Chuck D took to Twitter yesterday (July 12) to raise some questions about criticism Bill Cosby is receiving for allegedly drugging and raping women.
“One thing about being older you less apt to fall for some bulsht story you read when you seen it live yourself,” Chuck D says. “And have context at all times.”
The Public Enemy rapper says that he gained respect for Bill Cosby after seeing him talking with Will Smith at The Apollo. The rapper also reminds his audience, who see Bill Cosby only as Cliff Huxtable, that the actor was friends with Playboy founder Hugh Hefner. He goes on to say that it was not unheard of for men to slip drugs to women in the 1970s.
“No way Im defending Cosby,” Chuck D says. “But this wiping history out wit a swoop is akin to Nazi book burning. Context is everything.”
Disney’s Hollywood Studios is planning to take down a statue of the actor after the allegations came out.
Chuck D says that America puts too much hope in public figures.
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“Fkn stupid USA. My own father is 77 why would I listen watch a TV actor as a father figure?” Chuck D says. “We have to look real people in eyes & not images. A public figure can only be someone you pick qualities from and add to you, if chosen. Eat what’s edible leave the bones where they may..”
We are living in a wild bizarre time. Character assassination very real DrCosby & ConFed flag down in same week.Status is currency to masses
— Chuck D (@MrChuckD) July 12, 2015
They're taking his name & statues down but is every situation giving his money back to him since its dirty money? #BillCosby
— Chuck D (@MrChuckD) July 12, 2015
I'm saying ppl don't even recall Cosby in pajamas Cigar w Hef at Playboy Mansion 70s parties. Wtf ? Usa folk believed in Huxtable character.
— Chuck D (@MrChuckD) July 12, 2015
I wasn't defending anything but I ain't naive either nor was I a kid in the 80s swept totally by a TV show. I'd already watched Cosby in 60s
— Chuck D (@MrChuckD) July 12, 2015
Question do some of yall start stop listening to Marvin Gaye records because of drug addiction? Attempted murder? Wife Abuse? Pedophilia?
— Chuck D (@MrChuckD) July 12, 2015
A lotta your favorites did some wild Sht in the 80s & 90s you followed. Start turning in your headphones & keep walking by Vitamin Water ?
— Chuck D (@MrChuckD) July 12, 2015
All I know when I came in the biz in the 80s ALL I heard was wild a times in 60s70s Hollywood.The 80s was too. Heard it all,watched from far
— Chuck D (@MrChuckD) July 12, 2015
Black women been reporting abuse for 100 years.Now it's woven in the cultural everyday talk.I think black women's total voices are obscured
— Chuck D (@MrChuckD) July 12, 2015
Fkn stupid USA. My own father is 77 why would I listen watch a TV actor as a father figure?We have to look real people in eyes & not images
— Chuck D (@MrChuckD) July 12, 2015
A public figure can only be someone you pick qualities from and add to you, if chosen. Eat what's edible leave the bones where they may..
— Chuck D (@MrChuckD) July 12, 2015
No way Im defending Cosby.But this wiping history out wit a swoop is akin to Nazi book burning.Context is everything.PhilSpector still plays
— Chuck D (@MrChuckD) July 12, 2015
I don't drink or smoke.But I came at the game that was influencing youth.I didn't criticize adults in 90s.But KidMixing was heavy & still is
— Chuck D (@MrChuckD) July 12, 2015
I say this to say,at 55 if I decided to have a scotch would that make me a hypocrite coming at MaltLiquor in my 30s or cocaine in the 80s ?
— Chuck D (@MrChuckD) July 12, 2015
Context is important here
— Chuck D (@MrChuckD) July 12, 2015
I remember a lotta cats in the 70s at parties wanting to lace a girls drink. I was like are you kidding me. Game was offering Coke.Yeah wtf?
— Chuck D (@MrChuckD) July 12, 2015
One thing about being older you less apt to fall for some bulsht story you read when you seen it live yourself.And have context at all times
— Chuck D (@MrChuckD) July 12, 2015
A lotta cats will tell you back in the day sht, but if they was high & drunk expect them to forget sht. I watched listened & drove em home
— Chuck D (@MrChuckD) July 12, 2015
Do the math im 16 in 1976,cocaine wars blast into NY. Gamechanger 77-81.Then crack.ANY fkn story coming out of 1970s is incomplete to me smh
— Chuck D (@MrChuckD) July 12, 2015
I say no more. It's like trying to judge Dr MLK Dream speech in 63 when you born in 86.Context is important.Lotta older cats ain't on here
— Chuck D (@MrChuckD) July 12, 2015
Only encounter w BCosby,was at Apollo talking to rappers,mainly WillSmith.About traps etc,money.I listened far in corner radically w respect
— Chuck D (@MrChuckD) July 12, 2015
Most of your RAP favorites the past 20yrs make deals with the Machine.I dont MAKE deals.Its a beautiful struggle.NO Sympathy From The Devil
— Chuck D (@MrChuckD) July 12, 2015
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