March 6, 2015
Article Here
Jewel Allison, a poet and author of "Stealing Peace: Let's talk about racism" claims that she too fell victim to Bill Cosby's sexual assaults. Jewel is a graduate of New York University, a public speaker and a music educator who dreaded painting another black man as sexually abusive. She believes America has "systematically victimized" African Americans and did not want to contribute to these ideologies. Jewel believed she must keep the assault she had withstood from Cosby a secret for many reasons. Do her allegiances lie with the black people of America, or with the female victims of sexual abuse. Firstly she believed the women alleging assaults were being criticized and discredited. She did not want to be viewed as just another women claiming assault and she certainly didn't want to paint black Americans as sexual predators. She also encountered a lot of negative feedback within her circle of friends when asked if she should come out with her story along with the twenty five other victims. Allison also states that because so many celebrities had defended Cosby against such allegations, she felt intimidated by the thought of being interrogated. Throughout the article, Allison battles with doing whats right or standing next to the black community. She speaks primarily to those interested in Cosby's case but to the general public as well. I see Jewel's side of the story and believe it must have been a hard decision to make. I think she laid out her argument and concerns well and presented a very well thought out article. I empathized with her struggles and acknowledge how hard it must have been to step out against her own race. Despite her apprehensions I believe she made the right choice sharing her story and assuring that Cosby face consequences for the unspeakable acts he has committed. Jewel Allison states she couldn't allow race to trump rape and I couldn't agree more.
