Spelman made a bad call
22nd December 2014 · 0 Comments
Spelman College, one of the nation’s most heralded institutions of higher learning, took steps recently to distance itself from two of its most ardent financial supporters — Bill and Camille Cosby. The Atlanta-based college said it would suspend its Cosby professorship pending the resolution of his current legal woes involving at least 15 women who accuse Bill Cosby of drugging and sexually them.
For the record, Bill Cosby has not been charged with or convicted of anything. That’s worth repeating: Dr. Cosby has not been charged with or convicted of anything.
To this publication’s knowledge, there has been no indication that Spelman College intends to return the Cosbys’ generous donation. If they are being that righteous, then his money should be returned. And any interest earned.
The all-female HBCU’s efforts to distance itself from Cosby makes one wonder who is calling the shots at the Atlanta institution. HBCUs have often been accused of being controlled by people whose goals and objectives are different from those of Black America. Similar questions were raised earlier this year when the Koch brothers, who are not exactly known for their commitment to equal justice and voting rights, donated $25 million to the United Negro College Fund.
We think Spelman College should explain itself to Black America, and ask itself if Cosby should even consider making future donations to the school after its decision to abandon him before he has had a chance to defend himself.
As an educator, scholar and cultural icon, Cosby has earned Black America’s respect and support and deserves the benefit of the doubt. We should not be so quick to abandon Cosby or any Black public figure based on hearsay and unsubstantiated allegations.
The Cosby saga, which is being played out every night on national news programs, appears to be a part of some kind of effort to distract Americans from the ongoing protests and marches demanding an end to police brutality and unequal justice.
Bill Cosby’s daughter rightfully points out that the comedian/actor’s accusers have yet to explain how they were allegedly drugged by Cosby but managed to recall every moment of their dealings with him.
Interestingly, considerably less attention has been paid to actor Stephen Collins, who played the Christian father on the popular television drama “Seventh Heaven.” Last week, Collins finally admitted that he engaged in inappropriate sexual behavior with three underage girls.
For some reason, Collins’ admission of his involvement with three under-aged girls was less compelling a story than Cosby’s alleged involvement with at least 15 adult females.
While Bill Cosby’s accusers have been on the attack and have seized every opportunity to assassinate the cultural icon’s character, his supporters have been largely quiet, saying mostly that the situation is “tragic” or “unfortunate.”
Not enough people have stepped up to ask tough-nosed questions about the timing of these accusations and the accusers’ motives.
Why now? And what do these women hope to accomplish?
At the very least, those of us who believe that there should be equal justice for every U.S. citizen should insist that Dr. Cosby be treated and viewed as innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. We should also insist that those who continue to assassinate his character by throwing dirt on him in the court of public opinion be held accountable for their questionable deeds and motives. Dr. Bill Cosby deserves that much, not because he has long been considered “American’s favorite dad,” but because he is a U.S. citizen who, like all of us, has been endowed by the Creator with certain inalienable rights including life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
Bill and Camille Cosby deserve better.
This article originally published in the December 22, 2014 print edition of The Louisiana Weekly newspaper.
