Why It Took An Army To Bring Down Bill Cosby

The story had been alive for years that actor, comedian, and philanthropist, Bill Cosby, had been drugging women and taking advantage of them. Some women reported that he would pretend to be their confidant and life coach who would steer them into the entertainment business. Other women reported that the drugging was simply his standard method for obtaining sex. However, it wasn't until after the interview with former model Janice Dickinson's on "Entertainment Tonight" did the masses take the matter seriously.

Some people know Bill Cosby from the days of the television series "I Spy" and his creative social cartoon "Fat Albert." But most of America know him as the loving father Heathcliff Huxtable on "The Cosby Show." In addition to those works, there have also been a slew of other television shows and movies which Cosby has starred. In his later years, Cosby has been considered an educator and a philanthropist who has been paid to talk about societal problems in America. Beloved by white America for his comedy and fatherly roles, including one as the popular host for, "Kids Say The Darndest Things," such allegations of rape and sexual assault appeared to be of no interest to anyone. Cosby had already lost favoritism with most black Americans due to years of his criticism of blacks on issues pertaining to education and culture. Even today, more white Americans come to Cosby's defense than do black Americans.

It was only two months ago when another rape allegation surfaced concerning Bill Cosby. The story lingered in the news for about a week or so before drifting away. When Cosby himself requested that he wanted to be projected in social media memes (an idea or style expressed by way of using pictures with captions), it appeared as if Cosby was purposely shooting himself in the foot as the public brought more attention to the accusations. However, when Dickinson recently voiced her opinions on the matter, the issue became a career-altering one for Cosby. The television series "The Cosby Show" alone had generated well over $300,000,000 dollars; therefore those who were financially affiliated with it certainly did not want to rock that money-making boat. But, it was Cosby's request for attention fused with the strength of social media, in addition to Janice Dickinson's comments, that forced TV Land, Netflix, and NBC to cancelled its recent showings. Cosby's new project has also been scrapped due to the popularity of the topic.

So why did it take so long for the matter to be taken seriously?  Was there simply too much money involved for anyone to care that a celebrated figure had been drugging and rapping women for years?  Did the women involved not have enough clout to get Cosby's crimes acknowledged?  Oddly enough, as all of this unravels, it still feels as if we still won't get an understanding of who the true victim really is. In the meantime, let us at least seem content with the idea that due diligence is finally taking its course.