I'm sure by now you've all seen, or heard, some confidants of Camille Cosby spilled some of her alleged thoughts to the NY Post. I say alleged because these words came from somebody else on her behalf so it's entirely possible it's NOT completely accurate and because its the Post.
From the NY Post story:
Bill Cosby’s wife knows her husband is a serial philanderer, but believes his scores of accusers consented to drugs and sex, two confidants of the couple say.
Last week’s revelation that Cosby admitted during a deposition that he intended to ply women with Quaaludes before bedding them barely fazed Camille Cosby, the insiders told The Post.
“Camille still doesn’t believe that Bill provided drugs and had sex with women without their consent,” said a source employed by the Cosby family. “She’s well aware of his cheating, but she doesn’t believe that her husband is a rapist.”
I understand standing by your man but this pushes the envelope into deep waters. I'm slightly amazed that she's digging her heels in so deeply. The writing seems to be all over the window to the wall. What seems painfully obvious (and sad) to the rest of us - that Bill Cosby is a rapist, pure and simple - seems to be implausible to her. Either that or she's just choosing to ignore the writing in favor of being the ultimate ride or die.
I'm trying to understand and I'm drawing somewhat of a blank so I'm taking it to the VSB streets. Thoughts? Opinions?
-PANAMA JACKSON
We're not sure if Camille said those comments, but what I AM sure of is that whether or not the women consented to the drugs or wanted the drugs… you can't provide clear consent to sex under the intoxication of drugs (which includes alcohol, of course). So, even mentioning that as a "defense" is irrelevant.
If Camille said those things, she's likely in super deep denial. She doesn't want to even admit to herself that her husband is a rapist, let alone to the public. It really is very sad and I really wish she would've simply remained silent or refused to comment (I know in this case, it's more about a source coming out, but didn't she make comments denying it even happened before?). Either way, her comments (allegedly or otherwise) are harmful and further shame women… deeper into what is OBVIOUSLY a cemented rape culture.
-TONJA STIDHUM
In this case I think it's a matter of her exhibiting a trait that's more commonly seen in people of that generation. In terms of things you don't want to believe, you simply choose not to believe them. It happens when older family members refuse to acknowledge that other family members are gay, or when family, mothers specifically, hold on to the integrity of a child's innocence, even in the face of the most incriminating evidence. I'm not comparing being gay to committing a crime, but to people of a certain age and of a certain upbringing, it is the same. I don't think it's about being a ride-or-die, mainly because my generation is annoying with that bullshit and the nonsensical motivations behind it; Camille has aged well beyond trying to hold anybody down. But also because I, for no particular reason, believe Camille to be a reasonable woman, and while publicly she may denounce whatever rumors-turned-fact that have materialized, it would come as no surprise that inside the confines of the Cosby compound they're likely not speaking or the tension is palpable. I'm not saying I agree with how she's responded but, it's definitely something I recognize.
-RYAN SIDES
I believe she believes him. But it's a pragmatic belief. A choice to believe because she has too much invested in that belief, and acknowledging that her beliefs are wrong would be too devastating. Especially now. Because it would be admitting — to everyone, but, most importantly, herself — that her entire life has been a sham. She believes because she has to. Her life is dependent on it.
Also, we can't dismiss the fact that if Bill Cosby is capable of raping dozens of women while 1) successfully becoming America's most prominent family friendly comedian, 2) successfully transitioning from that to his role as America's dad, and 3) transitioning from that role to America's scolding and contemptuous uncle — all the while acting as an very generous benefactor for Black education — who knows what type of man he was to his wife? What we might be seeing now is a form of Stockholm Syndrome, cultivated by 50 years of emotional abuse.
-DAMON YOUNG
This was my favorite picture from my college graduation and one of my favorite true hollywood tales.
It's not anymore.
Now, I'm going to keep it 100. I didn't watch the Cosby Show like that. I was too young for everything but the Erika Alexander years and wasn't really feeling the re-runs. Still, I loved Cosby's good "clean" stand-up and respected his legacy. Every time I walked Spelman's campus in college, I'd pass the Camille Cosby Building ( A $20 million gift from Bill and Camille) I'd think to myself,
"This man must really be committed to his wife. He ain't even put his name on it thoooo."
A commitment that strong is impressive. Normally, it would be admirable but now it's just on some Claire and Frank Underwood shit. They bought a building at the premiere institution for black women during the 80's, when Bill was definitely still "Pill Cosby" and Camille was allegedly by his side just-a nodding and smiling.
I don't know Camille's true feelings. She may feel like she's in too deep. She may feel like she's still got to nod and smile. But she can't be complicit in this shit and get any sympathy from me. Not when young women, (women her husband could have preyed on) are have been going into a building with her name on it for years.
-BRANDON HARRISON
I'm not buying the source. But I do think Camille is a "don't let no hussy mess up your family" type of woman. I also think she believes Bill is a cheater like most men are, not a rapist—and those women are hussies like most unmarried women are, not victims. I agree with Damon's notion of Stockholm Syndrome, cultivated by 50 years of emotional abuse. She's been with Bill since she was 19, against family wishes, and dropped of college to follow him to Hollywood. She's been gone for a very long time.
-CHRISTINA E
I agree with Damon and Christina. I don't necessarily trust the source. He has probably been a stellar yet cheating husband to her like a lot of men in Hollywood. Which to some people would rule out the stellar part, but it happens.
I think she knows he's a rapist though. I'm sure they've had some real arguments at home but she seems very "stick by my man" and is choosing to admit only part of that. It's much easier to say publicly that these women chose to take drugs and have sex with her husband than to say he drugged them with intention on raping.
-SHANAE BROWN
Do yall feel it's just too late for her to change tune? Maybe she's wanted to over the years but at 71, it's just not worth it for her to really stand up at this point?
-BRANDON HARRISON
I was wondering this same thing - if Camille just *can't* admit publicly (or maybe even privately) that her husband ain't shit. She's been in too deep allll these years. I'm not sure she's bold enough to come out now and say "yeah that nigga did it and I knew about it." At 71, I might just ride that ish out too.
-GEM
She might let the chopper spray, eloquently, once he dies.
- CHRISTINA E
That is also a similar thought I had. Like maybe its just not worth it. The Titanic is already sinking…she might as well play the violin with it.
Brandon, I will say that one of my first thoughts this morning was about the Camille Cosby Center on Spelman's campus. Bill and Camille are incinerating their legacy quick, fast, and in a hurry these days. Not that the name will or needs to change. Their strides in education are solid, but man. My view on Bill has changed already…or maybe its become more realistic. But Camille, I didn't have much of one before aside of being the strong Black woman by his side. Now I'm more amazed that she seems to be almost complicit in all of this shit. Not even almost. She is.
- PANAMA JACKSON
Man, when I was at Spelman for my reunion in April, I had my class meeting in the Camille Olivia Hanks Cosby, EdD Academic Center. And I couldn't help but think of what would/should happen to that building. Camille had been largely silent up to that point but I knew there was no way she wasn't part of the mess that has been accumulating for decades. Sigh.
-GEM
This is the downside to having a solid healthcare system. Folks are now living long enough to watch their legacies come tumbling down because of their sincere fuckery.
- PANAMA JACKSON