Playboy Magazine founder Hugh Hefner (R) and actor Bill Cosby arrive at a news conference for the upcoming Playboy Jazz Festival, at the Playboy Mansion in Los Angeles, California February 10, 2011.
Playboy Magazine founder Hugh Hefner (R) and actor Bill Cosby arrive at a news conference for the upcoming Playboy Jazz Festival, at the Playboy Mansion in Los Angeles, California February 10, 2011. The festival, with Cosby as master of ceremonies, will be held in Hollywood June 11 and 12, 2011. Reuters/Fred Prouser

Bill Cosby is playing the race card in the rape and sex abuse allegations against him. The National Association of Black Journalists blasted the 77-year-old African American actor for making his race an excuse not to be reported in the media.

Over 27 women have accused Cosby of rape, attempted rape or sexual assault as of December, with the actor refusing to address the allegations against him. He did break his silence recently, though, only to tell the “black media” to be neutral in his case.

“Let me say this. I only expect the black media to uphold the standards of excellence in journalism and when you do that you have to go in with a neutral mind,” he told Page Six. He added that his lawyers don’t want him to talk to the media, perhaps explaining why he is remaining silent despite the increasing number of women who accuse him.

The “black media” aren’t happy with his insinuation that reports about his scandal are biased. Bob Butler, the president of the National Association of Black Journalists, told TMZ that despite Cosby’s claim white media are after his head, almost all reports about him have been impartial.

“You don’t go easier on a person with colour. It’s wrong for journalism period,” he said, adding black reporters should be crossed at Cosby for saying such thing. “This is not a colour issue, this is a journalism issue … black people happen to be reporters.”

Cosby’s wife Camille has also broken her silence on the allegations against her husband, insisting her husband is not a sexual predator that those women allege him to be. She also blamed the media for not examining their stories before they are published.

“None of us will ever want to be in the position of attacking a victim,” Camille said in a statement. But the question should be asked – who is the victim?”

When asked how his wife is coping with the scandals that have been thrown at him, Cosby only replied vaguely, “Love and strength of womanhood. Let me say it again, love and the strength of womanhood. And, you could reverse it, the strength of womanhood and love.”

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