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As Bill Cosby Awaits Appeal, Support for His Release Grows

NNPA NEWSWIRE — Now, as he awaits an appellate court’s ruling that could grant him a new trial or freedom, Cosby’s support base appears more significant than at any point since charges were filed against him nearly four years ago.

Published

5 years ago

November 12, 2019

Oakland Post

By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Correspondent
@StacyBrownMedia

More than a year has passed since Bill Cosby began a three-to-10-year sentence at a maximum-security prison near Philadelphia following his conviction on charges of aggravated indecent assault.

Throughout two trials – the first ending in a hung jury in 2017 and the second in 2018 that resulted in his conviction – Cosby had very few supporters.

Now, as he awaits an appellate court’s ruling that could grant him a new trial or freedom, Cosby’s support base appears more significant than at any point since charges were filed against him nearly four years ago.

Much of that support is on social media, particularly fan pages that were established to help keep his legacy alive.

On Facebook, the “Bill Cosby is Innocent Movement,” is followed or liked by more than 5,000 people. Also, a page called “We Believe Bill Cosby,” has more than 2,000 members.

Cosby’s personal Facebook page still has a robust, more than 800,000 people who follow or like the page. The “Cosby Show” page on Facebook contains more than 1.2 million followers.

Other pages, including “Bill Cosby,” “I Support Bill Cosby,” “Free Bill Cosby,” combine for an additional 4,000 followers.

“We are regular laypeople of various backgrounds, diverse belief systems, and even different racial and ethnic backgrounds,” Dr. Jay Raskin and other administrators of the “Bill Cosby is Innocent Movement” page, wrote.

“We do not condone or turn a blind eye to rape, molestation, or drugging. Indeed, some of us are the victims of rape, molestation, sexual harassment, and gender discrimination but, based on what we have researched of the allegations against Dr. Cosby, we believe he is innocent of the charges leveled against him,” Raskin states.

The administrators stated that the purpose of their site is to expose the truth regarding Cosby’s innocence.

“We will also share information on how the media and legal system has been complicit in the lynching of yet another Black man – which is part of the American historical pattern,” the administrators wrote.

Nicole Lewis, one of the administrators of the “We Believe Bill Cosby” page, recently produced and released a 47-minute film about the Cosby case, titled “The Commonwealth Vs. Bill Cosby.”

The film appeared on her “Nicole’s View” YouTube page, and outlines Cosby’s career, his controversial “Pound Cake” speech, the allegations by Andrea Constand that ultimately sent Cosby to prison, and the role she said the judge and media played in “bringing Cosby down.”

Cosby responded to Lewis’ documentary by tweeting his approval and thanking her.

“Nicole, I thank you for being fearless. Finally, America will have a front-row seat to witness the facts of my unjust conviction,” Cosby wrote on Twitter.

“Thank you and thank you. #TruthWillWinOut, #FarFromFinished, #BillCosbyIsInnocent, #FreeBillCosby.”

Many of his supporters have likened Cosby’s plight to those of the infamous McMartin Preschool Trial, and the Salem Witch Hunt.

“Indeed, the McMartin Preschool Trial, the Salem Witch Hunt was mob action based on falsehood; the destruction of prosperous Black towns by White mobs was based on lies, particularly of Black men raping White women and carried out through the collective and unified efforts of law enforcement, the Courts, a complicit media, and a prejudiced citizenry predisposed to believe guilt,” Raskin and his colleagues said.

“So whether it’s one accuser or one hundred, decisions must be made on the veracity of each person’s case and if you only know one perspective (mass media), then you cannot adequately and truthfully come to an informed and enlightened evaluation of the circumstances of the Bill Cosby case. We believe he’s innocent of the charges of rape, molestation, and drugging. You may not agree with a particular angle of some of the presenters but focus on the facts and decide for yourself.”

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OP-ED: The Illusion of Allyship. White Women, Your Yard Signs Mean Nothing to Me

NNPA NEWSWIRE – “The blue bracelets are something White women are wearing so others can see that they didn’t vote for Trump,” says Liberal Lisa from Oklahoma on X. Chile, bye. These bracelets are hollow symbols, empty gestures that mean nothing to me. An accessory to claim distance from Trump’s legacy is superficial comfort, while the choice to not stand with us in the voting booth is far more profound.

