New York Magazine has released a cover story that will no doubt go down in history. Thirty-five of Bill Cosby’s alleged sexual assault victims have come forward in a powerful and brave way. These 35 women have chosen to make their stories known after decades of being silent. Written by Noreen Malone of New York Magazine, the world is finally hearing the side of a tragic story that has been silenced for too long.
Among the list of women are Janice Dickinson and Beverly Johnson, who were both popular supermodels, as well as dozens of women who were part of the entertainment industry. Despite the magnitude of their allegations or their level of fame, these women have been shamed and silenced. Until now, that is, with this profile giving them a platform that has been a long time coming.
Each woman who has been interviewed by New York Magazine was given their own space in the article that links to their testimony. While each incident is separate and haunting in itself, they feel connected with one another. Joan Tarshis, one of the women interviewed, and an accuser, calls it a “sorrowful sisterhood.”
The victims are the main focus of this piece, not the aggressor Bill Cosby, which many past articles have done. Cosby’s accomplishments and his position of power were used to prevent these women from speaking out, but not any longer. “I feel more powerful than him,” says Chelan Lasha. Lasha is an alleged victim who came forward just late last year.
Malone, the author of this piece, points out that while speaking up against sexual assault has in the past been taboo, times are changing. Including Hannibal Burress’ viral stand-up bit about Cosby where he publicly calls him a rapist, and Emma Sulkowicz, the Columbia student who publicly protested against her alleged rapist, the article makes it clear that the narrative is making a shift.
This collaborative project between Noreen Malone and Amanda Demme makes its debut just a week after Cosby’s deposition of Andrea Constand’s case in 2005 was made to the public. In the deposition, Bill Cosby admits to using Quaaludes and giving them to the victims of his sexual advances, but is confident that his actions do not constitute as rape. While in 2005 it was clear that Cosby was able to control the media, Tamara Green says, “in 2015, we have social media.”
Each woman’s testimony is worth the read and should be the focal point in this story, rather than Cosby’s downfall. Read the full piece here and stay follow PopWrapped for any breaking news or updates.
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