I think this is awesome!

Additionally, I don't think this is just an African-American issue, I think this has become one of the biggest issues with our country as a whole: No one wants to take personal responsibility for themselves anymore.

I'm really glad he spoke out.

I wish Cosby would just disappear. Blacks/African Americans have always advocated personal responsiblity. When Bill Cosby could have been a voice in the black community he choose to remain silent. He stated that it was not his job. Now all of a sudden he's found his voice. But is reaching out in a positive way? No. He's talking down to people he feels superior to.

I think its good when someone within the community speaks out about something negative in the community, sometimes we need the shock to wake us up. But I also wish he would add something positive to his message rather than just talk down to people.

An example he could address is how (and DONT QUOTE ME ON THE NUMBERS, just overheard this on the radio) around 300,000 AA are not registered to vote, and when elections like this are being decided by less than 100,000 votes it seems like a shame to let all those voices go to waste.

Every community has problems within it and need someone to be straight and tell people these things need to be addressed, but like a said a positive message of solution would be nice.

As a black person I appreciate Bill Cosby's courage and honest to speak out about what he sees. I see it to amongst black people - not being proactive to resolve the problems in their lives and instead blaming the past and someone else for their current state. Yes, history has been unbelievable cruel to us, yes things still aren't equal BUT sitting on your arse b*tching about how someone else is stopping you from doing something and achieving something, when you personally have not even tried every option to help yourself is stupid. And unfortunately its the way for some blacks, heck for any ethnic group.

Bill Cosby is annoying in the since that he has taken the approach of using his past stint as a comedian to get his foot in the door of many black people's homes. Then once in their homes, he kicks them in the head. Yes he may have a point in what he's saying but he does it, seemingly more to hear himself talk than to actually help people. He shows you the issues and problems but he himself offers no realistic or honest solutions to solving those issues and problems. He reminds me of my dad in a way. My dad would tell you the honest truth about something then proceed to beat you over the head with it over and over again before you could process and apply the what he said to your life. Honestly, its the elderly educated black man syndrome they mean well but they don't communicate well.

I'm not black so I can't speak as a member of that community. I have no particular insight, and my voice is completely irrelevant, if we're talking about a community(ies) other than the one(s) I belong to. Before I point fingers at another's community and say, "yeah, go get 'em!" I should take personal responsibility for my community(ies), the one(s) I do have a role in.

When there's no accountability at the top, it's not surprising there's no accountability with the average person. I agree that it's a shame we all don't take more personal responsibility, but I can at least understand somewhat when there's little accountability for the actions of the powerful.

Bill talks but what is he offering to help the black community? I'm really curious about that. Over the years, all he's done is talk, talk, talk. I loved the Cosby Show, he should just stick to what he knows: entertaining.

He's absolutely right. I'm glad someone is finally having the guts to speak about it. He isn't criticizing them, he wants change. I think it's a good thing.

Has anyone read his book? Just curious.

And why should he stick to comedy? The celebs are making videos supporting Obama, but I bet they don't have degrees in Political Science, heck half of them probably did not finish High School.

He can read the papers, watch the news, and could be very active in his own community. The lack of personal responsibility is a serious problem not just in the African American community, but in our youth and population in general.

If Angelina Jolie can bring attention to refugees in another country, then what is wrong with Bill brining attention to problems in the U.S.A?

Cosby: "Just forget telling your child to join the Peace Corps. It's right around the corner. (laughter) It's standing on the corner. It can't speak English. It doesn't want to learn English. I can't even talk the way these people talk."

Cosby: "Those people are not Africans, they don't know a damned thing about Africa. With names like Shaniqua, Shaligua, Mohammed and all that crap and all of them are in jail."

Cosby: "God is tired of you."

Bill Cosby discussing poor Blacks during his NAACP speech in 2004. I really wish he would just disappear.

Instead of picking and choosing can you post the WHOLE thing?

I never said that what he's saying is wrong and has no merit but he IS overly critical and even demeaning to the people of his community. There's a better way to get your point across, Bill. It's really about approach. His attitude can fly with someone who ISN'T in the public eye but he IS in the public eye. He will just continue to be ignored, and for the most part he is, until he does something huge to make people really wake up and listen.

