Quote of The Day: Bill Cosby
Posted by Bossip Staff
Excerpts from Bill Cosby’s new book:
On criticism:
“Certain people tell us that we are picking on the poor. Many of those who accuse us are scholars and intellectuals, upset that we are not blaming everything on white people as they do. Well, only blaming the system keeps certain black people in the limelight but it also keeps the black poor wallowing in victimhood.”On raising children:
“All black parents can do right by their children, and all black children can succeed. There is no reason why not.”“Use standard English when you have your kids together, not Black English. They’ll hear enough of that in the streets…Watch the movie My Fair Lady. All cultures discriminate against people who have not mastered the standard language, and when race is involved, it is all that much harder for a nonstandard speaker to feel competent or even at home in the culture.”
On the media:
“Some of the most negative images of African Americans on TV and in the movies seem to be the most popular among young people—black and white. With both good and bad media out there, you have to help select media for kids that will support their successes and suppress their urge to give up or drop out.”On black men:
“Gangsta rap makes our young people tough, but not so tough they can walk through prison walls. It can jazz them about sex, but it can’t begin to make them a good father. No matter how often, or how publicly they grab their crotches, crotch-grabbing isn’t even going to get them a bus ride downtown.”
Thanks KDogg
AMEN. Preach. Tabernacle.
He’s right, I just hate the way he says it. For instance what exactly is “black english”? Had he said ebonics or slang that would be one thing, but black english? Now, if he was Don Imus Al Sharpton would have been all on his ass…
He makes good points, but he could say it in a less offensive manner. I won’t buy the book!
Anyone seeking higher a higher socio-economic existance can appreciate what Mr. Bill Cosby is saying. I hope that he opens up forums to the communities most afflicted in our society with these issues. As well, I hope to see this philosophy expounded upon beyond awareness and toward real programs and opportunities to change what is going on in our inner-cities and impoverished communities.
Completely agree!
black english is SLANG and EBONICS…YOU are who he is referring to since you didn’t know that.
Maybe somethings needs to be said with strenght, more harsh. How much spoon feeding do some folks need? I find it funny that the ones whom talk about how wrong he is are the same ones with personalities mirroring the foolishness he talks so much about.
Its time for blacks to stop blaming whites for whats wrong in our household. For every time we can’t get a job with subpar educations or every time we get sent to jail, knowing damn well we shouldn’t have been doing wrong in the first place. And thats regarding the idiots that know they did the crime but cry about the amount of time they have.
If we know the system is jacked up and works against blacks why keep doing the same nonsense to make “them” believe they were right for making the screwed up rules in the first place?
And its too old to say that, everytime a black person talks down to other blacks that dont want to do nothing better with their lives, they’re uncle toms.
As long as we have that mindset we’ll still lag behind other races in some arenas. Its no ones fault that so many of our young men are getting caught up in the system. That so mahy of our young men and women glorify and chase the dreams that selling drugs and gaining hood riches can provide. Its not the white mans fault that so many of our young ladies are having kids when they can’t even take care of themselves, having kids with no good negroes, thus forcing their kids to grow up without fathers and a two parent household to give them proper guidance. Therefore making more new groups of young men feel the need to enter into the same mess that made their fathers miss out on their lives. Due to being in jail or dead.
And it is not the white mans fault that so many of our black women are women are dying to diseases.
White folks can’t make us care about our homes, families or give us self respect.
Its time to stop placing blame where blame isn’t always due.
So many kids I see that can bend it, snap it and drop it like its hot, know how to supersoak a hoe and how to make it rain with monopoly money. But ask them to sing the days of the week song, they don’t even know what the hell that is, sad.
finally!!! somebody said it. well said! * hope this topic gets more posts than a “who looke more bangin” rihanna vs .(____________)??
I completely agree with what he says. We have to do better as a people.
“WE GOT TO DO BETTER”!! i love bill cosby. i love that he’s not afraid to go with the less popular opinion. he’s absolutely right.
1. I respect Bill Cosby for all that he’s done for the black community.
2. Bill Cosby is a hypocrite who had a bunch of affairs with other women. So he isn’t one to really talk about family, since he’s been allowing other women to grab his crotch.
3. I don’t believe in ‘blaming it on white people’, but I do acknowledge that racism plays a large role in black poverty. Anybody who denies this needs to be slapped.
4. “Black English” did not appear in thin air. People are products of their environment, and unless they are taught standard English, they will continue to speak “black english”. Blcks were shunned from the larger society, so this is how ‘black english’ came about.
5. The fact is poor blacks ARE victims, just as as poor whites and poor native americans and poor hispanics and poor asians are victims.
6. Our capitilist system promotes a false idealogy that poverty is a result of individual failures, but that’s incorrect. Poverty is a result of the way in which the world functions where a small amount of people control the majority of the wealth.
7. “Gangsta rap”, modern pop, and Hollywood as a whole is in need of a major reform.
8. Billionaire Bill has a genuine concern for the black community, but he’s a hypocritical elite who has a double standard. He is against blaming rich people for the fact that poor people are poor, but he blames the people for being poor.
If Bill is interested in seeing a change he must look at things they way they really are.
So true.
I love what he is saying! He’s right - and coming from a black man, that’s good to see. Everyone see’s that it starts with the children, but how many people are making an effort to change the way they raise their children?
