The Disparity of Outrage
Why is there a difference between Bill Cosby and Cardi B?
With the recent revelations of Hip Hop Star Cardi B, men and right thinking women are asking why there is no outrage or a call for retroactive justice. Cardi B admitted on a video that she, in her past life, had drugged and robbed men while she was a stripper. This admission was a bombshell because of the obvious dismissive and uncaring attitude that most of her fans and pundits had towards these confessions.
Why is this important? When you juxtapose the outrage that was thrust upon now convicted star, Bill Cosby, you begin to understand the outcry of “foul play. Before I continue, let me just say that rape and robbery are two totally different crimes and should not be confused or conflated with each other as the same. I simply make the comparison between Cardi B and Bill Cosby because they both committed crimes and the public reaction was totally different. So, now we ask the question . . . Why is there a difference in the way we perceive these two? Both people incapacitated their victims and both violated their victims and both have even claimed that their victims were aware and willing participants. So why the different perceptions?
I believe it’s because, as the quote says, “we live in interesting times”. With the advent of #MeToo, the toxic masculinity and rape culture machine, feminists propaganda at an all-time high, the LBGTQ movement, men feeling the need to capitulate to women for past deeds and Cardi B’s “rags to riches” story there is low accountability when women do these things. When the story first broke I broached the question, “Where is the outrage”? And right on cue, women, I affectionately call “honey bees” came to sting. They said I was insensitive, stupid, out of my element and of course, plain ole’ wrong for comparing what Cardi B did to what Bill Cosby is convicted of doing They refused to see the obvious similarities and the predatory nature of both the crimes. Instead, they circled the wagons and found excuses for her behavior. They said things like, “She was young”, “She had very few choices”, “She had to do what she had to do”, and of course the ultimate reason, ”Cosby raped them, that’s different”. They found an excuse to absolve her of past deeds. He is portrayed as the BIG BAD WOLF and she is given the LITTE RED RIDING HOOD pass.
They also were upset that I asked about #MeToo and what they had to say about Cardi B. How dare I bring #MeToo into this discussion? #MeToo, ostensibly, was created as a vehicle to help women who were victims of rape, assault, and harassment the agency to come forward and not fear retribution. These are good goals in my book. However, as what happens in many instances, #MeToo became heavy-handed and indiscriminately convicting men in the court of public opinion without due process. There have been several examples of men who were unfairly labeled rapists and abusers who, in fact, were not. Then there was Terry Crews! Veteran actor Terry Crews used the #MeToo platform to expose someone who violated him, and this was the first time a man used this vehicle. He later received justified criticism because he latched onto the “Toxic masculinity and Rape Culture” bandwagon. The problem with these movements is that they vilify an entire gender for the actions of a few. This makes all men guilty, all men cowards, all men predators, which just isn’t the reality. As in most cases, the majority are doing it right and the few wrongdoers get the attention.
Now back to Ms. Cardi B. I will be honest, I do have some disdain for her. She has been uplifted as a role model because she came from hard circumstances and makes a lot of money. Our young ladies and some of our grown women see her as someone to emulate. Her loud, brash, vulgar personality conjoined with selling sex as a reputable way to carry yourself. We all have a past but to put her on a pedestal and glorify her antics will be detrimental to our community in the long run.
In her own words, she is a criminal. She even tried to justify it by saying she is part of “rap culture” and talking about past deeds is part of it. I hope she knows that some rap artist has gone to jail for their lyrics, threats, and confessions? I don’t think anything will come of this. She will be shielded by “female privilege” and allowed to continue her unsavory ways. It’s the world we live in that glorifies the slut or whore and belittles a woman of modesty and decorum.
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Should Cardi B get investigated and charged for her admitted crimes?
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