Thread by @SoliPhilander

I have worked with Camillo for many years
Intersected at various points in our careers
I have always had the greatest respect for him
It has to be said: his light was not dim
To say that I am shocked, stunned and staggered at this news
Would be as understated as just

saying he's accused
He's arrested, let me say
Appearing in court today
Someone who I was convinced had only the best intentions for his community at heart
A passion for his people, a love for his art
Someone I know, love and respect
That I now have to evaluate and inspect

Charged with the rape and sexual assault of a minor
While advocating for the nobler and the finer

Someone says they were continuously abused by him over time
Knowing him doesn't make this less a vile crime
Someone is asking believe the unbelievable

About what we know to hide behind the veil of inconceivable

Someone is saying Me Too

About someone I think of as my broe

BUT DID WE NOT SAY:

ABUSE shouldn't happen to YOU?

I don't know the circumstances or details around what this is about
REGARDLESS, we did demand that

when abused, SPEAK OUT

With no condition, no fear
About what it is we might possibly hear
Or who identify, who shame
Who blame, who name

So that we're clear that this is not about who
But about what the accusation points to

No ifs, buts or ands
The accusation stands

And this is as horrible, truly
As only something like this can be

And the focus is not on the man we presume
But all about him we've come to assume
And the accusation that all along
He was making himself guilty of something horribly wrong

#ChildAbuse