WAKE UP BLACK PEOPLE - START READING YOUR KING JAMES VERSION BIBLES!!! IF ONLY ONE BOOK ALONE READ THE BOOK OF GENESIS!!!!
NAHNAH, you’re wasting time listing out foolishness. Listen to what he’s saying! Who cares what HE’S doing - even if he IS a hyprocrite, what he has just said is absolutely right. Don’t matter his actions; the matter are your own! Come on man - stop watching other people and calling them sinners - aren’t we all?
Actually, we are doing pretty go as a people.( coming from where we came from) Let’s not get the “minority attack”:lalways looking for the worst, to set a collective president of our race. Look at Maryland( GREAT ) Chicago( GREAT )
There are more black millionaire’s in California than there are millionaire’s in Italy,Spain,&South America! ( Let’s not get it twisted)We love to look at those midday shows like ( Maury P. )and believe the hype.Yes we have these FOOLS in our race. But look at the people on Bossip, look in yoiur neighborhood, look at your friends! ARE THEY UPWARDLY BOUND?
Unfortunatly, the drug dealer’s on the corner’s of America define who we are as a people. Remember that white people wanna see is fail.Failing means working for them..NOT —1. owning an NBA org. 2.not exceeding in your own businesses! 3.Not have a black downtown. AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST….
4.Not thinking that we should have these things!
Cosby is the MAN! How unfortunate it is that we attack the massenger!
Cont…
Bill should put his money where his mouth is.
As a person of power with relationships with the media and entertainment industry, he can work to help reform what’s being presented to young people on TV and radios.
Like many other officials are doing, Cosby should form a relationship with other black people in the entertainment business to work towards a more positive image of black people.
Bill made those comments a few years ago and NOTHING has changed, right? So he may continue to say whatever he wants, unless action isn’t taken, things will continue to remain the same.
You see, if Dr. King and other civil rights leaders didn’t rise up to fight for justice, so many people wouldn’t have stood up.
This is one way Cosby can assist in changing the state of black people in America, especially young people who are heavily influenced by what’s being presented to us by the media and entertainment industry.
The bottim line is Bill’s book will not change anything - it’ll just make him richer. Only action will make changes.
i agree to… http://www.mactanque.com/
Awake, dear I have always been an admirer of Mr. Cosby, and I still love him till this day. And as my comments show, I agree that there are problems with our community that needs to be addressed.
Question: how many times have we been hearing those words? And what has changed? I believe in actions, and no matter what Cosby says, nothing will change UNLESS we all take action, INCLUDING HIMSELF.
Look as a people who’s endured so much for three freggin’ centuries, I think we’re doing darn well for those 40 years we’ve been given to prove ourselves. From medicine to education to political to entertainment, a lot of us are doing our damn thing. But how many of use who’s made it are willing to lend a helping hand to the weak?
Go support him, buy his book. if you can go out and support Karrine Superhead Steffans and her smut then you can support a real author.
I never once took offense to what he had to say because I know that it doesn’t apply to me.
If this does apply to you then, stop playing the blame game and let this be a wake up call.
Support his book and stop buying that smut by Superhead.
? nah nah ? huh?
Is it Oprah’s fault if black America doesn’t adhere?
Is it Cosby’s fault that black America doesn’t adhere?
Talking about the state of black america is never a bad thing.
We gotta be careful not to put the ” black plight” on the shoulder’s of wealthy blacks.
We gotta be careful to put the “black plight ” on the shoulder’s of the absentee black fathers , and inadequet black mother’s.
Cosby is doing what he SHOULD be doing!
Should only ANGELS in the black race speak on our problems?
think
Obama
http://www.blackwiz.biz
Well said Summer27! I agree with you 100%!
@ nah-nah
Respectfully, sometimes,being a walkng example is the best that you can do!
We tend to copy what/who we see!
http://www.blackwiz.biz
I agree with Bill. Tough love is a b*tch sometimes.
And Bill is telling the truth… and to Missohmygoodnezz - slang and ebonics has become ‘Black English.’ You hear more and more black people talking like that every single day, wherever they go - and it doesn’t matter if they’re talking to a teacher, parent, or to an elder - they continuously talk in that type of ‘English’ when they’re speaking to adults. Tell me, how can some of these young black people find a job when they’re speaking to their potential employer in that type of speech?
@ Nahnah:
I believe that we have had this discussion before, stop making excuses for the ills in our society. We all know that ALL situations have a root and a cause, but at some point it stops being a reason and starts becoming an EXCUSE.
There was a time in our communities when being poor meant how you lived, not your MINDSET. Think about the messages given in the black sitcom ‘Good Times’, about a poor, yet hard working, proud black family. Now fast forward to 2007 and what would Good Times look like today?
James Evans would be non-existant because Florida would be a single-mother with three out of wedlock children, all fathered by three different baby-daddys. JJ would be a drug dealer with three baby mommas, yet still living at home with Florida in the two bedroom project apartment. Thelma would be a three time baby momma, with three baby daddys and all of the children would be piled up in the same apartment. Michael would be either dead or in jail.
These are the facts for a lot (not all) low-income, black families in America–and most (not all) of it is our OWN fault. In the past, when we were poor, we were poor, yet hard working and instilling the right disciplines and work ethics in our childre. Today, poverty in a lot (not all) of black inner city communities is synonomous(sp) with bad parenting.
