Bill Cosby learned..

[JHan]

10. I remember watching Cosby Show reruns and developing an admiration for him.

When I first heard the allegations, the excuse making began. Immediately.

I mean, it was a comedy routine by Hannibal Buress ( pointing out the hypocrisy of Cosby's respectability politics while he preyed on women- the poet hints at this with the "pull your pants up Tyronante" ) that busted the whole thing open. It was an open secret among comedians, ignored and excused away.

As more women came forward, there was a high degree of corroboration between their stories, and with more women came greater denials and excuse making. Cosby defenders cynically compared the deluge of allegations as some sort of victimization. It was offensive to see how a real problem like the racism which created a disparity in the dispensation of justice in America, ended up being applied to a man like Cosby who was shielded by his privileged status in Hollywood for decades.

To claim a predator the likes of Cosby is being victimized is to condone his actions towards those whose lives he destroyed. There are different standards in the way justice is applied in America, but not every male in Hollywood was drugging and raping women. Even if every male in Hollywood did it too, Cosby doesn't get a pass. To support predators at the expense of women hurts all women, regardless of color.

I'm glad he's finally facing the consequences of his heinous actions.