In a world where speaking up for what you believe has become the norm, women in the workplace are still struggling with unequal treatment and sexual misconduct. The phrase the “glass ceiling,” was coined long ago to describe the unequal treatment between men and women in the workplace. A huge part of inequalities women are faced with in a professional setting can be the uncomfortable behavior they are supposed to endure. Some women have even endured sexual assault.
Bill Cosby, known previously as “America’s Dad,” was convicted of drugging and sexually assaulting Andrea Constant at his home, fourteen years ago in 2004. The conviction of Bill Cosby has empowered many women, proving that a powerful man can still be taken down. Cosby’s conviction proved to women that there is justice, there are people who believe in right and wrong and there is a place they can go to attain that justice they so deserve. However, was Bill Cosby’s sentencing truly enough? Cosby is being filed as a sexually violent predator, and must serve 3 to 10 years in a state prison. Yes, this is a milestone in a case that has been present for over a decade, and it is a case against a man with dozens of accusations made against him, however, was his sentencing fair?
Some may argue that having Cosby in prison at all is blessing knowing the faults of the justice system, and how it can fail to serve. In other cases, with a man having as many accusations against him as Cosby, the sentencing can seem a little light. It seems that the trial was pushed off until the media finally grabbed the attention of society through the first large celebrity sexual assault movement, #MeToo. #MeToo was a campaign started by women in the entertainment industry to reach the public that put their foot downs to say enough with sexual assault. The campaign traveled great leaps and bounds because of the prestigious celebrities backing it, as well as the digital aspect. The movement’s hashtag created a shared space for non-celebs to contribute to the movement, and created a sense of unity with people who some idolized.
Bill Cosby was one of the first large household named celebrities to be accused. Accusing a man who was viewed as “America’s Dad,” must have seemed insurmountable, but the trials went on and a sentencing was made. Cosby was put away no matter how much he meant to people prior, or what image he had portrayed in the mias, he was a predator and the truth came out.
This trial can be viewed as an example to men who think they are too powerful to be taken down, and that their reputations will hide society from the truth. This case can be viewed as inspiration for the women who are still seeking justice. There are many more accused men who are walking free, recently one of which is going to be responsible for making extreme decisions for our country, Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh. Brett Kavanaugh should be held to the same account as any other man accused of the heinous crimes he is being held to.
Although this is just a small glimpse of the justice that needs to be served, this case can still serve as an example for many. Hopefully women in all areas of work, or their personal lives, can look at this case and realize that at times the justice system will do right for the people deserving of justice.
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