When did the paradym(sp) shift? Why can’t we be poor, yet work our way out of poverty with hard work and education, like other races? Why do we always have to be the stereotype and the “I need a handout, not a handup” recipients?
We, as a culture, must do BETTER. If it takes Bill Cosby to be the spokesperson, so be it!!!
Tiray:
What is your suggestion then? What do you suggest be done?
1. Do you believe in leadership?
2. Do you believe commercial rap plays a negative role in society, especially among black youths?
3. Do you favor rhetoric or change?
4. How long have Bill Cosby and others been making these comments? And what have changed since? NOTHING.
5. I wouldn’t put the ‘black plight’ on the shoulders of Tiger Woods or Charles Barkley since they dont’ raise concerns for the ‘black plight’.
But any powerful black person who publically express concern for the state of blacks need to put up or shut up.
Dr. King was a man of action, who not only fought for the rights of blacks, but continued his quest for justice by advocating for the poor of all races, until he was shot to death.
You see, people like that I respect, others who write books and do nothing, I don’t.
If you agree that parents should be role models for their children, then why not people like Cosby who has so much influence in America? If you don’t agree with that, then you CANNOT put the black plight on the shoulders of rappers. Let us all continue to allow rappers to degrade women and idolize pimps and gangsters.
If Bill Cosby is willilng to take action, then I’m behind him 100%, if not, then he need to shut the fuck up and wait for his time.
This is the same guy who during 50’s, 60’s, 70’s, 80’s & 90’s would chase anything in a skirt.
To suggest Dr. Cosby tnes down his language is absurd. Part of the problem we face in the black community is the fact we expect and want to be treated with kids gloves. Lets stop that and call things the way they are there won’t be any progress if we keep sugarcoating. I believe we need to take more responsibility. STOP DEFENDING COUSIN POOKIE WHEN HE GETS ARRESTED FOR SELLING DRUGS!!! ITS NOT THE WHITE MAN’S FAULT! Yes his sentence is harsher than a white man doing or selling a drug purchased by the elites of our society but when you do wrong you have to know you are putting your freedom, your life, and the lives of others in jeopardy. I hope Michael Vick, T.I., and all the millions of black men who have been apart of the system pick this book up and internalize its message. AMEN!
Especially the negros and lil children that know every line to every hot rap song but can’t tell you the last book they read.
Nahnah, just thought I’d say that this black English woman agrees with you completely!
Mr. Cosby might be surprised to learn that this side of the Atlantic, the number of white English people with good verbal and written English skills must be at an all time low. Perhaps, they too(including a considerable number of my co-workers) should invest in a My Fair Lady DVD…!
It would be good for him to hear that, ironically enough, the most skilled and deft exponents of the “Queen’s English” tend to be black people, with West Indians and Africans more than capable of teaching white, British bred Anglo Saxons a thing or twenty!! If you are ever on my side of the Atlantic, try and catch anything with Moira Stuart (newsreader of Antiguan descent), Trevor McDonald (newsreader of Trinidadian descent) or Paul Boateng (politician of Ghanaian origin)in it. They are extremely well educated, carry themselves beautifully, and are brilliant orators.
Do you know, regarding the low levels of literacy, matters have reached the point where not so very long ago, the head of the CBI which is concerned with business matters in England, expressed his dismay about the fact that many companies were now having to offer remedial English and Maths classes to University graduates. I don’t think that the gentleman was referring to too many black people. And to think that he felt oblised to make such a comment in the land that gave the world Dickens and Shakespeare…..
I think that we as black people are so accustomed to seeing (and being shown) the worst in ourselves and having other people do the same that we often forget that there are others that haven’t gone through our trials and tribulations who are doing shockingly badly. You just tend not to hear about them, especially if they are white.
I suppose Mr. Cosby has a book to sell, and his chosen method is a surefire way of ensuring publicity. I for one would be far more interested in any book he writes that addresses the pain and suffering that he has put his wife through with his numerous indiscretions, and how he squares his own selfishness and hyprocrisy with the call for black people to take more responsibility for our own actions that he is so fond of making. I’d buy that book should he choose to write it….
I totally agree with Bill, but I don’t have time to write a minicase analysis over it.
Erase IGNORANCE from people minds, and the world as a whole would be a better place for everyone.
The reason why people have a problem with what Bill says is because its true!!
we need people who can tell it how it is without having to worry about feelings..thats just the problem people always want to be cuddled..grow up!
I saw the interview this moring with Bill and Dr. Poussant on Meet The Press. I was a little disappointed because their thoughts seemed a little unfocused, but having an intelligent conversation like this on a show like MTP is a important.
We can’t ignore the fact that 70% of black children are born out of wedlock, 49% of the US prison population, while making up 13% of the overall US population. That is outrageous. I thought those numbers were inflated, but they are accurate. Two parent homes statistically are less likely to have drop outs and children who fall victim to crime and drugs. I honestly believe that in modern culture, we as blacks tend to do things that are easy outs and have forgotten that education and discipline is and will be our ticket out of this mess. To say that most black families can’t afford tuition isn’t entirely true because there are so many grants and loans available to put our kids in college. Unlike other ethnicities, blacks have not made it part of our culture “not going to college is not an option.” That sacrifice and discipline seems to be lacking. To put it into perspective, black students only comprise of 5% of all the CA colleges population, and black female students outnumber black male almost 2-1.
