By Rodney Beard
When I was 10 years old my dad bought an album. It was Bill Cosby’s first one, “Bill Cosby Is a Very Funny Fellow.” Mom fried fish that night, and our neighbors came over because back then, Bill Cosby was an event we all shared together.
In 1963, I couldn’t relate, but my parents and the other adults sitting around the big Sears phonograph had a side-splitting good time. The kids mostly enjoyed our parents laughing, but Bill Cosby became a name and brand that we all loved forever. We played that album over and over, until the next one came out. By that time I could relate, and Bill Cosby was the cleanest, classiest, and really funniest fellow in our world, “our” Black man.
Three years later when “I-Spy” came on, we never missed an episode or re-run. Seeing Bill Cosby on television as the first intellectual, cultured, educated Black gentleman of our time gave us tremendous pride. We just loved him in every way. We rejoiced with Bill in every event of his life from getting married, his awards and accolades, all the way to the pinnacle…“The Cosby Show.” He was “our” Black guy.
Now we are faced with awful allegations about an icon of our generation, and “America’s dad,” that none of us could possibly have conceived of. Cosby is the guy that many aspired to be in some way. He was a perfect guy on, and for TV, as Dr. Huxtable with the cutest family anyone has ever seen since.
I have to admit that I wasn’t a fan as it all seemed a bit contrived for my reality based sensibilities at the time. I wasn’t that kind of dad at all, and maybe watching it for me was like pouring salt into my own self-inflicted wounds, and the ones that I had caused. I thought it was too good to be true, but never thought that way about Bill personally…no way!
Now, in 2014 with violence against women being on the forefront of our societal thoughts, we have to think about these allegations that have been made about the guy/character that I thought was too good to be true, shall we?
On second thought, you already know what’s being reported, so let me save some space.
They say that “where there is smoke there’s fire,” and it seems that Bill has about 21 fires generating a lot of smoke. Now, my purpose is not to cast any aspersions whatsoever toward him or the 21 women, but as the title of Bills book says, “Come On People!”
It’s hard to talk about this, but we have a responsibility to engage in this dialogue because of what it means when it comes to violence against women. If any of this is true it’s suggesting an astounding level of brutality, disrespect, egoism, rape, verbal abuse, cover-up, and rampant drug usage by someone that we respect so much.
So, we’d all be so relieved if Bill would just step up and clear this up for all of his fans, including myself and say “I didn’t do that,” then explain. But whatever he did do (say… consensual activities) he may want to “fess up” so he and his wife can work through that, but at least we’d be clear; there was no violence toward any woman.
But, what if he did it? Twenty-one accusations with the same “MO” is quite disturbing and maybe telling. What if he only did it, let’s say…5, 2, or just 1 of those times? Would it be less revolting, repugnant, or disgusting to us? Would we be ok thinking that “Americas Dad” is an egotistical, misogynistic maniac who hurts and objectifies someone’s daughters by rendering them unable to resist rape? I think not.
So, let’s not judge either side of the issue for now, but use Godly wisdom with much prayer for discernment. Sexual abuse of our children and violence against women cannot be tolerated no matter who the power person, perpetrator, or pervert; it’s time to deal with it openly, honestly, critically, and end it.
”Come on Bill and just say it ain’t so! If you are not a serial rapist tell us that.”
But, somehow I think we all know the truth already.
Enough is enough.
Tell me your thoughts.
pastorbeard@comcast.net