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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bill cosby's comments were surprising, but as a few have commented earlier, when someone in such a position speaks out with such weighty statements, they're usually either speaking hastily or errantly and decide to subsequently apologize, or they're steadfast enough in their convictions to stand behind and subsequently defend what they said. bill cosby represents the latter, and rightfully so; this is a guy who revolutionized television with a critically acclaimed (for its humor and its often educational message) sitcom about an african american family that embodied a way of life that was formerly unrecognized by most people as even possible for african americans in this country. he kept it clean, kept it honest, kept it throroughly entertaining, and taught everyone who tuned in a thing or two about family--not "black" family, but family in general. additionally, he's been fighting for his race in less tangible (i.e. not nationally televised) ways before and since. as such, he's earned the right to speak his mind and give his opinion on what he sees as a facet of the american population, most notably to him those who share his ethnic roots, and whom he worked hard to pave an easier way for. he's a good man. this is from a 28 year old white male.

tags

I think Mr. Cosby would make an excellent running mate for Mr. Kerry. Or perhaps vice-versa!

J

Cosby -Right, but... Without parents that provide the tools for children to succeed in education, the kids start out way behind. And, that's not a racial thing. It's no coincidence that middle and upper income families value education-for most that education is what helped to get them there. Why do the children of some immigrant families succeed in education? FAMILY! Push the kids to do their homework, read instead of TV as toddlers. A culture that denegrates education, admires single motherhood and out of wedlock fatherhood, and includes ex-con %#$@-slapping rappers and athletes as role models will not succeed for the majority in it. And, breaking that culture's rules means being called an Uncle Tom. Just ask Bill

Steve

Mr. Cosby is right on, and im so glad he said it because while he may be a celebrity he is also an itelligent and respected person and not some dopey actor. i see kids today and they think that being a thug is cool and that having 3 kids by the time your 17 is what your supposed to do. Its sad and i cant believe that mr cosby is receiving backlash for stating the truth

Ferecito

I think Cosby's comments were on point. Although I haven't heard the entire speech, I think Blacks need to own up to their responsibilities. I have seen several examples of what he addressed--money spent on high-priced sneakers but not on buying books or other educational materials. Why can't we be critical of ourselves, even in public, especially when there is truth to what is being said?

Trevena

I wholeheartedly agree with Mr. Cosby. Dare I speak for him when I say that, if just a few people heed his remarks and are motivated to act, it was worth the controversy. Among these posted remarks I read one from Jason - suggesting that we recognize our unity as Americans. Well said.

Pete W

Being born poor is unfortunate and accidental for the child born into it, but there is opportunity. Education plays an important role! The old adage, ‘you can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make’m drink’, comes to mind when I think about people who do NOT put the effort in when educational opportunity presents itself. Mr. Cosby is right on! These people need to get their priorities in order. This is the message that needs to be reinforced in the poor communities. It’s all about behavior modification. The poor need to embrace the attributes/behaviors of successful people in order to break out of poverty. Cosby is the ultimate vision in this regard. He worked hard to get where he is today and is a wonderful human being. Cosby understands what it takes and he is not a sell-out to the black community. I have so much respect for him! I hope that the poor white and Hispanic communities takes heed in what the man said – it applies equally! Making CERTAIN another child doesn't have to say, 'poor me' is an obligation individuals have to their unborn children.

Joyce

I just want to commend Bill Cosby for speaking the truth, and for Renee Graham for another excellent article. Kids, both black and white, need to learn respect--for human beings, and for the English language. How is anyone going to succeed in life if they can't put together a grammatically correct sentence? My heart goes out to these kids who aren't getting the guidance they need to grown up to be productive adults. What kind of world are we going to live in if things continue they way they've been going?

Lynne

I cringe whenever I hear someone say AXs instead of ASK!!!! There is no excuse for this. I hear it from pass from the lips of both black and white alike and it makes my skin crawl! One of my teachers in high school used to say if you can't afford to go to Harvard at least make other's believe you could by the way you speak and your presentation!

Chrissie

Bill was honest. Education is the key to self worth and challenges being met. Black, white, brown, yellow--learn to speak the English language. Every parent wants their child to do better than they did. If they don't, then these young adults have to make a choice to have better for their own children. The work force is also suffering due to lack of education. Phones can't be answered properly. Names can't be understood. It is almost impossible for these young people to follow a dress code. Everything suffers. Please take Bill's advice. Your life will be better for it!

KM