After two long years of waiting, the verdict has finally been handed down: Bill Cosby is guilty of sexual assault. He is the first celebrity to be convicted since the “Me Too” movement began.

It seems unbelievable that a man who many regarded as “America’s Dad” could be guilty of the heinous crimes of drugging women and then having his way with them sexually without their consent.  Cliff Huxtable, the fictitious father that Cosby portrayed on The Cosby Show, was the Dad everyone wanted their Dad to be. Huxtable was close to perfect in managing a family, a medical practice, and everyday situations.  Cosby, however, has proven himself to be far from perfect and appears to have lower morals than his television character.

Maybe we shouldn’t have expected perfection.  It is easy for us to forget that the people we watch on television are just make believe characters. We think that the actors are actually the characters and attribute the good things they do while in character to the actual actor.  As television viewers we must understand that in reality what we are watching are actors practicing their craft — hence the term acting. This only adds to our disappointment when the real life flaws and problems of these people become known to us.

Cosby wasn’t the first famous person to deceive us and, unfortunately, he likely won’t be the last.  Money, power, and opportunity are tempting elixirs that often leave those who possess all three thinking they are above the rules of others.  This sense of entitlement invades all aspects of our lives.  Entertainment executive Harvey Weinstein is facing a large list of accusers of the same sexual misconduct as Cosby. Actors Ben Affleck, Richard Dreyfuss, and Sylvester Stallone all are fighting complaints of sexual misconduct.  Journalist Matt Lauer formerly of the Today Show, Charlie Rose recently released from CBS News, and even more recently Tom Brokaw of NBC all are facing charges of misbehavior.  Politicians are just as guilty.  President Donald Trump has a multitude of accusers.  Sports figures like Philadelphia’s Kobe Bryant and former Philadelphia Eagle Donovan McNabb have been named in cases of sexual assault as well.

A lot of the credit for uncovering this bad behavior is due to the Me Too movement.  It has empowered and emboldened women and the powerless to take a stand in the face of these injustices. There is strength in unity and individuals are less afraid to confront the powerful. The voiceless have finally found  a way to be heard. Credit should also go to various social media platforms that aid in uncovering poor behavior and in keeping pressure on the culprits by keeping the story alive across many platforms.

We shouldn’t feel sorry for those accused of criminal activity. We don’t know them.  When they get their day in court and are exonerated, then we owe them our forgiveness.  If they are convicted then they deserve whatever punishment is imposed upon them. Society owes the victims a fair chance to let their stories be heard even if it comes at the cost of destroying the fantasy persona of our favorite television character.