General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: I stopped liking Bill Cosby 25 years ago. Here's the story. [View all]Are_grits_groceries
(17,111 posts)There are many people made great progress on the one hand but also had a negative impact on the other. I call them 50/50 people.
Lyndon Johnson is one to me. His support for civil rights and the poor was outstanding. On the other hand, actions in Vietnam were shameful.
Bobby Knight, the former Indiana basketball coach is another. His players went to class and he never had NCAA violations. He quietly helped people. On the other hand he was a bully and a complete jackass to many.
There are others.
It's not a zero sum situation. The good doesn't cancel out the bad. In considering these people their whole lives have to be considered.
There are those who refuse to hear anything negative about Cosby because it's tearing him down. There are others who acknowledge no good that he has done.
His being instrumental in changing Americn society is a great point in his favor. IMO that in no way excuses other actions that weren't so great.