Cosby: Brutally honest or elitist snob?

Earlier this month Bill Cosby took a segment of the black community to task on issues from their grammar to complaints about police brutality. Some people said he was being brutally honest, while others said his remarks were a classist, elitist attack on the poor. What do you think? Read the story: Some angry, some agree with Cosby criticisms Renee Graham commentary: This Cosby show is undeserved

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Mr. Cosby was right on point! Only those who want to continue living the lifestyle he condemned will find anything wrong with it. Unfortunately people aren't humble enough to recognize that more than just insult, his words were meant to be taken to heart, and better oneself. Recognize your errors, and learn from them. Instead, people are too busy defending something that has no weight to it. More people need to listen to what he said, and see how they can better themselves and not make excuses for their situation that is staying the same, and isn't good to begin with...

Max La Paz

I think Mr. Cosby was just being honest. We need more Blacks of his caliber to speak the truth as he did. Our children are our future and we need to guide then in a responsible way so that they can be productive member of today's society.

Oj

The real story here is not whether or not what he said is true, it's the fact that he said it at all. Young black males need more positive role models. Not just people to emulate, like rappers and sports stars, but successful black men, living clean lives, willing to challenge them to achieve. Its crazy to me that Coz is getting such a backlash, for challenging a community with ridiculously high jail rates, and low graduation rates, to look inside itself to be stronger. He's not attacking individuals, or saying they don't have the decks stacked against them from the get go, but he is saying that personal responsibility is the key to succeeding in spite of those things. I personally hope that his remarks will inspire other successful, black leaders to speak the truth and help to increase a sense of personal responsibility that is sadly lacking throughout many black communities (and others). Well done Dr. Huxtible!

T

Give it a rest Charlie, politics has nothing to do with this. Gee, its raining today, must be the liberals' fault.

Lou

The last thing you can ever say about Cosby is that he is anti-African-American. Here is a guy who has done nothing but use his celebrity status and communication skills to try and better the African-American community in the US and internationally. As a hiring authority for my company, I can tell you, we could care less about skin color, race, sex, religous belief are anything else, but if you can not speak articulate english, don't expect anything more than a minial position. That goes for whites as well as African-Americans. What he is saying is correct. Do not ask society to work hard to help you excel if you obviously don't try yourself.

Jim

Winston., there is a huge difference between what Bill cosby said and Malcolm X. Malcolm X, like yourself blame everyone but the black community for not being able to get ahead or the problems with the youth. Cosby is saying it comes down to the parents and how they need to take responsibilities for their kids and teach them respect and values. Its about time a prominent black man spoke the truth.

TONY

Brutally Honest: The African-American community should be praising Mr. Cosby. His remarks not only apply to African American, but to Whites and other minorities as well. He is specifically concerned with African American's because that's who he cares most about. The only reason this hasn't been said by many others is because no one wants to be known as a racist, even though they are speaking the truth.

Joe

Well, I partly agree with Cosby in the sense that a group (any group) of people should take personal responsibility for the betterment of their children and their community at large. However, it seems to me that this message board, and this issue in general, has become an excuse for a lot of white people to jump on the racism bandwagon without looking like racists. It's very disheartening to read a lot of these responses that seem so subtly hateful.

Rachel

Good for him for stating the obvious. 'Politically incorrect' has gone too far. Why is there something so wrong with pointing out a problem only so society can improve itself? Pathetic.

MN

Trash begets Trash. Its not about color, but more about values. Do you and your own value flashy clothes, the image of money, gold teeth, big SUVs, violence, crime and excess? Then you are TRASH, whether you're black, white, orange or brown. I live in Jamaica Plain near several projects and Jackson square where there's a killing every other week it seems. Where does this trashy youth (white or black) get its value system from? From a particularly sick culture (MTV and other contemporary forms of filth) and their sad, desparate parents that don't seem to look for a way out, but seem content with continuing the cycle. Good for Bill for calling a spade a spade. Truth hurts doesn't it? Wake up America!

D