Why is a sell out to want to become educated and get away from the so called street black culture? I don’t think rap is the cause of our lack of achievement, but people like Dr. Dre and Snoopp Dogg and other artists who exploit the our youth and project the “outlaw image” and “keeping it real” aren’t helping our community. Where conservative arguments fail is the assumption that blacks are playing on level field. Clearly this is not the case, but unless we change how we want to move forward, without coasting, things will stay the same and probably get worse.
I wander who Mr. Cosby blames when his daughter became a crackhead while attending Spellman. Was it the parents, gangsta rap, the white man, or other black people. I think Mr. Cosby is getting old and bitter and he wants somebody to blame for his dissapointments. What is he doing to help uneducated, poor kids regardless of their race.
Ttime, if you truly think I’m making excuses for the state of black people, then I guess we will never agree.
I’m a radical in a sense where I believe we cannot change things unless we look to the root of it and acknowledge them. Only then we will we see progress.
I merely stated the reasons as to why things are the way they are, and offered SOLUTIONS to the problems.
The solution is EDUCATION.
- Black men are dropping out of schools like crazy because they’re taught in history books that they were slaves and that’s it.
The solution is BETTER REPRESENTATIONS OF MINORITIES IN THE MEDIA
- Stations like B.E.T need a major reform — more educational programs and movies/shows about family, and less booty shaking. As those videos that we all so love to watch creates a sense of emptiness in our psyches and contributes to sexual deviance and lack of family structure.
The solution is SELF ESTEEM BUILDING
- The over-emphasis of European supremacy creates self esteem issues in blacks, and self esteem and confidence are required for progression.
Just because I can bare children doesn’t mean I know how to raise them. A 15 years old or even a 20 years old unwed mother with an ignorant mindset will only teach their children what they know - ignorance.
- Young girls with a better self esteem will not feel the need to get pregnant in order to compensate for the lack of love for themselves.
- Young men will not feel the need to stand in the corner and sell drugs.
A more balanced history in our textbooks will allow our youths to become more involved in their education and will GUARANTEE a lower rate of dropouts and/or failure.
Writing a book will only make Dr. Cosby richer. It will NOT change the problems in the black community. If you don’t believe me, wait till it comes out and you’ll see for yourself.
WEll I guess he has a reason to be bitter, His son was murdered on a Busy HIGHWAY!
He makes some good points! I respect older men like this, that have raised kids of his own, and isn’t a hypocrite! He reminds me of my father, in some aspects!
Mr. Cosby is having the converstion with black america that he should have had with his own son. He was killed while on a date with a white hooker back in the ’90’s.
As the deacons say in the Black church, “Well!”
@franny
maybe, that is why he should preach to US now, to make up for the lost that affected him!
Just look at the story below this one. TI is the kind of low life thug that is celebrated in the black community–especially by the younger people. SELF RESPECT– that is what is lacking the most in our commnunity these days.
Deborah - WELL SAID!
Bill Cosby is more rhetoric than action, and I refuse to bow down to his billionaire ass.
The funny thing is he have dinner with the same folks who are responsible for B.E.T and the other stations who represent blacks as pimps and hoes.
And, you’re right about failures of other ethnicities that are never reported.
For the 40 years black Americans have had to prove ourselves, I think we’ve done pretty well, compared to the 3 centuries of institutional subjugation.
I wander who Mr. Cosby blames when his daughter became a crackhead while attending Spellman. Was it the parents, gangsta rap, the white man, or other black people. I think Mr. Cosby is getting old and bitter and he wants somebody to blame for his dissapointments. What is he doing to help uneducated, poor kids regardless of their race.
________________________________
well said!
billionaire bill has been milking the very black people he likes to talk about for how long now?
NahNah and Deborah, I completely agree with what you have written. I do agree with Mr. Crosby to a point. Most blacks do not blame the system or white people but the system does play a role in keeping blacks behind. I have a cousin right now who is in jail serving a crime he did not commit and so are many other black men. When he gets out, it is going to be very difficult for him to get a job even if he does get an education.
But if Mr. Crosby wants to talk about the family structure then maybe he should not have stepped outside his marriage. You cannot point a finger and say this is the problem when you are doing the same thing. I have met Mr. Crosby while I was in the Philly area and he makes good points but you what is he doing to help with these problems?
Build an after school center for kids…most neighborhoods have no facilities for kids to go to after school hence why they’re on the streets. The education system is autrocious and we should blame the system and government. It’s not all about talk but also about actions.
If parents do right by their kids and educate their kids, then they will not be looking up to ten cents as a role model or hanging out in the streets.
