Billy Flood reminds us that when it comes to rape, nobody is ever “asking for it” and this type of shaming needs to end right here, right now.
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Let’s cut to the chase. Bill Cosby is safe from prosecution regarding what is becoming an avalanche of sexual assault allegations. He is staying silent on all this, even going so far as to shake his head “no” when asked to simply address the allegations on NPR.
I think the issue comes down to two things here.
One, we haven’t heard from the man himself. Yes Mr. Cosby issued a statement from a lawyer. However the public needs to see him in front of a camera denying these allegations. To not address these heinous accusations to our collective faces is poor judgement on his part. Staying silent speaks volumes and has cost him his new NBC and Netflix deal. He needs to get his side of the story out. Right now he’s letting imaginations run wild as he stays quiet-not a good position to be in.
Two. I have never heard such public victim blaming of women in a long time. If this current misogyny doesn’t highlight the value of rape shield law, nothing does.
Just to remind people, when the person says no, it is rape.
It doesn’t matter if:
They are stoned.
They are drunk.
They’ve led you on.
You are inside them.
If they say stop, and you continue, you are a rapist.
Let’s continue. If they are incapacitated and cannot say yes, it is rape.
Do we understand this now? I thought this was settled, but apparently people need a refresher course. Also lets stop the slutshame please. No one can “ask for it” or “dress to be raped”. What is truly frightening is that I am seeing these comments from WOMEN blaming these alleged victims. It is a sad state of affairs all around. Cosby deserves his turn to talk in the court of public opinion, but also these women deserve to not be attacked and maligned for telling their truth. One thing is for sure, the truth will out, it always does.
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Originally appeared at TheKYNegro
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AP Photo: Matt Rourke
It doesn’t sound like you believe in the presumption of innocence. Have you noticed these women are all white. This is a modern day lynching if you ask me. Mr. Cosby does not want to dignify these allegations with a statement, nor should he be required to. Why didn’t Ms. Dickinson mention any of this in her book that she published in 2002. Just entertain the possibility that these allegations are false, think about the damage they have done to this man who has done so much good in his life, the racism he has had to overcome, the accomplishments… Read more »