The Smithsonian Now Plans To Include Sexual Assault Allegation In Cosby Display At National Museum

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FILE - In this Nov. 6, 2014 file photo, entertainer Bill Cosby gestures during an interview at the Smithsonian's National Museum of African Art, in Washington. The Smithsonian now plans to acknowledge the sexual-assault allegations against Cosby at its new African-American history museum on the National Mall, which will include two items related to Cosby’s career in television and standup comedy. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File)

The Smithsonian now plans to acknowledge the sexual-assault allegations against Bill Cosby at a museum on the National Mall following a backlash.

The National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington D.C  will display two items related to Cosby’s career in television and standup comedy.

It will include the cover of a Cosby comedy album and a comic book from his pioneering TV drama ‘I Spy’ as part of its exhibit on black entertainers and artists.

Initially, the museum planned to include historical facts about the items without mentioning the allegations, drawing criticism from some Cosby accusers.

The museum’s founding director, Lonnie Bunch, said in a statement Thursday that the display would address Cosby’s alleged behavior, although he did not specify exactly how.

The Smithsonian now plans to acknowledge the sexual-assault allegations against Bill Cosby at the The National Museum of African American History and Culture on the National Mall following a backlash

The Smithsonian now plans to acknowledge the sexual-assault allegations against Bill Cosby at the The National Museum of African American History and Culture on the National Mall following a backlash

Cosby is best known for his role as the father in the 1980s television hit The Cosby Show, of raping them, often after plying them with alcohol or drugs, in incidents dating back decades.

The claims span experiences from the 1960s all the way to 2008, when Chloe Gains, 24, said the embattled film star spiked her drink during a party at the Playboy mansion.

Most of the alleged crimes date too far back to be prosecuted.

But just days before the statute of limitations was to expire, Pennsylvania officials late last year charged Cosby with sexually assaulting Constand in 2005.

Patricia Leary Steuer, 59, who says Cosby drugged her in an Atlantic City hotel suite, was one of the alleged victims who condemned the museum’s decision.

She told the Times: ‘If they just speak about the contributions, there will be this enormous presence that is not talked about.’

Kristina Ruehli, another woman who has accused Cosby of assault, said if the curators did include him, they should mention the accusations.

Beth Ferrier, who also says Cosby attacked her, agreed: ‘A label is the only way I would agree to it,’ she said. ‘We’ve been labeled.’

‘Like all of history, our interpretation of Bill Cosby is a work in progress, something that will continue to evolve as new evidence and insights come to the fore,’ Bunch said. ‘Visitors will leave the exhibition knowing more about Mr. Cosby’s impact on American entertainment, while recognizing that his legacy has been severely damaged by the recent accusations.’

Through a spokeswoman, Bunch declined to comment further.

Dozens of women have accused Cosby, 78, of sexual abuse. Cosby was charged last year with drugging and sexually assaulting a former Temple University worker at his suburban Philadelphia home in 2004, a case that is on hold amid an appeal. He also faces several civil lawsuits.

To read full article, go to: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3517718/Smithsonian-acknowledge-Cosby-allegations-new-museum.html#ixzz44XhG8zEK

15 Comments

  • Edward July 17, 2017 - 2:13 pm

    I hope they tell is how much donate to the black colleges (HBC), and these women waited over 12 to 40 years to report a rape

    • Nia Redmond September 22, 2017 - 9:22 am

      Edward, Thanks. Me thinks we all need to be writing to the Director of the Museum. Heck they choose to put Tiger Woods in exhibits even though he Publicly shared he Does Not consider himself African American nor Black…but, then Supreme Bench Judge Clarence Thomas, who never declared himself Not black….whether we support his politics or not—he warrants Museum status…..these admin folk need a WAKE UP!

  • Awake September 22, 2017 - 3:59 am

    Typical slave museum. I will drop my charter membership and never give them another cent.

