Bill Cosby's Comments about Black Community

[Suzannah]

I agree with the majority. Cosby was trying to send a "wake-up call" to the younger black community to get up and do something with their lives. He is pointing out that you cannot shift blame for your misfortune and you cannot expect anyone to do it for you. His advice is just as good (and relevent) for my children (who are white) as it is to the black community. Get an education, stop the non-English talking slang, pull up your pants to cover your crack and do something with yourself!

I wish I could put this in my signature line, but I'm certain someone somewhere, would be offended.

 

[jameseb]

Bill isn't saying that anyone can be a successful as he is, but he's saying that anyone CAN be successful at SOMETHING if they take the time to get an education.

Agreed.

 

[praying]

......I would say anyone living in his income bracket is out of touch with the realities that face the less well heeled. This is true for most American politicians and celebrities alike.

I don't think that is necessarliy true it is certtainly true for some but not all. There are many many sucessful people both black and white who have nevr forgotten their roots.

Oprah Winfrey
Maya Angelou
Bill Cosby I believe is one
Alice Walker
Cicely Tyson
Colin Powell
Cornell West
Dr Ben Carson
Marian Wright Edelman
Ossie Davis
Queen Latifah
Spike Lee
Whoppi Goldberg

To name a few.

And Strength and domination are very much the themes that male Americans are raised on, if they don't get that precious education. But then given that a poor young black boy who gets caught smoking marijuana, is forbidden getting access to a federal educational grant, in order to get an education...why should he even care? Society has shown him the basic injustice applied...and so he says to hell with it.

When you cut to the chase though these are all excuses for not suceeding.

I read an excellent analogy which I will try to find and post which likened things such as your statement and other things to having a baby. She (I believe the author was a she) said that when a woman has a baby no one wants to know about the before, the discomfort, the labor pains at the end they just want to see the baby. If we can make it through the middle passage, out of slavery, through all the injustices of the 20th centrury we can make it thru anything. I believe part of the problem is that a large part of the black youth today does not appreciate nor is even really aware of the struggles that previous generations had. It is an abstract something far off and distant which to their detriment they believe has no bearing or their current life. History is a great teacher thus I made my children watch the flash exhibit of the history of lynching in this country.

I do relaize though that black childrennmales especially need role models in there immediate environment. People to mentor them when they are not getting that from home. Those role models do not need to come form the wealthy more ordinary everyday people need to step to the plate and tackle these issues. The black church SHOULD be in the forefront of this but it's spotty.

 

[Venus13]

His comments should be for ALL races, not just blacks.

 

[Sailor's Wife]

*

 

[the_cheat]

(And before I get beaten about the head and shoulders for this, let me say I am Irish born and bred. My family still whines about the English and what they did eight hundred years ago, and its sickening...)

Dear me. My family must have very short memories; they whine, from time to time, about what the British have been doing in the last decades. How sickening that they not only dislike being oppressed, but can't remember back as far as your family.

 

[the_cheat]

Now, the question is, what can be done? Can we expect parents to change, or are we going to increase our support of teachers who teach in african american and other minority schools?

Well, it seems to me that supporting schools would mean that the next generation of parents would do a better job of educating their children and...oh, wait. I bet that was your point.

 

[Blessed75]

Thank you and I agree with you! lol......See? I'm not AS bad as SOME might tell ya -

Great post! I totally agree

Bill Cosby's message is applicable to any race, society, or group of people that finds itself in this type of position. He has good credibility when it comes to understanding families and communities and what they need to be prosperous.

He is trying to let people know that he is fed up with a few certain things that he accurately sees as holding them back. He is trying to help by telling them all to take charge of their destiny, rather than drop it altogether and blame it on someone else.

He is old and remembers the struggles and the hard won victories of the African American community, and right now he is trying to keep that positive "take charge" spirit alive. Other black leaders should adopt (a toned down version of) Bills message.

Whats the worst that could happen? They follow his advice and take their poersonal power back? Last time I checked that was a good thing.

 

[Larry]

I cannot believe I'm saying this but I SO agree with Bill Cosby on this. He has changed alot over the years. Back in the 80's and early 90's, I always thought he was racist towards people other than his own color but he speaks the truth and as far as I'm concerned - that goes for ALL races IMO.

Agreed.

 

[renegade pariah]

I don't think that is necessarliy true it is certtainly true for some but not all. There are many many sucessful people both black and white who have nevr forgotten their roots.

