When Ebony magazine revealed their November 2015 issue with a “shattered” Cosby Show family on the cover, many were up in arms about the choice to do just that. I too felt disappointment at the magazine, whose purpose is to accurately but respectfully represent the Black community. But, with time to really think about why Ebony chose to release the issue branded, The Family Issue, or perhaps, more appropriately titled The Black Family Issue, I understood.
With Bill Cosby now facing over 50+ accusations of sexual assault or inappropriate behavior, what the magazine is actually forcing us to do is separate Bill from Heathcliff Huxtable, our favorite TV dad. As hard as it may be to accept, what Ebony did was thought provoking. The outlet forcing us to have that dialogue. In my opinion, we’re all being held accountable for what we allow and won’t allow in our own community, even if that means holding an icon by the stake and allowing his “perfect image” to be obliterated by society’s inferno.
What’s making us all so angry? We didn’t want it to be Bill. We still don’t want it to be Bill, not Dr. Huxtable! Right?
It’s the same concept that I struggled with. For so long, and still to this day, we wanted and needed a representation of what a strong and successful Black family look like. Bill Cosby had that same vision and gave it to us with The Cosby Show; awakening America and informing the world that successful Black families do exist. Where both mom and dad are present, both who are career driven, who stress the importance of education, with well behaved children and core family values we can all relate to. Now Ebony magazine, so bold and so apologetically, has “shattered” that prime example of what we [the Black community] hope to be. But not so fast. What we also have to realize, is that Bill Cosby’s actions (if he’s proven guilty) and not the magazine’s interpretation of those actions is what’s shattered the “perfect Black family” image. We also have to find a way to separate Cosby the man from Heathcliff the character. That’s exactly what Ebony is trying to get us to see, even if that’s forcibly.
During an appearance on CNN, over the weekend, Ebony’s Editor-in-chief Kierna Mayo, takes on criticism for portraying the “shattered” Cosby image. Mayo says, “we have to have the conversation.”
It was also a conversation I had with some of my social media followers. Here’s one response that I found very interesting.
buzzyroze: @cottenkandi I see why Ebony did it very thought provoking. Makes me wonder can [we] celebrate the art and not the artist? I think we can uphold Heatcliffe as a loving husband and doting father, and yet if allegations prove to be true, say Bill Cosby should pay the price. I think it is important we separate Heatcliffe from Bill Cosby.
cottenkandi: @buzzyroze Yes I initially struggled with it but understand why they did it. But had to do what you just said, separating Cosby the man from a fictional character and respecting the art and what he taught us through that art. Even if he now needs the reminder. Great point!
What are some of your thoughts on the matter?
For more of Mayo’s sit down with CNN watch below.
And for Ebony’s full cover story head over to Ebony.com.
