurred. At that time, they were dealing with enough issues and did not need to be blindsided. When the decision was made to end the lacrosse season, the members followed the advice of the man they had appointed months earlier. It is a decision they followed and it will be a decision that will follow them for years to come.
