CWed for Length: About Bill Cosby and Cognitive dissonance.
So, I gotta admit, I'm experiencing some cognitive dissonance over the whole Bill Cosby thing.
I believe justice was served, of course, but part of my brain has trouble divorcing Bill Cosby from his character on The Cosby Show.
I remember growing up that he was a really important role model to young men- young black men, in particular- but everyone could be like Cosby. Everyone could be that kind of genteel and well spoken man.
Again, I'd like to say that I fully support the decisions, and there is no doubt in my mind that Bill Cosby is a violent sexual predator.
However, I'm still having brain pains from my previously held views versus the truth.
CWed for Length: About Bill Cosby and Cognitive dissonance.
@Surasanji I haven't really considered that cognitive dissonance. Cliff Huxtable is a fictional character who loved his wife and, presumably, never raped women. As soon as I learned of the rumors, I proclaimed that I could hate Bill Cosby (...ruining such iconic standup that I grew up on...) but I could still admire Dr. Huxtable and what that show did.
CWed for Length: About Bill Cosby and Cognitive dissonance.
Yes, I think it's a good reminder to be wary of actors and Hollywood and public figures in general. While Cosby was on trial for using his public personality to gain trust from others, we had a video being produced by actors, using their public personalities to gain trust and try to influence the supreme court justice.
This happens regularly, sometimes as severe as crimes, sometimes to change elections, etc.
Strangely, one's personal crimes don't always affect one's public image - see Chappaquiddick.
CWed for Length: About Bill Cosby and Cognitive dissonance.
@SecondJon @hashtaggrammar Chappaquiddick changed Ted Kennedy's life. While he was able to move forward in it, despite a crime being committed, he was never able to realize presidential ambitions.
It would be unfair to say it didn't affect his public image.
CWed for Length: About Bill Cosby and Cognitive dissonance.
@Surasanji @hashtaggrammar I suppose it changed his public image to some; you're right.
But his actions killed a woman, something Cosby never did. Cosby goes to jail, Ted was upheld as the "Lion of the Senate," among the best of the best in government.
True, he didn't become president. I suppose Cosby won't become president either, so jail vs. being upheld as one of the best people in politics is basically the same. :/
CWed for Length: About Bill Cosby and Cognitive dissonance.
@SecondJon @hashtaggrammar I would argue that the nature of the crimes, and the individuals involved are vastly different.
Being a serial rapist and a violent sexual predator is a very different sort of crime than an unintended killing of another human being.
I do not pretend to know exactly what happened with Mr. Kennedy, but I do not believe there was actual malice in his actions.
Where as the premeditated rapes of young women, using a position of power and *drugs* to facilitate that rape has nothing but malice in it.
These are two different beasts. It's an apple to oranges comparison.
CWed for Length: About Bill Cosby and Cognitive dissonance.
@Surasanji @SecondJon Circling back for a minute, I do understand where you're coming from, but politics and fiction are also separate issues. You're representing yourself when you enter politics. As an actor, you're hiding yourself. I'm not saying The Cosby Show isn't completely skunked, but it doesn't change the fact that Dr. Huxtable was a fictional character. I'm sure we could start citing many people who were horrible people who still brought brilliant art, or fictional characters, to life.
CWed for Length: About Bill Cosby and Cognitive dissonance.
@hashtaggrammar @SecondJon
Bill Cosby created that character, he wrote him into being. Cliff Huxtable is a mask worn by Mr. Cosby, one he hid behind for a very long time.
I find it difficult to divorce Bill Cosby from Cliff Huxtable, and feel that the show is tarnished because of the reality of who Bill Cosby is and what he was doing 'behind the scenes' during those years.
People saw that character and thought Bill Cosby was like that person. Then he did terrible things to them. Life changing, ruining things.
And he did it repeatedly.
In this case, I really can't divorce the two. Not when one was used as a hunting blind for the other.