And there are many more quotes to pick from Michael Eric Dysons' page, why pick just those?

And lilblu he is dead right. He is pointing out the discrepancy of going outside your community to help others when the problem is already right on your doorstep, right in your own country or even your own home.

I know too many other black people including my aunts, uncles and cousins who wait for god to resolve their problems for them. They pray and call out to their god asking for help. My response is and always has been the same as my dad - get off your arse and help yourself - your god isn't going to do it for you. If that was the case that you could pray for something and get it - everyone would be rich, thin and beautiful and everyone else would be dead.

Everyone knows that comedy is just a fluke career for Bill Cosby right? He actually has a masters and PH.D that he received before he became a comedian. I believe his Doctorate is in Education. He I believe was briefly a teacher - I don't recall at what level. (One of my brothers is a huge Cosby fan, so I always had to hear about how intelligent Bill is.)

So at this point in his life he very bluntly says he's no longer a comedian or comedic actor - he's speaking as a some who has knowledge and a background in education.

I could pick many, many more and not just from Dyson's page. These are the quotes that have stayed with me. All of the quotes disgust me. Cosby critizes poor Blacks and ignores every thing else. But if you want the rest here they are:

Cosby: "People with their hat on backwards, pants down around the crack. Isn't that a sign of something, or are you waiting for Jesus to pull his pants up

Cosby: "The city and all these people have to pick up the tab on them because they don't want to accept that they have to study to get an education."

Cosby: "I'm talking about these people who cry when their son is standing there in an orange suit. Where were you when he was two? Where were you when he was twelve? Where were you when he was eighteen, and how come you don't know he had a pistol?

Cosby: "All this child knows is 'gimme, gimme, gimme.' These people want to buy the friendship of a child.and the child couldn't care less.and these people are not parenting. They're buying things for the kid. $500 sneakers, for what? And they won't spend $250 on Hooked on Phonics.

Cosby: "They're just hanging out in the same place, five or six generations sitting in the projects when you're just supposed to stay there long enough to get a job and move out."

Cosby: "You can't land a plane with 'why you ain't.' You Can't be a doctor with that kind of crap coming out of your mouth.where did these people get the idea that they're moving ahead on this."

I'm also not black and not really up on Cosby's views - all I've heard is that he's got a big sh*t stirring spoon and he ain't afraid to use it, and there's always some controversy. The only thing I have to add is I think it's harmful and innacurate to stereotype these issues he's talking about as a "black" thing. I think it's a low SES thing. And of course not in every case, but I think these problems aren't exclusive to any race, it's just what happens when you're in poverty in the inner city, and berating people probably isn't the answer. But not normalizing and glamorizing it is a good thing, so that might be something in his favor.

I'll have to check but I thought his BA was earned based on life experience. He left Temple after his sophmore year to start stand up.

I agree with you, annebreal.

He has also received a lot of honorary degrees.Did he actually earn any of them?

Go Cosby. I've always respected him. I hold all races to the same standard. The time has come and passed where slavery and the civil rights movement could be reasonably blamed for current social problems in the black community. We're all equal now, so I want an America where members of all races are equally successful. Why isn't it happening? I'm glad Cosby is bringing the possible reasons to light.

liliblu, I was actually looking for the whole speech, not just more selective quotes.

Here is an article by Thomas Paine that explains a lot of my reasons for disagreeing with Cosby.

http://www.tompaine.com/articles/2006/11/20/why_bill_cosby_is_wrong.php

cine I'll pull the whole speech but the man still disgusts me.

So what that his quotes criticize poor blacks? Isn't that the whole point he's going for? That ignorance and lack of education isn't moving his community forward?

And lili, I think it is mostly honorary.

lili, I am really not trying to start a fight, I just despise when people take quotes out of context. I am not saying you are doing it, it is just an annoyance of mine.

"Go Cosby. I've always respected him. I hold all races to the same standard. The time has come and passed where slavery and the civil rights movement could be reasonably blamed for current social problems in the black community. We're all equal now, so I want an America where members of all races are equally successful. Why isn't it happening? I'm glad Cosby is bringing the possible reasons to light."

