It is very difficult to have an emotionless discussion about the allegations surrounding Bill Cosby.
His longtime fans have been crying opportunist at these women for as long as the stories have been popping up. They see an attempt to tar the image of the one completely accepted Black man in America. He is hard-working, respectable, and created non-stereotypical characters for several hugely successful television programs. He pointed out some things about popular urban culture that DID need to be said out loud (although I do have a small issue with the often condescending tone of the remarks), and most that have worked with him have nothing but kind things to say.
Those that have been victims of sexual assault, however, know what it means to be silenced, and want to at least give the victims a chance to be heard. Let's be honest here. The treatment of rape victims, not just in this country, but all over the world, is deplorable. We tell them to speak up when it happens, but not all police department know not to actively discourage them from identifying their accusers, slut-shaming them, especially in cases of incapacitated women, and God forbid the accused be someone in a position of great respect or authority. For the victim, it might as well not have actually happened.
Remember, too, that the crime of rape is almost NEVER about sex. It's about power, humiliation and degradation. Someone uses a position of power that they have over another person to coerce them to commit acts that they would not do under ordinary circumstances. In the case of rape they are sexual acts meant to debase, humiliate or degrade the person in the lessor position for the emotional, psychological or even physical gratification of the perceived authority figure. When drugs are introduced into the act, it is assumed that a lack of consent was not the concern of the person in the position of authority.
These, then, are the unanswered questions when talk of this case comes up. It is clear that Mr. Cosby held, and still holds a position of great respect and authority in the entertainment industry. The question is: Did he abuse the trust and authority he had gained by being a successful actor with a clean image? Presumably, the women were hoping for some career assistance, and we were all aware of the rumors of the Hollywood "casting couch", but barring that: Did he take advantage of his clean image to drug and rape unsuspecting women, knowing that his image was going to allow for him to receive the benefit of the doubt, while his victims were vilified? Those of us that follow Hollywood, know that occasionally, actors will have certain personal "peccadilloes" that the studios would rather the general public not know about, if only to protect their own bottom lines. They will also go to ruthless means to protect the image of publicly beloved personalities, again, mostly to ensure black ink in their ledgers at the end of the day. IF this is the case, then who, above Cosby, facilitated what could possibly be one of the largest cover-ups in the history of Hollywood?
Like a lot of people, I really don't want these allegations to be true. We need all of the positive role models we can get, and it pains me to see someone brought down by false allegations. However, there are three sides to every story: one side, the other side, and the truth, which always tends to lay somewhere in the middle of the two extremes. If there is any shred of truth to these accusations, then Cosby would be setting the best example by admitting to his wrongdoing, on whatever level it was committed. At the very least he would get to control the narrative of what was going on, and actually tell his side of the story. It would also give the women the acknowledgement and closure they obviously seek, while allowing them the vindication of what are in many cases decades of shame and silence. That would be the best possible outcome.
Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. - John 8:32
His longtime fans have been crying opportunist at these women for as long as the stories have been popping up. They see an attempt to tar the image of the one completely accepted Black man in America. He is hard-working, respectable, and created non-stereotypical characters for several hugely successful television programs. He pointed out some things about popular urban culture that DID need to be said out loud (although I do have a small issue with the often condescending tone of the remarks), and most that have worked with him have nothing but kind things to say.
Those that have been victims of sexual assault, however, know what it means to be silenced, and want to at least give the victims a chance to be heard. Let's be honest here. The treatment of rape victims, not just in this country, but all over the world, is deplorable. We tell them to speak up when it happens, but not all police department know not to actively discourage them from identifying their accusers, slut-shaming them, especially in cases of incapacitated women, and God forbid the accused be someone in a position of great respect or authority. For the victim, it might as well not have actually happened.
Remember, too, that the crime of rape is almost NEVER about sex. It's about power, humiliation and degradation. Someone uses a position of power that they have over another person to coerce them to commit acts that they would not do under ordinary circumstances. In the case of rape they are sexual acts meant to debase, humiliate or degrade the person in the lessor position for the emotional, psychological or even physical gratification of the perceived authority figure. When drugs are introduced into the act, it is assumed that a lack of consent was not the concern of the person in the position of authority.
These, then, are the unanswered questions when talk of this case comes up. It is clear that Mr. Cosby held, and still holds a position of great respect and authority in the entertainment industry. The question is: Did he abuse the trust and authority he had gained by being a successful actor with a clean image? Presumably, the women were hoping for some career assistance, and we were all aware of the rumors of the Hollywood "casting couch", but barring that: Did he take advantage of his clean image to drug and rape unsuspecting women, knowing that his image was going to allow for him to receive the benefit of the doubt, while his victims were vilified? Those of us that follow Hollywood, know that occasionally, actors will have certain personal "peccadilloes" that the studios would rather the general public not know about, if only to protect their own bottom lines. They will also go to ruthless means to protect the image of publicly beloved personalities, again, mostly to ensure black ink in their ledgers at the end of the day. IF this is the case, then who, above Cosby, facilitated what could possibly be one of the largest cover-ups in the history of Hollywood?
Like a lot of people, I really don't want these allegations to be true. We need all of the positive role models we can get, and it pains me to see someone brought down by false allegations. However, there are three sides to every story: one side, the other side, and the truth, which always tends to lay somewhere in the middle of the two extremes. If there is any shred of truth to these accusations, then Cosby would be setting the best example by admitting to his wrongdoing, on whatever level it was committed. At the very least he would get to control the narrative of what was going on, and actually tell his side of the story. It would also give the women the acknowledgement and closure they obviously seek, while allowing them the vindication of what are in many cases decades of shame and silence. That would be the best possible outcome.
Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. - John 8:32
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