KMC Forums - Bill Cosby Rape Allegations

quote: (post)
Originally posted by Digi
These are interesting questions without easy answers. Time's response above deals with how he should be treated from this point on. And, while I'm less dramatic about it, I do think justice should be served for the crimes. But that doesn't deal with how he's remembered. That deals only with what his punishment should be.

The moment of silence for Mandela was a powerful moment for everyone in attendance that night. Cosby being a rapist doesn't remove the power from that moment for me. Nor the first performance I saw, where I laughed so hard I had tears rolling down my face. So I see it as a bit like throwing the baby out with the bath water to forget everything good that he's done. He also did a lot for empowerment of blacks and educational initiatives, despite occasional comments that were controversial even within black communities.

What's the Christian phrase, hate the sin, love the sinner? We are, none of us, one thing. And we are, most of us, mixtures of good and bad (though, I hope, nothing as bad as rape). It seems like the only reason I'd throw out the good entirely was if I was caving to the fear that, in saying that, I might be seen as defending Cosby. Which I'm not, of course, and I agree with whatever punishment is fitting of the crimes. But we're so reactionary, if I were on television and said the exact same words I've typed in this and my last post, I'd probably be destroyed in the media for not being perceived as entirely against him.

So obviously a phrase like "Cosby is a swell person" isn't an appropriate phrase. But you used that line to illustrate a point. My comments above explain my feelings on it somewhat, but it's so emotionally charged, and such a heinous crime, that it's hard to say anything for certain.

Good points. thumb up

And just so it's a little bit clearer (to others reading), I'm not saying he shouldn't face full legal penalties, I'm just speaking on his worth and how he should be judged as a whole. Because if you take rape out of the equation by all means he's a great person. But do you condemn that person for one action or just lower your opinion of him while remember the good times (though not HIS good times obviously).

I think it's a good mental exercise to think about without involving heavy biases in it. I'm not partial to one side or the other but I'm interested in both cases being talked or thought about. It's easy to bury someone but a lot harder to "help" them out of the grave.

On a slightly unrelated note but still on the same topic you have the Chris Brown scenario as well. Where he was judged by one act. Yet he was not thrown completely under the bus like Cosby is. That's not to say it's of the same crimes of course, but it was quite a stark difference in opinion. Which ignoring the severity of the crimes that could play into the age those acts are aimed at.
Cosby is more of an older act geared towards older fans. While Chris Brown is geared towards a younger age who are more active on the interwebs and the media bows to them if you will. So you're going to get a more biased look into that.

While the media also seems more willing to throw stars not in the limelight under the bus as well. You could replace Chris Brown with R. Kelly for that matter because I can't stop thinking of that Boondocks episode.

It makes for an interesting contrast when you contrast differeing cases according to the media and social media. One side is favored more (sin vs the sinner) as you get to current popularity. The sinner takes precedence over the sin the more popular they currently are, but when the limelight dims the sin rises above.

Basically what I'm saying is that you aren't going to see an even handed approach to how people view him as opposed to lesser cases where someone also did something ****ed up. If he ever faces a trial he is going to be buried though.

Though of course rape is the worst among those but it's still pretty weird to see all the admiration for Chris Brown after everyone knew for a fact what he did. Almost championing him right after. Same with R Kelly's waterworks. Not saying the acts are comparable at all of course but it'd be curious if one of those happens down the line when people stop "caring about" stars. Or a story about Bieber raping girls is the hottest news on the block. Then you'd see my theory put to the test I guess.