Absolutely. I was watching him on Oprah this afternoon (yes, I watch Oprah, lol) and thinking the exact same thing.

foxie I completely agree with you!

No Bill's BA, MA and Ph.D were earned through studying and attending school. However he has received additional honorary degrees for his support of education.

Reagrding when and where Bill got his education -
"Bill Cosby, A Naval Officer
Dr. William Henry Cosby Jr. was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In 1956, he left high school to join the United States Navy. While serving in the Navy, he passed a high school equivalency exam. After his discharge in 1961, he began attending Temple University."
...
"During Cosby's career as an entertainer, he was also able to continue with his education. He earned his B.A. from Temple University and an M.A. (1972) and PhD (1977) in education from the University of Massachusetts."
from: http://afroamhistory.about.com/od/billcosby/p/bio_cosby_b.htm

However, I was incorrect in that he did not receive his Ph.D and MA before he became a comedian. He started doing comedy while at Temple U. After his stint in the Navy.

Go Team Cosby all the way!!!

thanks Wack!

Bill Cosby is the man. I hold a great respect for him and what he stands for.
If he honestly didn't care about the African American Community, he wouldn't be up there talking about it. He wants to bring awareness to this, and he seems very passionate about it too. He wants the AA Community to succeed and prosper, and he is using tough love to get that message across. There is no easy way to speak about these types of things, and my hat goes off to him for having the courage to speak the truth.
So many people these days get attacked and criticized for speaking something truthful, something many wouldn't dare of saying LET ALONE THINKING.
& I agree with foxie that all races should be put to this standard.
Props to Cosby

Oops sorry it's not called a Ph.D when its in Education it's Ed.D.

I think Cosby is right in pointing out a few things: namely, that 14-year-old girls shouldn't be having babies, and that people in general need to take responsibility for their actions.

But I don't think his finger-pointing does much to acknowledge the very real barriers that people of color face in our culture. I guarantee you that, for instance, a black woman and a white woman are treated differently at chi-chi department stores. (Ask Oprah.) And my very intelligent, well-educated and well-to-do friend — who is a young black man who's a TV journalist — regularly gets pulled over in his Lexus, even when he's not speeding. I don't think this happens to young white men.

So, I think Cosby is right to say, "Listen, the ghetto-fabulous culture is not something that our children should emulate. Let's emphasize community and education instead." But I also think he overlooks institutional racism and class issues, and I also think he's a bit out of touch with the younger generation's style. I've met tons of people who he'd probably assume are "thugs," but are amazingly bright, driven, and interesting.

BellaSugar brilliant! I think you hit the nail on the head.

i dont have a comment on anything he says anymore. i am soooo tired of him. he had points before....i agreed but now its just so blah.

"Cosby: "Those people are not Africans, they don't know a damned thing about Africa. With names like Shaniqua, Shaligua, Mohammed and all that crap and all of them are in jail.""

Umm..Mohammed is the most common name in the world LARGLEY BECAUSE OF THE NUMBER OF AFRICANS THAT HAVE IT.

Like I said before, criticism is good when it produces something positive, otherwise it only adds to the problem.

zeze - No disrespect intended. I'm just curious as to why you think his criticism adds to the problem.

All of these comments are so thought provoking. I think what he says is mostly true and he doesn't mind being controversial if it makes people think about the problems.

It's always more difficult to tell people they are doing something wrong and need to change, than to tell them their problems are not their fault and they should blame someone else. I respect Cosby for having the courage to do that.

Bella, there may still be some vestiges of *individual* racism here and there, but I don't believe there is still "institutional racism" in this country. (Or perhaps I just live in an unusual area.) A definition: "Institutional racism is a form of racism which is structured into political and social institutions. It occurs when institutions, including corporations, governments and universities, discriminate either deliberately or indirectly, against certain groups of people to limit their rights."
(Ref. institutionalracism.net)

Telling someone they are the victim of the system and their problems are not their own is actually disempowering and, I would think, must lead to a sense of helplessness and futility.

