A week ago, I was ready to write a column about allegations of cultural insensitivity and a culture of secrecy that seemed to hang over all things Sandra Pothier.

But then I realized that there is more than one name that gets dragged through the mud when people start pointing fingers and making allegations.

The accusers too must be held to the same light of accountability and transparency of motivation as they would see the accused held. That’s not my take – it’s the law.

So, as journalists, we find ourselves struggling with the question of who to trust – women’s basketball coach Sandra Pothier, or her five accusers: Amanda Redhead, Vanessa Smardenka, Julia Ounphongxay, Josephine Agudo, and Danielle Williams.

Both have made claims of impropriety and deceit on the other’s behalf, but neither has made a case . . . just noise.

Hastening to either attach or distance themselves from either side are various school officials, community players and hangers-on; none of which have proven themselves to be particularly objective or      reliable sources of information.

It’s our job to get the story and tell you what really happened back in August when the five women say Pothier made culturally insensitive remarks in their presence. But that’s tough to do when characters on all sides have gone silent.

I’ve played, coached and officiated competitive sports my whole life. And I can tell you that unresolved conflicts are a cancer both on the field of play and in the management office.

As a community, Ryerson should be outraged at how both the university and the people involved have handled themselves in this   situation. Instead of an application of transparency and accountability for the alleged incident and the effect it has had, we are left to further accusations and suspicious silence from all parties.
 
If Sandra Pothier said something she shouldn’t have said then she needs to apologize for it and do so publicly. And if someone has proof to the contrary, they need to quit hiding  and go public with it.