We need to talk about Bill Cosby docu-series premieres on Showtime

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-A four-part docuseries directed by W. Kamau Bell, WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT COSBY wrestles with the conversations of the #MeToo movement, focusing on Bill Cosby’s descent from “America’s Dad” to alleged sexual predator. The series explores the complex story of Cosby’s life and work, weighing his actions against his indisputable global influence

Comments

[soulhades]

America relationship with it's pop culture is so intense lol "this is just a sad day in the history of black culture"...I mean...Ok.....

[littlekasumi]

i mean it’s not just pop culture. like someone said above, things like the cosby show gave real job opportunities to black creatives and opened the door for future work and media images for black people (that also set up continued conversations on the ‘best way’ to depict black life and respectability) so cosby was an influential figure especially when talking about representation for such a marginalized group and lack of options.

[gloeden2]

Black people were historically kept out of professions and their contributions ignored, denigrated, marginalized. Even niw we are getting "firsts" in professions and accomplishments that should have happened decades ago.
Only in pop culture were we allowed some modicum of accomplishment, success, respect
To this day, there are people who grew up in the 60s through the 80s for whom seeing a Black person on TV being creative, well presented, respected, was a reason to call the neighbors and gather around the tv. Something I've heard similar stories from Black Brits and Europeans of those generations, as well.
The Cosby Show was huge to those generations for reasons many many Black cultural observers have written and talked about for decades. If you don't get it, that's your fault, not their being deluded or wrong.

[pciam]

One of my best friends is black, and grew up identifying so much with the Cosby show. There was a personal element there that became so intrinsic to up his upbringing. He’s had such a hard time reconciling this, although to his credit he never tried to excuse Cosby or pretend the victims were liars. It just hurts him personally. What you said is 100 percent spot on. It’s not just “oh my favorite tv show is tainted” - it’s so much more than that.

It’s not the same but for me coming of age, Buffy meant so much to me. As an in the closet gay boy in a very small southern town, I saw so much of myself in this show when I felt like no one in my “real life” would get it or “see me.” Coming to terms with Joss Whedon being an asshole predator has been hard but it’s something I’ve had to do.

And these docs are important. It’s important to realize that so many awful predators can ALSO at the same time be creative and make stories that resonate so much with the general public.

[gloeden2]

Frankly, anybody who is a member and even occasional commenter here, who has the hypocritical gall to pretend to be above pop culture and/or thinks they look down on others over it, can kiss my Black ass twice and three times on Sunday.

[muffintiem]

oof at this comment

it's 2022, everyone on the internet knows the phrase "representation matters", so for Black people, yes, it was sad, this isn't just pop culture

what happened with Bill Cosby was unlike any other predator in Hollywood being exposed; Cosby opened the door for a LOT of Black people and the Huxtables' representation on TV was SUPER important in 1980s America

for marginalized communities it's super important to see someone who looks like you on TV and isn't relegated to a negative/stereotypical role

it's always these rectangular ass userpics too

[jearsinsears]

always the ones with the non-100x100 icons. always.