How would Ol’ Bill know what African Americans are up to - he’s too busy groping women. Further, it’s too bad he can’t blame us for murdering his son. Where was he then?? He can kiss my sweet a$$!!
history proves everytime a black man rise up and fight for education for his people, he’s knocked down. so the black man must continue to rise up and fight, no matter how much he’s knocked down.
the long forgotten black panthers were repsonbible for numerous educational programs in several inner cities across america. they advocated for the empowerment (not power) of blacks by way of education and self esteem.
the black panthers fought to get blacks out of the military and into schools.
the black panthers were targeted, demoralized, and finally demolished by the u.s. government, as they were considered a threat simply for feeding a bunch of ghetto kids.
the black panthers are not mentioned in history books, and have been deemed ‘extremists’ for their actions of advocating for an overall improvement in the way of life for the average black person.
the black panthers collaborated with several white political groups, and that was not in favor of the government elite, as unity amongst blacks and whites is a direct threat to their elite establishment.
bill cosby’s book will not change things, only his actions (if he chooses to) will contribute to change for the better.
I love Bill Cosby and his way of telling “black folk” what they need to be told ~ THE TRUTH!!! Ignorance will only keep you where you are, in the gutter, lower class and/or in jail!!! Stop blaming the system and look in the mirror. You are the problem if you’re not raising your kids right. Where are the weak, absent black fathers? Up in someone else’s draws and not being a man and raising their SONS! It’s pitiful anyway you look at it.
To the BronxBrawler, what does Bill’s skirt chasing past have to do with the State of the Black community??? Not a damn thing, so wake up or shut up!!!
I’m happy to read the discussion so far. It seems like the general consensus is that we agree Black people must do something, so i say this to someone like NahNah who has a pessimistic view posed as realistic, I say this….Bill Cosby has put up, the book thats being published is an instruction manual for blacks to read. I mean think of it, white people buy books all day long teaching them how to be a better parent, or about better ways to keep their kids healthy and this book is the very same thing, just dedicated to the Black audience.
So I dont agree that nothing will change because if planet Earth itself can move in such minute incriments that we cant even feel it turning then that makes me beleive that the smallest drop of hope can breed change as well as a spark does a powerful flame.
Also I will say this, Bill Cosby did do something before - he made the Cosby Show, thank God for that - because for that one time he was responsible for showing that there could be a strong, inteligent, and cultured black family with morals and a solid knowledge of herritage and self…. So to Mr. Cosby, as far as I’m concern he’s done his part. I’m not looking to be lead anymore - I have 2 kids that need to be lead each and everyday and I’ll embrace any idea of improving myself and my family.
You guys are all great - lets not let’s feed this dialouge to teh ones around us, each one teach one, that’s how you grow. Martin Luther King never made life better for us, he was like Cosby, just a messenger saying we could do better - it took hundreds of thousands of Black people to unite and demand better for themselves to break down the proverbial Walls of Jericho.
I’m doing BETTER - Lets ALL do BETTER…
Bill Cosby is far from rhetoric. The man has donated heavily to minority causes and he’s traveling the country working on programs that address this very issue.
I guess people would rather Cosby keep quiet and sit at home with his millions…many of our black entertainer do. It’s easy to keep your mouth shut and collect your checks. I admire his courage to speak up…so few do. This is Bill Cosby…he hardly has to write a book for money.
Someone said the problem can be fixed with better representations of blacks in the media. I beg to differ. Change begins at home. I grew up well enough to know the fool wang material I see on t.v. is bafoonery. I feel sorry for the people who can’t tell, or who have to look to people on t.v. to find their heroes.
I work in t.v. its not changing people…at least not until people like me-from my generation start running things. That won’t be for a while. We can’t rely on things to change around us. We have to make them change.
haha @ val - a racist guy murdered his son, yet he’s acting as if racism doesn’t exist.
I agree with him 100%. “Black English did not appear in thin air. People are products of their environment, and unless they are taught standard English, they will continue to speak “black english”. Blcks were shunned from the larger society, so this is how ‘black english’ came about.” Just because this is all around you doesn’t mean it’s acceptable. Just because he has been unfaithful in the past, or wether he still is to this day, doesn’t mean this man cannot tell his own race of people what he feels is best for them as a race. Every day somebody sins, we all are going to sin. That being said, doesn’t mean I cannot ask God for forgiveness and repent. If he didn’t give a shit, why would he waste his time speaking and trying to help his own race. Not to mention all the money he has given to historically black colleges.
the message being delivered is truth, regardless of any feelings toward the messenger or its delivery. our community does need help, parents do need to begin speaking proper english to their children and/or ensuring they understand that there is a
).
time and a place to use slang and a time and a place for proper english. referring to it as black english isn’t offensive at all to since that’s essentially what it is. a term like ebonics is more offensiveif anything, given it’s root. the fact that he has had his own personal struggles doesn’t diminish the accuracy of his messages. also, just because we don’t hear about any of the positive things he does for and in our communities doesn’t mean they don’t exist. in my opinion, we are rarely privy to the positive acts of blacks through the media. i invite anyone who questions his committment to got to his website or read up on what he does (other than make seemingly controversial statements
i truly believe these rants/thoughts are coming from a place of frustration, disappointment and concern. Lord only knows what he and many people during his time had to go through to get the same opportunities that we now squander. i can’t imagine how disheartening it must be for to watch our culture self-destruct after scratching and clawing to get us in a position to succeed.
and to FrannyG: that statement you made about his son was cold and heartless. it seems like you’re blaming him for choices that his grown son made. [please correct me if i'm wrong]you don’t know what lessons or caveats he gave his son. but, much like our people, you can’t force someone, not even your own child, to heed your advice. and, as ms. sugar walls said, maybe he is trying to prevent the same thing form happening to someone else’s kid.
