With more than 15 women publicly accusing Bill Cosby of sexual assault, it’s unsurprising that the conversation surrounding the allegations has taken place on Twitter. Famous for being the family man of television, the 77-year-old comedian’s cultural presence has often protected him from widespread scrutiny, but the last two months have marked a tipping point in the court of public opinion. Since a clip of comedian Hannibal Buress calling Cosby a rapist when viral in October, the accusations from women against Cosby have snowballed. Despite women coming forward on a nearly daily basis since earlier this month claiming that the comedian had drugged and sexually assaulted them, many people still seem to refuse to see any possible truth in these…
With more than 15 women publicly accusing Bill Cosby of sexual assault, it’s unsurprising that the conversation surrounding the allegations has taken place on Twitter.
Famous for being the family man of television, the 77-year-old comedian’s cultural presence has often protected him from widespread scrutiny, but the last two months have marked a tipping point in the court of public opinion. Since a clip of comedian Hannibal Buress calling Cosby a rapist when viral in October, the accusations from women against Cosby have snowballed. Despite women coming forward on a nearly daily basis since earlier this month claiming that the comedian had drugged and sexually assaulted them, many people still seem to refuse to see any possible truth in these women’s stories.
Apparently, for some it’s difficult to see the comedian as anything but Cliff Huxtable, the perfect dad he played on “The Cosby Show.” Many women on Twitter however, are explaining why they believe the allegations and stand with the women who have spoken up.
Cosby has largely remained silent on the issue, though his lawyer Martin Singer released a statement calling the media’s coverage of the allegations “an unprecedented example of the media’s breakneck rush to run stories without any corroboration or adherence to traditional journalistic standards.” The comedian also told Florida Today in a Nov. 21 interview: “I know people are tired of me not saying anything, but a guy doesn’t have to answer to innuendos. People should fact check. People shouldn’t have to go through that and shouldn’t answer to innuendos.”
Here’s what women on Twitter think about the allegations made against Cosby and how we should be reacting to them:
Folks…we do know that Bill Cosby was never Heathcliff Huxtable right? Some of y’all are defending the character, not the actor.
— Mikki Kendall (@Karnythia) November 20, 2014
re: Bill Cosby I sort of think where there’s smoke there’s fire.
Also I’m saying “fire” instead of “rape” so people will pay attention.
— Morgan Murphy (@morgan_murphy) November 24, 2014
Rape charges are not Innuendo. Innuendo is when male agents advised female assistants: “Don’t get in an elevator alone with Bill Cosby.”
— Nell Scovell (@NellSco) November 23, 2014
PHASE TWO: Allegations verified by a man. MT @Deadline: Ex-NBC ‘Fixer’ Says He Funneled Money, More To Cosby Women: http://t.co/c8qoWz7YsK
— Laurie Kilmartin (@anylaurie16) November 23, 2014
I am very, very tired of hearing Bill Cosby’s crimes finally acknowledged on a large public scale described as a “downfall.”
— Tọ́pẹ́ Fádìran (@graceishuman) November 22, 2014
Before you cry for Bill Cosby, know he got a standing ovation at his performance tonight in Melbourne, FL.
— Roxane Gay (@rgay) November 22, 2014
At some point we’ll talk about how Bill Cosby was one of many many men abusing women in Hollywood & making jokes about it.
— Mikki Kendall (@Karnythia) November 22, 2014
Haha at people *criticizing* me for having an opinion on Bill Cosby. 16 women.
I’m wondering why you don’t?
— Zerlina Maxwell (@ZerlinaMaxwell) November 21, 2014
I hope Bill Cosby woke up feeling horrible and sick, and thinking, “WTF, just happened to me?” Now he knows how his victims felt.
— Nell Scovell (@NellSco) November 21, 2014
SO MANY WOMEN: Bill Cosby raped me
Everyone: hmmm
A man: BILL COSBY RAPED THEM
Everyone: NOW WE KNOW IT’S TRUE WOW WHOA IT’S TRUE OH MY GOD
— Helena Bottom-Farter (@solikebasically) November 19, 2014
More Americans claimed to have been assaulted by Bill Cosby than have contracted ebola.
— Lizz Winstead (@lizzwinstead) November 20, 2014
It pained me to see how many women (who don’t follow me) in my mentions were defending Bill Cosby.
— Sister Outsider (@FeministGriote) November 20, 2014
The 13 women Bill Cosby raped and assaulted had been speaking out for decades, but it wasn’t until an act by comedian that people listened.
— maha. (@omgmaha) November 24, 2014
Bill Cosby is not Cliff Huxtable. That was the mask for the serial rapist. How do you reconcile 14 diff women’s stories? Exactly. You don’t.
— Dominique Christina (@nyarloka) November 19, 2014
I think a lot of people really wish they never knew the truth about Bill Cosby. I bet the people that he raped wish that the most.
— Susan Burke (@ThatSusanBurke) November 19, 2014
If I were one of Bill Cosby’s victims, I would have a hard time coming out & seeing my name dragged & attacked by all his deniers. #Courage
— Brasilmagic (@Brasilmagic) November 24, 2014
Is it actually harder to believe that Bill Cosby is a rapist than it is to believe that 15 women are all making up the same exact story?
— Zerlina Maxwell (@ZerlinaMaxwell) November 21, 2014
Continue reading:
Here’s What Women Have To Say About The Bill Cosby Accusations
