The new National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C., is set to include Bill Cosby in its exhibit without mention of the recent sexual assault allegations against the comedian.
The museum will feature Cosby’s 1964 comedy record “I Started Out as a Child,” a comic book from his TV series, I Spy, and video clips from I Spy and The Cosby Show.
Several women who have alleged that the comedian drugged and raped them, have come forward to state that they are not happy with the museum.
Patricia Leary Steuer, who accused Cosby of assault, told the New York Times she is disappointed in the museum. “If they just speak about the contributions, there will be this enormous presence that is not talked about,” she said.
Beth Ferrier who claimed she was drugged and assaulted, also came forward to speak her mind on the decision: “A label is the only way I would agree to it,” she said. “We’ve been labeled.”
The museum’s director, Lonnie Bunch explained that the display is not there to upset anyone. “I know that we are not going to please everybody,” Bunch told The New York Times. “Did we talk too much about religion and not enough about schools? Did we talk about class? Or what are we saying about gender?”
The Smithsonian Institute also came under attack for an exhibit featuring art from the private collection of Cosby and his wife, Camille.
The museum also issued a statement on its website that added, “The National Museum of African Art in no way condones Mr. Cosby’s behavior. We continue to present Conversations: African and African American Artworks in Dialogue because it is fundamentally about the artworks and the artists who created them, not Mr. Cosby.”
Other exhibits in the museum will also showcase African-Americans’ contributions to sports, entertainment and the military.
Since Thompson’s death – and the revelation that Mangione has abs – the UPenn graduate…
She articulated, “As someone who spent years researching how people respond to ambiguity…I hate not…
Perfect Crime follows the brilliant psychiatrist and supposed killer Margaret Brent, joined by her deranged…
“All teen angst aside, after the parade I did check my jeans and sure enough…
Hunter Jr. appeared in the 2024 Lifetime documentary Where is Wendy Williams, which explored Williams’…
A bill targeted at preventing childhood abuse in youth residential programs and backed by Paris…