Ladylike Commentary on the Bill Cosby Epidemic:
I will not pretend to be judge nor jury, but we do know the truth will surface - even if it has been more than 45 years for some of the women that have spoken out recently.
The only truth that I can embrace is that there must have been a chronically sad display of cultural empathy for human welfare in the 1960's, 1970's, 1980's, 1990's and 2000's (THAT'S OUR LIFETIME, PEOPLE) if a woman - or anyone for that matter- felt overwhelmed by potential condescension, neglect, and/or mistreatment if she voiced, accused, or reported an instance of rape.
The mental, psychological, and emotional fortitude to withstand rape and molestation - and not see the perpetrator brought to justice - is incredible to me.
No matter how the Cosby case is shaped, we know that this scenario - highlighted only because of his celebrity status - is representative of an unknown number of instances (and in many women's lives, permanent conditions) of sexual abuse.
A few thoughts and questions that came in my brainspace.........
- It's a dark and dangerous topic, but are women having conversations about this?
- Are women exploring the layers that plague rape victims from generation to generation?
- For rape victims, are there community services that are both visible and accessible to them?
- Will insurance carriers support therapy sessions without mandating that rape victims carry the label of being "clinically depressed?"
- For all the federal, state, and private resources that are available, are women's (and girls') issues appropriately funded in the context of national priorities?