  • Eugene McClelland September 22, 2017 - 9:22 am

    So…are they going to add bill Clinton and his lying ? Trump and his assualts? Charlie sheen and his coke habit? Robert Downey and rehab? If you bring out the negative in one do them all. Thomas Jefferson n his slaves mistresses n half black kids? Chris Columbus and how he slaughtered Indians n Islanders? Please

  • Jeff Lewis September 22, 2017 - 9:26 am

    First of all, I don’t think they should do it particularly since I’m sure some of the people in other exhibits(who are of the other persuasion) have been accused of misdeeds). However, If they did, they should disclose that what ever accusations that were presented resulted in a mistrial. But knowing them, they won’t.. It’s like Pete Rose who they say he’s a great baseball player, but because of his cheating .. he’ll never get into the hall of fame(right)…

  • Carolyn bell September 22, 2017 - 9:30 am

    The decision to display this nonsense is heartbreaking to say the least. Leave that man alone!

  • Dr. Debra Valentine Esq. September 22, 2017 - 9:44 am

    This is really wrong. Anything to pull a Black Man dow. I don’t believe any of the Women including OPRAH & BEVERLY THEY are only Black in skin. So if any of these
    so called women really wanted help, they could have gotten help years ago. And since when has Oprah ever kept her MOUTH closed asbout anything.

    I think most of the WOMEN including Beverly and Oprah should have spoke on it when it happen especially since they are suppose to be BLACK. I think Mr. Cosby
    should sue all of them. STOP THIS MADNESS. I was going to take my grandso to DC for the sites, I think I will wait maybe by the time is is 21 the truth of all
    our Black history will be displayed. The Smithsonian really need to take a serious look at this. The Director should be fired, since when allegations are a reason to broadcast. If we do it to Mr Cosby why not do it to everyone in DC from top to bottom. Also lets post all of the women in question life time do’s and don’ts.

    LEAVE THE MAN ALONE A GET A LIFE….

  • Debbie Williams September 22, 2017 - 12:46 pm

    This is HORRIBLE! Mr. Cosby has not been convicted of any crime. These are merely allegations. The is wrong. If I were Mr Cosby I would request to be completely removed for the museum before I would allow this.

  • Rene September 22, 2017 - 7:30 pm

    This is not right! Period! Mr Bunche seriously? I thought this was supposed to be about history found upon facts
    Donations from families history that care
    African American History! Not putting things in because some caucasians say to do it! Really? Just not understanding!!
    Innocent until proven guilty!
    I’ve heard the museum is doing well! The things in the museum are from things proven that have happened not alleged!
    Social media is doing enough with reporting things as such

  • Rene September 22, 2017 - 7:32 pm

    And I said some, not all!

  • Rene September 22, 2017 - 7:37 pm

    Defaming someone’s character without proof! As usual! Character assassination!
    People already know about the allegations!…shouldn’t be included in the museum! Oh my goodness! ?

  • G. Tomlinson September 22, 2017 - 9:26 pm

    This is simply RIDICULOUS…and I am tremendously disappointed in Mr. Bunche and anyone else who decided to cower under pressure from Mr. Cosby’s accusers. So, now do we go back through all of the erected monuments to the founding fathers of this country and add an “asterisk” stating their complete support of the brutal, grotesquely inhumane institution of slavery? Do we add a sidebar during tours of Monticello reminding tourists that Thomas Jefferson raped his favorite slave for 37 years straight, beginning when she was well underage? The constant sullying of Bill Cosby’s name is completely beyond ridiculous. Definitely re-thinking a (previously) much-anticipated visit to this so-called museum…what an incredible disappointment.

    • Nia Redmond September 22, 2017 - 9:45 pm

      G.Tomlinson….Well state….THANK YOU !

  • Martha Alexander Paskins September 25, 2017 - 8:10 pm

    Absolutely tasteless and politically motivated.

  • TL Stewart September 25, 2017 - 9:29 pm

    Please check the errors in the post.