For over 30 years, the name Bill Cosby has been synonymous with wholesome family entertainment, from his earliest stand up, to his abundance of sitcoms, movies and cartoons. But more importantly, Cosby was known for being an icon to not only the African-American community, but also to the rest of the world. Bill Cosby’s reputation makes it almost impossible to believe that he sexually assaulted women.

Or does it?

A little over two years ago, Cosby fans were suddenly thrust into the not-so-private life of their favorite comedian; over 40 women came forward and claimed that Cosby had drugged, sexually assaulted and/or raped them.  

“His M.O. is the same,” Joan Tarshis, one of Cosby’s alleged victims, said “He gets you into a position where you think you’re going to work with him, and then he drugs you and rapes you.”

Even though none of the allegations have been proven reportedly, Camille Cosby, the comedian’s wife, believes that her husband “does deserve every bit of the hell he’s going through.”  

Initially Mrs. Cosby stood by her husband, but as the accusations continued to surface, she became humiliated and angry. Fortunately, her anger is towards her adulterous husband, and not the women who have come forward. As a result, the feelings of retribution are only intensified by Mrs. Cosby and those who believe Cosby is neglecting to acknowledge the severity of the predicament he is in.

“Before the allegations, I didn’t really think highly of Cosby because of some statements he made against black people,” Sheena Abdur-Rasheed (10) said, “and this argument that he was some black leader and ‘the man is tryna [sic] tear him down’ is ridiculous. He raped some women. Whoever you thought he was to you, get over it.”

However, Cosby still has supporters. A gang of  “truthers” continues to back the fallen icon even after Cosby was hit with over thirty accusations. This group of die-hards openly support Cosby on social media, and blatantly criticize his accusers.

“No woman in her right mind would let a man sexually assault her and wait almost 12 years to move on it,”  Denise Schools Martin said on the “We Stand with Cosby” Facebook page. “I truly believe [his accusers] are a bunch of money hungry women who have jumped on the bandwagon.”

Schools Martin may be onto something, at least in regards to Andrea Constand, another of Cosby’s alleged victims. Constand’s statements regarding her assault have credibility issues. According to Bruce Castor, former District Attorney of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, her behavior “was inconsistent with a person who has been sexually assaulted.” These very inconsistencies continue to discredit the other women who have spoken out against Cosby.

“Honestly, I don’t really believe that [the accusations] are true,” Victoria Robison (11) said. “He’s done more good for the community than harm and he should really be allowed to live out the rest of his days as he wishes.”

Sadly for Cosby, this may not be possible, as the public’s opinion of him continues to drop. Cosby has lost not only his legacy, but also his career and fans. Now Cosby stands to lose his freedom as well with the announcement that he is being charged with the sexual assault of Andrea Constand. Now more so than ever, the chance of Cosby regaining his status as “America’s Dad” is highly unlikely, if not impossible.

“If all of this is true, then yes, he would definitely not be the type of role model I would want to see on TV representing the black community,” choir teacher Nikisha Williams said. “[However], the things that he has made before this are good things, and I would support [them] and not him.”