@ Nahnah
I know - that’s what makes his comments of late so whack!! Why doesn’t he attack Russian people (the nationality of the racist bastard who killed his son).
I fully support and applaud the principles behind Cosby’s message, but I’m troubled by his typical delivery style. His tough love sounds a bit too much like elitism, derision, and disgust. And where is the challenge to all black community members? What is the role of the black middle class in this process of uplift? To laugh at Cosby’s jokes, wag our fingers at “underachievers,” and head as fast as we can for the suburban hills? We ALL have work to do — as volunteers and civic participants. And we can never do enough. How many people reading Bossip have volunteered once this week? Or even this month? I’ll more fully embrace Cosby’s message when he challenges every one of us to reach our potential as black people and do our part to help solve the problem.
wow…sorry that that message is so damn long lol.
ALL I see is some haters that are mad because he has money. He deserves it! He has been around since the 60’s! If you didn’t think that he was gong to be a millionaire after all those years, you are sadly mistaken!
He didn’t say that he was perfect, but What he is saying is true! LISTEN.
racist guy turned out to be the boyfrind of white hooker.
@ SaBrina
I live a privileged life. My daughter is a senior at Columbia University. My husband is self-employed with a thriving business - I help him to run it.
I have no reason to be envious of that self-hating whore!!
@ Franny G
“racist guy turned out to be the boyfriend of white hooker”
This I never knew - very interesting. It’s amazing how the media has covered this up so nicely. More amazing is how people still defend Bill Cosby. I will never understand it.
@wideya
Martin Luther King never made life better for us, he was like Cosby, just a messenger saying we could do better
________________________________________
Dr. King wasn’t rhetoric, he was action. Dr. King died at a young age because of his devotion to fighting for the empowerment of his people.
it took hundreds of thousands of Black people to unite and demand better for themselves to break down the proverbial Walls of Jericho.
And those thousands of people followed ONE MAN who had the courage, strength, and legitimate concern to get up and risk his life for his people.
Are you familiar with the term pessimistic and it’s true meaning? Because if you were, you wouldn’t be making such comments.
Also, I love the Cosby Show and have already thanked Bill for creating such a memorable show that represented blacks in such a positive light, but one show isn’t enough. Mr. Cosby is part of a system that is partly responsible for representing blacks in such a negative light. Therefore he has the power to change things.
BTW: how many poor people are going to read his books? Is he going to give them out for free, or will his book most likely be read by non-poor people? Will he travel to inner cities and promote his book? Will he make sure those poor people he love so much will actually get a hold of his book?
Look, I will continue to advocate for action. And I support the Congressional Black Caucus for taking action by dialoguing with hip hop artists in an effort to bring about change. This is what I call change, not book writing.
I will be buying the book for sure. He is 100% right. People need to stop focusing on the How he is saying it and nede to focus on what he is saying. Honestly I think he is WASTING HIS BREATH ! the disconnect among BLACK people is so bad. And these SO CALLED EDUCATED kill me , the ESSENCE reading crew is what I call them. Anyway because of this Disconnect among the masses of black people . We will always be 2nd rate no matter how many success stories we have. Because we put shine on the Uncle toms , and we question the real money makers. Like they can’t be real , cause yall have never heard of them. If they an’t on TV yall dont know them. Damn SHAME !
@
Andrea, If you don’t agree hat we need a better representation of blacks in the media, then I guess you don’t agree with a lot of what Cosby is saying, because he too blames the media and gangster rap.
@val
Greetings,
Mr.Cosby used to park his navada plate cars up down my south central la street to avoid paying DMV in cali. Oh, he didn’t speak…
Because I stand for something, yes I will buy many copies of his book and donate to my daughter’s Blue Ribbon Distinguished school and other public schools.
VAL
What is your point? We didn’t ask about you, I Feel a little guilty frosting coming from that way!
what does it matter that his son had a hooker? If it wasn’t any revnue for hookers, then it wouldn’t be so many out here now! That has nothing to do with him, his son was 27. He was a grown man.
frannyg, i never knew that - wow! i just thought the guy killed him out of a racist rage.
@ Landie
You will NEVER uplift a people by attacking them in such a vicious manner. If you want to hear how a truly “privileged” and “enlightened” black person speaks, please write to my daughter at Columbia. She did everything Massa Cosby told us to do right?? ‘We’sa tryn’. By all of Cosby’s definitions, she’s one of the “few who have made it.” I guarantee you - she’ll have nothing nice to say about this man. As if every other ethnic group doesn’t have crimimals/losers/bad parents. Please!!
jlw2119@columbia.edu
@ Sabrina
Well, how the hell can Sir Bill judge us when he raised hs son to pick up AIDS-infested hookers!! You’re not making much sense here.
Well said, Val!
only for people from the hood working in corporate america…we speak standard english on the job…and alot of us have moved out of the hood, but when you go back to the hood…how do you speak…a friend and i just had this conversation….he agrees with me….we do have two dialects…u can’t just roll up on junebug speaking like you’re all goody goody when he knows he’s never heard this coming from u…it’s kind of hard to explain…i guess you have to socialize with two worlds to know the difference…if i were to speak the way i speak in the hood on my job i never would have made it after the 1st interview…
@ Nahnah
Thanks!!
Val, I’m glad you’re speaking it like it is.
