Why It’s Still Okay To Like Bill Cosby (Sort Of)
Bill Cosby has been accused of rape by dozens of women across the nation, and all of the alleged victims’ stories seem to match up. It’s not looking good for the man whose character served as a father figure to millions of Americans.
photo: WENN
But as bad as the accusations look (and they look really, really bad), Cosby hasn’t been convicted or formally charged with a crime.
So now fans and critics alike must get to the sordid business of separating Cosby the man from his legacy. It may prove an impossible task, but if you subscribe to the notion of innocent until proven guilty, here are some reasons why it’s still okay to like Bill Cosby (sort of).
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Photo: WENN
photo: WENN
Bill Cosby was once in talks to purchase a stake in the NBC network. On the scale of boss moves, that ranks rather highly.
photo: WENN
We have Bill Cosby to thank for Yasiin Bey/Mos Def the actor. One of Mos Def’s early notable acting roles was as Dante on The Cosby Mysteries.
photo: WENN
It looks bad for Bill…really bad. But he hasn’t been formally convicted of any crimes yet in relation to his multiple rape allegations.
photo: WENN
Enrollment in historically black colleges and universities saw a 44% increase from 1984 – 1993. It can’t all be attributed to Dwayne and Whitley, but A Different World was certainly a factor.
photo: WENN
Heathcliff Huxtable stands as a shining example of what we’d like America to be. And since Cliff is a fictional character, he’s not the one facing dozens of rape allegations.
photo: WENN
All that conservative “pull your pants up” rhetoric puts Cosby about on par with Ben Carson or Herman Cain. It’s annoying but has a finite amount of damage.
photo: WENN
The Cosby Show proved a vehicle for talents like Adam Sandler, Debbie Allen, Tichina Arnold, Angela Bassett, Naomi Campbell and more.
photo: WENN
In terms of a cultural double standard, no one seems to have a problem awarding, praising and even dismissing the crimes of Roman Polanski.
photo: WENN
Cosby’s role in I Spy marked the first time a Black man co-starred in a TV drama. Guilty or innocent, viewers will have to separate Cosby from his accomplishments.
