Bill Cosby's conviction. [View all]

I remember a black colleague being depressed when OJ was arrested.
He was concerned that such a high profile black man being accused would further support the stereotype that all black men are criminals.
My reaction was different because, being white, I didn't see OJ's blackness as his primary identity, ( Probably due to OJ's deliberate efforts to divest his public image of his African American heritage.), and was surprised at his feelings. My initial reaction was that he was too sensitive and focussed on race but after thinking about it I realized that his life experiences gave him a different, but valid, perspective.

Cosby's conviction seems to play to the same concerns, possibly even more starkly.
Bill Cosby was a role model as an honest, trustworthy, family man but is now convicted for a hidden, perverse side to his character that might inflame negative stereotypes.

I've known of Cosby from his early stand up comedy days and still have recordings of his performances. His comedy always emphasized the universal feelings of kids and families towards each other and built an appreciation of the common humanity which is the foundation of all of us. I think some of my feelings on racial issues were materially affected by his comedy back when I was a kid.

The other side of common humanity is that none of us are perfect. I'm sure many of us have a darker side but most are able to keep it in the realm of fantasy instead of letting it out to affect real life. It's sad that he didn't have the self control to keep his demons to himself.

I hope his conviction doesn't do more damage to race relations which are in such turmoil right now.