Sunday Edition: The Bill Cosby Scandal Is No Laughing Matter

The Bill Cosby scandal is no laughing matter and Shakespearean in the sense that the Cosby Show which focused on the Huxtable family, earned the title of “King of the Sitcoms,” held the biggest audience in television across all races, won an Emmy Award for best comedy series and a People’s Choice Award all in its first year in 1984. Bill Cosby was a king and highly revered, but court records of the cases he settled have revealed that he has an incredibly dark, ugly, and criminal side.

“I used them,” Bill Cosby said under oath in his 2005 and 2006 deposition in the lawsuit brought by Andrea Constand, who accused Cosby of drugging her by giving her Quaaludes and then raping her.

A mix between a sleeping pill and a sedative, Cosby used Quaaludes to manipulate the young women he pursued sexually in “the same way a person would say, ‘Have a drink.”

Cosby dealt his ‘Player Card’ well. His modus operandi included asking women about their personal lives and seducing them by taking on the role of a concerned mentor and therapist.

Bill Cosby and Temple University employee, Andrea Constand, settled their case out of court in 2006.

In a society of media and images where sex sells and free porn is available 24/7, the maxim that a man only goes as far as a women lets him, up against rape and sexual assault must be put under a microscope and given greater attention.

The fact that 80% of rapes are not even reported and the fact that it took 35 cases of Bill Cosby victims coming forward before America started to pay attention to these women, proves that we have to keep talking about this so we are active participants in the discussion that it doesn’t happen again.

Sexual assault is one of the most under-reported crimes, with 68% still being left unreported. When someone has been raped it is important to:

• Listen to their account of the rape and/or sexual assault
• Give the victim the benefit of the doubt
• Ensure the victim is engaged with doctors, police and counselors
• Allow the victim time to rebuild their feelings of trust, safety, and self-worth

In the case of the 35 plus cases of sexual allegations against comedian Bill Cosby, the statute of limitations have run out, however, there are many lessons learned for all people.

Watch Outs:

• Don’t eat and drink from strangers.
• Drink Responsibly and know your DRINKIQ.
• Be extremely careful when selecting online dating or hook up sites and understand that all types of people are lurking on these sites for their next victim. Do a Background Investigation and/or source reputable matchmakers like Paul C. Brunson.
• Strike a balance by maintaining confidentiality about your relationship, but be certain at least one confidante, family member or close friend is aware of your love interest and whereabouts
• Don’t take anyone at face value. Know your love interests physical address, employer, email address, phone number, and their Driver’s License Number. Catfish is at an all-time high.
• Know your worth and have the strength to never settle for less.

The Cosby Show taught America valuable lessons in celebrating family stages and accomplishments, breaking stereotypes, understanding feelings, addressing current social problems, neutralizing sibling rivalry, valuing teenage lifestyles, respecting parental authority, and most importantly, accepting responsibility. The chickens have come home to roost.

2015 is the fork in the road.

Bill Cosby took on the role of playing a therapist in order to manipulate and seduce young women into having sex with him and drugging them against their will. Thirty-five sexual assault allegations to date is proof positive that it is Bill Cosby who could use quality time on a therapists couch.

Sexual assault is no laughing matter. Bill Cosby needs to accept personal responsibility for his sexual assault crimes. Forget fade away into the sunset. He has ruined too many lives and done enough damage. Bill Cosby needs to disappear into oblivion.

Reference:

Justice Department, National Crime Victimization Survey: 2008-2012