And I agree, viciously attacking a people is not the way to uplift them.
The funny thing is he made those comments a few years ago, and nothing has changed. Apparently, his methods ain’t working.
@ boomquisha
This goes without saying. African Americans have ALWAYS been “bilingual.”
how can he preach to black people about how to raise their children, when his was on drugs and ended up getting murdered as a result? What kind of parenting skills did he have? If he had up standing parenting skills his child wouldnt have ended up on drugs. He needs to shut the hell up
@val & nahnah,
Greetings,
my father used to say:
the higher a monkey climbs the more he expose…
@nahnah
The Root of the Current Problem is called “Dissconnect” ! Simple .
get the fluck outta here with the MArtin Luther King Bullshit in 2007. If you really knew HOW MARTIN GOT DOWN you would be disappointed. The man was a walking Whore . Anyway his Tactics dont work in 2007 ask AL & Jesse.
The Root Starts at Home , and Ends at Home. Education AT HOME. College is not the saviour. Plenty of College Educated Black Folk who dont have a clue and who are still not in the Top 1% of wealth . Therefore they have no say in how things go. Again the Root Problem is called DISConnect.
Black People want the world and all its riches on a Discount. We talk whitie this and whitie that but buy MARC JACOBS and Manolo Blahnik before we buy Tracey Reese and Courtney Crawford. WE covet wack ass shows Like SEx in the City that has not 1 damn fab BLACK Person , but lies about a writer who buys expensive shit in a city where writers only make 40K a year. I can go on and on and mother f*cking on. We praise the slave ass Jennifer Hudson and break down anyone who does not remind us of mameee. We got the game all F*cked up. We
And I am speaking on BLACK PEOPLE only because I am Black.
@ coi
I gather he continues to do it because not enough people are taking a stand against him. When you have high profile African Americans setting the stage for him to vent this way, it’s likely to continue. The best we can do is not purchase his books or support him in any other manner.
Val said
@ Nahnah
I know - that’s what makes his comments of late so whack!! Why doesn’t he attack Russian people (the nationality of the racist bastard who killed his son).
Because he needs to start at home on the Black Americans , the nationality of racist bastards who look like him and are killing themselves and anything that is to become of “Black PEOPLE”
And he did talk about the Russians VAL. But again just like the “BLACK PEOPLE” he is speaking of you are disconnected from the real issue. and the real issue is YOU. Stop deflecting and rederecting the bullshit that is “BLACK AMERICA” . Disconnect is a mother F*cker.
Why is it always about what someone else is doing? Why can’t you be responsible for your actions. Once again someone like nahnah is trying to offset what the real problem is by highlighting some of Bill Cosbys mistakes. He is not perfect none of us are. But some of the blacks who continually perpetuate ill behavior that is the problem!! Get a clue! I’m right by you, Mr. Cosby! Despite some blacks who continue to miss the point.
Yep Landie! The disconnected up in her are motherf*uckers too!!! so sad!!!
Yep @ Landie! The disconnected up in here are motherf*uckers too!!! so sad!!!
yes i spelled derecting wrong for a reason . I was getting my jesse jackson on
Everyone needs to quit getting mad at how he said it, and listen to what he is saying. We are into our second generation of fatherless children. This can be prevented. Women need to stop having children by men they barely know. These men never had a father, what makes you think they can father your child(ren)? Having children on your own set them and you up for a lifetime of poverty. Teach your two and three year olds how to read a book. If they can sing any song at that age, they most definitely can remember the words of a book. As a race we need to stop making excuses for the state we are in, and realize the decisions WE as a people made, have put us there.
UPTOWN GIRL
RIGHT! No one has to fall in line with these ass on their shoulders women!
Always focusing on the negative aspects of life! I am sure that the both of you women families are A+ riiiiiight?
Damn just when the post was getting positive.
I knew someone would try and shift focus. Damn instead of trying to figure out aint doing nothing. Figure out why our community looks so bad. That’s why we ain’t getting no one cause everyone want to shift the blame. All he did was call out the obvious. You lucky he did that, i think ppl are mad cause it is Cosby. I guess we have to dumb it down for ppl maybe beyonce or J should have said this. (bust out laughing) Im sure their too busy in St. Tropez or maybe if they rolled down the window in their Bentley they could hear us. Jus a thought.
Where is personal responsibility at?? Is this a lost phrase amongst some of our people? These excuses need to be squashed. There’s no excuse for all of this behavior. What happened to honor, self respect and the respect of others within our communities. Bill Cosby has done an awful lot he can’t lift up everybody. That’s where some personal responsibility of parents and the community steps in. Is the black race that weak that we have to always ask for a handout and need bill cosby to keep holding our hands all the time??
thank you Uptown Girl ! you said it ! and Hella you said it too.
The Only way i see “US” winning is if we OWN everything . And yes WE own Ports now , and GOSH BE WEEEEZ own Planes now too! So that 1999 excuse about how we dont own The boats and the planes is bullshit. DO some research. The only thing we should be learning in college is MEdicine, Legal, Accounting and a class or 10 about Entrepernuership. Thats it ! . We need to Own our own and SELL it to EVERYBODY not just us. Flip the script B*tches and stop working for people and prasing people who work for people *cough Oprah* *cough cough Jay Z * . They are HIGH PAID EMPLOYEES. EMPLOYEE is SIN NAH NAH NYME for SLAVE .
