Bell contextualizes We Need to Talk About Cosby and Cosby within his gift as a storyteller who was never corny or offensive. In the history of Black comedians, he broke the mold and, in his time, was able to exist in many arenas and raise the bar for Black comedians, actors, and others. He demanded black stunt actors, which did not exist before his time, and he sought to encourage Black men and women to achieve higher education. He was a prolific man for Black people.
“Bell’s efforts are commendable and vital…”
It is said, too, that The Cosby Show brought black and white viewers together — an achievement that knows no boundaries. Yet, it was Hannibal Buress joking about Cosby’s sexual assaults that penetrated the years of speculation surrounding Cosby and motivated women to come forward with their accounts. As a result, the world would learn of the litigious life of Cosby, and the man behind the curtain would be exposed.
Perhaps even more daunting is that We Need to Talk About Cosby offers the construct of how Cosby managed to assault women and seemingly escape. So many of his victims would most likely never encounter one another. Who would believe that Bill Cosby was capable of such acts? But now, women’s voices are being heard, which were either ignored or dismissed until recently. Unfortunately, too many women with the same story have lived with Cosby’s actions and behavior over the decades. Bell’s efforts are commendable and vital as we continue to construct a better society inclusive of everyone’s intellect and exemplary contributions. Yet, as an extreme narcissist and one that gives new meaning to this deplorable human nature disability, Bill Cosby seems to have the last laugh as a free man — WTF!
We Need to Talk About Cosby screened at the 2022 Sundance Film Festival.
"…it feels as if something has been stolen from us that we will never get back."