An addendum: I have actually been quite touched, this week, by the follow-up stories about the shooting death of Jamiel Shaw, here in Los Angeles last weekend. (You can google the story, if you are interested.) He was a good kid, a good football player--that's one of the more popular ways out of the city and into college around here. He was a senior, and being scouted by Stanford and Rutgers. His parents worked hard to keep him on the straight and narrow, and taught him to work to make his opportunities. This was a random shooting on the street near his home. I work with his grandmother, who I've always seen to be hardworking and tough but fair (and it's not that easy to earn my respect), so I'm sure the family is solid.

Stories like these are all the more tragic, because it's often other kids who prevent their peers from excelling. The story so far appears to be that a couple of gang-bangers shot him for *not* being affiliated with a gang.

You know I know a LOT of white children who act like this, a lot of asian childdren who act like this, a lot of hispanic children who act like this, a lot of african children who act like this. This isn't an exclusively black problem so that's why i'm not buying it. It's hip to be gangster, to be goth, to be emo to be punk but not to be normal these and many girls of differnt races are having babies and sex in their tweens. so for him to say this is an african American problem or whatever is really very silly. It's an American problem.

It's not just African Americans. Parents of all races have become far too permissive. Kids are getting away with unbelievable crap and have no sense of consequences or responsibility. I can see that and I'm 27 not some granny talking about the good ole days. I think Dr. Cosby speaks about African Americans because that's his culture and community. If he didn't care and love his race he wouldn't be talking.

Nya, he's not saying blacks are the only ones with problems. He's simply talking about black's social problems... is a disclaimer really necessary?

Why is it so wrong for him to point out problems he sees in his community, when there are so many other celebrities becoming more politically inclined?
It doesn't seem very logical, at least not to me.

I agree with BellaSugar. That's all I'm gonna say. Her answer was well-thought out and very intelligent. Kudos, Bella.

Cosby is not the first person in the African American comunity to advocate personal responsiblity. Visit almost any church in a Black community and you'll hear that message. You'll also find many young people striving to achieve their goals even those living in difficult situations.

I now a Shaniqua, Lawanda, and a few others with names he would hate. Some were poor, some middle class. A few of the guys I grew up with wore their pants low. Some had one parent, others in two parent homes. If I choose my friends by judging their outside appearance or their name, I would have missed knowing some fantastic people. People that have achieved success both in their chosen careers and in their personal lives.

Bill Cosby is a disgrace. I work with children. There is no better feeling than reaching a child who needs help or guidance. Cosby's way does not work.

Cine here is that link to the entire speech from 2004.
http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/billcosbypoundcakespeech.htm

Trixie: I can't really say for sure whether or not he is adding to the problem, I don't have enough information besides the controversial stuff that he says and ends up on the news.

My point is a general one, not directed at him, it is to say that anyone who only criticises only escalates the finger pointing and the excuse making - it provokes people to get defensive and we start to lose sight of the problems and the possible solutions and get caught up in the blame game.

So, if Cosby is supplementing these criticisms with time/effort/ideas/programs to better the education and social values of the parts of the community who need it, then I think his comments are a great way to get others aware and involved, but if he is only leaving his mansion to ridicule people then like I said it only makes people defensive.

Hope that makes sense.

"So, if Cosby is supplementing these criticisms with time/effort/ideas/programs to better the education and social values of the parts of the community who need it, then I think his comments are a great way to get others aware and involved, but if he is only leaving his mansion to ridicule people then like I said it only makes people defensive."

You're so right. I think it may be the latter, unfortunately. Maybe I don't know all the facts but his criticism is rather harsh for someone who's TRULY trying to make a difference. I hope I'm wrong here.

I have to disagree with Bella. I don't doubt that black people face obstacles that white people don't, but why would being pulled over or being thrown a snotty look at a department store be enough to completely hinder the success of the black community? IT ISN'T. Is it harder for black people to be successful? Maybe. Is it totally possible, with just a bit more effort? Absolutely. There are plenty of successful and productive black people to prove that it's achievable.
Some people have it easier in life, that's true in ALL communities. But it's your personal responsibility to yourself to work through it anyways and try to make something of yourself. I mean, that's just common sense.
And I have a huge problem with blaming black's social problems on white people... like I said, the time has come and passed. It's time to take matters into your own hands.

Nicely put foxie.