When Bill Cosby rape allegations broke last fall — shortly after I posted this — my husband asked me if I planned to address the matter on Triple B. He and I discussed it, as we do most current events especially those directly connected to the Black community and/or women, at length. I ultimately opted not to mention the matter here on Black Bridal Bliss. Why?

Bill Cosby and Heathcliff Huxtable are not one in the same. Point blank. Period.

Now, I’m breaking my silence. Let’s get a few very important things out of the way: Anyone who rapes dozens of women, especially after drugging them should be punished under full extent of the law. I don’t care how much money they’ve donated to beloved HBCUs like Spelman and Morehouse. I have several nieces and goddaughters. I’m a woman. I know rape survivors and have witnessed their pain. Most importantly, I am human. Rape isn’t about sex. It doesn’t matter how the victim dresses, what their gender is, how late it is…Rape is about power and those who aim to abuse it. I can clearly remember when I first started going to nightclubs and my mother schooling me. “Bridgette, I don’t care how much your drink cost, if you set it down and walk away from it, you do not drink it again. You hear me?” There was a look of pure fear in her eyes when she told me this that I will take to my grave. There’s nothing lighthearted or funny about rape; regardless of the circumstances. Absolutely nothing.

It is easy to mingle the personalities of fictional characters with those that play them, especially when the actors are good at what they do. But I’ve never — knowingly anyway– confused Mr. Cosby with Dr. Huxtable. It is crazy (but not really surprising) to observe how people people did. The image of a healthy and happy (not perfect!) marriage and family that Cliff and Clair gave the world? I still treasure it. That hasn’t changed.

The Cosby Show and A Different World helped shape who I am — for the better — as a person. As an adult, I know accomplished lawyers and doctors who are my peers that admit to The Cosby Show significantly shaping their career paths. I have male friends who’ve shared that their own fathers were not present in their lives but because of Heathcliff Huxtable, they are encouraged to be active, supportive, accountable fathers and father figures to their children — both biological and surrogate. This is huge. I also strongly believe anyone who chooses to (because it is a choice) rape dozens of women and think their money and fame will guard them from consequence is disgusting and should be charged and tried accordingly. That hasn’t changed either.

Let’s stay woke.

(Feel free to sound-off with your opinion in the comments.)

*I know this topic is a bit heavy for a bridal blog but Triple B is bigger than weddings. View my last Pick of the Week here.