You would think that after knowing that a performer has been accused of raping or sexually assaulting 24 women, you might give a second thought to going to see that person perform, even if you weren’t 100 percent certain of his guilt. Some places, however, are showing no qualms about their blind support of Bill Cosby because they’re so sold on images of Cliff Huxtable and memories of Fat Albert that they remain thoroughly convinced that the man can do no wrong.
This isn’t the case with Diane Fletcher, a Murrysville native, who mounted a petition on Change.org to have Heinz Hall cancel Cosby’s upcoming performance scheduled on Feb. 21. Fletcher expressed concern over the comedian’s refusal to face the allegations against him.
“We’re not saying he’s guilty,” Fletcher told the Post Gazette Jan. 25, “We’re saying that we need to look at this and talk about it, and until these allegations are addressed, he should not be welcome in this city.”
Cosby has been steadfast in his avoidance of the issue, allowing his lawyer, Marty Singer, to speak for him instead. Singer has indicated that he believes that all allegations against Cosby are “past the point of absurdity.” He especially lambasts the newest additions to the parade of accusers.
“It makes no sense that not one of these new women who just came forward for the first time now ever asserted a legal claim back at the time they allege they had been sexually assaulted,” Singer told The Wrap Nov. 26. He doesn’t believe that fear should have prohibited them from coming forward, saying, “Lawsuits are filed against people in the public eye every day. There has never been a shortage of lawyers willing to represent people with claims against rich, powerful men.”
There are several things immediately glaringly wrong with Singer’s statement. First, he doesn’t take into account the shame and guilt that sexual assault victims are faced with when coming forward at all, let alone against someone so well-known, nor does he take into account the differences in the social climate of then versus now (remember, back in the 60s and 70s when many of these alleged assaults took place, divorce was still frowned upon and it was still legal to rape your wife). Also, he doesn’t take into account the fact that we’re not talking about Mike Tyson here.
We’re talking about Cliff Huxtable, all-American dad, hero and pillar of the African American community, the guy we love who made us laugh for decades by telling us wholesome stories about growing up in Philadelphia. To this day, when I think of Bill Cosby, I simply cannot think about going for ice cream without hearing his words in my mind – “ICE cream! We’re gonna eat ICE cream!”
The point is, one does not simply accuse Bill Cosby of something as heinous as premeditated rape without knowing that there will be some manner of backlash for it. Indeed, local comedian Tony “T-Robe” Roberson told the Pittsburgh City Paper Jan. 21 that Cosby’s talent is something that people “need to receive” and though the allegations might be true, “my heart won’t let me believe that.”
In case you missed it, Roberson just said that Cosby’s talent excuses anything he may have done – you’re obligated to “receive” him anyway, just because he’s good at what he does. You’re not supposed to think about it, or consider what it means to you if the allegations are true. Whatever he may have done is irrelevant. You need to have respect for the man, regardless.
Roberson’s statement makes your skin crawl, as does the following reader comment on the City Paper’s website, “Mr. Cosby… has done 40 years of good work past the point of what was said to have happened. Mr. Cosby has redeemed himself many, many times over.
“Past the point of what was said to have happened.” Here is a human being literally telling us, “You know what? He’s a good guy, really! Let him have a rape here and there over the course of a few decades, it’s all good! He’s spending the rest of his time making up for it! Let him have some kind of payment for his good works!” After biting back the vomit that came up when I read this (and the rest of the comments), I couldn’t help but wonder – would the person who wrote it trust Cosby alone with their daughter? I honestly don’t remember the last time I felt as genuinely creeped out and uneasy about setting foot out my door and among these people as I did while reading those comments. It’s absolutely true – celebrities can get away with anything, and do it with the people’s blind-eyed blessings to boot.
Some of Cosby’s shows have been cancelled on this tour, which was booked before the allegations surfaced (or resurfaced, as it was in some cases). Some venues have still allowed his performances to go on purely due to possible penalties for breaking their contracts with him, and others are dealing with protests outside his shows. Melbourne, Fla., however, gave him a standing ovation from a sold out crowd in November. After that show, Cosby told reporters, “I know people are tired of me not saying anything, but a guy doesn’t have to answer to innuendos.”
“Innuendos” are something that come from one or two people, or from many people regarding a single incident. When 24 people come forward about more than 24 incidents, it’s time to man up and talk about it and tell your side of the story instead of turning your back to it and pretending it all just needs to go away. Have some respect, Bill.
Really, that’s all Diane Fletcher wants. And the rest of us too, for that matter.