Oprah Winfrey
Maya Angelou
Bill Cosby I believe is one
Alice Walker
Cicely Tyson
Colin Powell
Cornell West
Dr Ben Carson
Marian Wright Edelman
Ossie Davis
Queen Latifah
Spike Lee
Whoppi Goldberg

To name a few.




When you cut to the chase though these are all excuses for not suceeding.

I read an excellent analogy which I will try to find and post which likened things such as your statement and other things to having a baby. She (I believe the author was a she) said that when a woman has a baby no one wants to know about the before, the discomfort, the labor pains at the end they just want to see the baby. If we can make it through the middle passage, out of slavery, through all the injustices of the 20th centrury we can make it thru anything. I believe part of the problem is that a large part of the black youth today does not appreciate nor is even really aware of the struggles that previous generations had. It is an abstract something far off and distant which to their detriment they believe has no bearing or their current life. History is a great teacher thus I made my children watch the flash exhibit of the history of lynching in this country.

I do relaize though that black childrennmales especially need role models in there immediate environment. People to mentor them when they are not getting that from home. Those role models do not need to come form the wealthy more ordinary everyday people need to step to the plate and tackle these issues. The black church SHOULD be in the forefront of this but it's spotty.

...........right off the bat I would say that at leasthalf of the names on your list represent individuals with outstanding personal talent or intelligence (not familiar with the rest), some of which had unique opportunities simply not available to all, regardless of skin color, though that creates a hurdle in many areas of society other than the music and arts industry. Yes the black male has a bad reputation, and statistically a higher rate of incarceration in penal institutions. The high rate of broken families, and the dominance of black women in black communities are often sited as being major factors in the disenfranchised black male. However to listen to this present generation of college graduates, there are only so many niches that can be filled which make gaining a higher education worthwhile. No the injustices and lack of opportunity of the past are no excuse for failure to "succeed", but the obstacles for ordinary citizens without special talents or intellect to compete and "succeed" are greater, and rhe race factor does not help. I am reminded of a study done a few years ago where a white male and black male from very similar middle class backgrounds, with similar abilities and educational background were observed trying to obtain the basic essentials for success, gaining a domicile and a job. The results showed that the black male was at an extreme disadvantage just getting started. My point is not that beating your wife can be excused or that bad language is useful in any way, but that stress will cause adaptation of deviant behavior when healthy outlets are not available. Obviously church attendance can be a great stress reliever, and beneficial to all...but the message against violence and acceptance of mediocrity or the trappings of a counterculture, must come from within that subculture rather than the handful of "stars" who live in a separate reality.

 

[JPPT1974]

This coming from a man that is supposed to be look upon as a role model for kids. Now how would you want your kids looking up to someone denouncing the community where he has come from.

 

[AJ]

I agree 100% with Bill... His comments can be applied to so many different groups in our country. We are full of people who refuse to take responsibility for their actions and spend all of their time and effort blaming someone else for their problems. If some people would spend half as much time solving their problems and making themselves better as they did tearing down everyone around them and pointing fingers, their world would be a much better place.

 

[AJ]

This not about denouncing the community he came from... It is about accepting responsibility. There are far to many people in this nation who blame someone else for their problems... It goes beyond a racial issue, honestly... Every race has people just like what Bill is describing. If you are offended by what he said, then you should re-evaluate your parenting.... Because if you are raising your children that way, you are lining them up for FAILURE... Plain and simple. You can sit back and say that "the man" is keeping you down... or you can stand up and take control of YOUR LIFE and your children's lives...

You are only as good as you allow yourself to be...

 

[hyperborean]

This coming from a man that is supposed to be look upon as a role model for kids. Now how would you want your kids looking up to someone denouncing the community where he has come from.

I would want my kids to listen at someone advocating education and responsiblity.

 

[renegade pariah]

This coming from a man that is supposed to be look upon as a role model for kids. Now how would you want your kids looking up to someone denouncing the community where he has come from.

....Bill is denouncing specific behavior, and goading the black community to add to the voices denouncing violent foul mouthed behavior....he is not denouncing the black community, but rather adding to many other black voices bent on self examination of the failure to progress within the community. Self criticism is an important step in the progress of society, and all of America is overdue in taking that step. Life is not a cheerleading experience where one Eah Rahs for the hometeam while convieniently forgeting that half of the jocks are jerks.