I hope this finally closes a chapter in Gilroy High girls
basketball coach Susan Shapiro’s life that has been both
frustrating and enlightening. Through adversity you see the true
character of a person.
Dear Editor,
I hope this finally closes a chapter in Gilroy High girls basketball coach Susan Shapiro’s life that has been both frustrating and enlightening. Through adversity you see the true character of a person.
Coach Shapiro was firm in her convictions and held her core beliefs, regardless of the outcome. She believes a person is accountable for their actions, responsible for their decisions and should be expected live a life of integrity, honor and respect.
Unfortunately, in today’s culture, many parents don’t believe this. They want to be their kid’s friends rather than their parents. They accept bad behavior rather than correct it, and they often fail to lead by example or set examples that are detrimental to their children. I have immense respect for all of the supporters that stood by Susan through this, many were true friends, but many were just good people who understood this for what it was, just politics.
These types of politics effect sports programs all over this country, from Little League to high school football. Unfortunately, many people embrace politics as a way of forcing equality. They refuse to accept the fact that all are not equal. Unless we teach our children that equality comes with a price, that it is earned not given, we will continue to raise children that are expectant, who are not accountable, not respected, but rather despised by those who have bled for equality.
As for the hate that was expressed by the few, and I emphasize “few” people that participated negatively in their comments in the Dispatch about this situation, their missed the opportunity to be equal in integrity, respect and honor. Their hate towards the coach was not only unjustified, but it was so strong that it overshadowed their opinion, masking any intelligent discussion that they could have had. It diminished the importance of their belief, right or wrong. They hid behind false names and personas. Not once, did any of them make a clear or convincing argument in favor or support of the Foster or Steele families.
The reality is that high school sports, although immensely important to the dedicated athlete seeking a scholarship, or the struggling family trying to make a better life for their kids, it not that important to the school district. It is unfortunate that high school administrators in most areas, Gilroy included, place little importance on competitive sports and even less importance on the coaches dedicated to the program who volunteer their time and money to help others. Unless the coaches are teachers and tenured, they are considered expendable. The school district made a decision to force equality which will ultimately cost the district and the taxpayers more money, as this issue will most likely end in litigation.
Gary Cates, Gilroy
