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ot since the court case of O. J. Simpson had the
world held its breath for so long. Then finally, the end came. Bill Cosby – world’s favorite, beloved Dr. Huxtable – would be sentenced to serve between three to ten years behind bars for the crimes of rape and vi- olent assault.
After the sentence was laid, the courtroom was silent like a tomb. Cosby smiled vacantly, peeled off his thousand-dollar suit jacket, thrust out his arms, was handcuffed then solemnly led away to whatever the fu- ture would or would not hold.
Indeed, it was like watching Superman being led off to gallows.
However, if indeed, it can ever be over, we’re glad it’s over. We breathe a sigh of relief for Cosby’s victims who for years were pent up with a shame they could not share because no one would believe it. But our hearts also go out to Cosby’s family – his wife who stood by him to the bitter next chapter . . . his daugh- ters, who must privately bear his shame and his brother, Bob – proud man whose tears no doubt eclipse Niagara Falls.
As for us, we shall mourn through the pages of his- tory as we place Bill Cosby’s name with other names brought low like the former film-star-athlete O. J. Simpson, among others who knew what it means to be human meteors.
And then when we are through with our tears, we will turn our cable television on to watch – of all things – The Cosby Show – which is still being aired some- where in America. Such is the way we handle ghosts in Western society where there is no such thing as the past and where there is no such thing as forgiveness or forgetfulness.
Down Goes Cosby
e all knew this day
was coming. Back in April, when Bill Cosby was found guilty of sexually as- saulting Andrea Constand, it was expected that "The Cos" would spend a decent amount of time in prison. Now as of Tuesday, when a Penn- sylvania judge sentenced Cosby to 3-10 years, that unimaginable scenario has fi-
nally become a sad reality. The image of a half-blind, fragile, 81-year-old Cosby being led away in handcuffs was tough to watch. You al- most expected him to turn to the cameras, flash one of his famous Cliff Huxtable goofy smiles, and say "GOTCHA!" But, unfortunately, that
wouldn't be the case.
Even though everyone was
aware four years ago, when these allegations first sur- faced, that there was a strong possibility that this would be the outcome, it didn't lessen the shock of witnessing some- one this iconic falling so far from grace. The only thing I can compare it to is the feel- ing, I imagine, most of the world got when O. J. Simp- son was first seen wearing metal police bracelets before realizing months later that dude could have actually been
a killer.
Like him or loathe him
though, the fact is, it wasn't supposed to end like this for Bill. Prior to the scandal he seemed destined to leave Earth heralded as a legendary comedian, generous philan- thropist and that rare univer- sally beloved Black man whose life could have been considered the blueprint for doing things the right way. In- stead, because of his extremely poor judgment and sexual per- version, all of his achieve- ments have now been erased from the history books and re- placed by a single word by his name... Rapist.
Of course, as easy as it is to express sympathy for the man who once famously helped to sell us Jell-O Pudding Pops for decades, it would be wrong to view Cosby as the victim in the situation. This is mainly due to the fact that there are 60 other women who also claim that Cosby violated them as well. And, as much as Cosby defenders want to be- lieve he's received a raw deal, it's hard to imagine all of these ladies coming together to tell the same lie.
When I look at this story from the perspective of a fa- ther, son, grandson or brother
of one of these women, I can only imagine the anger that must build whenever individ- uals describe Cosby as any- thing other than a creep. As far as they're concerned, the man being pitied is nothing more than a wolf in sheep's clothing whose sharp teeth were finally exposed.
Now that it's all said and done Cosby's legacy will ulti- mately be defined by one of two groups, those who believe his imprisonment is a prime example of how the American system works to destroy any Black man who reaches a cer- tain level of success, or the people who view Cosby through the scope of the #MeToo Movement and see his conviction as justice being served. Regardless of where you stand on the debate at this moment, it will be up to future historians to give the final ver- dict as to which side was actu- ally right.
It is hard to conceive an ending any more tragic for a man like Cosby. The total de- struction of his life should be a cautionary lesson to all of us that everything done in dark- ness will eventually see the light of day. And, when it does happen, we shouldn't expect anything less than being forced to pay for our indiscre- tions because the piper will, most definitely, be waiting.
Reality On Ice is © by the Florida Sentinel Bul- letin Publishing Com- pany. You can contact Mr. Barr at: cbar- ronice@gmail.com.
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The Final Dismantling Of William Cosby . . . Perhaps
Security Check
“The more you seek se- curity, the less of it you have. But the more you seek opportunity, the more likely it is that you will achieve the security that you desire.”
~Brian Tracy mpowered Greet-
ings. Leaders, this week I want you to do a security check... an insecurity check that is. Everyone wrestles with some insecurity.
However, too much inse- curity can immobilize you and those you are leading. Did you know that if you are an inse- cure leader you could be limit- ing the growth of your business, organization or church?
Insecure leaders don’t like to be questioned; they operate
in a dictatorship mode. ‘Do what I say or else.’
Although they may listen to suggestions from team members, they do not imple- ment them or do so slowly be- cause they are resistant to change. Change, to them limits their sense of control.
However, they are killing the motivation and ideas needed to move their organi- zation and its people to the next level. Insecure leaders seldom step out of their com- fort zone and due to their own insecurities they don’t want their staff or followers to be exposed to other great leaders that are out of the realm of their influence.
When they praise others openly, they will be sure to take some of the credit. Lead- ers, it’s time to do an honest
self-evaluation. Your team members already know the truth. I only identified a few characteristics of an insecure leader, but I must say that even if the shoe fits, know that you don’t have to keep wearing it. You can create a new you. A more powerfully secure you. Stay tuned to this column until next week. Change is on the
way. About Selphenia Selphenia Nichols Sim- mons is hailed as “The Queen of Success.” As a Life and Busi- ness Success Coach, she in- spires Christian women and entrepreneurs to go from being a mess to making mas-
sive profits.
Selphenia’s no-nonsense
business strategies take indi- viduals and organizations from scratch, or anywhere in between, to Success.
Selphenia is available to speak at churches, schools, universities, business organi- zations, retreats and confer- ences.
To request Selphenia as a speaker or trainer, at your up- coming event call (813) 603- 0088.
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