The mere mention of the word “Rape" conjures up a feeling of fear and helplessness within the victim, not to mention all the stigma and possible life-threatening diseases associated with this despicable act. This violent act of mental and physical torture is nothing short of the taking of someone's life, as it is the ultimate violation of the body by another and strips away all human dignity of the victim.

Arguably but rightfully so, some states in the U.S. have recognized this act as being tantamount to thievery and that of hostage-taking because the emotional aspects of the individual was savagely taken away by the perpetrator without permission; stripping him or her bare of their inalienable rights to protection of their body, in particular, their private parts.

And even in cases when permission is given, the age of consent as designated by law is protected by a statutory requirement in order to protect our Adolescents from the predatory behavior of others. Yet, there are those who would engage in this unscrupulous behavior in order to circumvent the law and the moral and ethical standards that go with protecting the rights of the individual; all in their thirst for pleasure and dominance over their victim.

The latest media exposure (of which there were many, mind you) to this accusation, is a man who has taken up the mantra and has become the epitome of the Black "on screen" family, championing the issue for a change in the character and perception of Blacks. His episodes have been worldly viewed, providing entertainment with a poignant reminder of our lost values to his viewing audience. He is known for his derisions, direct confrontations and pontifications in making his points. He chastises and humiliates some of his detractors in public and has a low tolerance level for the Black defenders of the status quo.

Today, he stands in defense of what now has become his growing Achilles Heel; another accusation of rape, bringing into question his true value as a defender of upholding Black principles. So devalued this man has become, he is now being regarded as the phony equivalent of "the Three Dollar Bill".

Bill has been cornered and place in a most unenviable position where he can neither make a case, nor prove his innocence, just like his accusers who cannot prove their unwilling participation (they do not have to)but unlike him, they can certainly make a case even decades later in accusation for their perceived unwillingness in the act.

And as we are constantly reminded that our system of justice affords one to be regarded as "innocent until proven guilty, the law of public opinion at times is not as kind. It sets a higher threshold and administers punishment without any trial, far less guilt hence skewing all allegations of rape towards the guilty side in protection of the alleged accuser's virtues. In Bill’s case, the standard of “ the one-third truth contained in any allegation” is enough to render him guilty because in the case of rape, one is beyond the tolerance level of any civilized society and therefore, too many.

Bill’s count is now up to five.

But how does the innocent get protection in this court of public opinion in an encounter between two consenting adults?

And how does it prevent the retaliation of the "hell fire of the scorned" that awaits anyone who dare?

Are we to remain hostage to the discretion of others for a timely and calculated release of disparaging information on another for their past dalliances?

How then can justice be served to the guilty by way of establishing proof for their predatory behavior, even if it had occurred decades ago?

VJL