There is a problem in mainstream America when we discuss rape and rape victims. As people, we have to stop supporting alleged rapists. We honestly have to stop. I have spent so much time fuming over sexist posts regarding Bill Cosby and his case. I am tired, so I have decided to detail why we shouldn’t continue to support alleged rapists. I am in no way saying that Bill Cosby raped those women, because I honestly don’t know. What I am saying is that we need to take a second look at a system in which the possible victim of rape is disparaged and cruelly treated by everyone, media included.
On Facebook, I recently saw someone state that Bill Cosby/Dr. Huxtable had raised all of us and that he simply could not believe that Dr. Huxtable could have done this. Is this an actual joke? Dr. Huxtable is NOT Bill Cosby and vice versa. Dr. Huxtable did not in any way, shape, or form, raise any of us. Sure, I loved "The Cosby Show" just as much as anyone. But he did not raise me. I understand that the love for Dr. Huxtable and his family. As a black girl, television shows with well-to-do black families were few and far between, but this does not change the facts. He played a fantastic and caring father who taught us much, but Bill Cosby is not Dr. Huxtable. Plain and simple.
Another person demanded to know why the women took so long to charge Bill Cosby. Are you serious? Do you have any idea how hard it is for a woman to publicly admit to being raped? Do you have any idea how difficult that is? When a woman comes forward and attempts to charge her rapists, she risks being asked what her relationship history is, what she was wearing, and whether she was drinking. She risks being received with suspicion, doubt, and slut shaming. She risks being ridiculed, belittled, and consistently attacked. Why would any woman willingly submit to that?
Rape is an extremely traumatizing experience. It's hard enough trying to wrap your mind around having been so thoroughly violated. Then there's coming to terms with the fact that you may very well know your rapists, even live with them. It must be exceedingly hard for these women to find the courage to speak up, and they are met with utter derision and disrespect.
I can't personally imagine that anyone would lie about something so horrible. Only one of the numerous rape allegations against Cosby is actually being prosecuted, due to the statue of limitations. That means that the other women who have come forward with their stories will receive nothing if he is found guilty. They are literally getting nothing, so it would seem that their only motive for coming forward would be to tell the truth. It only takes one courageous woman to come forward. She tends to give strength and reassurance to others who have been abused, allowing them to come forward as well.
Yet another person on Facebook stated that since Mrs. Cosby is staying by Bill’s side, Bill must be innocent. Right? Incorrect.
Many a guilty man has had a dutiful wife that has stood by his side through scandal and fault. Her standing by his side is in no way an indicator of his being innocent. We have no idea what is going through her mind, maybe she was aware of the alleged rapes or perhaps she was utterly blindsided. Maybe she feels that it is her duty as a wife to stand by his side through thick and thin. Maybe she is simply too tired to do anything else. The point is, we don't know. Assumptions get us nowhere.
The fact of the matter is, we don’t know if he really did rape these women. But why is it that we immediately besmirch them for coming forward? A study by Roger Williams University stated, “Statistical studies indicate false reports make up two percent or less of the reported cases of sexual assault. This figure is approximately the same for other types of crimes. Only one out of 10 rapes are actually reported. Sexual Assault by someone the victim knows are the least likely to be reported.”
The fact of the matter is that Bill Cosby has admitted to obtaining drugs with the intent of drugging women. He has also admitted to giving a number of Benadryl tablets to Andrea Constand, the only alleged rape victim whose case will be pursued, as stated above.
As a society, we need to stand up and denounce rapists and support rape victims. Otherwise, we'll continue in a world in which too many rapists don't face the consequences of their actions, and their victims are treated as pariahs. We need to do something about this, and it starts with understanding the facts about rape.
Bill Cosby may be an idol but he is still a person. He is not infallible. People do bad things and they need to face the consequences. Just because he did great things for our people does that mean he is incapable of horrible acts. You never truly know a person, especially a famous person. You know only what they choose to show you.