Published

1 week ago

November 9, 2024

Oakland Post

Political yard signs can symbolize intentions and allegiance. But this year, they’ve also symbolized betrayal. During this general election, Black women were led to believe that more White women would stand with us. Exit polls, however, told a different story. Despite overwhelming displays of support, more White women still chose to vote for the convicted felon, reality TV star, and rapist. White women answered the call but left us hanging at the polls.

A Familiar Disappointment

I live in DeKalb County, Georgia, and the abundance of Harris-Walz yard signs could’ve fooled me. But I’ve seen this before, back when Stacey Abrams ran for governor. White women showed up, put up signs, attended rallies, knocked on doors, and phone-banked. Yet, when it came time to vote, they let us down—not once but twice. I’ve been here for over 15 years, and if there’s one thing I know, it’s that political signs are symbols without weight.

In every election, I’ve talked with White women. Most aren’t the primary earners in their families and vote along party lines, aligning with the preferences of their fathers and husbands. These conversations reveal a reluctance to break from tradition, even when their votes affect women and certainly when their votes impact the lives of people who look like me.

The Illusion of Solidarity—Symbols Are Not Enough

On social media, I’m seeing White women posting pictures of blue bracelets to “prove” they didn’t vote for Trump. “The blue bracelets are something White women are wearing so others can see that they didn’t vote for Trump,” says Liberal Lisa from Oklahoma on X. Chile, bye. These bracelets are hollow symbols, empty gestures that mean nothing to me. An accessory to claim distance from Trump’s legacy is superficial comfort, while the choice to not stand with us in the voting booth is far more profound.

I’ve seen Black Lives Matter signs and black squares posted on Instagram to “prove” support for Black people, but we now know that was a lie, too. Will those same people who claimed Black lives mattered now take down their Harris-Walz signs and show their true selves?

Navigating these truths is a daily struggle for me—professionally and socially. White women often misuse their privilege, supporting us only when it’s convenient. Seeing overqualified Black women sabotaged or abandoned by White women at critical moments is a constant emotional challenge. It’s exhausting to live with this reality, especially when solidarity seems like something they pick up and discard at will.

One clever campaign ad from Harris-Walz that spoke directly to White women. “Your Vote, Your Choice” emphasized that their vote was private—independent of their household situation. Another was from Olivia Howell Dreizen, the “Vote Without Fear” campaign, which empowered women to consider the greater impact of their choices. But it seems many still couldn’t choose the roadmap to freedom—even when it was handed to them.

A Call for Action Beyond Words

White women, I want to believe you care, but actions speak louder than yard signs, bracelets, or Instagram posts. Show up in our communities, advocate in your workplaces, and stand up to dismantle the structures that uphold white supremacy. Only through real action will we know where you stand.

If you choose not to act, we see you—and we know exactly where you stand. Good luck these next four years.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of BlackPressUSA.com or the National Newspaper Publishers Association.

Oakland Post

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Supernova Parenting Conference Empowers Over 100 Parents with Resources for Neurodivergence and Mental Health

The inaugural Supernova Parenting Conference was co-hosted by Natasha Nelson, known as Supernova Momma, and Yolanda Walker, founder of Parenting Decolonized. It brought together over 100 parents, caregivers, and educators dedicated to fostering understanding and support for neurodivergent children and mental health challenges. The conference provided invaluable resources, expert insights, and a collaborative space for […]

Published

1 week ago

November 7, 2024

BlackPressUSA.com

The event featured a variety of workshops, panel discussions, and keynote speeches from leading experts in neurodiversity and mental health. Attendees left with practical tools and strategies to enhance their parenting journeys, emphasizing the importance of understanding and supporting the unique needs of neurodivergent children.

“While the conference was a tremendous success, we believe that our work doesn’t end here,” said Natasha Nelson. “It’s crucial to continue providing ongoing support and resources for parents as they navigate this important journey. We want to ensure families can access the tools they need long after the conference.”

To extend the momentum generated at the conference, Natasha and Yolanda are excited to announce the launch of the Supernova Parenting Community. This membership-based initiative aims to offer a safe and supportive environment for parents and caregivers to continue their growth as conscious parents.

Membership is available for as little as $5 a month via Patreon, making it accessible for all families seeking support.

“We know that parenting can be a challenging journey, especially when navigating neurodivergence and mental health issues,” Yolanda Walker added. “Our goal is to build a community where parents feel seen, heard, and supported. We hope you’ll join us in this vital work.”

For more information about the Supernova Parenting Community and to sign up for membership, please visit supernovaparenting.org