Bill Cosby and Why I Need All of You To Take Collective Seats

Every time  I think that humans could not stoop any lower or disappoint me any more than they already have, situations like the Bill Cosby rape accusations come to light, and true to form, humans show their true colors.

Right now, we are sitting at 15 women coming forward. Those are just the 15 brave enough to lend their voices to this pursuit of justice, I am sure there are probably more.

Before you call them gold diggers, before you talk about how white they are (like race matters to a rapist), how ugly they are (rolls eyes) or why it took so long, let me remind you that it was a MAN ( I put that in capital letters for those of you, who are a little slow) who brought attention to a matter that has had rumblings for over 30 years. His name is Hannibal Burgess. Google him. In his recent stand-up routine, he made references to Bill Cosby's sexual assault history with women, and from there this spawned a social and mainstream media interest, and this is when most of these women spoke up....do you understand that? It wasn't about Bill Cosby's good name, his money, the time that  had elapsed since the incidents, or his recent television deals, it was a fellow comedian's jokes that contributed to these accusations going from mere rumblings to front page news.

How can something like this happen? It is simple, and I can tell you who's to blame.

Bill Cosby. He is accused of these vile acts, so instead of victim and slut shaming, worrying about his legacy, his good name or his celebrity status, why don't you ask Mr. Cosby about his sordid past? The problem is many individuals can't separate Mr. Cosby from his fictitious television character, Heathcliff Huxtable and the fact that we love to hero worship celebrities.

I blame white males in a positions of power. I am not talking about all white males (pump your brakes). I am talking about white males like the Koch brothers and network executives. Men who make billions each year. They won't champion or support black boys like Trayvon Martin or Michael Brown or seek justice for their deaths, because there is no money in it. But let one of our black males entertain in some way, and they can become more rich as a result of this black male, then all of a sudden, black lives have value. Can you say Kobe Bryant? Can you say R. Kelly? Can you say Michael Jackson? All famous black men accused of infamous crimes against women and/or children but escaped prosecution because they had something that white men in power wanted, an opportunity to use their talents to make these men even more rich. Trust me, if a black man makes millions and appears rich, the white man who owns the very entertainment medium in which he works, is making billions.

I blame a small segment of the black community. The small segment who tries to put blacks who do well and represent the race well, on a pedestal. You know what I am talking about. In the age of reality television, where some of our fellow black citizens, exhibit behavior, which we deem as making the race look bad (like one black person represents an entire race...go sit down!), if there is someone, be it Bill Cosby, Oprah, Tyler Perry, who not only has amassed a fortune, but makes us look good as a race, we will defend them to the death. But again, let one of our black kids, who hasn't shown this same promise get murdered in the streets, and there is radio silence. We are so busy looking for a leader, a savior, or a great representation of our race, we have forsaken, and forgotten those who need us most: our women and our children.

I blame feminists. White feminists don't give a shit about black feminist issues if they don't affect them directly.Because most, if not all of Cosby's accusers are white, black feminists can't be bothered to champion or fight for these women, because again, it does not affect them. All women deserve to be heard, deserve their days in court, deserve to be believed and respected when making these allegations. White feminists and black feminists alike have to learn, that you are your sisters' keeper, and that just because this issue does not affect your particular group today, there is an issue that will arise, where you may need support, so why not lend a hand? Stop the infighting and blase' attitudes and work together!

As I always say on most of my blogs, if you don't have anything of value to add to a discussion, just keep quiet. If you don't care, or don't have enough information, it is okay not to comment. Not every situation requires your comment, and it will save you from looking like an ass by saying the wrong thing or slut shaming someone's mother, daughter, friend, cousin, etc.

It will be interesting to see how this all plays out, but what is even more interesting is how individuals will vilify a victim or victims and protect their accusers, and that is everything of what is wrong with this world.

Until next time.....

Why Whoopi Goldberg Needs to Stop Talking About Domestic Violence

For every big social issue, there is a plethora of spokespeople. Some are well-versed, while others are just trying to build their personal brands and commenting for shock value.

I can't say what Whoopi Goldberg's motivations are, but I just need for her to stop talking about this issue altogether. Not only are her comments misinformed, but they are dangerous to women, and condones the actions of abusive men.

On two separate occasions, Whoopi has made a public statement about women putting their hands on men. I don't know Whoopi's history with men (except her affair with a very married Ted Danson during that travesty they called a movie, Made in America. Seriously Whoopi, out of all of the married Hollywood leading men, you chose Ted Danson, so your judgment and credibility take a major hit from the beginning), but I do know her way of thinking and her public statements as a media personality, are dangerous.

No, I am not advocating anyone putting their hands on another person (this includes you too parents. That is a topic for another blog), but I will say, if you are going to compare two things, they need to be of equal value.

How many men have you known who have ended up in an ER or graveyard from a beating they have experienced at the hands of a woman? When we see more actual cases of this, then we can give credence to people like Whoopi who want to admonish women rather than dealing with the men who abuse them.

So Whoopi, I respect your career. You are a great talent, but a domestic violence spokesperson or advocate, you are not. Please stay in your lane, because your way of thinking could get someone hurt or killed!

Until next time....