It’s been over a year since legendary Comedian, Actor and Educator #BillCosby began his sentence at SCI-Phoenix, a maximum-security Pennsylvania penitentiary, and he’s finally breaking his silence.
In an exclusive phone interview with BlackPressUSA.com, the 82-year-old comedian updates us, shares some of his thoughts, but most importantly, maintains his innocence.
“I have eight years and nine months left,” Bill stated. “When I come up for parole, they’re not going to hear me say that I have remorse. I was there. I don’t care what group of people come along and talk about this when they weren’t there. They don’t know.”
Cosby also went on to say his trials were a sham, unjust and not fair. His words exactly, “It’s all a setup. That whole jury thing. They were imposters.”
Cosby believes what was done to him was political, and also discussed issues he felt the society was dealing with as a whole; the negative impact of drugs and his concern for all of Black America.
With this in mind, he mentioned the removal of #TheCosbyShow; stating the shelving of his iconic “The Cosby Show” is proof that those in power have long conspired to remove anything positive from the Black community.
“They did not like what ‘The Cosby Show’ looked like for us, and many of us traded into it. Now, look at what has happened. They’ve taken everything that I’ve done and swept it into a place where it would not be shown,” said Bill.
“They’ve thrown respect for the family out the window, and they’re blaming each other for what’s going on. There is post-traumatic stress syndrome, and there are also bad manners.”
Yet, despite it all, the educator has found solace behind prison walls, as he’s become an inspiration daily for the African American men he’s serving his time with. Reportedly, Bill spends the majority of his time teaching and mentoring his fellow inmates through the Mann Up program. The program serves to encourage and empower African American men to strive for self-respect and dignity, and to put their family first.
Several inmates expressed they were saddened to see such an icon and inspiration in prison and discussed the impact Cosby’s presence has on them.
“Mr. Cosby comes into the room with his fist in the air and all of these men rise up and applaud him. He gives us so much wisdom and the Mann Up program is the perfect vehicle,” said Wallace, a fellow inmate.
At the end of the day, Cosby states he’s at the right place at the right time, as his goal was always to reach and inspire African American men. He describes his cell as a penthouse, and states he’s at peace, and though, injustice exists, he knows he’s serving a greater purpose.
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