Rape is wrong. Rape will always be wrong. And Nothing Bill Cosby says or does can change that.
However, everything he built should not come crumbling down with him.
The fact that some people believe it to be their right to use another person for their own sexual gratification without the other person’s consent is disgusting, and rape culture should be condemned by all means.
According to the Department of Justice, incidents of sexual violence have decreased by 60 percent since 1995. This growing consciousness around rape culture is good because it will hopefully lead to a continuing decline in the incidents of sexual violence.
The phrase “growing consciousness” deserves special emphasis. Specifically, the word growing. At one time in this country, an ugly patriarchy ruled and condoned actions that led to the outright immoral treatment of women.
Bill Cosby is the obvious most recent perpetrator.
Accusations of Cosby drugging and raping women numbers reach in the upper 50s.
There are those who claim that rape accusations should not always be taken at face value, as if accusing men of rape is some sort of feminist agenda. These people have no credibility because shaming one’s own sexual behavior is not something anyone would go through unless they are serious about the charges they were speaking out on.
Accusing a male celebrity of rape, especially one with the previously untarnished image of Cosby, is not something these women would have taken lightly, and until any of these claims are proven false, their accusations must be taken as wholly true.
These actions were not viewed in the same way when they occurred as they are. Therefore, while Cosby should be taken to task for his actions, there should be special context given to the way we administer our vilification of Cosby.
Cosby holds a special place in mainstream America and the African-American community.
When “The Cosby Show” aired, it became the first widely praised and accepted fictional depiction of an African-American man, who through education alone, was able to own a piece of the American dream. He and his fictional family lived the life that many in the public believed was only attainable for white American society.
As the show aired, it served as a guidepost for middle-class African-American families and for those who one day aspired to reach the Huxtable family’s level of success.
The Cosby Show was not the only endeavor where Cosby succeeded. He was also able to gain success on the comedy stage without cursing. This was a time when the path to becoming a successful African-American comedian was to take the vulgar route of Richard Pryor.
Throughout Cosby’s career and to the irritation of some in the black community, he has continued to speak on the ways African-American males can improve their lives if they carry themselves in a respectable manner.
The politics of respectability cannot solve all the social ills that face African-American men, but pulling one’s pants up, refraining from dressing and acting in an outlandish manner in public and carrying one’s self with dignity can do no harm.
Cosby’s actions have disturbingly jeopardized all of the good work he did during the height of his success. Cosby’s works never sexually violated anyone, and at a time when African-Americans are in the thick of another period of upheaval, the solid ground founded upon his work should not be disturbed by his disgraceful actions.
Garrett Hines is a 21-year-old political science senior from Monroe, Louisiana. You can reach him on Twitter @garrettH_TDR.