Here are MY solutions:
+Work with congress to repeal the mandatory minimums. If we elect a democrat (VOTE PEOPLE) we can try to make that happen. This will eleviate a lot of the financial burden of housing petty drug offenders. That money can be used to create prevention programs in inner cities.
+Work with local elected officials to create better zoning laws for fast food restaurants, cigarrette advertising, liquor stores, etc. Once we can clean up the smut being peddled in black communities, we can begin to discuss better choice-making.
+Replace 99% of administration in the pulic school system. These people are only there because they can’t cut it in the corporate world. They don’t care about the children and they’ve made the education of our children political.
+Enfore immigration laws. The burden of the hispanic community has surpassed that of the black community. Give the illegals here full amnesty and then put the national guard on the border to end this shit.
+Free parenting and child care classes for new moms sponsored by county hospitals. More emphasis on breastfeeding and natural living.
+All students involved in violent acts in public schools will be removed and forced to attend a separate institution. There are kids that actually WANT to learn. If you want to be a thug, don’t ruin it for others.
+Write and petition the FCC and other organizations to protest the images in music videos. Violence, misogyny and ignorance are social ILLS. If we let them know we hate it, and threaten to boycott advertisers, they’ll get it.
+TURN OFF THE TV!!!!!! Limit the amount of tv you watch to only a few hours a week. Seriously, it’s brain poison.
+Every black person is the owner of their community. Not white amerkkka or corporate amerikkka. Remember that.
WORD IS LAURYN HILL IS PREGNANT WITH HER 5TH CHILD!
WORD IS LAURYN HILL IS PREGNANT WITH HER 5TH CHILD!
WORD IS LAURYN HILL IS PREGNANT WITH HER 5TH CHILD!
Thank you Denise. I’m glad someone is listening and not talking a lot of BS. Just listen instead of trying to be right ALL THE DAMN TIME. So stubborn…damn.
Im not in the category of “folks” he describes, but I’m still listening because I see this ish around me everyday in my neighborhood and I care about them because I see the counter productive behavior. and I know they don’t care about themselves,
@ me - Thank you. I agree with you 100%. This is why people keep losing sight of the message and always ignore the TRUTH. Do yall hear yourselves? “The daughter used to be on drugs.” “Cosby slept around.” This is why when ever a prominent black person steps up and says something of value and substance, it is always ignored because people want to always focus on the negative and the superficial. Bill Cosby is not perfect, neither are you. He has made mistakes like everyone else has. Does that mean that he doesn’t have a point in what he is saying? Isn’t it possble that he has changed from the person he used to be? Why can’t people focus on the message instead of his past mistakes?
Yes people should practice what they preach (yes it’ll make it easier for people to listen and follow if you ALWAYS practice what you preach), but the thing is, people mess up sometimes. No one is perfect. Does that mean everyone should ignore what Cosby is saying just because of his past faults or what his daughter used to do? And the same goes for Oprah. She has done so many great things especially for the black community, yet time and time again black people all day talk about their dislike for her cuz of some of the imperfect things she may have done or said in the past.
Why can’t people focus on what he is trying to say and how we should better ourselves? No one is f**king perfect. No wonder why whenever a black person says something of true value, black people crucify them and say “whatever, I aint listening to him because he used to do drugs and his daughter wasn’t perfect.” People can change. When someone wants to finally step up and say this is what should be done, we shouldn’t knock them down because of their past. Martin Luther King Jr. will always be a hero in my eyes but I know I’m not the only one who has heard that he had relationships with other women. I’m not saying he did but there are rumors that he did.
So lets say MLK Jr. did have a mistress, would everyone debunk everything that he fought for? Would people ignore all the contributions that he has made in this country alone? Are people going to say “I don’t care what MLK had to say because he slept around.” Should we all lose sight of the amazing contributions that he has made in this country if he did cheat on his wife?
The same goes for Jesse Jackson too. People don’t take time to listen to him anymore because of the affair that he had. I’m not defending what he did but does that change the fact that he contributed so much to the civil rights movement? People need to learn how to forgive and focus on the NOW rather than the THEN. Cosby is not perfect but he has made steps to try to educate people - because something is really wrong with the fact that there are a lot of black men in jail and that black women have the highest rate of having babies out of wedlock.
But of course and isn’t a surprise, people aren’t going to listen to him because of what his daughter or son may have done in the past.
Val said
@ coi
I gather he continues to do it because not enough people are taking a stand against him. When you have high profile African Americans setting the stage for him to vent this way, it’s likely to continue. The best we can do is not purchase his books or support him in any other manner. ”
Val you are a huge part of the problem. And the sad thing is you are prob a college educated Essence magazine reading woman. SMDH.
Just for that stupid arse comment you made I’ll buy 10 books one for you me and all your disconnected friends. K ? OOOOOK!
Landie you’re right. The real wealth we can accumulate in our communities comes when we encourage our children into harder studies such as finance legal, medicine, engineering and business. Instead of wasting hard earn dollars on material goods just to appear we have wealth. That type of imagery is what is helping destroy communities. And why the black race cannot fully gain power because we are not using our resources in a smart way. Some are but there are too many that aren’t and that is the problem.